I just came across a Reddit post suggesting that the Rebel pilot helmet might be a modified version of the TIE pilot helmet.
At first, I wasn’t convinced—until I took a closer look at the comparison image. I could see some similarities, so I decided to investigate whether any official information or behind-the-scenes evidence supports this “modified helmet” idea. Here’s what I found!
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Rebel Pilot Helmets Are Based on U.S. Military Flight Gear
I recently discovered that the Rebel pilot helmets featured in Star Wars: A New Hope—particularly during the Battle of Yavin, when the Rebels strike at the first Death Star—were inspired by 1960s U.S. military gear. According to the 2014 book Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy, the production team based these helmets on the U.S. Navy’s APH-6B flight helmet.
According to the book, “Rebel pilot helmets were based on U.S military pilot ones from the 1960: model APH-6B.”
To illustrate the similarities, I’ve added a comparison image below. Aside from the Rebel helmet’s orange stripe down the center, it closely mirrors the overall shape and design of the APH-6B.
However, The TIE Pilot Helmet Was Originally a Modified Rebel Pilot Helmet
I came across something really interesting while digging into this. If you’ve made it this far, then our goal is clear—we’re trying to see if the Rebel pilot helmet was actually modified into the TIE fighter pilot helmet. As it turns out, the book I mentioned earlier gives us another fun fact: the Imperial pilot helmet is indeed a modified version of the Rebel helmet.
However, the TIE pilot helmet wasn’t entirely based on the Rebel pilot helmet. Instead, it was a fusion of both Stormtrooper and Rebel designs. After finalizing the Stormtrooper helmet, John Mollo—the costume designer for A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back—asked George Lucas what the Imperial fighter pilot helmet should look like. Lucas simply suggested it should be black.
Inside the book, Mollo shared his design process, saying, “The top of it was the Rebel pilot helmet, and the bottom of it was the face of the Stormtrooper’s helmet in black instead of white.”
That means we can literally see the connection between the Rebel and Imperial pilot helmets. The top half, with its retractable visor and central stripe, is nearly identical to the Rebel design. The key difference is the faceplate, which takes clear inspiration from the Stormtrooper helmet, giving it a more menacing Imperial look.
The Key Differences Between Rebel and TIE Pilot Helmets
Despite both helmets having some similarities in appearance, they actually serve very different functions. Rebel pilot helmets were designed for atmospheric and space combat but remained open-faced, prioritizing communication and visibility. They provided minimal protection beyond shielding pilots from minor impacts and offering a heads-up display for targeting. Since Rebel starfighters were equipped with pressurized cockpits and life-support systems, their helmets didn’t need built-in oxygen regulation.
TIE pilot helmets, on the other hand, were built for survival. Since standard TIE fighters lacked life-support systems, their helmets were fully enclosed and connected to a chest-mounted control box that regulated oxygen flow. This was crucial for pilots flying in deep space and high-speed maneuvers where a pressurized suit was necessary. Modeled after Stormtrooper armor, the TIE helmets also reinforced the Empire’s militarized and intimidating aesthetic, with a black faceplate and gray stripes for unit designation.