I've had a some people over the past few years asking me what the differences are between the ESB and the ROTJ left gauntlet (other than the flamethrower of course) and at the time (TBH) I really didn't know EXACTLY what they were.
But during my research while re-doing my V2 gauntlets I noticed some differences between the ROTJ and the ESB. The 4 main ones being:
1. The most obvious that everyone already knows - Sharp corners and edges on the ROTJ vs. the softer ones found on ESB (likely from the ESB being vacformed and the ROTJ being done in fiberglass (?))
2. Left 'flamethrower shelf edge' - being wider on ROTJ vs. the thinner ESB (I found out this one from Rafalfett, thanks again Levi)
3. Two squares below the dental expander area on the ESB version are not present on ROTJ
4. The front calc pad tray lip is present on ROTJ, but not on ESB. However, I believe the calc pad tray AREA is the same size on both.
To the best of my knowledge, these are the only differences between the two left gaunt upper clams (again, with the exception of the flamethrower). The PP1 left gauntlet (which has the ST flamethrower) is basically an ESB gaunt (it has all of the same characteristics I listed above), BUT it has the raised calc pad tray lip (notice the shadow line at the front of the calc pad in this pic, indicating a raised edge -
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/gall...ba-fett-first-prototype-costume-assembly.html).
The PP2 left gaunt is different entirely from all of the others (counting the PP1 and 3 as well) in which it appears vacformed, has the entire back area raised up where the rocket sits, has an added 'shelf' just under the rocket tip, a shortened calc pad area with no lip, and of course is painted yellow. The PP2, as we all know, is the one that appears on the Kenner packaging for the vintage figure. (pics found here -
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/gall...10491-boba-fett-second-prototype-costume.html
and here -
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/gall...10517-boba-fett-second-prototype-costume.html)
I also researched the right gauntlet and I didn't find any differences in those (again, to the best of my knowledge...that's my disclaimer and I'm sticking to it lol. Knowing RF, he'll come along and find something I missed :facepalm). I believe they used the same right gaunt for both ESB and ROTJ as well as for the PP versions. Thank GOD, cause I really don't want to make another version of that.
Here's a pic of my V2's compared side by side so you can see the differences -
In the interest of sharing information, any and all comments, observations, etc are welcome