Darth Aloha

Thanks man. Looking forward to seeing it. -Eric

Raymond, It has been a week of interesting ab button issues for sure. The CRLs aren't specific about the color or shape of the ab button but I think from reference material we can infer enough to call it for EIB. Expert Infantry is all about looking neat and tidy and uniform. Before I approve your application I suggest tidying up your ab buttons. If you take a toothpick with some paint thinner you should be able to make them more round. I'm not looking for perfect but they should be more circular and uniform in size. You may need to get the paint brush out again after cleaning them up. Take a look at the reference photos I posted in my previous comments. I feel your paint pain. I'm the worst hand painter in the world. Thanks for your patience, -Eric

What I think Kevin is trying to ask is about finding a source for the white glue used for the thigh straps... no? As seen in these photos from the lucasfilm archive of screen used thighs:

Yes bootman... you do share.. and then some -Eric

Phil/Stefan: You're right. I should have asked this trooper to show his side strapping tightened up to reduce the gap before approving. I made a mistake. Kyle: I'm not going to take away your EIB because of my own error. However I do ask that you post photos of a reduced gap between the ab and kidney on both sides. -Eric

Oh for crap's sake people. The original boot brand name was: Stuart Here is one of the threads where its mentioned out in the open. This is the gallery Loticus uploaded of the original boots with the brand name clearly shown. This forum was built on the notion that transparency is the best way to promote and sustain our hobby of dressing like plastic space men. But really... on a daily basis we answer questions that have been asked over and over and over again for the sake of new users. So why do we get squirrely on this subject? Yes it took me two seconds (even in tapatalk) to find the thread where the brand name is mentioned, but who cares? I'd rather answer someone's question, tell them to use the search luke, and then show people the thread they're looking for proving how easy it is. It's no wonder people think that the whole of FISD is a bunch of elitists. -Eric

Chris, I apologize for taking so long to review your Centurion application and provide feedback. Darth Life has me by the shorthairs. I really like your armor build. It is one of the nicer ATAs out there. It's a great fit on you and well strapped up. I really dig what you did with the split rivets by putting the elastic through the rivets on one side and using snaps on the other. I may steal that from you someday. You've got a great attention to detail including the black screw heads on the thermal detonator and your cool blaster build. Your ab buttons look much much better. I didn't have a strong opinion about your belt corners before but the belt still looks fine. Also thanks for taking such clear and well organized photos that make the review process easier. Here are my comments: CRL Related You hit all the marks on the CRL. No comments here. Other - Fit and Assembly The only thing that I suggest changing for Centurion are the size of your cover strips on the back of your thighs. I can see by the inside photo of your right thigh that you're not using the cover strips to gain a little room. Usually people put in wide cover strips because they need more room in the part. Are you able to thin them down? The thighs are supposed to be around 20mm and the shins 25mm. I'm not going to require it for Centurion but would it be possible to suck in the top of the right ear closer to the helmet? There's a big gap that won't stop you from getting your Centurion but would certainly help the helmet look better. The other minor thing that isn't stopping you from attaining Centurion are your side shims. Your armor would be improved by finding a way to blend them in better, but they look fine for Centurion. Please let me know if you have any questions at all either in this thread or PM. -Eric

The thing that makes FISD a great online community is the depth of knowledge. I would encourage everyone to provide feedback as long as its done in a polite and thoughtful manner. What I don't want to see is a bunch of "you're doing it wrong" or other comments that are unsupportive and off topic. Put a little Aloha in your feedback rather than jamming your opinion down their throat. Having people chime in on applications also helps out the DO quite a bit. In fact Phil himself was asked to fill the role of DO based on his feedback to EIB and Centurion Applicants. After doing a few EIB reviews and poised to do one for a Centurion applicant I've decided to change the second type of feed back from "Other" to "Other - Armor Fit and Assembly" Please continue to let me know how you think the new process is working out. Thanks, -Eric

Here's what I have to say to that helmet: pep can suck it! Great looking bucket my man. -Eric

Nicely done trooper. Centurion approved! I do suggest that you move the thin shoulder bridge elastic further back to hold the bridges down against the backplate. Also please fix the back plate overlapping with the kidney plate. -Eric

Yo Charlie. I did mention in my comments that his strapping needs to be tightened up all along his back parts. I also think his thighs need to come up. These seem like minor things to me for EIB but I expect them to be corrected for Centurion. Oops. That's funny.... or not considering I was the one who updated the photo requirements for EIB applications. -Eric

Kyle, I don't really have anything to say. You're approved. Centurion Suggestions This is a totally stupid one... but I suggest removing the paint from the two snaps in the cod. If possible tighten up the strapping between the parts on your back. Your thighs should come up to get away from your shins and reduce black space. I would normally say raise the ab (my answer to everything) but if you've got the screen accurate strapping your ab plate won't be able to come up much. Can you hork up on whatever is holding your thighs up? Let me know if you have any questions. -Eric

Todd, Seriously dude... don't you have a skytrooper build to work on or something? EIB granted.... again! Numero tres for the GML from the pacific northwest. I'm approving you with the shoulder bell elastic using the loophole in the wording that says "If there is a shoulder bell strap, it shall not be visible across the biceps." I can't let you off the hook that easily of course... Centurion Suggestions The CRL says that the shoulder bridges need to be affixed to the back plate. I need to research this some more but I don't think that's universally true. If there is enough supporting evidence I may just change the CRL. Your back/kidney elastic should be tightened/shortened. I suggest either adding or tightening the elastic that goes between your bicep and forearm. That'll bring the forearm up a bit away from your wrist and reduce black space. The sleeve of your undershirt looks a little loose and bunchy. Congrats trooper. -Eric

Well folks... I've started commenting on EIB apps today. Please let me know what you think... or if you have anything to add. If you disagree with me please let me know, but please do it in as a friendly manner as possible -Eric

Michael, It's good to see a TM/C trooper. We don't see enough of them. It's a nice clean build with a solid strapping system. Here are my comments: CRL Related As already noted the blaster D-ring is all you need to get your EIB award. I'm happy to approve you as soon as you post a photo of the d-ring. Other N/A Centurion Suggestions Replace shoulder elastic with wider white stuff. I think its supposed to be 1.5"... would someone confirm for me? White rubber or latex hand guards and rubber gloves are needed per the CRL. Your thighs and biceps are a little big. I wouldn't stop you from getting Centurion with them but I do recommend resizing them a tad. It would help the overall look. The side shims do seem a little big and oddly angled on the top. I think if the ab came up a little the shims wouldn't create an obvious dramatic angle. I suggest researching a way to integrate the side shims so they blend in a little better. I agree with Gazmosis about the drop boxes needing to move out. It may look a little weird at first but I think they're better off aligning with the edges of the plastic belt and being outboard too far than placed properly in front of you. I can't quite tell but it looks like you may not have the faux hand painted stickers on your helmet. They should be replaced or more preferably painted by hand. Either your thin white shoulder bridge elastic may have scooted too far up toward your chest plate in the photos or you need to add it per the CRL. Your back/kidney strapping should be tightened a tad. I think you may still need to put solid headed rivets in the thigh pack per the CRL. Let me know here, email or a PM if you have any questions at all. -Eric

Raymond, Damn you and everyone else who can fit into RS It's hard not to look sharp in their stuff. You've hit all the points in the CRL for sure. You've been the extra work in on your armor you easily show that its worth it. Here are my comments.... CRL Related All CRL requirements met. Other I agree with Phil that your ab buttons still need a little more paint. I know its not specifically in the CRL. If you touch them up again I'll grant you EIB the moment I see the updated photo. Here are some photos from the Lucasfilm archive gallery here on FISD: Centurion Suggestions There are a few return edges that could use some trimming. I see you trimmed the sides of your torso a bit but I think it could use a little more. I don't think there should be much of a bend in the edges of the ab. The return edges on the sides of the chest plate look big too as well as the edges of your back plate. If you post photos of parts of your armor somewhere one of us can draw some dotted lines in photoshop or MS paint for you... or use your EIB application's photos. Here is a photo of the torso sides from the lucasfilm archive gallery that also features a smaller return edge on the sides of the chest plate: It's a tough thing to find a screen capture of. I looked and looked and couldn't find a good view of a stunt but here's Han's hero side closure (and a little bit of his chest's side return edge)from one of our screen capture galleries. Let me know if you have any questions about my comments about the ab buttons or return edges. -Eric

Anthony, It's clear you've worked pretty hard on your ESB. You're slowly becoming a TK addict for sure. Just a quick question... are your cover strips made from a different color ABS than your NE? It's probably not a big deal in person but its noticeable in the photos. My belt is a totally different color than my armor so I may just be overly sensitive to such things. I'm clearing you for your second ESB but I have a few suggestions for you before you apply for Centurion. Hopefully they won't seem to harsh... after all... this is my first EIB application I've reviewed in an official capacity CRL Related N/A - Approved Other N/A - Approved Centurion Suggestions Your blaster is fine for EIB but it isn't accurate enough for Centurion. I'll let the blaster nit pickers comment but the few things that stand out are the holes in the barrel are missing, the front sight is solid, the t-track doesn't go into the holes, and the rear sight isn't the right shape. I would suggest finding a way to keep your shoulder bells down a bit. I think there are a couple ESB TKs with flared out shoulder bells but most of them seem to have them closer to their body. Annoyingly the ESB CRL for EIB says that this costume shouldn't have elastic around the biceps. I don't agree. If I can find some research to refute it I may be changing the CRL soon. More on that later. I think the return edges on your sniper knee look a little large. It may also be at a somewhat off angle in relation to the ridge on the shin. Here are some screen captures and lucasfilm archive references: The last thing is just a general tightening up of your strapping. The back/kidney/butt need to be closer together. I think maybe your cod can come up (I seem to be saying that a lot lately) which will help the all the backside connections connection. If your cod comes up maybe your thighs can go up a smidge too. Does anyone have any other (constructive) suggestions for TK-10666? Congrats on your second EIB trooper! -Eric

Agreed -Eric

The usual consensus is that you'll be able to find a better looking and more affordable set of TK armor elsewhere. Follow Verne's link to the list of recommended armor makers and please do keep asking questions. -Eric

There are a handful of folks who have painted and modified an ANH helmet to get it approved for ROTJ, but the real ROTJ looks comes from the proper helmet. I know you know I'm going to say this but.... I suggest finishing your ANH helmet, selling it, and get yourself a CFO. Then again... you could always do the TKC like you originally planned -Eric

That's not a bad idea. I won't discourage people from breaking it down that way, but I wouldn't require it. People can give as much or as little help as they see fit when people apply. I do prefer when people comment before and after the DO does. If you've ever noticed both Phil and Mathias would wait a bit for people to post before they wrote anything. That was intentional and what makes the process so much fun (to me at least... maybe not to the applicants ) Maybe not a whole thread for pre-application but I was thinking of just having the DO comment within the EIB thread on things they may need to improve before they apply for Centurion. This isn't really anything new. All DOs have done it in the past, I'm just trying to formalize it and manage the expectations of applicants. I'm trying to make the process as fun and customer service oriented as possible... and remove some of the ambiguity and emotionally charged drama that seems to surround this process. As I start to review applications please let me know how I can improve on the process. Thanks everyone. -Eric

Troopers, I am taking over the position of Deployment Officer for a while. In the mean time until I name a new DO I will be trying a new format for reviewing Expert Infantry and Centurion applications. I hope to get everyone's input to help refine it once I begin to use it. Here are the main sections of what will become a standard review. Please let me know what you think. CRL Related - Comment on the applicant's armor as it pertains to specific items in the Costume Reference Library Other - Subjective comments that are not listed in the CRL such as armor fit. Suggestions - A list of suggestions that do not prevent the applicant from gaining the award. EIB applicants will receive pre-Centurion suggestions to help approval for the next award. Aloha, -Eric

Hey man... a few suggestions... Both your chest and back (more so your back) can probably be lowered. Just use a longer bit of white elastic that connects the two. Your ab/cod can come up too to allow the ab to go under the chest. There should be an overlap. Your butt and kidney plate will come up with it all to meet the lowered back. It looks like you have a pretty good sized return edge on the top of your ab plate. I'd maybe trim that or it might become uncomfortable or make your armor look weird. I can't quite tell but I think you can trim the sides of the chest armor a little bit more. There's a tab or something on the lower side edges (if that makes any sense) The should bell elastic that goes around the bicep will help quite a bit. I'm not quite sure what to do about the drop boxes. Like RT I think the NE belt is a little big. The drop box outer edge should be aligned with the outer edge of the belt. On a screen sized belt that falls just about right over the thigh cover strips. I'm afraid if you move your drop boxes outboard they may end up being too far out. Anyone else have thoughts on this? You can't bend your knee because your thighs are too low. Once you raise the torso armor you'll be able to raise the thighs and walk more easily. There's nothing you can do about it but I've noticed that NE has a totally weird ridge on the sides of the ab plate that I'm iffy on. I wonder if FISD can peer pressure them into fixing that. The NE butt plate is also a weird shape. But such is life with a fan sculpt such as this. My wife is a pretty good photographer when it comes to family photos... but I can't get her to take photos of me in costume properly. It's pretty funny/frustrating. -Eric

Holy crap. Soren. I had boot envy... now I have DLT envy. That thing turned out gorgeous! -Eric

Is there such a thing? Great info btw. Thanks for sharing. -Eric