Leaderboard

Hi all, very excited to finally join the ranks of the 501st and the FISD! Childhood/lifelong dream realised! My local garrison (Knightfall, Melbourne) has been so helpful and welcoming. I also got approved at a great time of year - within two weeks of approval, I've participated in three troops and loved every second of it. My first ever interaction with a 501st member was several years ago when A New Hope was playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. My wife (who usually despises Star Wars) absolutely loved it too! I thought getting a photo with a Stormtrooper was the coolest thing ever. It turns out BEING the Stormtrooper was so much more fun. I could not wipe the smile off my face the entire night! The MSO was back in Melbourne for screenings of ROTJ and I was lucky enough to troop on two of the nights, plus another Disney approved event at a shopping centre over the weekend. I couldn't get over the smiles on the kids' (and some very big kids) faces. Made my day. I've got a few more events on this week and learning some good tips from other troopers as I go. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and feedback throughout the build process. Here's some pics. Please excuse the awkwardly placed shoulder bells. They've since been adjusted.

Some welcome updates today! Firstly, the Anovos Premium Line TFA helmet arrived! Here are some photos: This piece is lovely, and I truly cant wrap my head around how it was being let go for so little, nonetheless, I am satisfied with it. It's got a great weight to it, it's comfortable, and certainly high quality. With all that said, there are some minor details that would make the retail price of $600+ feel a bit steep. In the first photo, you can see a slight divet in the nose plate above the chin. In addition, the recessed lines above the ears are unevenly deep in spots, and some of the black paint apps look not entirely crisp. here's some photos of that Again, im just being nit picky, im super super happy with it.

Hi my friend, thank you for the advice! I actually have your thread in my google resource doc lol, so ive been following it closely. Im leaning towards using the paste, it just seems to be all around a good idea. I have some experience with that method on my Anovos ANH TK

I’m new to this world. I want to build my own stormtrooper armor but I don’t know where to start

Congratulations trooper.

Congrats on your first troop! Bart

I highly recommend just filling the required seams with ABS paste and not painting. It’s actually really easy to do, and the end result is really good. You can find my build in the TLJ build section if you want to see pictures. Good luck on your build, no matter which way you decide to go.

Looks fantastic!!! So close to complete!

http://www.starwarshelmets.com Is a great place to see the differences of the original helmets. No one really knows how the ROTJ came about. The ROTJ armour is the same as the ESB mk2. But ESB mk2 was made in pinseal/haircell abs and ROTJ was made in smooth. The helmets however look different to each other. It is thought that they made a few suits in ESB for background shots (one spotted in the freezing chamber scene) and for promotional work. Hence ESB mk2. I believe these were then remoulded and the ROTJ were made. I could be wrong but that makes more sense timeline wise. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Feedback from EIB was too lower the forearms, but I didn't mean to drop the biceps. I think getting them sitting properly should solve the forearms issue, but I'll be mindful of that when dressing next. In between would be great, I went back and looked at your other photos I tried getting my shins lower. I really couldn't. I have very large feet (size 14), and my feet really slope a long way. In this shot, the shins are basically digging in the top of my feet. The only way to get the to sit lower would be to trip the bottom of the shins (making a bit more of an arc). I might try a hot water bath to re-shape them a bit first. My shoes are not close to coming out when I walk, so I guess I'm wondering, do you think it's a CRL issue for the shins, or just a practicality issue with the boots? Shouldn't be an issue, wasn't mentioned at EIB so I'd go with them see if anything is said. I think you would have to increase the circumference, really only way would be to add larger cover strips, but as I say see what is said. For the butt, I'll see if I can tighten that up a bit The Han snap was placed with measurements from our armorer, as long as it's not an issue, I may try to submit with it rather that take out the snap and relocate. I didn't enjoy doing that with we misplaced our rivets. Obviously, I'll move it if I need to in order to get it right. I think you should be ok, may be mentioned I will address the drop-box issue. Sometimes it's fine. I usually just give them a bit of a tug, and they are ok, but I'll try to lengthen the straps a bit For the thighs, again, I was following our armorer instructions (he uses a spray paint can to make the shape) and said he does that for Centurion, which is why I did it this way. I will try to add a but of an edge to it. Curve on lower corner is current, just the top rivet corner should be sharp BUT I think you should be ok I've been having issues with the calves. I'm wondering if I cut them on an angle of something. Would I be able to put a shim piece behind them to bridge that gap from behind? I have a small piece of plastic glued on one side behind mine, works well and can no longer see a gap Been struggling with the TD clips. I will try to improve them for sure I'm worried if I curve the shoulder bells, it would actually make them look farther away. I have a big chest, and closing that gap has been my biggest concern. Biggest worry is that if I cut it, I can't go back. No issues, not everyone does them, won't stop approval

It's definitely a good idea to keep a small tool kit with you, there have been countless times I've heard "anyone got some glue" Great thread here from Joseph on Emergency Trooping Kit

Welcome to FISD, Victor! You have found the right place for information and help to start building your own Stormtrooper armour. Have you thought about the type of Stormtrooper you'd like to build? There is many variations.

Approved!!