journeymanprotector

not at the moment, can snap a pic later tonight though Phil

Yes, I've shimmed mine just enough so that instead of the back of the biceps overlapping they just sit flush. I just put a strip of hook on the inside edge of each piece, then use a double-wide piece of sew-on loop velcro to connect them. It's a really simple way to shim stuff, I did the same with my calves. You and I are almost identical in size. I'm 5'11" and about 204. I'd put myself on the pudgier side but I have no real problem wearing the armor out of the box with the aforementioned shims. I do have to suck my gut in, but you sound like you're in better shape than me. Here's a full shot of me recently: ------------- My kit has the new, wider thighs. They are a god-send so far as fitting well, but they are a little fat/wide from the front, making them look a little strange. Phil

Hmm, hadn't thought about that. I think that usually after you cut out your frown you have enough open space that hearing really isn't an issue. There's no real reason not to do it that I can think of, though. Provided you can attach your ears somehow other than with the screws. I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle, but I'm always in favor of cutting out new areas of the helmet: ------------- I'll tell you this helped air the helmet out and made my speaking voice much more intelligible. Phil

I don't have experience vac-forming myself, but here's an idea if no one has a better one: Maybe put a relief hole in the center of that center area? It'll create a dimple, but you can fill the pulled piece with a tiny amount of bondo or something. If you plan to repaint the helmet, no one will notice. If you're not repainting it would be trickier, unless you could match a gloss white paint to it. Probably not incredibly helpful, but thought I'd throw it out there. Phil

Hi Michelle, Except for the recording module that's pretty much the exact same setup that I just installed. I do use an FX helmet, so I was able to just mount the speaker inside the face: ========= For girls it's probably a case-by-case thing, but for me I could fit the radioshack amp under my chest plate without any noticeable bulging. If you don't want to simply paint it whiter and attach it to your belt, you might try gutting it and attaching it to the underside of the chest if the full amp/speaker would be too bulky. Phil

oh man, the memory of shuffling back to the hotel at Comic-Con a few years ago because the adhesive velcro inside my thighs came off of the shell. My thighs were around my shins, how embarrassing, had a long way to walk... I use snaps for almost every point of contact now, except for keeping clamshells together (biceps, shins, forearms, thighs). Anything that will see motion needs to be snapped in my opinion. And the two worst points are the shoulder bells and the thighs because of course they see the most motion. I think there's another good snap tutorial out there but I have one on my site too, hope it's not too confusing. I'm still under the impression that one person cannot clearly describe how snaps work to another person. It can't be done in words alone. lol http://www.journeymanprotector.netfirms.com/snaps1.htm What's trippy about that link is that it's on a free netfirms account I created 5 years ago, had no idea it was still up, I had removed the tutorial from my new site lol... Hope that helps, Phil

I can say I haven't heard that one before Star Wars is partly based on the Japanese film 'The Hidden Fortress', which has many of the plot elements of Star Wars, particularly in early drafts. I've always felt The Last Samurai was based on Dances With Wolves. A guy with no future travels to a foreign land, presumably to fight the local indigenous people, who are hostile, and ultimately joins them, learns their ways and fights against the people he once served Phil

-------------- GF is supposed to have sculpted the original Armor F/X costume (or helped, or refined it etc). Afterwards, he offered a screen-accurate costume cast from an ANH helmet and ROTJ armor that was worked a little to more closely resemble the ANH armor. Check out the link above for details. If I remember correctly, the AP suit is basically a 2nd generation GF suit. (is that right guys?) Phil

Thanks, Paul. That's exacty the kind of 'who decided what' that I was looking for. I have no problem with raising the bar, I think it's important to have standards. I think there should remain a 'right of passage' quality to completing a costume. I was just explaining to a coworker about the value of actively assembling or modifying your armor yourself as opposed to just buying it all at one go. Nothing seems to kill a conversation at a convention faster than asking a fellow costumer about some detail on their costume only to be told, "I don't know, I bought all of this from somebody". Granted, I don't make my own boots or scratch-build a blaster, but I've come to appreciate the right of passage that is dremeling out your frown, trimming your armor to fit better, and dirtying up your sandtrooper armor. Phil

I know we've discussed the requirements elsewhere but I'm not sure anyone has tackled this one. To become acceptable you must: -File the chin seam -Change the lenses -Change the tube stripes -Install three screws in each ear I get the first three, but what's with the ear screws? Sure it's ANH accurate, but the FX is acceptable with no visible screws. Can anyone who was involved in the acceptance decision shed some light on this? It seems like a double-standard to me, almost just like a hoop to jump through so that a person can't buy the helmet and be immediately accepted. Basically I'm asking, is the FX helmet still acceptable only as a grandfather clause type of thing? For 'old times sake'? The requirements on the MR CE just seem out of place compared to other helmets that are acceptable, specifically the FX helmet. Either it's because the MR CE is being singled out because of its commercial availability or it's being subjected to new regulations that the FX is exempt from because it remains so populous? Definitely don't want to start an argument or anything, just curious what people think. One of our guys has an MR CE in Vegas and it looks great out of the box. I plan to get one and take it apart to move the brow and get it up to standards, then sandtrooperize it. Thanks, Phil

This is a pic of me in a Follano suit, which is pretty comparable to the AP suit. At the time I was 6'0" and weight approximately 190, and I would describe myself as not particularly in shape with a little gut: ------------- The thighs were a little tight (they hung a little low, but they were not shimmed). The rest seemed to fit just fine. Granted I did look a little big in the suit (larger black areas) but I felt that overall I didn't look like I was crammed in the thing (I hope). Depending on your shoulders/biceps you may have a little trouble with the bells (GF at least) because they tend to be much more narrow than FX. Some of the other guys might be able to talk about chest size, the ANH chest is smaller and may be a problem area (anyone?) Hope this helps, Phil

1) How long have you been a fan of Star Wars? Since approximately 1982/83. I was born in 1979 but do remember seeing Return of the Jedi in theaters in 83. 2) What first made you a fan of the franchise/ Seeing Star Wars ANH on HBO as a kid. I think I was attracted to the swordfighting and the costumes. The stormtrooper image is still a very prominent one in my very first memories of Star Wars. 3) What got you into costuming? Childhood dream. I always wanted a stormtrooper costume. I've always been a fan of knights and armor etc, and it just played right into that. As a kid I thought that if I saved up maybe $20 (which seemed like it would be an excruciatingly long and difficult process) that I could send it to George Lucas and, in his infinite compassion, would see fit to send me one of the many stormtrooper costumes that he doubtless had lying around. - then I found the Wookieecantina website and history was made! 4) What function does the Internet play in being a fan? It allowed me to realize how large the fan base for Star Wars is. Growing up in the Star Wars vacumn between 1985 and c1992 was very difficult for me. I was in rural Iowa and NO ONE would admit to liking Star Wars. As the internet grew I became aware of websites and chat rooms where I could find plenty of support and comraderie. It allowed me to find other costumers and join the 501st. It's been invaluable in meeting likeminded people and sharing information and appreciation for Star Wars.

I've never worried so much about their clothes as I did their boots. Clothes maybe could be worn underneath or stored in Chewie's bag or SOMETHING, but there's no way I can see Han toting his jack boots along with him the whole time... I always imagined that either the two blaster shots from the Falcon were stun shots or that Han managed to shoot them between the armor plates (why the body suits are ok I don't know) Phil

amen on slowly making a friend over the course of the day, I've been there. I've been to San Diego Comic-Con each year since 2002 and it's not uncommon to see a small army of unhelmeted troops at the 501st table/booth. Generally away from the table they will have their helmets on. You do see biker scouts unhelmeted more because they can wear their armor all day and still attend panels etc while sitting (so can't wait to finish my TB). (which I think is fine, it's a con, it's obvious that you're just a fan in a costume, as opposed to a gig where you're there to create an experience) But at SDCC I've always just sort of gravitated towards the Hasbro booth. They usually have a nice display or photo op set-piece for the folks to take their pics, many of us hang around there to be on hand for photo ops. Otherwise I just pace the con floor. It was more fun as Fett because he's not as common. I think that, in my experience, at cons the stormtroopers are pretty common and people are not as impressed as they are with other costumes. Don't get me wrong, people still love it, but remember that a good percentage of con-goers were there the previous year and saw all the troopers then too The kids always love it. I agree also that a walk around the block in the US really just makes you a target. I first got my armor when I was 19 (9 years ago, ah!) and my first 'troop' was around the block with my mom as my wrangler. We weren't out on the street for 5 minutes before a car drove by and yelled "hey you f*g!" The only other time I trooped around the block some teens stopped and took pics with me and just when I was starting to think they were pretty cool they decided that I and my friends must know where they could score some weed... Just because a guy wears stormtrooper armor doesn't mean he's on drugs I agree that on other troops where you are in public it is not cool to take your helmet off. Find a room or at least go into a corner and hide your face if you MUST take your helmet off. Nothing about trooping irritates me more than seeing a fellow trooper just take their helmet off right in the middle of a gig, in front of the public. Actually, one thing upsets me more. Seeing a costumer unhelmeted and SMOKING in public. Get real... Phil

My wife (of two years, together for 7) was with me as I just started with our local garrison, she was there for our first troop at a minor league baseball game. She likes to pretend she's too cool for school and that it's appaling, but she's seen how much the kids love it, especially the neighbor kids who bug her all year about whether or not I'll be dressed up on Halloween. The best bet fellas, is the quid pro quo. 1 kit of TE2 armor = 1 Louis Vuitton purse Phil

Ok, sorry for the confusion. I was thinking about the speaker on the headset, not the aerator speakers. Thanks, Phil

Hey Guys, Will the male/male chord play your mp3s through your speakers or your headset? Are you using the auxiliary jack on the black box? I'm in the mood for an audio setup and the ability to easily pop your iPod into this thing is definitely a plus. I know nothing about electronics. Phil

I don't think anyone intended to ride you out on a rail, Arthur. I think it was just becoming clear that the topic wasn't going anywhere productive. It was everyone trying to offer their .02 regarding your question, and you didn't agree. Stalemate. Let's all move along Phil

Check this thread I think he's created a McQuarrie stormtrooper suit and is testing the waters for buyers and asking us to tell him why he shouldn't sell it openly lol j/k

requesting access http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember....cfm?userID=568 my 501st email is [email protected] but it's so spammed that I've used [email protected] for registry here. Let me know if that's a problem, I'll change my 501st info. Thanks! Phil

Not at all, obviously it's all recast, aside from the TM etc. I'd say it's a matter of containment. The fewer strangers you sell your armor too, the less likely you are to see it popping up recasted. I'd almost propose that this is a moot point until one of our more well-known armorers comes forth and tells us why they aren't more high-profile lol Phil

actually already looks like you took a shot on your avatar

I think that there's a certain 'right of passage' feeling to getting the really good stuff. I'd venture a guess that the reason you can't find the best stuff without some time or social investment is that you never know the real identity of the 1-post newbie who's asking for it. Maybe not so much a fear of legal action as it is of recasters? Phil

the answers are now dead links. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I can't access the 501st forums. Thanks, Phil

I always thought it was something to do with being afraid somebody in a licensed star wars costume would do something indeed, silly and they'd take the heat for it, but that makes no sense now that the Rubies Vader was made. I really don't know, unless they think the sale price would be too high to make it economical. At this point, most people who want armor already have it or know where to get it more affordably than a licensed suit. Just like most of us don't want an MR and, if we want an ANH helmet, know where to get one for a fraction of the price of an MR LE. That's my take, Phil