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It is with great sadness I make this announcement as we have lost one of our own. Unfortunately Terrell Reber TK-1787 (SuperTrooper), know by many as ATA Affordable trooper Armor has passed away. If you were ever fortunate to have spoken with Terrell, you will know he had an affect on people. He had a way with words that made you feel like a lifelong friend, he was intelligent, talented, and believed everyone should have the opportunity to live out their Stormtrooper dreams. Terrell is a huge loss to our community in many ways. His service to FISD our members and the Legion at large will never be forgotten. Rest in peace good sir, and may the force be with you always.

It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of Terrell Reber, who was my XO for many of the early years of FISD and later became DL in his own right. In that time, he contributed his insight and wisdom in many areas most particular in the areas of armor, molds, and armor making. He was the first person to find a legitimate, conflict free path to selling TE derived armor when he founded ATA. It may be hard to believe, but there was a time those years back when a decent set of FX armor was $1200 and TE type armor was hard to acquire from a reputable person. ATA changed much of that, and ATA set the bar for providing quality armor at an affordable price. Hence ATA: affordable trooper armor. He was very picky about quality and hunted for plastic suppliers who would provide virgin material with the right shade of white. He could have charged more and had a long wait list, however felt that would be against his principles. These days there are many options for people to procure quality TE type armor at an affordable price, and we have a solid list of reputable makers. It can be hard to believe that it wasn’t always this way, or that even having a public list of vetted armor makers was considered taboo. With a glance at a picture, he could tell you the make of the armor or helmet and could spot all the “tells” that was uncanny. He gave selflessly his experience and advice to FISD members time and again. However, most of all I will remember him as someone who was always there to take a phone call when needed. Who gave selflessly to this hobby that he loved. 43 is just too young. Buckets off, as I drain it of my tears.

Thank you to all of you and the guidance you gave me to take the steps towards EIB. Appreciate it and also the feedback is perfect to make it even better so I can aim for Centurion. I am super excited! For the Empire!

Congratulations and welcome to the EI ranks trooper

Hi Tarkan , thank you for your patience and for your EIB application! CRL and EIB Application Requirements: All required photos have been submitted, and on behalf of the entire D.O. staff we are pleased to welcome you to the rank of Expert Infantry. Congratulations! Other-Armor Fit/Assembly; In this area we review observations made by your fellow troopers and the DO team. Some observations may lead to suggestions to improve the overall look of your armour. Note that we consider both text (CRL) and pictures (screen caps/ additional reference images) when reviewing/approving submissions. Not all items may be specifically listed in the CRLs but may be required for higher levels. Let start from top Your helmet looks to be riding a little high, for more accuracy, this is not mandatory but you may want to check if you can take out some padding from the top to lower it down a bit. Reference Images Although there was variation in brow height seeing in screen, the ESB troopers tended to have a bit of white showing under the brow, so we're suggesting you raise it a bit to improve your ESB look. Reference Images The brow trim, would be more screen accurate if you trim it a bit (do it little by little so as not to cut too much). Reference Images Moving on your ears. You have 2 ear bumps on one side and 3 on the other. Of course there were disparities on at least one bucket in the film, but most had 3 on each side as seen below. We are asking you add one more stripe there to even them out. Easy fix Right Side Left Side Reference Images Ideally , the ear screws should go aligned with the rear edge of the Traps. It is mentioned for your consideration as it is not the easiest fix. Reference Images Next, This looks like a simple strapping adjustment, we suggest to raise a bit the biceps and lower down the forearms to allow the hand plates to positioning correctly and have more confort when carrying your blaster. Reference Images Looking at your first photo of the Lower armor, It looks like once you made the adjustments to reduce the ab/kidney gaps by tightening them up, it has made your posterior plate jut out quite a bit and it is no longer aligned with the kidney. Tightening up the strapping at that connection may help. Not a deal breaker for L3, but we'd really like to see it closer. First Photo Updated Photo Reference Images A suggested and practical solution is to add a c0uple of "V tabs" made from ABS .With a heat gun you bend strips of ABS plastic into the shape of a V, only glue one side and the other remains free to allow movement when you bend. Just helps stop the butt plate from pushing back from the back plate. Another improvement we suggest is that your ab snap is placed too far inwards. In order to fix this, you could drill out the snap, set a new one in the proper location, then fill the old hole with ABS paste. It's a bit tedious but many troopers have done similar fixes and if done correctly, it's totally invisible. Reference Images Finally in this section, just a dressing issue here. When putting on your calves take care of the back closure alignment. Reference Images *************************************************** Centurion Requirements; In this section we prepare you for Centurion. Because Centurion photos show more detail than EIB, items pertaining to Centurion might be seen there and not here and additional photos may be required. We try to point out all that we can from what we see, but the final accuracy is the responsibility of the trooper. CRL L3: There should be a minimal gap between the shoulder armor and the chest/back plates. Your Left side looks perfect , but the right one needs a strapping adjustment (shortening) to match and even the other shoulder. Reference Images CRL: If rubber gloves are worn the hand plates will be affixed via an elastic strap over the palm. No stitching/holes are permitted. If silk or satin gloves are worn, the hand plates have the correct visible stitching pattern using black cotton, with a five-point/star pattern, equally spread out with 2 on each side and 1 in the middle front, and needs to be double stitched at each point. Yours looks to be satin type gloves but the hand plates are affixed by an elastic strap and no stitched to them. As per the CRL you will need to make the necessary change for one of the two options, rubber gloves with strap or satin ones with stitching Reference Images Reference images Another detail brother is that your Hand Guards are positioned too high ,attached to the end of forearm . They will need to be separated in order to be lowered to the correct position. As you can see in the reference images the curve of the the end should sit over the knuckles. Reference Images Crl L3: The top of the ABS ammo belt should sit at or just above the bottom of the central and vertical abdomen button panels.Your ABS belt is riding a little low, and needs to sit "...just above the bottom of the ... ab button panels". Adding some Velcro behind it and an the bottom of the ab-plate should correct make the trick. Easy fix. Reference Images CRL L3: The corners of the plastic ammo belt shall be trimmed at a 45 degree angle that meets the outer edge of the cloth belt. A suggested solution could be trimming the edges of the plastic ammo belt a little. Reference Images CRL L3 : Three rivets, approximately 5/16"(8mm) diameter, are present on the left side of the abdomen armor. Yours are present, but the positioning is off compared to the screen-used suits. This is one of those instances where we do rely on visual reference rather than just the text of the CRL. You'd need to remove the rivets, drill new holes, and fill the old ones. A fair bit of work, but it can definitely be done and we are confident you can do it. You should also touch up the white paint of the upper rivets. Reference Images Moving on your Thermal Detonator , the buttons panel is running a little high and the washer style detail should be facing a little to the front and no to top. Rotating the TD backwards a bit could do the trick. Reference Images Looking at your thighs back, You have a small gap in the ridges. As a suggested and common fix, you can glue a small square of ABS in, and fill with ABS paste. Reference Images CRL: Sniper knee plate must be aligned with the ridges on the shin. Finally Trooper, we have the sniper knee. The ridges on the top do not align with the ridges on the top of the shin as required for level 2. This is a common issue we see. it doesn't need to be perfect, but it needs to be a lot closer for Centurion. If you need help, please contact any of us on the DO staff, we are here to help you. Reference Images That's all Trooper. Even though it could be a lot of work ahead, all can be done in a great manner and remember you can contact the entire D.O. TEAM for any help Again, welcome to EIB and looking forward for your Centurion submission.

On a completely (sort of) different topic, I have looked over several versions of the "original" ANH script and in every single one the Officer says "412", not 421. Strange.

Thanks guys! 50 th is in March next year, just pre-planning. LOL Like the ink Glen! I was going for something simple like this (stolen from web), like I was branded aboard a Star Destroyer... After I get my ink my wife will recreate this shot. My letters and numbers will be in Aurebesh.

Hey all! So, my big 50 is coming up and I am getting my first tattoo! I will be doing a simple Imperial Cog with my TK number. SO, is it: TK-98695 TK - 98695 (with spaces before and after dashes) TK98696 (no space) TK 98695 (space) Thoughts?

I'm finally a member of the Empire. I am hereby registering for duty as a stormtrooper. Many greetings from Wuppertal / Germany

If you haven't gotten an email yet, please shoot your order info over to [email protected] and we'll ensure you're on the list!

Sweet! I feel honored.

You are the 1,036th approved Expert Infantryman Expert Infantry Honor gallery

Hi Glen, Yes sir, I did get he Legion Captain of the Guard's approval and move authorization. That part is complete. I have registered at the Star Garrison, but its been a while and I am beginning to suspect the individual whos name is tied to the "new member" registering users post may not be getting the messages. I did look up the GWM and the GWL.. e-mailing those individuals. I was hoping to find an active poster here somewhere. Fingers Crossed.

You can find contact info for Star Garrison here: https://www.501st.com/members/garrisonroster.php?garrisonId=21 Also when swapping garrisons you have to request a membership location change via the LCOG's [email protected]

Congratulations Trooper!!!

I have not signed in here in a long while as i havent had a TK for a bit and am mostly engulfed in Boba Fett stuff....but i heard this news and i had to come here to say how much of a great guy Terrell was. Iv'e spoken with him countless times about armor, and Star Wars in general and even worked with him for a bit building his kits for members here. I only met him in person once at Celebration V i think it was. He was a true gentleman and it was great to talk with him in person that day. He will be sorely missed in the community. He was by far, one of the great ones. Gone way too soon. Buckets off for a more than great trooper

Congratulations Tarkan!!!

Thanks everyone! #1 it is!!!!!

Terrell was certainly very gracious to me in our 48-message email string over the past three years. An icon in the community, he will be missed desperately. Buckets off. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I met some of my local garrison members (Outpost42) at an event 3 or 4 years ago, and ever since, I wanted to build and wear an ANH TK. Well, Covid restrictions led to me spending nearly all of my spare time at home, so I have been lurking on here for a few weeks, researching, which led to me ordering a kit from RS, which arrived last weekend--quicker than I expected, given the current supply shortages & shipping issues we are experiencing :-) Now, to start a build thread, then the work begins...

Love it! I totally agree with adding a keg!

Hi Jessie. I will be the DO doing your review. First of all, I wanted to apologize for the delay. The DO's team has been working very hard on the "unseen side of FISD". Thanks.

I have a wide size 13 foot and just ordered from Crowprops. They actually have you send a tracing of your foot and measurements to custom size the boots.

Thanks tons! I actually pulled the trigger and placed the order. Mentioned my size in the little "notes" box. I figure if he doesn't size up to 14, then he can just reverse the charges. :-D

I've taken the middle elastic off and temporarily used Velcro to pull it down and see if I can get it to work. If it does I'll make it out of snaps and 1" elastic. Without me in the clamshell it seems to work. Now whether it works while I'm in it I'll find out tonight. I'm riding around looking for the glue for my gloves. Full attempt again tonight.

Many incorporate the snaps with the side rivets, but snap plates will also work, although the closer to the edges you have the snap plates the better, you may find the sides bow out with a large gap between the snap plates as you use a lot more elastic so more stretch. If you find the the elastic too long and stretchy adding some abs tabs can help keep the sides from overlapping.

Super Fast. Thank you.

Both challenging and FUN!!!! I submitted pics to Garrison Titan today!!!!! ROTJ blaster cuz it is the only one I have finished! LOL! Thank you all for the help on this adventure and I hope to troop soon! Now to the weapons locker!

Ahhh, the joys of having a one-room-apartment please don't fall down the stairs, please don't fall down the stairs, please-

I used a dash on mine TK-85421 Oh and happy 50th

The simple times, before the FISD, before the obsessive need to know all the differences in armor

Congratulations Trooper.

Thank you so sooo much for your replies. Incredibly helpful. I will definitely look more into these links. To be honest I think my Dad really wants to wear the armor and just be part of the charitable events. He’s excited to see the joy and thrill on the kids faces. And live that childhood dream of being a trooper. If anything I’m more into the nitty gritty details of which TK. But I’m thinking TK ANH Stunt. This a project we want to work on together after being apart for so long with the pandemic. It seems like there is a lot of emphasis on selecting the vetted vendors. Is it because they use a direct lineage of molds that come from the armor from the films? Or is it simply a matter good quality and materials? is EVA foam an approved material? And what does HIPS and ABS stand for? I know it’s the type of material. I’m familiar with PVC but not the other two. Or maybe point me to a glossary for all the abbreviations Thanks again for the tips and help. Looking forward to this project and bonding with my Dad.

You can find a list of garrison's here https://www.501st.com/members/displayUnits.php#garrisons Or search the map, bottom left of the page https://www.501st.com/