TK5492

Thanks for the responses guys. Keep 'em coming! I'm glad to see so many of you are on the same page with me about this.

Congratulations to you. So we will now have, in essence, armor that is 100% exact to what was used on set? This sounds like a huge leap forward in the Stormtrooper world. Very impressive work.

Recently, we went out with with of my wife's friends and her husband. It was my first time meeting them, and of course when we talked about our interests, the 501st came up, as it is a huge part of my life. When I told him what we do, he said: "Oh yeah! I used to have a few friends that were into cosplay!" For some reason, this offended me. I tried to explain to him that I did not do cosplay, nor do I partake in "LARPing". He seemed convinced that that's what this is. It was almost silly to him. Like it's a joke, or it's funny that an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force, would put on plastic armor. The 501st is so much more than just a costume! But so many people have this impression that if you wear a costume, you are a cosplayer, or a LARPer. Well, that is not who I am. I just don't feel like Star Wars fits into that frame. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I feel we are above that level. The people on this site have a passion for their armor that goes beyond "Costuming". Armor builders aren't cosplayers. TM, ATA, AP - these people are artists. We are all real people with real jobs and families. You could say we are a bunch of geeks in plastic armor, but it's what we do with it that counts. It's the hospital visits, the charity benefits, the light in the faces of children that make the 501st! I am a Stormtrooper. NOT a larper. The stereotype for cotumers isn't the image of the people in the Legion. Everyone knows and loves Star Wars, and we are bringing Star Wars to life, not running around in a costume. Sorry to rant about this. What do you guys think? Do you get this alot? Does it bother you?

I see a few things with the paint. First, good on you for doing it by hand! Very proper. However, I feel that the black outline may be a little thick. Also, your rank bars seem to be a little over done. They should be a thin line rather than having the entire bump painted. I would also still encourage you to re-trim those ears. Other than that, coming along nicely. Remember to take your time, and make sure you have many many on screen shots close by to use as reference.

I wear around a 9.5, but I had to order size 7 TK boots. First I got 9s, then 8s.... then they were STILL too big and I had to get 7s! They are a little snug, but until TK starts selling 7.5s they will have to do. My experience may be the exception to the rule, but that's just what happened.

The only thing I see is the ears look like there is still some raw material left, Perhaps unscrew them and trim some more plastic to give them a cleaner appearance. The thighs and shins look great. Excellent work with the cover strips.

Sorry to go off topic but your Fox Trooper signature is legit. We wouldn't happen to share the same last name would we? Perhaps brothers seperated at birth by the Empire and taken to different parts of the galaxy?

Ahhh you guys are talking me into it! my lenses are not sealed, so I thought that would help. The spit thing.... uh... ew. ANNNYYway It looks like it will come down to a fan. I am just worried about the bulkiness, the noise, if it will be annoying, where I will mount it, if it will fall out, the list goes on and on.

Anybody have any suggestions on help with fogging OTHER than buying a fan? Don't really want to have to put a fan in my helmet at this point. However, if this continues, it may come down to that. My helmet is fogging to the point of being completly blind within the first 10 seconds of having it on.

Wow, I am really sorry to hear that. I thought he was one of the good ones... Well, this is why I brought this here. Ever since I unsuspectingly bought bad armor from ebay, I have made it something like my duty to try to help others not make a mistake when buying armor.

So this armor is from a manufacturer know as Custom Casting Services. You can also find them at Armor-Depot.com. They specialize in realistic clone armor but just this year have started releasing different types of trooper armor. From what I have been told now, this appears to be recast. The jury was out, but the experts have spoken. Buyer beware. http://www.ebay.com/...=item19d036e75f

Head on over to MEPD.net The Sandtroopers over there should be able to give you all the advice you need on weathering your armor. Now, move along.

I am always impressed that there are some folks who can just look at armor and tell who the manufacturer is. This guy has a grip of armor for sale, but it looks really bad. It is HIPS from what he says. Anyone recognize this armor? It looks very UN legit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Wars-Stormtrooper-Armor-HIPS-060-Costume-Extra-Pieces-TONS-PIECES-/170829376207?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c6396acf

The armor looks great! You could never tell it was used. I have to comment on that brow though. It definelty looks like your checking somebody out with that classic "Heyy there" look. Should go over well with the ladies.

Wow, Thank you so much! It's an honor. I couldn't have done it without everyone on these boards. Thank you.

I see now what you are saying. There is a gap because of the velcro but the only time it is visible is when it is close like that. I believe sometimes small things must be done to maintain practicality as well as accuracy. You're MRCE is very nice. I can attempt to try to make the seam better.

Thank you for your observations Sven. The seam is not ususally visible. It may be the lighting in this picture. I could try to re-fill it. As to the forearms- I do not recall seeing in the CRL that the forearms MUST be glued shut. If so, I would never get my hand through with my gloves on. And lastly, Isn't the return edge on the shoulder bells desireable and correct? I started a thread awhile back about replacing my chest and back and I was told to replace the shoulder bells as well for this very reason. Also, in every other ANH EI application I looked at, everyone had a return edge.

Respectfully requesting being granted EIB status. Thank you for your consideration. Tyler Fox/TK 5492 Forum name: TK5492 Japanese Garrison Armor= FX/ATA hybrid (Chest piece, back, shoulder bells, and shoulder straps are ATA) Helmet= eFX Modded. ( Ear screws added, old lenses removed and green welder’s lenses added, teeth dremelled wider and repainted, mesh added, seam filled, ears repainted, old too dark tube stripes removed and new Trooperbay correct style stripes added. ) Blaster= Doopy Doo’s full resin kit Height = 5’ 6†Weight = 150 Boots = TK boots Canvas belt = custom made Hand Plates = Trooperbay Gloves=Trooperbay rubber chemical Neck Seal = Unknown - From an old kit Holster = Unknown- ditto Drop boxes= Enclosed with scrap ABS Thermal Det clips= custom I bought this armor before I got into FISD and knew the information I do now. I have tried to take what I have learned and make it the best I could with my budget and living abroad. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you. I think that covers everything. Thanks!

I appreciate the encouragement guys. I will follow your advice for my submission.

Thanks Eric. It always amazes me how quickly my questions get answered. That is good to know. Watch out for my application soon.

I am ready to go for EIB. I have met all the requirements, although I believe that I may run into an issue during submission due to a technicality. My but plate is split from my kidney plate as required. However, when I put on my belt it covers up the cut line. I don't know if this is due to my height (5' 6") or what. I cannot simply lower the butt and kidney plate otherwise it will sit too low and create the "tail" look of it sitting too low. However in the requirements on the CRL page it states that: A separate kidney plate shall be present, split from the butt plate. A separate butt plate is required, split from the kidney plate. So my question is this: seeing that I meet the requirements, will I still be denied approval?

Agreed to above. rotate outward and raise them up. Looks like a quick and easy kindof fix which are not common.

Thanks. Also, should the stripes remain parallel with the "valley" between the 'cheek' and the tube?

I am finishing up my helmet and have ordered some tube stripes from Trooperbay. My question is the measurements for where the stripes need to be put on. It seems like everyone has them in about the same spot in all the pictures I have seen, but I would rather not eyeball it. The distance I am most concerned about it this one: (sorry about the picutre, I am terrible with photo editing) Hope this explains it enough. Thanks.