Rich330

That makes complete sense, Paul. I'm sure they'll be able to build a reputation quickly.

I've just realised that CfO have not yet been added to this list. Is this planned? It would make sense I think.

These are the photos Billy posted in Des Birch's thread over at the UKG:

My opinion on shims (and it's only my opinion) .... If you want to add shims to be able to pass EIB, add something easily removable. No matter how you do them, I just think they look bloody awful. A little flash of black at the sides looks a lot better than a chunk of extra plastic stuck in there that looks totally out of place. Looking good, Noel. By the way, I didn't comment before but I totally understand your desire to replicate the cosmetics on the outside of the suits even though the rivets etc. are not a functional part of your strapping system. Even if you want somethign more sturdy on the inside and don't want to fully replicate the original strappng system, it still makes sense to me that you want it to look like it from the outside.

For the chest to sit that low, you must have a bit more length on the straps. If it's more comfortable like that, it looks fine. I just like it nice and snug with hardly overlap. It's something you can easily adjust later too if you feel like it (I did ). For the overall TK look I also think the back is more important. Look how crap I look here ... ... and how incredibly sexy I look here!

John, If you really want to replicate the full Luke look, my opinion is that you have to trim both the chest and the back to achieve this. If, however, you just want to get the chest to fit as well as it possibly can (like a normal TK), this is what I advise ... Position and connect the bottom of the chest to the abdomen correctly. By correctly, I mean nice and high, with very little overlap. Look how much gap there is between the buttons and the chest: Try on the suit. Make sure it's at the right height at the crotch. If it chokes you at the neck (it probably will), trim plastic from the neck and from the shoulder tabs. Work from the bottom up and connect the suit at the shoulders last of all. It worked for me, look: I just think that for a proper TK look a low chest looks really sloppy and a centimetre or so cut from the neck opening and tabs is hardly noticeable. And an overlapping back and kidney is an even bigger crime in my eyes. The strapping doesn't have to be the same system as the original but the positioning and the length of the elastic has to be the same to keep the parts in line and prevent overlap. This kind of thing: And, please, no free-hanging chest and back with the abdomen on a pair of braces!

The elastic straps connecting the kidney and the butt are probably too long. Shorten them so the butt sits snug and flush below the kidney.

I have just sold a set of AP armour to a guy from our Garrison who, at 5'11" (1.80m), is taller than anyone who has previously worn the armour (principally my wife 5'4" (1.64m) and myself 5'8" (1.72m)). I made up some new strapping to adjust the armour for a taller build and also included some extra elastic for the torso in case he cannot get the armour to close without side gaps. To explain things to him, I made a video showing what I did. And it struck me it might be useful here to show anyone starting a build one way to put together a strapping system and how to make easy adjustments for different body sizes. Hope it's of some use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdj4txqIgiI

I trimmed a bit off the sides on both my TM suits. If you're reluctant to trim off the sides of your armour, I don't see any real problem with an overlap, or maybe even padding out your armour with foam, but I prferred losing a bit of armour detail and having a nice close-fitting suit.

So, any ideas which kidney do you think I can best live without?

Nice! I still really enjoy putting on the glossy acrylic capped stuff for trooping.

Yes, he is a bit of a tit, isn't he!

Superb build, Dennis. I really like the trim detail at the top of the calves. The armour works really well unpainted too. The helmet is painted white though, right?

I started out with this hobby approximately one year ago. I had never heard of the 501st Legion but it was carnaval time here in the Canaries and I wanted a cool Star Wars costume. I had seen the Rubies armour and came very close to buying one. Luckily, I don't ever make any major purchases without trying to do a bit of research. A quick search for "stromtrooper costume forums" on the internet lead me to the 501st Legion and the UKG's board. I posted asking for advice and it was only a matter of a few hours before I got a PM from Mark (firebladejedi) with a list of trustworthy armour sources. Within a very short space of time I had all the information I needed and it quickly became clear that I had to get involved. It was the 501st who had provided me with all the support I needed, stopped me from making the very expensive mistake of buying a Rubies costume. I partly felt an obligation to repay the Legion for their support and kindness but I also realised that membership would give me a lot more opportunities to suit up (instead of just once a year at carnaval) and, with all the charity work, actually do something meaningful with my costume. A year later and both the wife and I are active members of the Spanish Garrison, we've made a lot of new friends and had a blast along the way. PS Didn't deliberately throw in a positive story about the UKG for balance by the way. I genuinely owe them a lot of thanks for how they helped me get started.

John, if you want it to fit well without cutting off the bottom of the chest, get the shoulder tabs on the chest and the back to touch (shorten the tabs if necessary) and cut material from the neck. I'm only a touch taller than you are and I got my chest piece to join the abdomen nice and high (like the originals with hardly any overlap) by doing just that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYvsctQ2RA

I have since stripped the handguards, put them on a new set of gloves and re-painted them with more suitable paint. It turns out it was indeed the black of the gloves and the latex wasn't discoloured at all. Turns out I am a total numpty after all! Looking good now though eh? ---------

The only real way to achieve the same shine of a screen-used Stunt helmet is with gloss spray paint. Looking at your photos, I think you have generated as much shine as possible by polishing alone and the helmet does look great as it is.

Much improved overall, Mathias. Well done for sticking with it and getting it just right for you.

Congratulations, Paul.

Yay! I'm no longer the only member of the Spanish Garrison wearing TM! My plan for total Garrison dominace is bearing fruit ... MWUHAHAHAHA! Beautiful suit of armour. Congratulations, Juanma and very nicely built, Paul.

Yep!

My number is Illuminati code. As some of you will know (and others won't), the 501st has been infiltrated for some time and is now just another mechanism of control for our secret world government. In fact, the 501st has been slowly converted into a division of our world police force. Many TKs carry genuine functional E-11s in case of any unrest. Those not in-the-know are slowly being subjected to genetic modification (similar to the clones in the Star Wars saga) to ensure obedience and subservience. This has been made possible because all the major armour/uniform suppliers are high ranking Illuminati. They have been including mind-altering implants in all helmets, officer hats etc. for some time. This now enables us to convert all new recruits into loyal fighting soldiers immediately as soon as they suit up for clearance photos. We estimate that project "Imperial Forces" is approximately 92% complete.

Not ruined at all. I'll look for some better paint.

Karin no! This is in no way a complaint. No need for a new set. As Mathias says, the weathering on the screen caps looks dark too. Just an observation. I think it's cool. I do want to find some better paint to repaint them with because this stuff doesn't adhere well enough. Thinking of latex-based paint from the DIY place. Definitely not just the black glove showing. No breakdown of the ingredients on the bottle of paint but I presume it's acrylic-based. I'm using this: ---------