Leaderboard

For the First Order! It was a long wait with a short build time. I’m so excited to be an official 501st Stormtrooper! Thank you everyone for your support and build threads! In memory of FN-2199 (Nines) I received my TK# of 21999. I’ve also updated my user name from FirstOrderConcepts to NeoNines. Lets get trooping!

Got around to snapping a pic of all the parts! Got a couple of the belt boxes mixed up, but otherwise stoked!

Hello Sha Sha, Thank you again for everything. I have a couple of questions and comments. So the funny thing about the Hovi tips is that I had them right the first time, exactly like the photo, but then for whatever reason, I thought oh wow I need to whiten them, hahaha so I took them apart and whitened the inside and rim. hahahaha Argh. So question for you, are they solid black, or have white around the edge? They look solid black in the photo to me. So question on the tip would be, rim, inside wall and inside backing? Everything else, is good to go, I will make the changes per suggestions no problem. The edges are all cleaned down already, the backplate and arms was just a standing and strapping adjustment, so that is done. Ab plates as well. My only concern is my helmet ears. I kinda worked hard to get them to fit and have just slight gaps. I kinda really dont want to widen those ear gaps that much. To be honest, I kinda dread that and feel like it will ruin my helmet. How much flexibility is there in that? I can make the change and adjustment, but in the long run I think I would adjust it back. So I am curious, is it flexible if I leave that alone and I hope you guys will agree to that. It's one of the things I just dont like about the helmets, the excessive gap, plus I just dont think it looks that good for the public appearances and all. Tube stripes not a problem, I will widen then. Shins, I will work at tightening their fit as well. Thank you and the entire team very much. Sincerely 501st is an amazingly helpful and encouraging group of people. I am involved in a lot of extremely dynammic things in my life and high profile things and NEVER have I experienced a group of more welcoming and helpful people that are so encouraging of everyone becoming better. Just Awesome. Thank you to everyone. Ardeshir R. TK 42128

There some lego mini figs floating around of the Rocket trooper; looks like a hoover tank trooper from r1 in some ways. D23 approaching I bet we get over our heads in new costumes. I'm slowly starting to get things to get for the first order mountain trooper which I don't think will ever end up on screen but might be in the park

Thanks Dan. I'm holding off on the shim for now. Still slowly losing weight (this armour was a good incentive). Once I hit about 170 I'll see how the armor fits. More updates. I trimmed the back of both calves. Thanks for the reminder gm. Before. And after on both I added the strapping for the bell to bicep. The SDS TD is too long at about 197mm. The end caps were both cut off. It took me a while to figure out how to remove the ring of grey ABS from inside the cap. I originally thought they were glued on, hence the cutting. I later found out they were simply press fitted (very tightly mind you...) into place. I f I knew this I would have simply used the hot bath sooner. Anyways.... I placed the cap in hot water and tried to pry out the grey ring, but it wouldn't budge. So, I screwed two screws into the ring, and then used pliers grasping the screws to pull out the ring. The original screw holes will be covered by the new clips (to be made) and screws I am using. Left, new screws. Original screws on the right. The end caps are reinstalled with just a dab of E6000. After cutting the caps off they don't overlap the pipe by more than 2 or 3mm, so some help is needed to keep them on. The TD is now 185mm.

After nearly a year, I finally finished my ANH Stunt armor!! At least enough for basic approval. I have aspirations of moving up to EI and hopefully Centurion levels with my TK, so I'll continue making improvements, I think I'm pretty close to EI already. Made a couple mistakes along the way, learned that when trimming it's better to err on the side of too big and go back and adjust later if needs be. Had to shim my biceps wider after cutting them too narrow and am actually in the process of shimming one of my shins. Somehow I cut it almost a full inch more narrow (in circumference) at the ankle than the other . It looked fine (a little skinnier) but not really noticeable, but it dug into my ankle pretty bad even with my boots on and I knew I wasn't going to be able to troop with it that way. Some advice to my newb self probably would be, to do a little more research, I always found a better solution shortly after deciding to make a move. But what do you do?? Part of the journey right? Haha! I learned a lot along the way and I had a lot of great help! Thank you so much everybody that chimed in when I was stuck or asked for advice and to everyone that was always so quick and willing to take time to help, everybody on the FB groups as well!! Troopers truly helping troopers!! I want to give a special shout out to @TK-42775, @justjoseph63, @gmrhodes13, @TKSpartan, @Bud Spaklur, for the all invaluable build info and also my son Jackson, daughter Samantha and also Michelle for always being willing to listen to me drone on and on about my build and always being supportive and cheering me on. Thanks again everybody! My childhood dream of being a Stormtrooper has finally been realized and I couldn't be happier!!

Go ABS much more durable and less prove to crack in time, the reason they use ABS in automotive parts

RS does a PVC kit. It's very very very bright white from my recollection. I am not sure I've ever seen it outside of photos though.

Hi James and thank you for your EIB application, just letting you know that I will start the review Not too sure you weigh 200kg though

I believe the answer is yes, it is Anovos. Several of the members here have been and asked the question. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome David! amazing build. Congratulations. Now, lets troop and do good.

I am so excited for you. Congratulations. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Super impressive strapping thread, thank you for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you contacted Walt about that? He is a great guy to deal with and hopefully you can get this sorted out.

Updated

I’ve got to say these E11 3D models are looking fantastic, nice work Bryan. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congratulations and welcome to Expert Infantry lvl Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you Q, appreciate it very much.

Just been reading the issue Star Wars - Poe Dameron #25 Shame there's no more images for references.

Thank you very much for all the help you have given me. If something else is needed, I will be happy to perform the necessary tasks for my evaluation. Waiting for the call to duty

Apologies, I didn’t realise the thread was so specific. The title didn’t suggest as such. All good! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Awesome job Greg. Congratulations and welcome to the legion

Hey Chris shoot me a message anytime if you need some help. I'll be starting a new build soon. Sent from my 5054N using Tapatalk

Yeah those are exactly what I was gonna go for! Yeah my illustration is a bit squared off, I'll definitely give it more of an angle. But I did want to make sure to make it look more an intentional part of the armor rather than big chunk broken or taken out as I've seen on some armor.

Thank you so much!! I definitely will!!

Congratulations trooper and welcome to the ranks

Thank you all for the replies! I think I’ll grab one and try it out. I’ll post pictures once I get one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to the FISD Don, Looking sharp there trooper.

Hi Don, Welcome to FISD. Nice build, Congrats

TK14677 reporting in and requesting access. https://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=29728&costumeID=126

You’re heading well towards basic. :-) With your list of Centurion amends, don’t forget the ab to kidney gap (at the sides). For EIB; Any gap between the abdomen and kidney armor is no more than 1/2" (12.5mm) wide For Centurion they will be looking for no gap. To achieve this, you’d need a shim that is blended in for no visible seam. Keep yo the good work. :-)

Love the smell of E6000 in the morning!! Well not really it’s pretty potent stuff but great progress on your build. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The choice is certainly yours on how high you wish to go. One thing I can say is, it will be a little easier to build to Centurion from the outset. It will save you time in the long run, the little extras aren’t very expensive to obtain, and you will have a great sense of pride knowing you went all the way. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys! I’m still alive from this triple degree weather. I’ll update ASAP. I have Tuesday and Wednesday off from work. So much to show you all! Hope to hear from you all soon!

Nice work on the updates, all looking pretty good but one thing though the shin rear cover strips should stop below the top ridge you have them going all the way up.

I finally had time for suiting up and pictures, but first, some more build pics: Initial belt curve: After some time in the hot tub... I'm still having issues with the belt snaps not holding. I replaced one male snap on the Ab. Next step is replacing the female snaps on the belt. Bell elastics glued on. After test fitting the whole armor, I will have to add snaps on the inside bottom of the bells, as well as a strap to the top of the biceps to keep the biceps from sliding down. Sniper knee. Hopefully this will pass for centurion when I get there. This is the best I could line up the top of the sniper plat and calf edges. I added little Velcro tabs to the top of the boots. These attach to pile Velcro on the inside of the front and rear calf. The initial bracket straps were kind of short, preventing the chest armour from hanging over the Ab enough. If I moved the wrong way then the chest would ride up and end up on the top edge of the Ab. I then need to readjust it to let the chest fall back into proper position. Original strapping 1 1/4" long. I took these off and made new ones than end up about 2" long. They work better, but I still get the occasional chest "ride-up" situation. Now me in the initial "Post-major-modification-armour-fitting" The biceps have slipped down because there is no strapping to hold it to the bells. I thought of doing the big ABS hanger hook, but will probably do a simply strap and snap from the bicep to the inside of the bell. The fitment of the bells are better after the hot water bath, but for the life of me I can't get them closer to the chest plate. I'm not sure if the trimming done by SDS took too much of the front and back of the bell? I may be able to bend the bell into more of a curve, but there may not be enough material to wrap around the bicep and meet the chest armour. I also shortened left and right white elastic shoulder straps by about 3/4". This tightened the fitment of the armour to back and chest, and raised the Ab / cod up slightly. I find the top of the thighs hit the Ab slightly when I walk. I can manually lift the cod up another inch or so, but to have it permanent I may have to use a better strapping system. Possibly suspenders like what was originally installed. I could then cinch the armour tighter. I have not made a loop in the thigh black strap to fit over the belt I am wearing. The long elastic is simply wrapped around the belt for now. Is the thigh to cod gap ok? The thigh ammo belt rivets still need paint. I forgot to measure the side gap after I added an additional snap inside to tighten it. Does the chest / ab armour overlap at the corner look ok? Seems excessive or weird to me. The drop boxes line up perfectly with the belt edges. It is just off kilter here. The armour is now fitting better, and the left and right gaps are a little uneven. Sigh….I'm still debating snugging up the left as well. I do find it hard to bend my arms completely. It is very difficult to raise them to put on my helmet by myself. I also have to walk very carefully to keep everything lined up and prevent waddling and clicking / snapping of armour. LOL Summary: Install bell to bicep straps Buy thicker white elastic string for shoulder strapping. I have double looped thin elastic to hold ribbed shoulder to white elastic strap underneath. Fix the belt snaps so they don't pop off Ab Paint thigh rivet Possibly Install interior strapping from Ab to kidney that will go over my shoulders to help raise the cod. Bring TD to Centurion level. It is a little too long, and proper TD clips need installing. I still have to trim, paint and install the new Hero ear pieces. I will have to look through threads on how to properly do this so there is a tight fit with little open seam between ears and helmet. I have ordered helmet paint stencils from Trooper Bay. Once they arrive I will get my helmet finished for Centurion. The helmet electronics are about 50% done. The biggest (and hopefully only) issue that will keep me from Centurion will be those pesky bells. But the big question? Is this good enough for basic approval? Even if approved I'm not sure if I'm comfortable wearing this for extended periods for trooping. If I stand still I look good, but after moving arms or walking, the armour starts to shift around, and the pieces snap against each other.

Fantastic!

Great job Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. All fixed now, pointing in the correct direction, and even less likely to snap off!

Weathered the bad boy

Thank you Mario and Arthur!

Definitely trim. Looks terrible when people forget. AM kits are 'pre-trimmed', but almost everything needs a couple mm taken off. Make sure to trim your Thermal Detonator pieces and handguards down a tad as well, those are also easy to overlook.

Thank you. This has been more of a project than my friend and I thought it would be. The kit was made for someone smaller and I am a little overweight so we have been trying to compensate. This was also my first time putting it on fully.