FIVE

Hahaha... maybe I should just repaint my MR CE (again) and change my FX over to ESB. I did just trim down the chest plate today. I can't afford to get more armor yet... plus I think I want TM's flexi armor when it's done for my ESB. And, if the requirements are more strict then it will just "force me" to get another blaster... darn the luck.

See, if that's true that's VERY good to know!

Hahaha... thanks. I try.

No way! That'd be so sweet. I'm going to do an ESB trooper "next." (of course that may be in 3 years... but...) Thanks for that pic!!

Cool! Thanks... so I was right that they're labeled wrong on that site. I emailed Lewis about it just now... probably just a glitch.

PM sent...

All your based are belong to resin.

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Oh, and lookin' good man! Just keep test fitting and referencing pics. You're on your way!

I hadn't noticed people doing this... I think it's a bit odd. My guess (and of course everyone will have to answer for themselves) is that it keeps it all together giving you that "shirt" to put on... and it keeps them from sliding around / down — especially on skinny troopers. Not sure though... interesting.

I thought the ESB E-11 was different than the ANH one... but looking on the new sci-fire.com they have their ANH blaster labeled as --------- Is this right guys?! If so, cool! I'm that much closer to being ESB! I thought it was supposed to have the greeblies and all on it like the ROTJ. Maybe not. I have been known to be wrong on special occasions during years that end in 9s.

Cool. I've not seen many "resin" lids. I have the same question John had... what's it made of?

Yep, yep, yep! Follow the instructions / tutorial and it will be magic. Don't, and you also need to buy a lot of sandpaper.

That's what I was gonna say.

It can be VERY daunting for sure! But listen to all the people saying "no" on here... it's not just a bunch of people trying to make you feel bad. ---------

Woo hoo!

You can also watch all 21 videos on my Vimeo now as well. Here's the link...

You can now see all 21 videos on Vimeo as well. Here's the link.

Oh... and what about "angling" the sniper plate "outward" a bit? Is that just way wrong / not screen accurate?

I had actually thought of doing this too... but the shins are in a really good place as is... so I don't know. Plus, I'm afraid they wouldn't fit right. The curve of my shin is perfect in the curve of the shin armor. The TE2 really seriously does fit me like a glove in every way, EXCEPT the thighs are a big long... that's it though. They even fit amazingly... just long. Good idea though man... thanks!

Cool... that's what I was thinking! Your word is gold with me brother... so unless someone severely objects, sounds like I was thinkin' right. Thanks! (I will still listen to more advice of course...)

My knee is right where the sniper plate is... like exactly. The middle of it hits my knee cap dead center.

So after my first troop today in my new TE2 sandtrooper (and yes, I'm posting this on MEPD too... as soon as it's back up...) I realized, very quickly, that I need to make my thighs a bit shorter so that I can bend my legs. They are SO close to being exactly the right height, but they are just a bit too long. The problem on the left leg is as much the sniper plate as it is that the thigh hits the back of my knee when I bend my leg. The problem on the right leg is mainly the back of the knee thing. So... has anyone else had this issue with TE2 armor? If so, how did you resolve it? The ideas I have are... 1) Trim the tops of the legs and get a craft iron to "round off" the edge again (as seen by the green line in the images below) 2) Trim off a little of the backs of both legs so that there is more of a "scoop" there for my knee to bend. (as shown by the red lines in the images below) The problem with #1 is that I'm afraid if I trim off the top, thereby RAISING the thigh piece up, that it will no longer fit nicely... might be too tight in other words. Also, the rounded edge on the armor gives it that very distinctive look and I would hate to destroy it. The problem with #2 is I don't want to destroy the "ledge" thickness that the backs of the legs have. Also, I'm afraid even if I "scoop cut" it I might still have problems. I'm leaning towards option #2 though because a) I don't think the back of the knee is as noticeable as the tops of the legs, I think it would be easier to do, and c) I can "angle" the sniper plate out a little so that it doesn't hit as much but still looks really good. (see red line on 2nd image below) Thoughts? Opinions? Other ideas? Pictures of what you've done that worked? Here are my images... --------

Yeah! That's exactly what I meant!

Great thread (I love these questions) but TK-8114 is right of course... I've heard it all, they show rank, the ear marks show rank, the pauldrons are only sandtroopers, they're for everyone, Lucas shaved his beard this week... I've heard it all. Obviously you don't apply to get in the 501st with a pauldron on a TK, but our Squad Leader wears one now and then on his TK. It works. And in the EU / comics and stuff TKs are always wearing them. I like to think more than "rank" it was a way of showing special training in a division. Sort of like berets. Green, red, black... they're all elite, but they mean different elite areas. So sure, a green beret will be "higher rank" than a normal marine, but maybe not in actual rank... just in training and expertise. This example works with the sandtroopers. They were, at least in part, one of detachments from Vader's ship, but it has been alluded to since that they were "specially trained." So yeah, I like to think the pauldrons mean you had extra training in one area or another.