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It's my hope that this post will reach other Vets that are out there wondering about Joining the 501st and have PTSD / Anxiety issues. I had my 1st troop the other day. My wife came to be my spotter and get suited up. I'm not gonna lie, excitement and anxiety was kicking my @$$. We got suited up and headed to where we were doing the photo shoot. Mind you I was not expecting the amount of people that were going to show up there or be in the Venue after we came in. (Roughly 500 per 30 min if I remember correctly) we were in there for about 2 and 1/2 Hours taking photos of the 20 of us in Armor against the Icy back drops of the park we were in. Not to mention the 100's of others that we took with people. I will say that it's the largest crowd that I have been in the past decade, with ZERO Heighten alertness going off and almost no Anxiety (Except for falling and busting my 4th point of contact on the ice.) There is something about the anonymity that you get looking through green lenses and your head in the bucket. I cannot tell you how rewarding of an experience this was for me. To be able to get out in public and not feel that crushing anxiety and have your body go in to overdrive. If you are a Vet and are wondering about getting a shiny white white suit, 2 words DO IT!!!!!

Hi Lucy nice to see another Legacy build. Looks like you have been doing your research but just in case I would suggest having a look at this build thread as well https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/44182-legacy-fem-trooper-version-a-tj_fem-wip/ you've been quite conservative with your cut lines but the first ones are always the most nervous , As Daniel has suggested the shoulder bells could be trimmed up more and I have added some pics below for you to review. In the above link there is some good pics on trimming the Abb plate as well, The Forearms mentioned well the legacy is unique the standard TK does clear out most of the return edges but for the legacy it still shows the curve of the return, but this can looked at when your there. Since helping my wife clear her costume I have helped a few other legacy's on there journey, so will happily chime in and try to answer any questions you have along the way And good luck

Thanks to the pioneering work of you and the other contributors of the E11 reference guide these awesome mods are now available to all of us, greatly improving the realism of our blasters. Can’t thank you guys enough for that! BTW: I bought some cheap bulldog clips, but unfortunately the metal is even harder to get through than the pen clip. Beginning to doubt the quality of my metal drill... Thanks Andrew! I’m also looking forward to seeing the finished product. It will probably take some time before the weather over here is suitable for starting the painting in my unheated garage, so in the meantime I can make up my mind about where to place the electronics and continue to add details.

While there are a number of ways to attach the lenses inside your bucket, I found the easiest and fastest is to use a product called SUGRU. It is a kneadable glue, sort of like play-doh (plasticine) that is super easy to work with, and will hold forever. It does keep somewhat of a pliable consistency after drying, can be removed if you ever need to and does not emit heat during the curing process like CA or Epoxy glue. It is available online (like here on Amazon) and in many craft shops, usually in packets of 3. It comes in a variety of colors, but I suggest using the black. HINT: This can be done if you have already built your helmet, but it is easier if the face plate has not been attached. This whole process will take you less than 10 minutes to attach both lenses. Here is a photo of one of the individual packets, and the contents rolled into a ball. In this instance I am using 1 packet per lens. You will need a craft (popsicle) stick, sharpened at one end: Here is the trimmed eye opening from the inside: The next step is to roll the SUGRU into a small "snake" shape about 7 inches in length. (No longer). After that, you simply press it into the outside edges of the eye opening. Note that I left an open spot at the top. I recommend this for ventilation purposes. (Helps keep your lenses from fogging up). Place the lens evenly over the opening. Using a craft (popsicle) stick, push the glue firmly into place around the outside, making contact with both lens and helmet surface. Don't worry if it seeps through to the front. Hint: This glue is strong stuff. You don't need a crazy amount of contact surface. It will not come off unless you take it off. Turn the faceplate over, and any glue that has seeped through (see red circle) can be easily removed with the sharpened end of the craft stick. Allow 24 hours for it to dry, and you are DONE!

So I received my kit and let it sit in the box. Made up an excuse that I wouldn't touch it until my other 2 costumes were approved. Well, that finally happened. Here goes: Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Hello FISD! I ordered Jimmi’s V5 armor last November (after well over a year of waiting on Anovos) and am finally getting around to acquiring all of the needed supplies. It’ll be the first FOTK in Alaska, so I hope to continue the influence of the Empire in the great white north! I’ve already put together a Centurion-level Anovos ANH TK and a WTF Snowtrooper, so I’m looking forward to this build, having had a bit of experience and practice.... not to mention practice mistakes and then having to fix them... more than once! I’ve not documented either of the builds before, so I thought I’d keep track of this one a bit more thoroughly. I’ve always had GREAT support from those who have built before me, so I hope to continue that trend and share my experience with others. I’ve got the armor, and I’ll post the unboxing photos in the coming days, as well as listing where my other supplies came from. Thanks all for your support, guidance, and inspiration bringing this world to life! For the Empire! TK38991 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Great question. Not since I've been in the DO position. Let me do some research

Thank you! I hope to continue a little bit each night after work. And yes, APs are great. Not only for the way everyone helps each other, but for the camaraderie. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Lorelei... I’m sorry I doubted you, and we were joking about the ice cream you can come back now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Because I forgot I even had this post! Whoops. I've done a bunch of updates since this one, as noted above. They're now in PDF, too!

Off to a great start, Matt! One thing I would suggest is that if you have any hesitations, questions or problems to post up photos of the area in question before cutting or gluing. Blue tape will be a constant companion, so keep plenty on hand. We are here for ya', sir!

Awesome - good luck on your build

Nothing better than BBB's, good luck with the build, looking forward to the progress

Armor parties can certainly give you some great feedback and hands on assistance. Build is coming along great, nice work.

You can do it . Were her for you if you need us.

Thank you!!! I dont have an actual plan of execution yet... just trimming the parts that look easy first. Then I'll probably need some help with the fitting, so perhaps an AP soon??? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Very nice STEP BY STEP build THREAD... I’m excited for u . I hope u take ur time and cannot wait to see u troop in it !!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Never followed a legacy build, should be informative

Thank you so much!!! I'm pretty excited to finally start this project! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Hey there Lucy, I love these kits and was lucky enough to see some up close at Celebration Orlando. Cant wit to see you finished and approved. Keep up the good work.

I had just pointed out that my rivets are starting to work their way through the nylon. I used the strip of ABS, but not any extra E6000. I’m going to want to take that section apart one day and give it a re-do. I also recommended reinforcing the torso around the split rivet holes to guard against small stress cracks (which I also have).

Yes, you're absolutely right! I was being too conservative with my cuts. I am more of a visual person, and especially after seeing your pics, I will do some more trimming. Thank you for taking the time to help me! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I was nervous about trimming too much. But yes, I did have my doubts that maybe I still had more to trim. Thank you for your input! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

If I could make one more suggestion, it would be to buy 3M SandBlaster silicone sandpaper. It is incredibly flexible, will not tear, can be used wet or dry, and seems to last forever, (I used one piece to do an entire TK build). It costs a bit more, but is well worth it in the long run. https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-SandBlaster-Pro-4-Pack-4-5-in-W-x-7-in-L-150-Grit-Premium-Sandpaper/50191417

The "scoops" in the biceps should be more or less the same size, but sometimes you have to sacrifice symmetry for comfort. Affect your aim? Can you post up a photo of the inside (scoop) of the forearms?

Wow that's impressive Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice start on the build Although I´m not that familiar with this kit I would remove all of the flashing on the top and sides of the shoulderbells and also remove about half of what`s left on the cod area, at a minimum the flashing that`s still there. I was looking at the armor in the CRL and the parts don´t seem to be trimmed as they should, bicep and forearms in particular has flashing that would be rather uncomfortable….but as I said no expert on this kit. Just shared some thoughts - keep it up

That's awesome man! That faceless bucket feeling is great. Helps me stop being such an introvert. If you ever get nervous or have issues (goes for anyone, for any reason) be sure the handlers know what's up, and don't try to "be tough" and ignore it! I've seen too many people go down with heat issues because they wanted to be the tough guy and not drink enough. Handlers jobs is to keep everyone safe, and they need the help by knowing what to look for! Are those stormtrooper ice cleats I see?

Awesome, (doesn't include that in his post) sneaky bugger

Ah, but being exceptionally sneaky, I E6000ed the crap out of the fabric so really the rivets are ornamental Rob (twosolitudes) walked me through his errors on Saturday and I came up with that idea shortly after.

Split rivets are in and painted white. Holster is attached. Last thigh front strip is gluing. Not sure how much more I will get to tonight. TD needs trimming to get to the right size and needs painting. Maybe I'll run into the garage and do that while it's unseasonably warm.

Its been a while since my last update, but I'm still at it. I ran into a bit of trouble over the past couple of weeks wherein the temperature in my garage dropped below freezing - that makes it tough to get much done in one push, and then I discovered that E6000 doesn't like working at those temperatures either. I was able to move parts of the operation requiring gluing into the basement and keep things moving along. It is fun to finally reach the point in the build where I'm installing the strapping and its actually looking like a suit of armor, rather than a haphazard pile of plastic. Yesterday I tried on the upper portions, mostly so I could figure out how low to hang the thighs, and that was quite an experience. I think I'm going to need a squire to help me in and out of this! In any event, there is still a lot of little things to do: Adjust strapping so things fit correctly. I see in my photo that my right shoulder bell is out a bit and my right forearm needs to be lower, things I didn't notice when I had it on. Painting screw heads and rivet heads Install velcro into calves - I'm going this route until I know for sure if I need shims or not Finish painting shoes - I used up one can of white leather paint on them, but they still look a little cloudy The damn belt - I mentioned above that I had a whole host of issues switching over to my Kittle belt, and when I put this on one of the rivets pulled loose. For the photo I grabbed that loose hanging end (my left side) and shoved it under the elastic of the drop box, that's why it is not lined up right with the ab buttons. I had lots of trouble when putting the belt together due to low quality rivets where the shanks kept ripping in half. I'm going to just pull it apart and re-do all 3 rivets with better quality ones. Not looking forward to that, but at least this time it is glued with E6000 and not that hard-as-nails epoxy Anovos used. I'm going to attempt a re-do of the sniper knee Figure out what I'm going to do for gloves I haven't even begun to start on the helmet....

Thanks Brien. I will read this as well. Looks like I'll be going shopping for sandpaper and acetone.

Looking great! Get that Centurion approval in sooner than later! One tiny little thing I noticed is the fitment of your forearms. The cover strips should line up with those of your biceps. Some extra padding will keep them from rotating like they appear to be doing.

This may be good reference for you, I did something similar but with my thighs (not ab/kidney), a companion piece would be a great addition to the tutorial section though:

Hang tight trooper I'm sure one of the DO's will be with you in due course, these things do take a little time

Whoop whoop! Love me AP armor! Looking good, keep up the great work!

Love seeing this. Keep it up!

In the tutorial the rivet holes were drilled and the rivets pressed into the plastic without setting the rivets. Once a fitment check was performed for the entire torso section then the area was assembled. Since the armor was built to Centurion standards and screen accurate as possible the final connecting strap dimensions and assembly method in that area remained the same regardless. Centurion requires there's little to no gap between the Ab and Kidney an so this is how it was assembled. As A.J. and Glen mentioned this assembly method is NOT mandatory. Hope this helps

Not necessarily. You can just have the rivets in the side "for show," and do your strapping using snap plates as you would elsewhere, ignoring the rivets altogether. A.J.

I suggest using a host, Imgur.com or google photos is popular choices around here or using tapatalk For the trimming I would do something like this, you can trim less to begin with and see how you like before trimming more

Well everything worked out guys, thanks for all the advice. Got new shoulders, body and thighs sent to me. Everything fit for most part and wore it at work at my movie theater. All the kids loved it. Shoulders in pic are old shoulders. Working on replacing them with new ones soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk