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and lastly A+ props for that Drake TK photoshoop @Morgi

Shoulder strapping turned out good: Next I trimmed the side opening so I can get into the chest/back easier. While I had it on I determined how much I could trim off of the under chest and back, then marked it with pencil: I’m taking more off of the under chest than the back since the outer chest overlaps. Cut it off, looks good for now: With the outer chest just held in place:

Not gonna miss this opportunity

On mine I found the shoulder bells gap on the front would open up when moving the arms and then returning to rest so I made the elastic shorter on the front than the rear, this helps pull the shoulder bells in at the front when at rest, see how you go when you are all kitted up

Greetings all Just an FYI Each year we retire all IPM access and get ready to work on activating the detachment plans for the new term. What this means is all those with IPM status will be set back to attaché status or 501st Stormtrooper status. As we start to realise the actual workload of execution of the plan, we will look to bring more members onto IPM if the area of work exists in that section of the forums (an area only visible to IPM level extended staff. Thank you to those that helped in this area in the last term, this is no reflection on the fine work anyone did, simply our reset to go again. Generally, we would be in election cycle at this time but due to an early finish for us, we can get the ball rolling 10 days earlier than those still under elections. Stay tuned for updates and call outs for assistance.

Greetings fellow members, Our Detachment election cycle has come to a close, with no other nominations accepting to run for the position of Detachment Leader. This means I will continue on as your faithful servant for the next year, and I am pleased to be at your service. This new term will see some staff changes, new initiatives, and more fun and support for all of our members. First and foremost allow me to update you on your staff for this term A massive thank you for the support and service of the following members who are leaving staff position. Justin Reed (TheRascalKing) TK-61490, thank you for your service and enjoy your new project Frank Peranteau (Frank75139) TK-75139, thank you for your service and enjoy more time back with your family Aaron (Bronx) Gibson (Pyrates) TK-99725, thank you for your service and enjoy you new and exciting job Thank you for your unquestioned loyalty. Your staff team for 2023 Detachment Leader (DL): Andrew Franke (Sly11) TK-11469 Detachment Executive Officer (DXO): Joseph Pedigo justjoseph63 TK-10963 Chief Deployment Officer (DCA): Mario Reyes (TKSpartan) TK-48117 Deployment Officer (DCA): Jose M Sanchez (Chemi) TK-30173 Deployment Officer (DCA): Tony Jobe (ukswrath) TK-10116 Provost Marshall (DCoG): Steven Sheades (starsaber25) TK-10466 Provost Marshall (DCoG): Tim Waychoff (DarkCMF) TK-51878 Provost Marshall (DCoG): Chris Pearson (themaninthesuitcase) TK-10911 Provost Marshall (DCoG): Dan Branton (Cableguy) TK-42911 Special Unit Director-Valkyries (DCoG): Teresa Nuthall (Soulart) TK-41307 Provost Marshal SM Platforms (DCoG): Christoph (Danny) Lauber (Ripper_L) TK-55550 Fire Team Relations(DCoG): Mark Ryner (captsafe66) TK-4584 Merchandise and Brand Officer (DMBO): James Silvius (jsilvius) TK-12953 Trading Card Specialist (DMBO): Eric Ho (Hoda) TK-42911 Personnel Officer (DPER): AC (NoVATie) TK-5597 Content Editor Support (DPRO): Adam Wolf (Revlimiter) TK-89400 Content Editor Support (DPRO): Jeff Salt (Wingnut65) TK-50297 NEW TO STAFF Content Editor Support (DPRO): Jonatan Ostling (Nairy) TK-23592 NEW TO STAFF Content Editor Support (DPRO): Vicky Mandlmaier (Vicky_Velocipanda) TK-50893 NEW TO STAFF Social Media Relations (DPRO): Luca Hahn (Morgi) TK-66744 NEW TO STAFF Newsletter Publisher (DPRO): Glen Rhodes (gmrhodes13) TK-85421 Attache Ambassador (DPRO): Caleb Mask (MaskedVengeance) TK-73692 NEW TO STAFF Systems Administrator (DWM): Eric Brager (Darth Aloha) TK-9674 Systems Administrator (DWM): Mathias (Locitus) TK-2959 Detachment Founder (DF): Paul Hoeffer (Daetrin) TK-8020 For our new staff, thank you for stepping up, and assisting in making this detachment as good as it can be for all our members A brief on the Detachment plan for 2023 We always like to start the new term with a bang, so be prepared to see a new section of the forums coming in the very near future. We aim to please but also to make sure we involve all our members. Discussion of a new ladies section is no secret and we are making good on bringing this full circle with its own section of the FISD forums. Come and help Teresa make this a new friendly and safe home for all our female TK's and make it your own. This new section is opening soon. More competitions, first off will be a design competition (members only), and a chance to leave a mark on the face of the FISD forums, keep your eyes open for that. There is some revamping going to take place and expansion on areas where technology is improving and times changing. We look forward to adding a section for 3D resin printers, these are becoming very popular with brilliant results and we want those with experience to share their knowledge, files and services right here on FISD. The replica section is also undertaking a minor tweak to include First Order TK's. If you are OCD and love those fine details and magic finds, you will have a place to post your intimate armour details inside and out. It amazes me we still find hidden gems on OT bits and pieces so I look forward to more with the newer generation stuff. Who wants merch!!, we are already working up ideas for this years items, so keep an eye on the forums for interest threads, competitions and more. More CRL work to come, not only are we looking to add more goodies to current CRL's but the entire legion is preparing to move to an updated CRL Platform. This will be a monumental task for every detachment and needs to be totally complete by October when the old platform will no longer be supported by the vendor. The hopes are for new look CRL's with added features to possibly make it easier to create and use all CRL's. New functionality is also on the agenda. The mystery stuff: Are you preparing for the 1500! more to come on that in the future. More staff to continue to expand in every direction we can. I will be looking to add additional staff with skill sets for particular areas we wish to grow, watch this space for updates and plan initiatives where you could make a difference and support your fellow members. More to come but hopefully this whets your appetite for the moment. We are in for a great year on all our platforms! With unquestioned loyalty Andrew Franke TK-11469 (Sly11)

Well after hundreds of questions, I finally made a video to help explain how I built this first order armor. It’s an hour and twenty five minites long. Some of the information is for new potential builder. So everyone can fast forward to whatever pertains to them. So this is the build for The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker variation. However it will touch a bit on The Force Awakens variation as well. This is the new Denuo Novo First Order Stormtrooper armor and helmets. there are a lot of exceptional builders here and build threads. This is not to override any of them, but rather a video aid to them.

Hi Scott, Sorry for the delay in responding to your thread but I am truly sorry to feel that you will not be continuing on to Level 3. Being a commission build we realize that you have no control over most of the items listed in your review. If you look at past reviews for troopers with commission builds from this particular maker you will see the exact same issues are present. As is stated in the "Getting Started..." section: COMMISSION BUILDS Please be aware before purchasing a "commission build" (assembled by any of our vetted sellers listed below) or a completed costume sold by reputable members, does not mean an automatic pass at our higher levels of approval. As with all costumes, the armor will be under the same level of scrutiny as one you assemble yourself. It must fit well and follow correctly the requirements as set out in the current CRL. Please also bare in mind, you could be requested to make modifications and corrections when applying for Expert Infantry and Centurion levels where additional reference materials are used over and above what is written in said CRL's. Some example are sniper plate positioning, rivet placement and the finer details scrutinized at Centurion. Let me add that (contrary to popular belief) we in the D.O. office are not here (nor enjoy) pointing out issues. It's also important to note that we are not the RPF (Replica Prop Forum). Unlike the MEPD who insist that higher levels mimic a particular trooper, we are aiming for the "Ideal" trooper.,, (think fresh out of the Academy). We are well aware that there were lots of differences in the armor seen in ANH... no stripes, bad fitting parts etc. However, the CRLs are there for one reason. Continuity. Any changes/updates are voted on by the members before being implemented, and when new updates are suggested they must be backed with proof of what was seen on the majority of the TKs seen in the film(s)/ As has been quoted and is seen in all reviews, we consider both text (CRL) and pictures (screen caps/reference images) when reviewing submissions. As D.O.s, we have studied literally hundreds (if not thousands) of references. All can be found here on the FISD or sites like starwarshelmets.com, but often folks may miss them. The only time we use that caveat is when we note something that was indeed screen accurate and seen on the majority of the TKs seen in the film(s). It's also important to note that after being completed (but before posting), all submissions for higher levels are peer-reviewed by the entire D.O. staff prior to final approval. We are not perfect, and this allows for a second and third set of eyes. Even then we occasionally miss things because we are, after all, human. "When you look at the CRLs, the only thing I am missing for Centurion is I need to fix the 45 degree angles my belt. "However, the other items come down to people’s personal preference and the certain reference pictures selected". Not exactly. For instance, some of the other items noted are not personal preferences or marked as "ideally" in the CRL but are stated quite clearly with no ambiguity: Drop boxes are vertically aligned with the end of the ammo belt with minimal gap between belt and box. Canvas belt must be firm / sturdy in appearance. No creasing or sagging Lower thigh ridge joins (front and rear) shall butt-up flush against each other. Any gaps must be backed with ABS or filled as not to be noticeable. Lastly, when we do note an issue we do our very best to offer advice on how to get it ready for the next level but that is up to the trooper. Will the general public notice these small details when posing for a pic with a "real" TK? Not at all! In the end it's all about about getting out there in your shiny white armor, having fun and putting smiles on faces!

Probably would, but in my opinion not needed as the helmet looks great as is Looking at the pic Mario provided I would be tempted to raise the brow though Totally just personal preference so just ignore me if you are happy with it

Those who have bought a scope from Brian @Bulldog44 will understand. Just... wow. What a package.

Understood. Thank you again for your time and advice!

Thank you sir!

Thanks Mario.

coming along nicely James! It looks like with one more coat of abs, fine sanding paper and polish it will be fine. I have no experienced with finger/acetone .

I’ve filled my notches in with ABS scraps and ABS paste. But they’re not really very buenos notches. After sanding once already, I think I’m going to have to take another pass at it with the paste. Is it worth dipping my finger in acetone and wiping over each seam just once? I’ve had some success with that technique in the past but you have to be brave.

Ultimately it is entirely up to your local GML who will approve or not, we try to give feedback not just for basic approval but also the higher levels. Your blue buttons do look a bit to dark for me, you can always wait and see what your GML says, but for higher levels you would need change the color. The larger ab plate outsides look a bit dimpled, must be a WTF molding issue, think I've seen that before

Just a detail which I've noticed is the ribs on the antenna tube plate, says 7 bumps but my references are showing 5, I guess both are ok for approval but perhaps should be mentioned for higher levels. Old New

Enjoy your new banner @Chemi!! The most ellaborate one yet

Worked the shoulder bell straps, using elastic and snaps. Glued on the shoulder plate side, snaps with snap plates on the bell side.

The template can be found here, if you want to use this for your own memes. Credit to @T-Jay for taking the pictures -- thank you!

With my ANH Stunt build finally complete (though I still need to catch up on updating that thread) and approved to L3 I'm now turning my attention to the first of three conversions. First out of the gate will be the ESB variant since it will require the least amount of work, and my goal is to complete it to L3 standards. At this point I've acquired all the components needed and below is my conversion checklist. Helmet (using my raffle-won WTF bucket) Remedy brow trim height (lower) Strip all existing paint except on hovi tips Apply ESB decals from Trooperbay Re-sand and paint frown teeth black Touch up white hardware paint on ears, improve countersink holes Finesse ear fitment to face and cap (sanding) Sand hovi tips for clean white rim look (currently has black over-paint) Reinstall fallen-out hovi tip mesh (already proper wider variety) Armor/Other Convert ANH holster with tan straps to black looped ESB style New belt from Imperial Issue (Rob Kittell) to eliminate ANH holster screw holes New rubber gloves from Joseph (downsized to small from previous medium) Clamshell hand guards from Joseph (unsure of armor maker) ESB Hellhounds E-11 blaster (lacking hengstler counter and power cylinders) RESOURCES TK: ESB CRL Justin's Anovos ESB Conversion Luca's RS ESB Conversion ESB Expert Infantry Visual Checklist ESB Centurion Visual Checklist TheRascalKing's (Justin) Anovos Centurion submission CallMeMrTibbles (Richard) RWA Centurion submission Cleantrooper (Brett) TM Centurion submission giskard8 (Arthur) TM Centurion submission Table of Contents (links updated as posts completed) Introduction Post with Checklist and Resources Helmet Modifications Belt and Holster Conversion Clamshell Handguards Hellhounds E-11 Submission Photos

Pouch cover before: Pouch cover after: Knee before: Knee after: Hand plate before: Hand plate after:

Trimming/sanding, not a lot of difference visible in the pictures, but making progress. Butt before: Butt after: Under chest before: Under chest after:

Snaps. I have set a lot of snaps in my day, usually with leatherwork. So it surprised me when a few of my first ones had issues with setting skewed off at an angle from the hole. This will cause some strap alignment issues, and while it will be mostly elastic, I would prefer having snaps that line up. I am using Tandy Line 24 snaps, with a hand setter (hammer and punch style with a base, on an anvil). I found a solution: I am using the sort of snap hole jig that is in AJ's build (linked in a comment above). I did some research on snaps setting crooked, and determined that because the webbing is thin, the snap shank is too long, and can fold over to a side. So I grab them gently in some vice grips, and sand the shank about 1/8" lower. Works great. Now I just need to sand 18 more or so, but at least they will set more easily: