trooper18938

@ Lightside: Is that a GF helmet in your avatar picture?

Boots - yes he has, LOAKES, too.....

@ SSKUNY: Great looking tips -love the cut outs, and internal guts - when I get some spare cash I'll have to upgrade for a few pair. Are these cast off : Original part, or a ROTJ "copy of orig part" ..... Guys - the source is believed to be NOT a microphone, but a tip for a "soda machine dispenser" BUT those in the know will neither confirm nor deny......

In relation to Troopermaster's post - Brian Muir concurs in his book that while he was pleased with the level of detail and sharpness in his original sculpts, Brian felt there was much to be desired in the final suits in terms of their sharpness, execution, and assembly............ An artistic work does not always translate well into a practical/wearable film costume...... but this replica captures what we saw on screen flawlessly - Kudos!!

ABSOLUTELY WICKED !!!!!!

Truely great work. Regarding the "bars" used to attach the elastic to the armor - are these commercially available, or made bespoke for this project?

I thought that looked like the Hero helmet in the picture, and Happy Birthday, Paul!

Truely FANTASTIC!!! Great job, especially in the details like the hook/eye closures on the back of the calves. I've believed that while the painting was very "auto parts store" the assembly was more to the tune of stage costumers/sewers, given the jeans rivets vs. the pop rivets, and of course, the hooks vs. velcro - as the armor was most likely assembled by the costumers' department. Really looks the part!

Here's a link to photos of an RoTJ helmet from the PIH auction posted on the RPF a while back (enough acronyms?) -----

The GF hero ABS armor (circa 2002) also has a lot of flex in it, although not as much as Han's chest plate. You can twist it, though.

Mail order is the best way to go - Walmart has some 4 packs in their craft section, but they are expensive, like more than $1.00usd per magnet

Simple, yes..... you can make this assembly stuff as complicated as you like. For maximum trooping durability with fancy snaps and quick connect clips like it was "real space armor", or screen accuracy. Remember, the originals were assembled in a short amount of time - only now do people spend hours getting it "right" (which is highly subjective, and in the eye of the suit owner) Get a six pack of your favorite beer, some glue and elastic, and just go at it. You can overthink these things.........

I have seen these suits in person, and while not accurate, there have been modifications necessary for the performers. Most notably, the eyes and tears have been cut out and replaced with black screen - so that there is more air circulating in the bucket. It is hot, humid FLA, after all. While green lenses may be accurate, they would fog up - besides, how many of us have heard a Clone being called a Stormtrooper? Disney is a fantasy world, and most people there couldn't tell one from another.

You can fill in the gap behind the Hovi with a rubber washer from the plumbing department at your local DIY store. Get the half-round shape - the flat side rests against the back of the Hovi, and the concurve side fits into the concavity in the helmet. Fills the gap, and strengthens it as well.

Looking great! Just wondering - what color are the bubble lenses, green or smoke?

Just got the clips in the post today - great product, and the included rivets were a pleasant bonus. Highly recommended!!!

Dude, don't sweat it - just run with it. If you see the real ones, the helmets didn't match the armor anyway - so as long as the suit fits, and you're comfortable in it - have fun....

Sweet lid, Verne! What did you use to attach / back fill Russ' tips? I have a set just like Joe R's that Russ used as the original template for these. I took beige caps off of hotel shampoo bottles, put a slightly oversized screen on them, and pushed them into the tips from the back side. This held the screens in, and filled in the tip. I then attached screws to the inside of the tip w/ epoxy. They look just like yours. Just need a helmet to mount them in......

Wow guys, this is a great thread on this. Has anyone noticed that the 'Promo" blaster appears to be a resin copy? It has a very thick trigger guard, just like the casts of the rebel blasters, much thicker than the metal ones.

GF heros frown was a decal as well. The only painted parts by GF were the vocorder, and the grey on the ear caps - all the rest were decals - black pinstripe tape on top of the grey vinyl base.

Nice lid!! I'm happy to see that you replicated the lens attachment, and also got to get the 'tear dimples' to show from under the decals.

We all have opinions on this, and I as well, was sucked in by AA's claims way back then. I was one of the "19" - and had custons deliver the 'trooper' helmet to the trading floor of the Investment bank I was working at at the time - pre credit default swaps crash - happier days. Now I'm not happy w/it at all, but the Tie fighter helmet I have (w/decals, pre-US ban) is much nicer, and has a few tells in the helmet, but alas, the faceplate is the same as the 'trooper'

To be honest, a Scout trooper looks better on a tubby trooper. I have a set of anh armor thats too small for me currently, so I've been going as a Clone w/ cargo pants and a waist cape like a snowtrooper (also another good suggestion). Remember stormtroopers were designed around a 1970's british thin body type.

Great news, Brian! Please put me down for a signed copy - looking forward to a good read!!!

Actually, I have been looking at milk bottles for some time now ever since getting that TE HDPE - which is flimsy, just like a gallon jug. We also have solid white ones here in the States, to better protect the milk from UV rays. Cut one up and form something ???