It looks like the black box you've outlined is thicker on the left 1/3rd than it is on the rest of it, with a 45 degree slope "upwards" on the lower horizontal line to create the transition to a thinner overall box.
You're right. I haven't asked RS if I can add their pictures to our galleries. But they have a picture on their facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150515780229333.386994.265114729332&type=3
As for following other centurion threads, I generally don't recommend that for the very reason you have mentioned. You risk repeating other peoples mistakes.
Not that few. Probably around half at least. The number of unaccounted helmets in private hands is probably quite large.
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Looks good!
For me here in Sweden, I could own as many (real and functional) magazines as I wanted to, but never a demilled Sterling without a special permit that is just slightly below impossible to get.
I don't remember if it was screen used, or screen matched.
I managed to dig up some older posts about the prop store blaster, here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/9863-esb-e-11-real-prop-article/
Prop store of london sold a production used sterling, that because it was "disassembled" after production, making it a normal sterling, they (prop store) had themselves with "expert help" rebuilt it into an E-11.
Some suits broke at least partially during shooting, other suits got "lost" to private hands, and for ROTJ they just didn't have enough suits left. That's why they made new suits. Same thing applies for the later tour and special edition armours. But why the holster moved? Who knows? Maybe the actors just didn't like the left hand holsters.
Great progress! Keep using originals for reference.
About the shoulder bells, they were never symmetrical on the originals. Anyone who say they should be is either a fool or thinking of inaccurate armour. Brian Muir who sculpted the suits has always said all parts had unique left and right hand sides.
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I wouldn't worry about that stuff. When you wear the bicep properly it should be right above the elbow and far from your shoulder.
Return edge you do as you like with. But it's easier to remove plastic than putting it back, so go slow if you decide to remove it.
AP isn't very close to the originals. Not nearly as much as RS or TM. But as to answer your real question, for me it's just about looking at the different armours a lot. And I mean a lot. After a while you start noticing the tells. Reading a lot of older posts when it was more frequently talked about pros and cons of different kits also helps to you learn what to look for.
I don't mind paying for apps. There's a lot of work involved in making an app, and if I were to do it, for something non-501st for example, I would want to get something back.