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Thanks! That is the best compliment I can get. The main reason I started FISD back in 2006 is because there was complete lack of transparency around armor in the 501st at the time, and it wasn't uncommon for new members to be led astray to bad recast armor, or only to find that once in the 501st people would tell them where to get the good stuff (by which point you had already plunked down $1500 on armor from eBay). Providing current and prospective members with accurate information so they can make informed choices has always been our mission, so I'm glad to hear we are still achieving that 14 years later

Holy Hell...I am total newb. Yesterday morning I decided to "quickly look" at some newbie research on this forum and my local 501st...and, well, I am actually not 100% sure that I have left my computer since then. So much for a "quick look." What a glorious rabbit hole I've found. Thanks to everyone for the information they have shared.

CG flames, way cool armor.

2019-12-19 // Lawrenceburg, IN // Episode 9 Premier 2019-12-20 // Lawrenceburg, IN // Episode 9 Premier

Nice work trooper, a couple of other pics the DO's like are: * Front and both sides of the knee sniper plate * Thigh ammo strip rivets outside and inside * TD showing front panel * D ring on rear of blaster * Close up of ab rivets A few things you may want to address while waiting for the DO's: With your teeth area you could remove some paint from the gums: Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area. You could also straighten the brow trim, it appears higher in the centre Appears your left shin is closing inside over outside so the opening can be seen from the outside, they should close outside over inside You may want to lengthen the drop box straps, they appear tight and push outwards. Also thigh coverstrips should stop above the bottom thigh ridge Belt could come down a little too as it's covering the lower button A few tweaks and I'm sure you'll do fine, good luck

Staying in character while in armor has always interested me. After watching videos of the Stormtroopers at Disney's Galaxy's Edge, I decided to start compiling an array of sayings and responses for different scenarios and I would like to share them with you! SPECIFIC RESPONSES: Citizen: Can I get a picture with you!? Stormtrooper: Affirmative. Proceed with holoscan. Citizen: Thank you! Stormtrooper: All for the glory of the Empire/First Order! Citizen: Your armor is awesome! Stormtrooper: It's made to Imperial specifications. Citizen: How long did it take you to make that? Stormtrooper: About ____ standard months. Citizen: (Waves hand) You don't need to see my identification, or These aren't the droids you're looking for. Stormtrooper: This must not be the Jedi we're looking for. PUBLIC INTERACTION If you see members of the public staring at you in awe or excitement: The Empire/First Order recognizes your loyalty! Your allegiance is noted. The Rebels/Resistance will fall under the might of the Empire/First Order! Careful Citizens! Rebel activity has been reported in this sector! If you see a child dressed as Darth Vader, or Kylo Ren. (Salute them) Lord Vader/Ren! If you see someone with a lightsaber: That's a lightsaber! We'll assume you're a collector. ONLY a collector. CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER TROOPERS: Stormtrooper#1: I could sure go for a cup of caf right now! Stormtrooper#2: Affirmative! Stormtrooper#1: I heard that Lord Vader/Ren might be making an appearance today! Stormtrooper#2 That seems unlikely. Stormtrooper#1: Have you heard about the new T-16's? Stormtrooper#2: Yeah, some of the other guys were telling me about it! They said it was quite a thing to see! ANNOUNCEMENTS: Stormtrooper: Citizens! We have been ordered to re-position, and are vacating these premises! Stormtrooper: Rebel activity has been reported in this area! If you see anything, then report it immediately! Remember to use discretion when interacting with the public. If they seem annoyed, or disinterested, then then don't continue to harass them. And If a child seems frightened of you, then break character and try to sound cheerful. Maybe even lift up your bucket, so they can see it's a real person under there! I'll update this with more phrases and responses as I come up with them. Feel free to post any of your own ideas!

Hello everyone!!! I am a new member but LONG TIME Star Wars fan and follower of the 501st. I have wanted to join you amazing people for quite some time and now that both of my kids are successful citizens and have exited my wallet I might just make a good member. By trade I am a Computer Animation and Video Game Design Teacher in a public High School and at 2 local universities. My specialty is 3D modeling. I am excited about bringing my skills to the table here and making some amazing stuff. I am ridiculously fussy about getting everything in my work as perfect as I can get it, so I really love that fact that you guys are attentive to the smallest details on your outfits. I just finished watching the Mandalorian (truth be told I have watched every episode multiple times). I am SOOO excited about this new series and specifically one character in the show! Paz Vizla, the Heavy Mandalorian. I realize that this character is way to recent to be included in the CRL’s but I remain undaunted. It is my goal to have a Super Screen Accurate version of this character for my very own. My outfit will be displayed in my classroom for my students to see and hopefully to wear with the Oklahoma Garrison. Here is my work so far p.s. I work in a program put out by a company named Autodesk and the program is called Maya. Once the model is finished I will be 3D printing it and then finishing it with tremendous amounts of sanding and primering (hahahaha) to get the proper surface quality. This is is my first step in the process where I search the web for the best reference photos available. Using them I create Image planes in Maya I then begin to create the curves/guidelines for my model. This is an arduous process but one that I employ when I want to be the 3D model to be perfect Once I get all of my necessary curves/guidelines in place I start to hard surface model the object I had had to rework the cheek area a couple of times. But I am pleased with it now This is is the last shot of my model so far. I extruded the thickness of the eye area in and a thickness for the bottom of the helmet all of the way around the base The next thing that I need to fix is the bottom edge of the back half of the helmet. I originally made it flat horizontally but that is not screen accurate. I discovered this too late.... grrrr!!! Soooo what do you guys think???

Awesome thanks! Fossil and Putty were both on my radar. I still plan to see them in person, but glad to know you also thought they looked good for this purpose -Dana

If you want to discuss the series then start a thread here and lable it appropriately. And for browsing this thread, there is no indication that content of the series are beeing discussed here such as a "spoilers ahead" in the title, only a mention of "some of our own". Lastly, please mind the tone as no one should be at fault for staying on the legal side - thank you.

Yeah, same stuff I’m using. And good work so far! I’m almost to the assembly stage myself and it’s a little overwhelming knowing I have to start permanently gluing everything together. Thankfully this new run of KB kits has evolved into being a simpler assembly and isn’t as involved as some of the older ones. Sent from my iPhone using The Force

Thank you very much for the info, I will definitely check out those groups! Also, it appears that I will have to paint my kit, so I’m planning to use Rustoleum 2x gloss white. It’s cheap and I’ve heard looks pretty good.

Thank you guys for both for your inputs. I might be worried if I took off too much, and then the gaskets wouldn’t fit under the bicep. That being said, I might be going out to look for some gasket material today, so if there is some room still with the gasket on, I’ll adjust the bicep accordingly

Yup! I had signed-up here some time ago. I am also a WWII reenactor, and shortly after joining FISD, my WWII group split, and I unexpectedly had to divert a lot time / funds starting a totally new unit with a friend. With that my TK project ended up on the back burner, but it was always simmering. It has finally boiled over.

Just in case you haven’t joined them yet, there are actually two build groups on Facebook. Several good shots of our kits and some really good threads of advice (mainly from the fellas right here on this forum). I noticed you aren’t painting some of your pieces. Seems that even though KB has made some big changes to their molds since even the last run of kits, you’ll still need to paint.. especially given the yoke to back connection is so large and will require some blending to look seamless. Just wondering how closely the ABS that’s used will match up to the paint. Also, just a forewarning.. don’t cut the bottom line on the shins. It’s a guide for the spats to ride on, not a cut line. Sent from my iPhone using The Force

Hello, I'm Tetchra Fett. I plan to join the 501st and I came here after reaching out to the 501st for help with building-or purchasing-TK armor. I must already thank all of you from saving me from the stormtrooper store as I was planing to purchase my armor from them. But now, I do need some assistance as I am having trouble finding the "vindicated list" of stores that I have read so much about in the threads. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to becoming a full member of the 501st, again thank you all so much.

Wow! You're a lucky man. Oh, and great progress. These photos bring back memories of modding my ANH Sandtrooper helmet. Was such fun. Hope you will enjoy your build, too.

The title currently being used to describe the Stormtroopers in this show are: Remnants. I personally like this title...it sums up everything Stormtrooper at this point in the Star Wars Story.

No..I still troop in my armor despite offers from some out there to buy it for incredibly inflated offers... My suit is nearly 8 years old and is getting close to being retired...but not just yet..it's staying with me.. I joined the 501st to give back to the Community...the drive to do this came from losing my Mum to liver cancer at 62...none of us knew what this last minute gig was about until we showed up and started signing paperwork.. All the stunts in the show were NOT performed by 501st...that was all LFL...we were hired as background and to make up the numbers that the LFL R1 and Solo suits were missing.. We did run around, but were never in harms way.. I can discuss how we participated, but am holding off on specifics until others on these forums have seen the show...I am a native Australian (dual US and Aussie citizen) and I know over there, and in some other parts of the world...they are still rolling out...

Hi, none of this should be such a big problem - of course i'll do it all! But that could take a few days since I'm currently on vacation...

Awesome! Thank you so much! When can I get my patch for it? I'll apply for Centurion after I try to fix the gaskets this weekend!

Carsten, Along with the paint on the frown or teeth area that gmrhodes13 pointed out the rear left calf will have to be fixed prior to going any further, as this is a requirement for Basic. The cover strip edge shall be facing the inside of the leg.

In-universe there is only the one TK armor, I think, so technically seeing R1 armor in Mandalorian/TRoS makes sense.

If they got shot or went down, it wasn't us. Easiest way to tell are that the studio Anthology suits had detached, flexible cod pieces, so they can be spotted pretty easy between that and the other R1 details.

Agreed, it is cool to have screen used armor but I am still trooping in mine. At some point it will go in a bin with all my documentation for my son to do whatever he wants with it but I’ll never part with it. All the studio supplied armor was from Rogue One/Solo that they had on loan from LFL. The 501st armor was all our personal suits so they were all previously approved under the existing CRL so there will not be any reason to update the CRL or create a new one. The only thing we did was remove our holsters.

Thanks folks, Ive started on UKG but also also do one here to keep you in the loop

Great story, great photo. Welcome to the Legion, Fredrik.

The December 2019 edition of The Tatooinian is now available at Imperial Newsstands throughout the Galaxy...

Congratulations and welcome to the ranks trooper

Awesome! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have ears. :-) Lots of the usual trim, hold to helmet, mark with pencil, trim, hold to helmet etc... Dremel was my primary tool for the ears. More to come. :-)

Troop 017 -- 2019/12/21 -- Elks Lodge Candy Coated Christmas in Kansas City, MO

Troop 016 -- 2019/12/19 -- Rise Of Skywalker Opening Night in Kansas City, MO

Another photoshop interlude, this one featuring my Squad Leader.

“He’s a mean one, TK Grinch.” TK 21393 Photo by Chuck Mason, posted with permission

Troop 015 -- 2019/12/14 -- Shadow Buddies Fantasy Flight in Kansas City, MO

Troop 014 -- 2019/12/12 -- Turner Community Library Holiday Party in Kansas City, KS

Troop 013 -- 2019/12/08 -- Mid-America Chapter Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Kansas City, KS

Troop 012 -- 2019/12/08 -- Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis in Lenexa, KS

The November 2019 edition of The Tatooinian is now available at Imperial Newsstands throughout the Galaxy...

Next update, folks. :-) Found some time for a little progress. [emoji846] Rough trim on the ears to test the helmet alignment (faceplate/back and cap) prior to trimming the helmet itself. In my opinion, alignment of the two parts is key, so being sure that you’re not trimming too much off of the faceplate or back cap is important. Trim to much and you might not have the material left for overlapping and riveting the two parts together. Using natural light shon through the helmet to check how the parts are aligning and how much of an overlap there is.

Troop 011 -- 2019/11/14 -- Children's Mercy in Overland Park, KS

Special Halloween Edition of The Tatooinian...

Some of my favorite "out of character" jokes and one-liners when taking photos include: "Smile and say Star Trek!" "Make sure you get my dark side..." "Oops, I think I might have blinked in that one!" People don't expect us to be funny, but read the room - sometimes it's just what people need!