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nai-retep

501st Stormtrooper[TK]
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Posts posted by nai-retep

  3. Darth Gorilla, Exeter

    in Field Training Exercises

    Posted · Edited by gmrhodes13
    photo updated

    I meant to post this ages ago but totally forgot.   :blush: 

     

    This was a troop Kathy and I did for an event which supported the Gorilla Conservation charity in Exeter during the summer. 50 Gorillas of various types were made by local artists and then they were auctioned off for charity.  We were asked to promote this one for obvious reasons.   Darth Gorilla  was made by the Kiwi artist Mandii Pope and was brilliant!  He had a working light saber together with a breathing and voice box and Vader sound samples.  To cap it all when you removed his helmet he even had the Anakin Skywalker scars on the Gorilla's head.  Darth Gorilla raised nearly £4000 at auction and overall the Gorillas raised £100,000!  :jc_doublethumbup:

     

     

     

     

     

     

    photo_zps4e3b4cff.jpg

  13. The various types of armor and where to find them UPDATED 2023

    in Getting Started - Read this First!

    Posted

    Just curious here....as a newbie to this, I have spent a great deal of time reviewing the various forums to get advice on armor.

     

    I have seen repeated comments "not to buy" from the stormtroopershop.com, but I have not heard the specific reasons why.

     

    As I am looking at close to 1500 for the kit I want, I am tempted to get their fully made armor with E11, boots, body suit, etc. as it is the same price and saves me a ton of time.

     

    So can anyone advise why these guys stink? Do they make a truly bad set of armor, lousy service, slow shipping or what?

     

    A cautionary tale!  Over a year ago I bought from JR before being aware of the 501st, FISD or the UKG!  Being only 5ft 4in I bought my 'Reduced Size Armour' ('501st Replica') under the incorrect impression that this was the only way I could get a TK costume to fit me!  To say that I was disappointed after what I paid would be a huge understatement! 

     

    My 'ready to wear' armour fitted so badly I could barely move in it!  It took me 3 months of very hard work to get it up to 501st basic standard!  Even then I would say it was only mediocre at best!  The plastic ammo belt snapped after only a few troops.  The helmet was huge and like the armour needed lots of work.  No one ever put me down for wearing this armour but I always felt second class in it and that's being generous. When I started trooping with the UKG I got to see decent armour up close and realised how bad in comparison this was!  

     

    As soon as I was able I got two sets of AP trimmed armour kits for my wife and me.  I only had to trim the forearms, thighs and shins and that was it!  Compared to my 'ready to wear' armour which required EVERY part to be trimmed!  A further consideration is the fact that I got two sets of vetted armour for about the same cost as I paid for the one JR! :(

     

    Believe me one thing you will not save will be time!  The E11 and holster are poor and the neck seal was like wearing a whiplash neck brace!  The boots are not 501st clearable either.   The standard supplied belt is plastic and not canvas which you might expect for a suit costing this much!  

     

    In my opinion there is no 'quick fix' for this type of hobby if you want to wear quality armour that is a credit to the 501st!  It takes time, effort and money!  However, it is not always the case that you get what you pay for!      

    replica costume help!

    in New Member Introductions Archive

    Posted · Edited by nai-retep

    Hi and welcome from the Westcountry!  As you will find on the getting started section there are several choices available.  Remember that your size and build will be a factor in choosing your armour.  For example AP armour is well suited for the smaller trooper.  You will find the help you need here on FISD and as Dean says also register with the UKG.  Avoiding Ebay etc. is also very good advice.  Believe me I know! :)

    Hi from Wales

    in New Member Introductions Archive

    Posted · Edited by nai-retep

    Hi Kevin,

     

    As Steffen says there is a lot of support and advice available here on FISD and the UKG armourers should also be able to give you the help and advice you need!  At 5ft 4in I was also outside the 'standard' size range for a TK.  My first armour was the dreaded Jedi Robe and this needed a lot of work to get up to 501st standard.  With the armourers help I managed to get it cleared but was never that happy with it so quickly changed to AP armour and this is what I troop in now.  If you can get JR armour cleared then SDS should be easier by comparison as it is better quality than JR armour I think.  I believe what makes SDS controversial is the maker's claims regarding this armour.

     

    Start an introduction thread on UKG (and on FISD as suggested) showing yourself in the armour and let the TK armourers take it from there mate.  BTW like Daz I also troop in the Cardiff area sometimes so hope to troop with you in the near future perhaps?

    Cheers

  17. Close to screed used boots perhaps?

    in Boots, Soft Parts, and other Accessories

    Posted · Edited by gmrhodes13
    link not working removed

    We dyed Kathy's Chelsea boots from black to white.  The secret is in the preparation before applying the white dye.  We used super strength Acetone nail varnish remover and a scourer to remove all traces of polish from the leather.  When this was done and the boots were completely matt we used the preparer that came with the Tarrago white dye.  We then used five coats of the white dye (allowing it to dry completely before reapplying the next coat).  She has trooped about 20 times in these boots with her TK and they are still going strong!    :)

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  18. Help with Painting Boots

    in Boots, Soft Parts, and other Accessories

    Posted · Edited by gmrhodes13
    link not working removed

    We dyed Kathy's Chelsea boots from black to white.  The secret is in the preparation before applying the white dye.  We used super strength Acetone nail varnish remover and a scourer to remove all traces of polish from the leather.  When this was done and the boots were completely matt we used the preparer that came with the Tarrago white dye.  We then used five coats of the white dye (allowing it to dry completely before reapplying the next coat).  She has trooped about 20 times in these boots with her TK and they are still going strong!   :)----------

     

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