TK2233

Really sorry to see you go Terry. It was a pleasure to troop with you and I hope that we'll be able to do so again at some point in the future. The door is always open. As ever, feel free to give me a ring any time you feel like a chat. Chris C

For my part, I've got a busy day Saturday: Firstly trooping in Central London at the Grand Opening of Orbital Comics just off Leicester Square. Should be a good one. Always fun trooping in Central London! Then a blast up the motorway to Birmingham for an evening troop with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra who are having a John Williams film music evening including, of course, Star Wars music. They're one of the UKs foremost professional orchestras and trooping in Birmingham's Symphony Hall is an amazing experience. Then Sunday, back in London for a day's armour building with UK Garrison friends.

Tricky one Brad. If the solution isn't so obvious that it jumps out at you, then it means that either way is a real possibility. If you don't get your laptop, it'll be an inconvenience, but you'll still be able to do what you need to do. If you don't get your TK, there are things that you simply won't be able to do at all. I'm quite old, compared to most people that share my passion for Star Wars, but in all my years, one thing I have learned is that you should do what you want and experience as much as you can in life, provided, of course, you can possibly afford to do so. Getting your TK will provide you with a complete new outlook on life, allow you to meet a large number of new people, make a bunch of excellent friends and will fulfil an ambition. It really is a way better investment than putting a bunch of money into a piece of technology that'll be obsolete and worthless within 18 months. I've been a member of the 501st UK Garrison for just over a year now, have done 77 troops in 2008 and can honestly say that, as a result, it's been just about the best year of my entire life. I've had a number of computers in my time and can't really remember one from the other. Trooping has been life-changing. A new laptop? Certainly not. Of course, if the laptop was a "must have" for your studies, then that changes things. But it doesn't sound like it is, or you wouldn't be asking the question here. I think, if I were you, I'd swallow hard and get a cheap laptop (I know it's not really what you want), plus the AP armour. C'mon, you'll use the laptop mainly for surfing the net, sending e-mails and making notes. You really don't need a top-grade one for that.

Have to agree with all the above. I find that, if you get it 1/2 way through its curing time (about 12 hours) it's dead easy to cut and pull off since it's not yet fully hard. Doesn't mater if you've left it longer than that, but it just gets that bit more difficult.

I think you'd fit just fine. The TM forearms are quite big. I don't have to put velcro on them at all - hand just slips in and out easily. Biceps seem reasonably generous too, certainly at least as generous as FX. Go for TM -- you won't regret it. Fabulous stuff.

All great advice here buddy. Heed well, especially the bit about enjoying yourself. I'll be there with you and you should be well looked after by all the troopers and spotters. It's a little daunting, first time out, but we all know that. But once you've done it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Key points, from my point of view: 1) preparation is a must. Is your armour in good condition? Is everything secure? Fresh batteries? Spares? Got everything? 2) take your time kitting up. Never step out if something doesn't feel exactly right. That tiny rub or pinch will turn into sheer hell within 30 minutes and ruin your troop; worse, it'll stop you from concentrating on what you should be doing: entertaining the public. 3) be conservative with your movements while trooping. Step somewhere only when you know it's safe to do so. Is there a little rugrat beneath your line of vision? Is there a bollard waiting to catch you where it hurts most? Is there a step or curb you hadn't noticed? Don't swing your blaster around; move it slowly, otherwise, you'll catch a kid on the head with it. 4) if anything is wrong, don't just suffer, tell a spotter and get it sorted. 5) read your public. You can tell quite easily how far you can go with them, who's up for a bit of a laugh and who's not. 6) relax and enjoy yourself! See you on Saturday morning

Rub a tiny bit (just a drop or two) of washing up liquid on the lenses using a soft cloth before you start a troop. Or use commercial anti-fog for motorcycle helmets.

Why don't you come down to Leicester Square and see us ?

Hmm. As far as I know, you can't get Devcon Plastic Welder here in the UK. So I use E6000. Yes, it takes ages to cure, but is super-strong once it has. I've tried other things, but keep coming back to E6000. Edit: well, it seems you can get the Devcon stuff here in the UK. But boy, it's expensive! £6 (that's US$12) for a 25ml syringe! For that, I can get a tube of E6000 which will glue together a complete set of armour!

Saturday: trooping my Utapau Shadow Clone for the very first time at The Entertainer in Cardiff, Wales. It's a toy shop which is, thankfully, in a shopping arcade (translation: Mall ) ... the weather forecast is dire! Sunday: trooping the Clone again, at the official Warner Bros pre-screening of Clone Wars at the VUE cinema in Leicester Square, London.

Cheeky sod I'm helping to keep a troop alive in Yeovil on Saturday by Helping/Spotting. We'll certainly meet up sooner or later and then ...

Indeed . Get along to an induction event pronto buddy! Look forward to trooping with you soon!

Can't believe I've only just seen this post. Yeah, I was there, along with three other troopers from the UK Garrison. Had an absolutely fabulous time with our Continental brethren and made to feel hugely welcome. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Thank you to you all Andrea for such amazing organization and for arranging such an excellent troop. The contingent from the UK Garrison. Now I'm looking forward to a possible troop in Rome with our Italian colleagues in October. Got the international trooping bug big time!!

Chuffed to bits to be able to say that that lid is mine ... ALL MINE ... muahhhhhaaaahhhaaaa! Was going to get the TE2 myself and paint it up here in the UK, but I just can't get the Rustoleum Pro Enamel over here. So imagine my joy when I found out that Mike would do it for me, just leaving the detailing to be done when it arrives. Everything's ready to go when it gets here; silver paint for the frown, flat black tube stripes and decals, chrome-mirrored lenses, padding and fans. It'll go a real treat along with my TM armour (pics available HERE) and can't wait to get trooping in it. And worry ye not ... I'll be posting up pics of the fully-complete lid as soon as I can.

Very well done indeed mate. The armour looks excellent! There is just one thing ... maybe it's just the pic (probably is, since you got cleared) ... but you should have thin black lines around the grey ear pieces. Look forward to trooping with you!