Terry19D

The 501st is working on a costume reference library that will have standards for every type of costume within the Legion. In the submitted standards for a TD, dirt is listed as a requirement, as is a paldron, proper knee plate, etc. The backpack isn't listed in those proposed standards as a 501st requirement. I'm fairly certain that garrison GMLs would want to see dirt on the armor of a hopeful TD as that seems integral to the nature of the character. But as I'm not a GML I can't speak to that.

Certainly a marked improvement! You realize what this means, of course: Soon you'll have to go for ESB Elite as well as ANH.

Apart from the small details already mentioned by other members, I think your kit's looking very good. Mine didn't look that nice first assembled - it took additional time and effort. I'm going slower on my AP kit...you live and learn. Nice job so far!

Here is an example of a more modern poncho. I had a poncho when I served in the Army...and have not-so-fond memories of securing it up as a tent to sleep under. Also used it as a sleeping bag. I had to dig out my TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4 manual to see if we were issued the two-piece rain suits because I don't remember those, but it doesn't look like we got them. I don't think they should have gotten rid of ponchos, but I'm glad to hear that at least one liner is still seeing some good use.

Nice, thanks guys! The FISD has been a huge help, and I know it will continue to be a great resource for all TKs in helping us troops build and shape our costumes into ones we are proud to wear. I'll be going on a troop in less than two weeks now which will be the inagural troop for this kit. I can't wait. And now I'll also be free to continue work on the "dirty" side of trooping with my TD kit so I can build it up to MEPD Deployed standards.

Fantastic job on your AP kit! It fits you perfectly and looks great. I don't think my AP will look that good on me when its finished, seeing as I'm a bit tall for ANH armor, but if it turns out 3/4 as good as yours did I'll be happy. I could have said half as good, but I like to aim high.

Okay, I've installed the d-ring into the blaster... I really appreciate all the input and comments...even if my app post did get partially hijacked.

Armor's looking sharp! Regardless of any color difference, that TE2 bucket is sweet. And I agree that VaderDave's ab buttons are superb.

I completely missed this detail - thanks for pointing it out Terrell (which just happens to be one letter off of my full name, Terrill). My ROTJ blaster has one but for some reason I thought my ANH had one, too. I'll take a look round a few places and see if I can scratch up a d-ring and install it. Thanks for the offer, Scott!

I'm 6'3" and a lot of that height is in my legs, as you can see. I have heard that RT's thigh pieces are good for tall troops, as well, but right now I guess the only way I could nab some is to find them for sale by a third party as I think he's still working on getting his machine back to working order. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the AP fit. I don't have a large head, so that helps. My glasses fit beneath it without too much difficulty, and I have mapped out how to fit my Rom/FX & mic in there as well. I'm still working on my TE2 bucket, but it's going to be used for the sandy I'm slowly putting together.

I'm finally ready to submit images for Elite status - hopefully these are detailed enough that all of the required aspects can be seen. This is FX armor with an AP bucket. A closer pic from the back so as to see the seperation of the kidney & butt plates, as well as the holster. Oh, and don't mind that little Jawa-wanna-be..that's my nephew, and he's already taken a shine to my armor. We may just have another future 501st-er there. My hyperfirm E-11 which happens to have some weathering done - must have been transfered straight from Tatooine. Buttons by Vaderdave - thanks!

Woo-hoo, way to go Scott & Melissa! Very nice of you to take care of a fellow trooper. I hope you had a good time trooping, Jerry, even with the unplanned deviation. I hope things are going fine now and that Ronni enjoyed her SUV excursion.

Congratulations! I hope to have my submission ready soon...just need to change out the big black buttons.

I noticed right off that the buttons were exactly reversed - that is kind of odd. I think your kit's coming along nicely. Feels great to work on, doesn't it?

So glad you're back in action, if only in a limited fashion for the time being. As I am currently going through all of the processes to enter into a law enforcement career I understand your gung-ho attitude - it's difficult not to be that way. We all look forward to your full recovery!

This might depend on which parts you are looking to glue. For things like the shoulder straps glue works well because there isn't generally a lot of movement in such areas. I don't know how well glue works for something like the sniper plate, though. I've heard more than a few stories of plates or cartridge belts falling off after they have been glued because of the extra stress placed on them from their positions on the legs. That's not to say that something like plastic weld can't work at all, just that it seems less reliable than using rivets/screws/bolts.

My prayers are with Tony & his family. Hope you get better soon, T!

I wear glasses and I have tried them with the FX, TE2 & AP helmets. They have fit within every one of them - the FX definitely has the most room and you have to be a little careful when doing the "canon" pivoting of the ANH-style helmets when putting them on & taking them off, but there is room to wear them. As for where to store things the neck laynard is one of the best ideas. Also TK 8280's ANH holsters have a small pocket on their reverse, good for holding small things like a driver's liscence or some cash.

With that paldron on I'd say you're already on your way to converting that suit into a TD. Good luck to you on your EPIII Clone project!

The washers (or back-up plates) I used were the same brand as the rivets and were in the same section of the store. What I had to make sure about was picking up the right size. There are two different measurements on a package of rivets: The diameter of the rivet and its grip length. When picking up washers you just have to match your rivets' diameter - ex. for 1/8" (3mm) rivets you want 1/8" (3 mm) washers. I also bought a package of white rivets, but unfortunately they were 1/8" grip which was too short to hold two pieces of ABS together, even with washers. I had to move up to 3/16"-1/4" rivets and they worked great, but then I had to paint them white.

That method does look sharp...I may have to try that out with my second belt. It looks as if he's moved the velcro attachment point so that its more to the side than directly behind him. That way he won't have to try and velcro up the two pieces more-or-less blindly as he can still see both ends directly behind the holster. That's my guess, at least.

(hijack) And I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I don't really like the general attitude of wanting everything now, although I can certainly understand it. After putting in quite a bit of work in this hobby (and looking at plenty more) I am so glad that I am doing it all myself and saving the money..which I can then spend on more stuff to work on even more. But this is just me and I don't look down on anyone who goes this route. There is no set way of going about any of this - that's part of the fun of the whole hobby.(/hijack) I don't have quite as far to go to a JoAnn-style store as you do, Steve, but I still feel your pain as the shop is far enough out of my way that I have to make a conscious effort at going to it. Still it's proven to be an almost one-stop shop for everything I've needed short of things like paint, rivets, hardware & other home improvement-style items.

It sure looks cool on paper, but I don't know that I want to travel all the way to Baku - isn't that around just this side of the Unkown Regions?

The wind finally died down enough for me to get some paintin' done this afternoon: Unfortunately the light doesn't show the nice shine in the first couple of pics... ...but it looks good in this one, in my opinion... Now comes the waiting. Hopefully by the time three days have gone by my Humbrol #5 will be in, as well as my decals from trooperdecals.com. If so, we'll pick this build up in 3 days!

The weather is finally decent enough that I can get outside and do some more work on the bucket. I applied the primer this morning: I wished I had remembered to take these pics outside instead of in the garage. I'm going to let it dry for a few hours. Hopefully this afternoon I can get down to painting - if the wind will give me a break. <_<