Berbs42

Thanks, Brian!! That's very good to know. I'm thinking that by this coming Halloween and the Annual ACS of San Antonio Boo Bash, I'd like to have at least a couple of us wired up in such a manner. And I'd greatly appreciate seeing the tweaks as well!! After this ESB Build, I plan on fine tuning it and submitting... - Berbs

Evenin', Everybody... Well, the time has come to set my PT Armor aside, and start saving for a TM. The PT was bought before I knew about recasting (and the reputation that brings), and the HIPS it was formed in was so thin, that the beating I have given it over the past two years has finally taken it's toll. In the meantime, a fellow Squad Mate, Darren Haverstock, has, quite generously, sold me his assembled AM armor, which I am now methodically disassembling (keeping a few of the interior elements); prying apart E-6000-joined parts, removing rivets, snaps, velcro and some padding. My goal is to take this set and shoot for Centurion. I'm certain I won't make it on the first try. But if I can hit EIB, and be on my way to Centurion, then it'll be that much easier to do so with a TM. So I'm perusing the AM Centurion Request Threads, as well as the associated Build Threads, in the hopes of failing as little as possible. I've got my shins pried apart. All the glue and foam has been removed. The was some crazing on the surface; had to peel off the outer finishing strip and the overlapped shins on the front (the backs were velcroed). Not sure if adding an additional strip on the interior after buttjoinging them will reinforce that. Removed the Shoulder Straps, and the strapping that held the Chest & Back together. Another fellow Squad Mate, Phillip Tso, had given me his (from his TD Build), so I have a fresh pair. The Chest & Back had already been modified (now I know what the "wings" were). The Thighs will be next; same manner of removal as the shins. I'm going to take my time with this. I just need to start posting now. We lost a Brother in our Squad this past Sunday in single-vehicle accident; Chris Lewis, BH-3836. He was in his first year with us; I'm just barely reaching two. He was passionate about trooping and about giving back to others. I didn't troop with him a lot, but when I did, he always had a smile on his face... Need : - TK Bucket - Looking to get an MTK kit. - TK Boots - size 11 I'm guessing, though I don't know how they run (I'm definitely a Wide). - Gloves - - ESB Hand Plates - - ESB E-11 - - More... & More to come... - Berban

Howdy, Brian!! This is a fantastic build!! I'm in need of replacing my PT kit (got it before I knew ANYTHING about recasting - and trooped it right into the ground), and am RE-Building a fellow Squad Mate's AM Kit; almost completely dismantling it. I'll be using this thread as a guide, the goal is to to build with Centurion in mind, though it may take a few replacements or mods to meet those requirements. I was wondering though: How did the FRS experiments pan out? Any brand you recommend? Did you get a magnetic reed switch for your bucket? Is there a solution for micing-up a whole squad of troopers in this manner to make communication at large events even easier? Thanks!! - Berban

Great Great Thread!! Thanks!

Supercool!

Also, just out of curiosity, which version of TM Armor is this? And all kidding aside, looks great!! We need more EIB Troopers here in CTX!!! - Berban

Good looking suit, but I think you need to fix the mug in the first two pics. Something's a bit off there. Certainly not screen-accurate. = = = Bwa-hahahah! Good looking build, Darren.

There are also some really great closeups that give a detail shot of the neckline. - Berban

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From Rebel Scum: - Berban

I check this thread every few weeks for updates. My wife is down for this suit once it's finalized, from whomever gets sculpts done; and if it's multiple people, pricing and accuracy and comfort (we're just imagining the restricted movement in the ab/kindney combo) will obviously be the determining factors, even if that means purchasing items piecemeal. Just wondering where everyone is currently at with their portions? Don't get me wrong, we're patient and get that every trooper has priorities over the Legion (we certainly do! ), but we're just curious!! ----------- One day, we'll be taking pics like this with us BOTH in armor!! Thanks!! To all that are contributing!! Thank you!! - Berban

From Figures.com: (just another angle..)

From Rebel Scum: - Berban

Liz you could always use the posting tools to post the CRL... Upload the pics somewhere like flickr, and post around them here. Helmet • White fiberglass, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), or HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene). • Traps (trapezoids on dome of helmet) and tears (area beneath the corners of eye lenses) are gray. • Rear traps and tears have vertical black lines. • Lenses are a flat green sufficiently dark enough to obscure the costumer's eyes. • The gray "ear" bars have three of four bumps, with a black outline. The bumps may or may not be painted. • Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area. Eight total teeth on the frown are cut out. • Tube stripes are medium blue, numbering between 9 and 15 per side with the curve bends extending backwards. • Vocoder (vertically ribbed chin detail) is painted black • Aerators (cylinders on either side of the vocoder) are black. • Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painting. • Ears should have three screws used per side, one above and below the ear bar and one at the base of the helmet. • Ear bars should have four bumps only, not three. • Correct 'hovi mic' aerator tips. • FX helmets are not allowed. • MRCE helmets are not allowed. • ANHv2 helmets are not allowed. • Ear bars should have only one or two bumps painted in black. • Neck trim should be of an s-type profile rather than a u-type profile. • Tears/traps should be hand painted or use decals that emulate hand painting. Neck Seal • Black with horizontal ribs, fitted to the wearer, and extending from the base of the neck to the top of the Adam's apple. Or send it to any of of us to post here... Heck I'll post it for you. It won't be as nice as the document you set up I'm sure, but it would be a start. (and don't worry, I'd take no credit!!)

Do we have any idea what the Gentle Giant statue helmet has for details? I've not yet seen a front shot of the bucket. If it happens to look more like the "current" TK helm and less like the futuristic rendition, could that mean that my wife could order a bucket from TM, or ATA (or another of the "smaller" makers? I mean could it be part of the CRL?

Congratulations Darren!! Now your lowly Squad leader must strive to try and match you as well!! Fantastic work! - Berban

Eric! Glad to have met you at All-Con, man! (we chatted a bit before the Garrison photo and talked about your replacement lens and the camera pocket, if you recall) Yep, very good feature! Something I'll have to implement for my Aker amp, wallet, phone etc... Talk to you soon, Brother! LaterDays, - Berban

Once you get EIB, I know you can get the Gold coin, but how/where do you get the Silver? - Berban

Yep! Got myself one of the Jim's Aker Amps as well!! Along with his Wireless mic set, his PTT cable, and an iPod with the 501st Legion Stormtrooper Loop mp3 connected to the line-in on the speaker. Definitely well worth it!! LaterDays, - Berban

Hey, Darren, I've got an Airbrush, if you don't have access to another one. (I haven't used it in quite a few years, so if you do have access to another use that, but if you'd like mine, you'll want to practice on some scrap pieces of armor) You're welcome to use it, man! Shoot me a PM. - Berban

Welcome to the fold Michael!! You'll find plenty of help here!! Peruse all the threads you can on every topic. Helmet Electronics. EIB requirements. AM Build Threads. Gloves. Boots. Holster, Thermal Detonator. Neck Seal. Fans. Speakers. The list goes on and on!! Happy to have you here, Señor!! LaterDays, - Berban

Congrats, Paul! Here's to another year of Outstanding Trooping!!

My cousin first told me about a band she really liked called 42 but written "4D2" right after I started reading the HHGTTG. So immediately I was fascinated with the number 42. Naturally, I started to see it everywhere. Order numbers at a restaurant, clock out times at jobs, scores in games, receipts, etc. Eventually, a friend of mine asked me to go to the movies with her (I didn't realize it, but that was our first date) on 03.14 (3X14=), and after a few dates, I found out her employee number was 42, and then it showed up everywhere for us. We got married last year and Disney rescheduled it on us; naturally we wanted 3.14, but they ended up giving us the 29th (03+29+10). So, I had to get 42 in there somehow, even if it was just with a 6x7, or 3x14 or even a 41+1, so I looked at all the options, narrowed it down, and while it wasn't the first of the choices I submitted, I got one of them. In this case I was born in June, and her birthday is the 7th... TK-6427

Hey, Darren! I am very much looking forward to this build, and I'd love to see it first hand (even if not in it's entirety). I know John had planned on an Armor Party earlier this year and perhaps we'll still get one going with him soon enough (he needs to finish that RC of his before July!!), and you could show us the progress there. Pardon the pun, but I'm more than a little gun-shy in taking on such a feat as a full E-11 build. For one, I don't currently have the income to tackle it, and two, I'd need a lot of aluminum. A Lot. There'd be mutilated E-11's everywhere before I'd be done. As a favor, a buddy of mine is currently working on a simple Hasbro mod for me with an Arduino board and an LED array with sound output to my Aker Amp. I don't doubt it will be great when I hand it over to the kids who always want to shoot me in their photos, but ultimately, I would love something like Erv's recently posted build. Was just chatting with John earlier (perhaps you'll find a sterling tomorrow? don't know if they're legal here in TX...), and I do look forward to trooping with you, brother! LaterDays, - Berban