matt black

Either everyone here is really smart or I am really dumb! For the past six months I have reasearched every available build thread to get ready for starting my AP kit. I built the helmet. That went O.K and I am fairly pleased with that. I am in the process of building the thighs and I don't think I could have messed them up any more if I tried. Is it O.K to run a bit of sillicone sealant down the sides of my cover strips just to fill in the gaps as I have'nt been able to get them to sit as flush as I would have liked? I build motorbikes and up until now I thought that sometimes that proved difficult but building this armour is the most tricky thing I have ever done. I think I'm going to have to forget tthe idea of building a perfect set of armour and just do the best I can. I just hope it will be good enough. Sorry, rant over.

Pat Pat he's our man, if he can't do it, no one can.

Thanks Noel. Just cut the first piece of my AP kit. S C A R Y !

Thank you Mathias. Much appreciated.

Hi everyone. Sorry to ask a question that has already been covered but I did a search and came up with a couple of different answers so thought I should check. What size are the cover strips for the arms and legs. Many thanks and sorry again for this same old question.

Thanks Mark. I've done the vocorder in Humbrol satin black but the next build I think I'll try the Testors. I took your advice and changed the screws by the way

Hi Warren. I think you look great as Qui Gon. Definetely a resemblance there mate. And you must be able to do the accent well

Once I get my build done, my aim is to join the 501st but more importantly for me to get my EIB here. I just like the idea of knowing that my armour is veiwed as good enough by the experts here. One question, if I join the 501st but don't get to troop for a year and am therefor not an active member, do I loose my EIB on here? Also, do I have to join a garrison?

Thanks for the tips Chris. I'll give the vocorder at least two coats and hopefully will not get this problem again. The helmet is not painted so it is'nt a reaction. I just think I done the coat too thick and the dry surface is moving about on the wet paint underneath. Thanks again.

Thanks Mason. It's not too bad. No runs. It just looks like it's pickled a bit I suppose under it's own weight.

Thanks Pat. Think I might do my wifes nails in stormtrooper colours. Nice.

Thanks Terry. Man, a week. Thats a long time. I'll do two coats on the vocorder. Many thanks.

Just a quick question. When painting the helmet details like the vocorder and grey ear parts how many coats should I do. I done one thick coat on the frown and ear parts but have noticed a slight sag in the paint underneath in the paint. I have put the helmet upside down for the night to hopefully reverse some of this. When I paint my vocorder should I do two thinner coats or do one coat and put it in the airing cupboard to dry faster. It seems to be taking forever to harden. Many thanks for any help, Rob.

One more pic. --------

Oh sorry guys, one more thing. Is it me or does the grey on the frown look way too light? I used Humbrol number 5.

------------ How am I doing?

I've mounted my visor on them now. I might strip it all and change them but I'll have to wait for the ears to dry. Thanks Mark.

I've done loads of work on the helmet and it's not far off done. I'm just about to paint the black lines aroud the grey parts on the ears. I know that you can get the black trim tape for this but I have that on another helmet and I have found that over time it slides down due to it being on a slope. My question is, I know I'm going to mess this up but were the lines on the screen used helmets perfect or were they wobley like mine are going to be?

Ah you know what. You have made me realize, I used the wrong fitting kit. I got a fitting kit from Mark (TK-4510) ages ago when I ordered a load of bit's from him. I must have mixed up the kits somehow. Do you think it will matter that the heads are a little smaller? Man, you've got a really good eye!

Thats what I was thinking. I think I'll leave them as they are while the goings good. Thanks Vern.

Yes Mark I did. Does something not look right about them? Now that you mention it. I think they are sitting a bit proud. Should I use a larger drill bit on the ears so they sit a little more flush? Cheers.

Thanks everyone. Great to know I have not made any mistakes yet. I've finished both ears now and I'm just starting on the lenses. Should have the helmet finished by the end of the weekend. WOO HOO!

Thanks for the kind worde Matt. I saw the pics of your AP in the other thread. Looks like you did a lovely job. I riveted the cap and face plate together as I'm following the basic helmet assembly guide by TK-4510 and thats how it shows it to be done.

Thank you for the comments. I used two rivets just for a bit more strength and so the face plate would'nt keep pivoting while I kept test fitting the ears. I know that only one rivet should be used for screen accuracy inside the helmet but I'm pimping out the inside anyway.

--------- Hello everybody. Just wanted to get some opinions on my helmet build so far. I'd rather put things right now rather than when I have things like lenses fitted. Any criticism is more than welcome. So, how am I doing? Many thanks, Rob.