FIVE

ME TOO! What is that?!

Yes, it's possible. Here's the thing though... First off, you're looking at the "move along" trooper as you said. He's one of the more obviously "wonky" troopers out there for sure. So to try to make the MR CE as flawed as him is going to take a bit more work... but YES... totally doable! You'll most likely have to replace the entire ear. And you will probably have to fill the "gap" that is left above the ear before the trap finishes. As I just said on my MR CE tutorial thread, I did mine very "idealized"... so I wasn't looking for screen accuracy, but the "accuracy" of what the helmet might look like if the Empire were real. More like motorcycle helmets look... all "one piece." That's why the ears have no gap between them and I didn't do the teeth quiet so large. When I did my TE2, however, I wanted that "move along" look for sure... but it was easier to get because that's what I was starting with. The brow trim ended exactly where it ended in the films. -------

Great build thread man... keep it up!

Yeah, that's why you rip the whole thing apart and repaint it! Look me, I'm same color in my photos.

That is 100% correct. It's a respected bucket, and the more and better the mods you do on it the more respected it is... and, in turn, you are. PM sent.

As most here already know — and I don't think I'm tooting my own anything by saying this — I did one of the premiere mods on the MR CE last year. (of which a PDF "how to" will be available soon) Anyway, I love that helmet. I think it looks great, and is the perfect finish to an FX suit or the like. I did the whole stripping, painting, filling, sanding, tearing, gluing, trimming, sealing, detailing thing... and it was a blast! Here it is...--------- That being said... I have since got and finished a TE2 bucket... and the differences are amazing. I'm not just talking about the differences in looks either. I'm talking about the difference in assembly! Here's a comparison between my TE2 (before I dirtied it up) on the right and my heavily modded MR CE on the left. ----------- Last year at this time I would've recommended the MR CE without a second of hesitation. Now? Not so much. The prices have gone up, and honestly, if you're going to spend the $$ and want something that looks really good, then start with something that looks really good to begin with. Why spend all the extra money modding it when you can get something like a TE2, AP, ATA or whatever and be good-to-go right out of the gate? But... if you DO get an MR CE and really take the time to mod it up nice, I have no doubt you'll love it.

Lookin' good man!

Thanks man. Yeah, I feel like kind of a dork for posting it and saying, "It looks pretty good." A friend of mine on facebook was saying he wanted one, and honestly at first glance I thought it might be a fan sculpt I hadn't seen or something... but now I'm like, "I DO know a good bucket when I see one... RIGHT?" hahaha So yeah... never mind. Now, continue on reading my posts about the MR CE and my really accurate TE2 armor!!

And WHOA! That 2nd link you shared Nathan really shows how truly soft that bucket is. Yowzers!

If I had heard of him, which I'm sure I have at some point, I didn't recognize him right off the bat. Thanks for the (refresher) info everybody!

Oh yeah... NO eBAY! And I'm not even looking to buy one, it's just I'd never seen them before.

Is this bad boy on StarWarsHelmets.com? http://bit.ly/762jA It's not a bad looking helmet... and not outrageous in price either. Not screen accurate (obviously) as it claims, but pretty good. And fiberglass to boot. Anyone know anymore about them? Anyone have one... want to post some pics? Please disregard any of this... I was obviously not paying attention.

Haha... yep, welcome to GOOD armror!! My TE2 was the same way, and I didn't have a molding iron either. It fits... you just have to make it fit. Have fun, and good luck! Oh, and post pictures here... lots and lots and lots of great big colorful full resolution close up detailed pictures!!!

AP = great armor! Drop the money if you haven't already!!

I trust PayPal completely... at least enough I am verified and have it linked to my bank account and all. I think it's a good operation. My only advice, never, ever, ever click on a link in an email that has anything to do with PayPal. Even if it's really from them, go to their site yourself and you'll have alerts if you have to do something... never click on an email link. Other than that one caveat I think it's a solid and safe thing to do! Just think of it — getting verified — as going "PayPal Elite." haha

The MR CE is fantastic helmet, and you can often find them online for $100 or less... I think I paid $99 for mine. Then you get to decide if you want to do major mods — like I did — just the minimum, or leave it "as is" for a while. All are great options. If you want to BUILD a helmet, all the above options are good ones. And, as a big fan myself, it's my duty to throw TE2 into that list as well. Good luck man! You're starting out right... ASK, ASK, ASK!!!

Leave it... and then sell the suit to me at a hugely discounted price! (am I the first to say that?) Man... that's some sweet lookin' armor!

Oh yeah, totally possible and, in fact, done by most people. The FISD is made up of those who have gone above and beyond in their costume. They have met stringent standards (such as no FX helmets, etc., etc.) in their armor and are considered "elite" and are given the title of "Expert Infantrymen." So yeah... getting into the 501st is a lot of work, but getting into the FISD is even more work! While I have TK armor it's just FX with a heavily modded MR CE bucket... so I'm not in the FISD... I am, however, in the MEPD... which is the "elite" for sandtroopers. Good luck on all of it!!

Wow... I THOUGHT on here somewhere... and I thought just like yesterday I read / learned it... but now I can't find the thread. In fact, all the ESB threads I was looking at recently have posts from YOU in them. *twilight zone music* Anyway, it seems I was way off... at least based on the ESB standards. 4 teeth each side. So what was I thinking? Any ideas?

All of them went to 5 in ESB. The "standard" for ANH though is 4. And I'm not sure if you see 5 cut out anywhere in the movie... just cause they were in the pile doesn't mean they were used ya know. Of course I could be wrong.

Hahaha You rock man. I still say TE2 is the best!!!

I understood what he meant... or understood it as meant that way. And I certainly didn't mean recasting was good (by my little "Wicked" joke). Just to make sure I'm being understood.

Ah great... another really good post on recasting for me to bookmark... thanks Mike. And I saw Wicked on Broadway after it had been recast and it was really good!

(Man I'm replying a lot to this...) Just wanted to say that I admire all the guys out there that find ways to help those who can't afford big time suits... the thing is we're a GREAT community and I KNOW (from experience) that guys ARE willing to help when they can. People tend to just look for the "easy way out." I don't doubt that in the next few years there will be more quality armor available at lower prices... but the thing is, it's an expensive hobby... and it takes time and money to do it right. That will never really change.

Haha... yeah... I'll just point to what Paul said here... he did a great job and it will keep this thread on topic.