Rich330

The biceps are looking a lot better! But now those forearms need some attention ...

Surgery time again! I was comparing my build with these publicity shots (I just love the way the shoulders, biceps and forearms fit this trooper) and decided I needed some adjustments ... I'll never get it exactly the same because my arms are too short but I thought I'd at least try and get it as close as I can. The most obvious thing I noticed was that I had left my biceps far too loose-fitting (too great in diameter) and was also finding that they would ride up and stay high inside the shoulder bells. The first step was of course to open up the biceps again, cut out a good 2-3 cm and add a little bit more of a taper. I think I've got a lot closer to that close-fitting, tapered look I'm after. Whilst the slimmer cut should already help the biceps hang a little looser, I also found that one problem was the wrap-around elastic on the shoulder bells .... ... this stuff ... ... The elastic itself is quite strong and quite tight over the biceps. I also had it connected to snaps inside the bells which were getting caught up on the finishing strips on the biceps. So, I ripped out the snaps and directly glued in (without snaps) some slightly more flimsy elastic. I'll also add another snap to the elastic connecting the shoulder bells and biceps for a longer connection. Hopefully I'll be able to get closer to that look I'm after. The proof will be in the pudding of the next test fitting I suppose ...

Everyone starts off just wanting a ready-made suit, thinking they'll never be able to build their own. It was exactly how I felt back in March this year when I first started researching. Since then I've built two full sets of armour and three helmets. I can't wait to get stuck into my next build and wouldn't ever dream of letting anyone else build armour for me.

I love a good ESB TK! Good luck! Keep us posted.

Nearly ready for ANH. Just need the extra drop boxes which that nice Mr. TM is sorting out for me ...

Cheers, Mark. Yeah, I do have snaps and they usually keep the front of the belt in place OK. What I did notice this time round is that the missus didn't tighten the belt at the back enough so it's all a little bit loose. Been working on my ANH components this morning ...

Keith's. eBay seller "huracanambulante". TM It came ready-painted.

Many happy returns!

Thanks, guys! I'm really enjoying seeing this all put together myself.

Thanks, mate!

Well, my 501st application is in. Here are my photos. Some of them will be used for my EIB thread of course. So, if you spot anything, let me know and I can correct any little problems before I post my application ...

Wonderful! Thanks for posting these. I've saved every single one to my reference library.

Right, I'm back in business! This little lot arrived this morning ... So, now I have my holster to complete my ESB and get my application for the 501st and of course an EIB thread will follow shortly. Then I'll be building my new ANH helmet and as soon as I get drop boxes, I'll be submitting for double EIB. Yeeeehaaaaw!

Looking really good so far from what we can see. The chest and shoulders definitely seem to sit in place nicely.

Happy birthday, Paul. Have a good one.

Very untidy trimming on the right eye. That's just plain shoddy, mate. Should be ashamed of yourself! * Goes off, green with envy to count pennies to see how much he needs to save for new set of TM armour *

Brilliant! I'm seriously tempted to give that a go ...

That's kind of why I don't mind finding a happy compromise between screen accuracy and comfort for those parts of my armour which are never going to be visible. Obviously, if you're going to for an all-out replica, even the inside has to be as accurate as possible. No compromise. But, because I wear my armour for several hours at a time, I try my best to make the visible parts of my armour as close as the screen-used suits as I can but I don't mind including hidden stuff on the inside which is fucntional and comfortable but not necessarily accurate. I don't think my strapping system is much like the original costumes but it keeps everything pretty much in place and noone sees it so it's OK by me ... ... until the next build!!! :lol:

Good photo, Mark. Thanks! As a quick aside on chin straps ... It amazes me over and over to discover that the main motivation for most armour builders/wearers for installing a chin strap is "screen accuracy". I like 'em BECAUSE THEY ARE SIMPLE AND THEY WORK! I farted about for ages with knee pads, helmet liners and such like before finally just bunging a bit of foam in the helmet and making up a chin strap. It's quick, easy, adjustable, comfortable and stays put. In my opinion, the costume department got it right on this one!

Happy birthday! And thanks to Paul's use of upper and lower case letters, I now know what TK Reston VA means!

Add me to the list of those with a faulty rada this last couple of days ... Well done though, Brian mate. Looks top notch.

By far the best yoke so far!

Eggcellent!

Actually, here's a serious answer ... For AP, you can't beat Pete's build pictures as a guide ...

By opening the box? Congratulations and have fun!