Airborne Trooper

If you don't like the long wait and feel confident on what you're doing, zap a gap takes like 15 seconds to cure, faster if you use zip kicker. I've only used it on parts like the biceps and one side of the inner shim on my thigh so far. Need to have some steady hands or another pair of hands to help.

I'm already planning on using 7/8" front cover strips for the front of the thighs and calves. My thighs are bigger so there's not enough material on my thighs to close as is. My wife has already assumed helper responsibilities

And this is why I ask first before making cuts! I'll do the finishing strips using E6000 instead of zap a gap tonight and start calves.

I guess what I mean to say is how high above the knee caps are the thighs suppose to end? This will determine how much I need to trim off the top of the thighs. I'll take care of the return edge and recreate the top ones with my sealing iron once I get the height part corrected.

Need some advice on how much to trim off my thighs. I REALLY am too short to be a stormtrooper... sandtrooper. I have my thighs pulled up as high as possible and they come up even with my knees. Sorry, I haven't shaved my legs in quite some time lol Left: Right:

Yeah, there's no way I can get away with standard size on my biceps so 7/8" front and 1" back works great and is more than comfortable. I can fit in my forearms but they are super tight even with the undershirt on. It looks really dumb lined up with the 7/8" so I need to keep them uniform. I plan on using 7/8" for the front of the thighs and calves too. If you watch trooperbay's videos he mentions where you can deviate from the standard 5/8" finishing strips but hide as much as you can in the rear.

Don't forget to post pictures!

Do you have any more pictures on how you did your thighs? I have the MTK as well and I'm on that portion. I'm 4 inches shorter than you so I definitely need to trim it height wise but I'm puzzled on the back. There is no ridge to go off of like there is on the front. Did you just cut a straight line on both sides and create shims as necessary?

If you can't find any, trooperbay has them.

What size did you use for your biceps? I had to do 7/8" front and 1" on the back. Now I have to go back and redo my forearms to at least 7/8" on the front so they look uniform.

I was looking at this picture last night in comparison with my MTK biceps I'm building. Earlier MTK kits have both the left and right with thumb prints. I must have a revised set because only my left bicep has the thumb print but both \__/ shape at the top.

I have a strong feeling that this build will be stickied! Absolutely terrific job Russell and great documentation will help me and many future troopers as well. Somebody give this man a medal!

How did you fix the gaps in the cover strips? I've got some too on one of my forearms.

Scratches?! Time to go sandy

Crap! Rookie mistake. I'll get another set ordered soon and just leave them on until those come in.

Ok, I can do that. I'll raid my daughter's arts and crafts kit. I'm sure she has some elmer's glue I could use.

Great suggestion, I'll throw on a couple layers and use some sand paper to scuff up portions for weathering.

My bucket is pretty much complete. I still need to glue in the hardhat liner and make an adjustment on the "Mike" tips to get the angels right. I wanted to share and get final overall approval before I glued in the mesh behind the teeth. Here's my reference as you will notice there's a lot of "imperfections" that I did my best to mimic A bunch more reference photos can be located here: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=10005&hl=%2Bdavin+%2Bfelth+%2Breference I originally cut too much out of the eyes so I used my sealing iron to pull down some of the edges to get some eye droop Painting straight lines is a pain in the an impolite person by hand. I did my best, but even in the original, you can see some variations in the lines so I am overall not too worried. Also, after about 3 failed attempts painting the tube stripes, I gave up and used my decals that came with the kit. They look great and from what I can tell, there's 15 stripes on each side. I was worried that I may need to put scratches in some when it comes to the weathering portion but the reference shows them intact. Small gap on the ear, but so what!? Can't seem to find the thread on MEPD but that small little tooth is suppose to be there

My bucket really scratches my ears so that's why I have to open it up more. I don't think I have THAT big of a head. I wear 7 1/4 fitted hats.

Looking good, nice and lined up. I am doing shims as well for added strength.

I would try to use a little watered down paint thinner to remove the teeth paint. I have to cut my back cap some too as it's way to tight to fit my head in even with putting it on sideways and screwing it on. Just leave enough where you still have that ridge and only take enough as necessary. You don't want a huge opening that people can see up in.

Looking good, dude! Maybe look at taking a little off the bottom of the ear where it touches the tubes and it'll bring it closer. In any case, if you want my left over ears, shoot me a PM! I painted my black lines on my bucket last night. Grey goes on tonight after I finish helping out at a garrison event.

Yeah I'll pick up a small can of plastic-dip paint and mask everything.

If time and wife permits, I'll be paiting my bucket tonight.

Yes just the sanding dremel and sandpaper. I commented on that one ear. It looks good just sand up to those lines I indicated. I got one ear near perfect the second try. The other I did good the 3rd and best on the forth lol.