AlexPrime91

BH-4835 returning to duty! Hoping to get back into trooping with a new costume! https://www.501st.com/members/searchresults.php?searchfield=4835&criteria=tkid

Right. I really need someone to point out a good thread on where to trim my armor. I am terrified to even cut it out, because I am not entirely sure where to start. I really don't want to screw something up. I have searched around, but I cannot find any threads that focus on ATA armor, as opposed to the other makes. Even a really good build thread on where to cut armor in general, as well as how to fit it. It doesn't need to be ATA specifically, I guess. I did, however, begin to cut out a few of the small things, like the hand-guards (which are massive on me and dwarf my tiny little hands) and the Thermal Detonator middle piece. I am getting the hang of the score/snap process. Awesome!

Yeah, the foam will be used, definitely. Especially on the ab/kidney plates....

Thanks! Yeah, I plan to cut way less than I need to, just to be on the safe side. I have had bad things happen when I did not do this. I have learned my lesson. Also, refer to this topic: http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11538 It will have his contact info there. I highly recommend the armor. It is great!

So, after a good two years of wanting to get armor, and FINALLY having the funds to do so, I have got my Stormtrooper armor. I am more excited than words can say. However, I shall have a few challenges. First, I am female, so my body shape is obviously a bit different. Twigs for arms, really skinny waist, and then wide hips. So that'll but fun to work around. Also, I am 5'5, but I have heel lifts that'll bump me up to about 5'8. I hope to try to avoid the 'Short Stormtrooper' comments. If not, I'm arresting the offender under the suspicion of being a Rebel Scum Spy. I decided to go with ATA, as I have heard great things about the build and it was the cheapest way to go. That way, if I slagged it up beyond all belief, I wouldn't be out $600+. Excellent service, and it arrived at my door in one day! It was shipped on Saturday, and it came on Monday. Beautiful! The armor is so much thicker than I thought it would be! But I am extremely excited to start in. Terrified, but excited. Of course, I have absolutely no idea what I am doing, the fitting part especially. If I were male, I think it would be easier to deal with. I have to worry about my darn curves. *Mumbles angrily* Being can suck for costuming. But I have vowed to work around this and sometime soon hope to wear that beautiful white armor! I just have... no idea what to do. I am likely starting on the helmet first, as I have a guide on how to do that part, and there is very little fitting involved in it. I am just not sure what to do about the rest. If anyone can point me to a guide of where to cut and how to fit things, I'd be most grateful. I am terrified beyond belief to even start cutting... It seems TK build threads by girls are rare on here, so I hope to contribute as much as possible to all the future ladies in white! I'll share my experience the best I can so that others can follow in my stead! I am mostly on my own in this, since I am located in Spokane, WA. Havoc Squad is the local squad, and Garrison Titan the main branch. But Havoc Squad has only one TK (well, technically, he is a TD), and he bought his already assembled. So I am somewhat screwed in the begging for help end of things. Ahh well, I knew I would be mostly on my own with this when I got the armor... Anyways, I'll be posting pictures on here quite a bit, as well as asking tons of questions that should probably be obvious. Thank Primus for the FISD! Without this place, I would be completely and utterly lost! You guys are all awesome! First of all, the obligatory Brown Box Shot! Taking the idea of one of the other members on here, I opened while blasting the Imperial March. Something I shall never forget! I seriously have no idea how he fit all of that armor in there, though! I tried and it is overflowing at least a foot out of the box! The armor all spread out. Thank you so much, ATA! I absolutely LOVE the kit! It is beautiful!

I was really hoping for Hyperdyne to be in stock soon, as I am also doing a Boushh and a female Mandalorian. The Pro-Trooper would have worked perfectly in all three costumes. I am especially worried about what I am going to do with Boushh. I am really hoping to find some sort of Voice Modulator or something that I can use for it...

If anyone is interested in the Shoe Lifts, I got these: ---------- They are the Men's versions (because I'll be using then in male boots), but they work GREAT! They also have female ones as well. They go up to 2.5 inches, but you can remove some of the layers to make them shorter. They are pretty comfy too, for shoe lifts. I am 5'5 and they bump me up to 5'8, easily. I feel like a giant!

I am about to order my own set of armor, and I'm 5'5. I decided to go with ATA, as it is in my budget and seems like a pretty good build. In order to make my height the slightest bit better, I went and got a pair of Shoe Lift Inserts, which bump my height up about 3 inches. I honestly wasn't sure they would work, but then I shoved them in a pair of men's boots I have for another costume, and i towered over my mom. If anyone gives me any 'Short Stormtrooper' comments, I'll arrest them for being part of the Rebel Alliance...

I got the exact same extras in my kit that I received in the mail yesterday! I was thrilled, since I couldn't find T-track anywhere! And the scope looks so much better!

Today I found and picked up the Hasbro E-11 toy blaster (the white one). I am thrilled, since this is the first part of the Stormtrooper costume that I have gotten (I am eagerly waiting to start my new job to get the actual armor and accessories). I am planning on getting Doopydoo's Hasbro kit, but I wanted to do a few extra modifications myself. I want to fill in all the drill holes with some sort of putty, but I have no idea what sort of putty to get. I want something very cheap and sandable so that it will be nice and smooth. Also, where on earth do I get T-tracks from?! I was looking on here, but no one seems to sell them anymore. Is it possible to make my own from something easy to find? And one more thing, the entire orange tip of the blaster, do I cut that off? I assume, since the Doopydoo's kit comes with a new front, but I just wanted to be sure that it is all of the orange, not just the orange cap. I really can't afford to screw this up. This forum is one of the most helpful I have ever come across! Thanks, you guys!

Hey everyone, In a few weeks, I'll be purchasing my first set of TK armor to join the 501st. The thing is, I am so torn over which armor kit to get. I am 5'5, almost 5'6, 150lb, most of which is in the hips and thighs, and I'm female. The choice is between ATA and AP. On one hand, I am a complete armor newbie and I have never made a TK in my life. The ATA armor is said to be easy to trim and assemble, and seems to be a good build overall. But the thing I am worried about it that it is made out of HIPS, and I am terrified of something cracking or breaking. Things in my house seem to always get jostled or manhandled somehow, and although if I get this, I will try to be super careful, I just don't know if it is sturdy enough. AP, on the other hand, is ABS and is much stronger. It seems like it would hold up much better than ATA would. However, I have read that is a tricky build and I am not sure that I, being new to TK-building and any sort of building, for that matter, would be able to make it. Not to mention the price is a lot higher, and I have no idea if it is worth the extra cost in order to have it stronger. My main question is, for those who rock the ATA, what are your opinions on it. Any definite Pros and Cons? How is it when trooping and does it hold up well? For those who sport the AP, is it really that hard to construct it, or is it not as bad as some say? It is worth the extra cost to buy it and have it last longer? Pretty much, how do you like it? Thanks, you guys! I keep trying to debate the pros and cons back and forth in my head, I have messaged both suppliers of each ATA and AP and got the price quotes, but I still cannot come to a decision. I figured I would ask the experts on here! Thanks! -Alex

I am starting to think about going with an ATA or TE2, after reading up on the difficulties of the AP. Anyone here worked with an ATA or TE2? What are the Pros and Cons of each one? And how much would a kit cost?

You and I are in the exact same position. I have very similar proportions to you. 5'5, 42" hips. I plan to get some of those shoe inserts that make you taller (Hope to be bumped up to 5'8, but that may be wishful thinking). I am looking at AP, ATA or TE2. Glad to find another female TK-to-be!

Thanks a bunch, Daetrin! I will definitely ask around the GT forum and get in touch with the Spokane group! I just registered for the forum!