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Hello there, long time lurker here. Joined the 501st as a Security Services Officer, since that outfit had a lot less construction needed for approval, and arrived right after my TK. My original plan was to join the 501st as ANH stormtrooper, and I purchased back in 2016 an ANOVOS TK kit. I think it's the second run, because there are only two snaps attached to the cloth portion of the belt, since I remember there being a lot of issues with the first run of their belts. Either way, I have a full kit, which I've cut out and trimmed down. Had to toss the body-glove that came with, because the ink bled onto an area of my ab-plate, forcing me to use wet sandpaper and Novus to restore it. I'm inching along when it comes to progress after pulling the box and contents out of storage, because I'm terrified of misunderstanding the various guides and instructions and putting holes where they don't belong, etc. I'm trying to avoid leaning too hard on my local squad (Southern California Garrison), as I don't want to come across as too needy or helpless. I feel I need to know how to build it, because that's the only way I'll know how to upkeep it in the long run. After finishing both of the arms, I'm moving onto the torso and belt. The belt is just confusing at this point, I'm not sure where to start with it, or if I need to make changes to it. Perhaps if I provided a picture of what I have, it'll be easier to advise? I've attached a picture of what I think is everything for the belt. I remember there being changes to the ANOVOS kits during their production run, so I just want to make sure I'm not about to make unnecessary adjustments.

I'll do some more testing and read those threads again when I get home for sure.

Progress! Red and grey panels have been glued down, but... I'm not sure I'm happy with the connecting panel. Might redo it but overall it's looking good. Next is to ensure the fit is right and then add the magnets that hold it on.

Yeah I didn't mention this but on Thursday I put it together with the brow strip and electronics and showed it off, there was enough room for the brow to sit nice and snug, and even with the electronics there was still plenty of room I wasn't able to put the foam in though lol, that definitely needs some shaving down.

Glove liners are what I use, I take multiple pairs to a troop, every time you take off your gloves for a break you have sweat soaked inner gloves, a fresh pair can make all the difference. I have two fans in most of my helmets, although I normally only use one and the other as backup. Feeling air across your face tricks your mind in to how hot you really are. 39deg C was my hottest troop, sweat ran from everywhere and whenever there was a little breath of wind the sweat soaked under suit would feel cooler. For really cold troops I use a cotton shirt and pants under my compression shirt and pants. Some troopers have used a vest cooler, I tried one once and found it too cold, I don't have much tolerance for temperature changes, 1-2deg and I'm either too hot or too cold. Lots of different designs out there A towel is worth carrying, nice to wipe the sweat off. I added my padding in the helmet with velcro so I could remove and wash, amazing how much sweat can build up in the helmet. Don't get a shock when you take of your armor and find trickles of sweat here and there LOL. Any drinks with electrolytes can also help on those long hot troops, I first drank water but found I needed the little extra from energy troops. Last and most importantly, don't carry on if you are too hot, I did for one event, we had a line of younglings waiting for photos and I just pushed it a little too hard but should have stopped. I thought I was ok to go on another 5 minutes but nearly didn't' make it to the change area, cold wet towel and another energy drink and I was ok.

August almost passed without a meme.