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Bucket day 2 through 4 I'm super pleased with how this part of the project is turning out. Will be completing the wiring for the fans and switches this weekend.

UPDATED with new photos/info. I was recently asked "What's the difference between the regular (Sterling) E-11 and the Bapty versions of the blasters used in ANH"? So, having some time on my hands this is what I have come up with. Is it the end-all-be-all of this subject? Not by a long shot, but it should answer the basic questions along with a few odd facts. If anyone has any input or corrections please let me know and I will update this thread as needed. Thanks for looking! The "Blastech Industries" E-11 While no one knows exactly how many were used/seen onscreen, these were real British Sterling Mk4/L2A3 sub-machine guns which actually fired 9 mm blanks from a shortened 34 round magazine. As seen in the 2nd image below this gave the actor(s) the realistic effect of responding to live fire (note the actual smoke coming from the barrel.... and the wince on Han's face). In some scenes the shell casings are seen being ejected. Red "laser" blasts were added in post production by "rotoscoping" each one by hand, frame by frame. Some didn't match up exactly, lol, but it was 1977 and who noticed? I certainly didn't, but it explains our legendary bad aim. To give them a more "futuristic" appearance, the prop masters added all manner of objects: 1. Hengstler counter model 400- Added to the left side behind the magazine, at least 2 versions of this were used in the film. Eagle only- I believe these to be the older versions, made in either brass or a base metal with 890 in the center. Wings are rounded on the outside tops and square on the inside. Eagle with HENGSTLER below it- There are 2 versions of this one. The "wings" logo on the older one have slightly rounded tops and are a tiny bit narrower than the newer version which has squared tops. Both have a smaller 890 in the center as compared with the older models. NOTES: Placement of the counter is ideally mounted slightly above the folding stock rail with the rear lined up above the stock bolt as seen below. As seen in the last 3 images below, the counter is angled and follows the contour of the folding stock. Although cool looking, the coiled wires connected to the counter/power cylinders were not seen in the film and only used on the Bapty version in promotional images so are therefore not "screen accurate". The counters originally had 2 small metal prongs (connector pins) attached to the front. Very few of these made it into any reference images, and were probably knocked off when holstering the weapons. 2. Power cylinders/setup- Unless they were knocked off during filming, these were present on all blasters seen onscreen and were mounted on top of the magazine. If you want to dive into this rabbit hole (and I highly suggest you do, it's actually fascinating reading) about the details I highly recommend checking out Adam's page here. You simply will not find a better reference, and it has everything you could possibly want to know (and more) about these mystery items! Side notes: 1. Some references state that the red wires behind the power cylinders were not seen on-screen, but in at least 2 scenes they were (photos 1-2). The first shows a Stunt TK holding his weapon with it present, and the second is from a photo where Luke is holding it, but I believe this to be the same exact weapon. 2. Ideally the cylinders/mounting plate should be parallel with the end of the magazine well, at an angle to the receiving tube (photos 3-4). 1 2 3 4 T-tracks- While the exact origin/source is unknown, these were 6 of these used to cover the holes in the shroud. They were made of plastic**, the ends bent over and inserted into the openings at the end of each row except for the bottom and row with the bayonet lug. ** Used on both versions, these should not have any metallic color showing when weathering your weapon. Scope- Both the Sterling and the Bapty versions used surplus WW2 tank scopes. While the 1942 M38 type was seen on the majority, 2 other models were employed as well. Note on the M19 model that the original hex nuts were used to attach it to the rail. M38 (1942) M19 (1942) M38 (1943) Scope rail- 3 methods of mounting the rear of the rail can be confirmed. The first (photo 1) shows the rear held in place with a vertical bolt/hex-nut. Photo 2 shows a horizontal version. Photos 3-4 shows how the Bapty's were mounted using a bent end and fastened with what appears to be a star-head screw. 1 2 3 4 The Bapty versions (photo 1) all had a 90 degree bend at the front of the rail while some others (photo 2) had none. Either is fine for all levels of approval. 1 2 Other items- This rectangular item on the top front of scope (photos 1,2 and 3) was seen on both the Sterling and Bapty versions in a few scenes. While it is not known exactly what these were, they appear to be a 14 prong IC socket. These may have been added to all blasters, but since they were glued on few are seen as apparently most were knocked off during filming. There is only one photo I can find of these mystery items being used, and both were located on the left side of the folding stock. The longer one was located toward the front and the smaller one toward the rear above the trigger guard. Many parts like the Hengstler counter and power cylinder set-ups were simply glued to the weapons, and during filming these were knocked off by accident (photos 1-2). Some were seen held on with wire or cable ties (photos 3-4). 1 2 3 4 The Bapty E-11: Because actual weapons were difficult to export between countries during filming (UK, California and Tunisia) approximately 20 custom made replicas were fabricated by the Bapty company (a UK based prop maker) that could be. Based on the L2A3, these were leased to the production to conserve costs, and since they were not actual firing weapons it saved additional money by not having to have a licensed armorer on set. These looked very similar, but what Bapty did (among other things) was to utilize the main parts and entire front sections of actual Sterling L2A3s, but replace the rear end with a custom aluminum tube (thus the rivet) and remove the ejector pin/grub screw from the magazine. Note that the cocking channel on both the aluminum extension (2) and original shroud (1) has been filled. Sterling grip/trigger Ejector pin/grub screw removed 1. No D-ring 2. Solid rear sight 3. Star(?) head screw holds rear scope rail directly to shroud (body) 4, Faux cocking lever 5. Aluminum billet (tube) replacing bolt/spring 6. Wood barrel (not seen) 7. Larger/rounder trigger guard 8. No trigger/mechanism 9. No retaining bolt/screw or emblem 10. Custom made smooth aluminum grip 11. 2 piece body (shroud) 12. Rivet (not seen on all models) 13. Trigger cover plate is different 14. Rivet instead of selector switch Two interesting facts: 1. While Bapty used real Sterling magazines, they cut them in half and used both sides. Some had the original end plates (photo 1), some had flat replicated plates (photo 2) and some just had wooden plugs (photo 3). 2. I have always been told that "There were no Philip's type screws seen in ANH", and having studied literally thousands of reference images I believed that to be true. Until now, when the Bapty cocking lever caught my eye (photo 4). There were 2 other versions as well, one (6) using a flat head screw. 1 2 3 4 5 6 IMPORTANT Even though I believe these were seen more than the Sterling version in the film, please note that the Bapty version is not permitted for approval at Centurion level.

Oh that does give me an idea. I have time, I just like to get things done sooner than later. Bart

Not all of us have very much in the helmet, I have a 10mm thick piece of foam in the top, blocks of foam either side of my head, 2 fans which sit in the recess behind the mic tips and 4x4 battery AA packs in the cheeks, and I wear a head mic. Some helmets are also larger than others so they can accommodate a little more. From memory AP and ATA are very similar in sizing which would be the smaller end of helmets compared to some others.

I order “OEBLD mens compression pants” off amazon and has pockets on both sides that sit right at the thigh armor

Hey @revlimiter and @gmrhodes13 -- thank you SO much for the suggestions here. I spent a while last night with the Ultimate Compound and those trouble spots are all but gone. In case anybody else has this issue in the future: I used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound with a microfiber round at first, similar to this. I really wasn't getting anywhere and started to feel disheartened. I eventually switched to plain paper towel which seemed to work a lot better, and gave me more control as to pressure/angle/precision. A small buffing tool would've certainly helped because I had to polish for a LONG time to get this discoloration out. I also probably used more compound that I needed, but it's hard to say. Using it pretty generously definitely seemed to help.

ok I figured it out, thanks https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=35435 I still need to find a source for foam to use as padding to help keep a few things aligned better.

Hi Steven, It's something strange, I can see your info with no issues. I used google chrome and firefox.

Hold my beer. I'm still in the somewhat shell shocked mode of this. Can't believe I ordered armor. Small panic attacks because I ordered armor.l That sort of thing. I've ordered a blaster now and boots. I'm getting the neck seal arranged so all these little things that can happen are happening There will be a big gap now until things come in which will be hard. I've forward looked into 2023 and events that will be happening near me that, fingers crossed, I'll be able to be one of you and involved with them. That's a bit scary to think about, but also exciting. I'm still picking through a lot of this board just trying to get more of a feel for the vastness of it all and to not be a total noob at some point. So yeah, scary, exciting, expensive, crazy all wrapped up into one right now. Bart

remember... there is no such thing as a dumb question, for we have all been there more then once... good luck

My time to join the first order will come one day.

Ben Rothman TK-60421 Letter Chemi Thanks! My pleasure, Ben. Congrats! https://www.whitearmor.net/eib/certificates/60421-centurion.png

Been a BUSY week, but TK-45528 reporting for duty I’m sure I haven’t requested all the proper access to So Cal, 1st imperial detachment and all… (so many different places!)

Here's a nice reference of how flexible the material is, from Mandalorian Season 2

Thanks. To finally decide it took a bit of chatting and today I went and bought a set of black undersuit compression, whatever-the-heck-it-is stuff to see what that felt like, It was a bit strange. Tight. OMG the gut..... OK, good that that goes under the ABS. Still a bit horrific to think about. But at the end of it all as scary a this seems (because I'm already thinking of actual trooping which I am not at yet) instead of just dealing with one step at a time I'm in the process of getting armor ordered. Can't even believe I am saying that. I read all the stuff here and watch videos and everyone seems to be having just so much fun I can't not do it even with some insecurities and still a mile long list of unknowns to still figure out. It will be hard to govern myself here with the flow of questions to come from me. Bart