Here's a question for y'all: I got a Star Wars ARC Trooper action figure today, and since it had two helmets, I enjoyed swapping them around before putting it on my shelf. Afterward I thought, "Why don't we have full-head protection in the real military?" Of course, there's this propaganda image:
But that's the future. What I'm talking about is why the military never has adopted full-head helmets without glass over the front. In WWI, it wouldn't be hard to picture this...
... having an attachment that has full-head protection, at least on the front. Perhaps a sci-fi-esque breathing apparatus with gas mask/air filter built in. Why not? They patterned the first modern helmets (WWI) after knights, anyway, and they have those removable browplates attached to those little valve-looking bolts. And if that's too complex for WWI, I'm sure they could do it by WWII for elite divisions, such as panzer vanguards and SS deathsquads, which could give said SS squads that "we'll do anything, because no one can tell who we are" morale boost, plus the intimidation factor. Why not?
And then, this torso armor (WWI armored German infantry)...
... becoming this after a while.
Looking at it, I'd say Germany's armor played had its fair share of influence on the SW Stormtroopers.
Just food for thought.
