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Way back when, (before I was aware of the 501st) I ordered a set of this armor. During my search for the best way to put it together I discovered the FISD and found out that it would not be acceptable for even basic 501st approval due to the fact that (as Mathias mentioned) MOT is a recaster. If you are not familiar with that term, it means that they copied someone else's work. I was really disappointed to find this out, but instead of sending it back I sort of "made lemons into lemonade". Instead of returning it, I used the build threads on this site to put it together and then sold it on ebay as a complete "Halloween costume" in 3 days (and actually made a profit)! Doing this gave me some great build experience and gave me the chance to interact with some great folks here on the FISD, which prompted me to order a kit from AM. Getting a kit from a vetted seller also has the advantage of giving you the chance to join the 501st. This way, instead of keeping it in the closet all year except for Halloween or the occasional convention, you have the chance to wear it throughout the year, (our Squad did over 250 appearances in 2016), make some great friends, and put smiles on hundreds thousands of faces.

Looking great Alberto! Good luck brother! Looking forward to you're joining the club!

Thanks! And yes...I wonder who sold me that blaster... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow seriously Alberto, this is some beautiful work. You have done an amazing job on your build. Thanks for allowing me to the opportunity to follow you along on your journey. Let's bring another EIB to the ECG! Hey that hyperfirm looks familiar!

After more than 10 years of dreaming I decided to start my journey to become an imperial Stormtrooper by end of December 2016 to celebrate Star Wars’ and my 40th anniversary After a short dispute with my uncle I left his moisture farm and registered at the imperial academy of the FISD on Carida early in January. During my first steps towards the topic I was happy to find the great forum of the academy with its kind and helpful community. I started my research to find out which armour would be the best for me and could fulfill my requirements of getting a screen accurate looking Centurion Stormtrooper who just left the academy (clean and shiny ). At the end I had to make a decision between RS and TM. I decided to go with TM because I don’t like the bubbles on the RS helmet on the one hand and I like the original/organic look of TM’s armour and its overall appearance on the other hand. So master armourer Troopermaster got my order early in February 2017 after one month of very intensive research. Because I did not dare myself to assemble belt and helmet and paint it, I ordered Troopermaster to do this for me. I also decided to go with the snap strapping system because it is a bit handier than the original brackets. Yes I know, it is not screen accurate at the end, but my requirement was to build a stormtrooper which has a screen accurate appearance while taking the advantages of the allowed building methods While waiting for BBB-Day I forced the local imperial research department to focus on how to build the armour and what common mistakes I should and could avoid during the build. I also gathered the necessary materials and tools as well as the needed accessories like boots, neck seal, under suit and blaster. I also cleaned up my garage, the weapon test area and the workbench and installed a holonet interface (some call it laptop) to have an easy access to the imperial archives and its huge database of blueprints and holo-vids for answering upcoming questions during my work. This special developed interface was also capable of receiving audio transmissions from the imperial propaganda department, so I could listen to the latest news from all over the galaxy while working on the holy duraplast parts. From now on the garage was called “imperial armoury” whereas my wife called me just crazy, although she was the one who encouraged me to spend so much money for some pieces of plastic But anyway, when BBB-Day would come I will be prepared. However, some days of waiting were to go, so I had time to practice my patience. An easy thing for a Jedi, I guess, but for a simple Stormtrooper having an itch to jump in his armour and maintain peace and justice in the galaxy that is very very difficult But finally end of May the BBB arrived from UK. Full of beans and quite confident of having gathered enough knowledge I started right away, always one eye on the holonet, the helpful build threads and the requirements for Centurion (my final target). During my build I faced three major time-killing issues regarding the forearm fitting, the torso strapping and the ammo belt assembly. But at the end I could solve all problems thanks to Troopermaster‘s helpful advice. End of August, after three month of blood, sweat and tears, I finally managed to complete a wonderful piece of art. I prepared for the final test immediately, the approval to become an imperial Stormtrooper Only three days after TK-61276 aka T-Jay and I took the photos for 501st approval I got my own TK-ID. The imperial army command assigned me to the White Shadows Squad of the German Garrison. So, now I can call myself imperial Stormtrooper and member of “Vader’s Fist”, the 501st Legion. Great feeling and I am looking forward to my first mission on the front lines. Although my main mission objective was not completed with being a Stormtrooper and member of the 501st, a secondary objective, not less important, had to be accomplished to call the entire mission a full success. I wanted to become a Centurion of the Legion, so some more steps were still to go. But with attention to the Centurion requirements during my build I was confident to achieve this target too. Additional Director’s Cut content starts here With being assigned a unique TK-ID end of August, I got march orders from the imperial army command immediately. My squad should protect and secure an imperial recruiting event at the city archives (public library) of the neutral city of Bergheim at begin of November which would include patrolling the building environment also. Because the imperial reconnaissance unit reported hostile surroundings and a small possibility of rebel activities at the operation area, mission command ordered our squad to prepare for the upcoming mission carefully. So, in the meantime I enhanced the wearability of my armour to have better movability during combat, improved the filter system and the optical system of the helmet and corrected some minor issues regarding the armour part positions to improve the overall appearance. My intention was to show the galactic public how precise imperial Stormtrooper could look like and that is an honor to serve the Emperor by maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy Confident to be well prepared I, fully armed, took part in my first ground mission at the front lines. With eight other fearless members of the White Shadows Squad of the 501st Legion, including my brother in arms T-Jay aka TK-61276, the deployed fire team accomplished the mission objective without any incident and no casualties. Thanks to this epic success the imperial command on Coruscant will welcome some new recruits in the future definitely. Encouraged by passing my baptism of fire successfully, I decided to go for my personal mission objective, becoming a Centurion of the Stormtrooper Corps at last. After my fellow war photographer and weapon specialist T-Jay had taken the required photos I prepared for the next step towards this target immediately. Only two days after requesting level 2 approval at the imperial army command I was promoted to the rank of Expert Infantry and got my badge on 21. November 2017 from Deployment Officer Tony, TK-10116. Reaching the second level without any complaint made me proud on the one hand and nervous on the other hand. Only one step was left to end a long journey and, after more than 10 years, let my dream come true. Excited and with my heart beating I prepared my request for third level approval right away. After 7 days of nail-biting suspense I was promoted to the rank of Centurion on 28. November 2017 by 501st Deployment Officer Tony, TK-10116. Being surprised positively, I reached this final target without no complaints again. According to some rumors, even Lord Vader himself was pleased with my work. That’s some kind of honor I never had expected. “Someone must have told them about my little maneuver at the Battle of Taanab, äähm I mean my first Mission at Bergheim.” Ok, what I want to say is, the hard work at the imperial research department and the imperial armoury payed out in a way which makes me very proud at the end. Finally, with being allowed to call myself Centurion of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps, Member of “Vader’s Fist”, the 501st Legion, my personal mission is a full success. I am very pleased of reaching this target within a short year after starting that mission in December 2016 and within a very special year also, the 40th anniversary of Star Wars and myself. It’s a great honor to be part of this great community, connected by one of the greatest hobbies in the world. Additional Director’s Cut content ends here At last I want to thank some people, who helped me throughout this mission. Without their help it would have been much more difficult. First of all I have to thank my wife who tolerated my absence at several evenings during my armour build. She encouraged me to let a dream come true and furthermore helped me out when more than two hands were needed. So at the end it took three month of building only, what I never had expected when I started the project end of May. Second I want to thank Troopermaster of course, for providing me this wonderful piece of plastic and particularly for all his helpful advice during my build and his patience while answering my many many questions before and after BBB-Day. Third I have to thank T-Jay who gave me great support by building a very detailed and unique E-11, using his completion set. He also made his TM armour available for me to take it as a reference which helped me out a lot. I am pleased that he was part of my first troop, we together could maintain peace and justice in the galaxy and made children, big and small ones, smile I also have to thank JustJoseph63 and Darman for their stuff and the very fast delivery. Great job guys. Last but not least I have to thank you all, the community, for this forum with its depth of information which helped me to start my journey and stay on target. Great to be part of it. Thank you. TK-77to17 salutes you

Basic Information Name: Alberto Oscarelli FISD forum name: Albaz 501st Member Page: http://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=24123 501st ID: TK-20055 Garrison: Empire City Garrison (NYC-US) Mandatory Information Armor Maker = AP Helmet Maker = AP Blaster Type = Hyperfirm E-11 Optional Information Height = 6'1" Weight = 173 pounds Boots Maker = TK Boots Canvas belt = AP Hand Plates Type = TrooperBay Electronics = iComm + AKER Neck Seal Type = DarmanProps Holster Maker = TrooperBay Cod piece Butt plate Connections Thermal detonator Belt Ammo pack (knee) Sniper plate Rivets, side - detail Buttons Shoulders Helmet Paint Blaster Boots Gloves Action Shot

Great looking armor! Also good luck, though I doubt you need it at this point Looking through these posts only make me more excited for when I can request for my own EI

Great Job... looks like this will be an extremely easy approval. the only watch out i can give you is on the belt, it looks like the edges are a bit to rounded off from the 45 degree angle cut. But shouldn't affect anything lol. Good Luck Bud! Amazing job!

Looking great, Gary! If I could make a suggestion, it would be to (carefully) sand down the heads of those rivets so that when you paint them it will adhere a LOT) better. I suggest masking off the area around them with painter's tape so that you don't scratch your armor.

Hi Patrick, glad to finally see you joining with this wonderful armor. You really went the extra mile on this build and it was totally worth it. Hoping that blaster can keep up with the rest of your build. Great introduction text as well. Looking forward to your EIB and Centurion submissions and our first troop together.

The problem with MOT hasn't been the shape, although it's a known recast. It's been the quality. Several people who's had it have reported the plastic to be so thin and fragile it was breaking apart within days. The armour we recommend will last for years, even during heavy use.

I use Gorilla Gel glue for mine. I put glove on run a bead down center from knuckle to wrist and hold guard in place for a couple minutes. Then add glue working from center to edges till glued securely all around. Leaving slight overhang over knuckles.

Sweet build Alberto, Tony or I will be with you as soon as possible. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nice work good luck

I placed some foam in front of my forehead, just enough to help bring it backwards a little and away from the chest.

First update in awhile, made a lot of progress: Most parts that could/should be glued together have been, most everything is sanded/smoothed/primed (not painting 'til armor gets here, want it to match), and finally getting started on electronics (guess I need to learn how to program an Arduino). Picked up R2Dan's holster as well. Most parts do need a final coat of sanding, but will wait on that until right before painting.

Yup, just wondering if around 1/8th inch is absolutely necesary to get approved. I mean I don't think people are going to walk up to it and measure it. In regards to how much you can see the detail in trim below 1/8th inch thick, (it may appear too little detail because of how thin it is), one can easily remedy this by weathering their trooper like the Imperial Labor camp troopers, or Jedia troopers, seeing as weathering is an option (yes!!!!!!!!!!!).