The Covert Tribe Mandalorians' references

[TheCovertTribe]

Hi everyone,

Here are interesting connections between the numerous references and images concerning the Covert Tribe Mandalorians who appear in Episodes 1 and 3 of Season 1 of The Mandalorian.

I noticed many similarities in the depictions of a specific female Covert Mandalorian throughout different media, even though she did not clearly appear in the show. This lead me to believe that there was a clear template or reference material concerning these Mandalorians. As time passed, more and more evidence of this appeared, so I will try to link these to provide good source material for anyone interested.

First, here are 4 appearances of the same female Mandalorian. Although there are alterations in her garb, these definitely come from the same "template". These come from: Funko Pop, Lego, Card Trader App and a t-shirt featuring concept art.

Now she also appears in the Art of The Mandalorian, which really confirms that these media used the same concept art.

Following this design first is easier, because the helmet and colors are very consistent throughout the different representations. I think there are 7 or 9 other unnamed Covert Tribe Mandalorians that come from the same source material, but unfortunately, their representation varies a bit more.

A final confirmation finally dawned on me while rewatching the Covert Tribe scenes frame by frame. Here it is:

I will try to develop this further tomorrow, so I hope it can be useful.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

Here are 4 appearances of Covert Mandalorians in licensed products or artwork. I linked their depictions by matching their numbers.

In a few words here are the references for their helmets:
1. Blue with grey visor with a short antenna
2. Orange with grey visor
3. Orange/red with grey visor, jag eyes and 2 short antennas
4. Dark red with grey visor and a rangefinder
5. Grey with green visor and short rangefinder or lights
5B. Blue with grey visor and a short antenna
6. Grey with orange visor and a rangefinder
6B. Like 6, but a female version
7. Grey with blue visor and stripes
8. Green and blue with a grey visor (female) and a rangefinder

 

[TheCovertTribe]

I am pretty sure there is the 6B helmet on the bottom right.

In this picture, the left Mandalorian could be #7. The set lighting modifies the colour, so I think this is why the blue doesn't quite show. The one on the right seems different from the concept art and references.

Here, the one on the right is clearly #4, but the other one seems different from the reference material (he is the same as the right one in the picture above).

#4 is again clearly seen on the right here:

 

[TheCovertTribe]

I also found interesting additions to these images on Brian Matyas' website. This version features a different Mando (#9) and coulour variations for quite a few of them (#1's visor, #3 and #5).

There's also this one who looks great, but he might be a bit flashy compared to the style of the other Covert Mandalorians.

 

[Mythos Fenn]

Great reference shots! Excellent digging.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

Thanks a lot!

I'm trying to analyse more background shots from the show, but the light makes it very difficult to make clear matches. I'll see what I can do.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

Unfortunately, I can't link this Mandalorian to any of the artwork references. The hip armor and rangefinder are the main ID I used to compare him to the designs, but it doesn't seem to fit.

Same goes for this one, mostly because the lighting makes the color rather indistinguishable. The shoulder armor does remind me a bit of #9.

 

[RamSkirata]

I am pretty sure there is the 6B helmet on the bottom right.
View attachment 213006

In this picture, the left Mandalorian could be #7. The set lighting modifies the colour, so I think this is why the blue doesn't quite show. The one on the right seems different from the concept art and references.
View attachment 213007

Here, the one on the right is clearly #4, but the other one seems different from the reference material (he is the same as the right one in the picture above).
View attachment 213009

#4 is again clearly seen on the right here:
View attachment 213010

First off: Very cool digging! Please do more of this stuff!

Regarding the #7 identification... The Mando you identified on screen was also the "extra" that caught my eye. Really like the design of the grey and dark red.
I think you are right in identifying him as being derived from #7. Lighting CAN play a huge role. There is definetly blue on the chestplate that matches the concept art. As for the helmet... hard to tell. The "face" seems to have a different color from the ears. However, the supposed blue on the helmet looks different from the definite blue on the chestplate. Would be cool to get some more opinions.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

First off: Very cool digging! Please do more of this stuff!

Regarding the #7 identification... The Mando you identified on screen was also the "extra" that caught my eye. Really like the design of the grey and dark red.
I think you are right in identifying him as being derived from #7. Lighting CAN play a huge role. There is definetly blue on the chestplate that matches the concept art. As for the helmet... hard to tell. The "face" seems to have a different color from the ears. However, the supposed blue on the helmet looks different from the definite blue on the chestplate. Would be cool to get some more opinions.

Thanks a lot! I'm glad to hear that.

Unfortunately, the whole armoury scene is set in strange lighting and so is the shootout on Nevarro, so unless we get behind the scenes pictures, color ID will be very limited. I'll try to go back to the Making Of episode of season 1 to see what I can get. I remember that we could see one of them with normal lighting in the shootout.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

Here's a shot from the making-of. I am almost certain this is #9 based on the color, knee pads, shoulders, armor plating and helmet (gey on red without any add-ons).

 

[TheCovertTribe]

The most complicated scene to dissect is the one with the Mandalorian armor pile. There's about 20 helmets seen, but most are too hidden for an ID. Most are also stripped of any add-ons, making it even harder. Here are the shots with slightly adjusted lighting.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

And finally, here is what I can make out in the first scene that presents the covert.

This one looks like 5 based on the helmet, vambraces and knee pads.

This must be 6, because of the visor and vambraces color.

This looks like no4 based on the helmet color and the thick rangefinder.
As for no 1, the hip plates, garment and overall color fits very well with the blue variation of the concept art.

 

[Rich25034328]

Another

 

[Rich25034328]

Few more vfx

 

[Rich25034328]

And another

 

[TheCovertTribe]

And another

Wow! These images are incredible! How did you find that? They are really helpful.

The first shot is the clearest image from the set I've seen so far. It's identical to the concept of no9.

Thanks!

 

[Rich25034328]

Wow! These images are incredible! How did you find that? They are really helpful.

The first shot is the clearest image from the set I've seen so far. It's identical to the concept of no9.

Thanks!

I came across the first image through Facebook, it was a personal one from one of the extras if I recall correctly.
The other two images are from the vfx department and were on one of the making of the mandalorian programmes on disney plus.
I've done a bit of research myself a year or so ago, I'll see if I've got any other images that you've not put on here

 

[TheCovertTribe]

I came across the first image through Facebook, it was a personal one from one of the extras if I recall correctly.
The other two images are from the vfx department and were on one of the making of the mandalorian programmes on disney plus.
I've done a bit of research myself a year or so ago, I'll see if I've got any other images that you've not put on here

You sir just made my day!

That extra is one lucky person. This armor (the red one) is one of the coolest I've seen in the SW universe.

So far, I think that these are the same character, based on the helmet without apparel, the red vambrace, the armor shape in the stomach area and the distinctive angular knee pads:

And here is the one I call #9, that the VFX calls Variation E:

The other 4 in the VFX images seem to be new, so I'll do some digging later to see what I can come up with.

 

[TheCovertTribe]

I found the VFX footage on Vimeo, thanks for the info! It allowed me to get this image, which links to 2 of the Mandos in the concept art:

 

[Rich25034328]

You've landed some great images there, they seem to wear a mix of post imperial armour with touchs of the heavy mandalorian.
I built a kit based on no 3 but uparmoured to fit mercs crls