nai-retep

Very pleased with my TK boots and only took about 4 weeks to be sent to UK. They are good quality and very comfortable. My wife Kathy (Ciderqueen) wanted TK boots but they did not do them small enough for her so we had to go for the more authentic but time consuming option of dyeing the black Chelsea boots white. This worked very well but you do need to prepare them thoroughly before dyeing!

Received both AP kits today! Well pleased! Now just have to put them together!

Mine is my first and middle names backwards - Sounds like a Jedi name though!

Hi Dan, I have Jedi Robe armour and after much work and effort managed to get it 501st approved. However, if I had had the option I would have returned it. I had to make the most of a bad job so went down the modification route. My 'ready to wear' armour fitted so badly I could hardly walk in it. It took me two months of hard work to get the armour to a reasonable standard. If it's any help I have included my link. http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18997&hl=&fromsearch=1 I may have been lucky but my armour hasn't fallen to bits after a couple of troops. However, even though I am now UKG approved I have ordered an AP kit for both my wife and myself. For what it's worth the cost of both kits was about what I paid for the Jedi Robe. Ian

Best wishes and thoughts sent also from UK!

Excellent! My grandson would be so envious!

Thanks for the advice guys! It never occurred to me to think about possible chemical reactions!

It now says 'Original Replica - A New Hope' on their advert for TK armour. Strangely enough they still have a reference to 501st on their Shadowtrooper armour (in the small print).

Thanks Luis, That's a good point as the shine on the armour is one thing that I did like about it!

I agree! One thing I have noticed though is that Jedi Robe have now removed the '501st Replica' reference on their advertising. Hopefully this will lead to less people being caught into buying from them!

Hi, I modified my chestpiece by trimming the upper edge as it was too large for me being only 5ft 4in! I didn't touch the bottom edge as I wasn't sure about the quality of the plastic for doing a new return edge. Trying to modify the handplates with a heat sealing iron made me wary about doing this!

Hi guys, Thanks for all the tips! I will probably leave most untouched as it seems that this will be more authentic but your advice is much appreciated!

I have only done a couple of troops but have been amazed at how easily I get black marks on the armour. I know a certain amount of marks makes it more screen accurate but if anyone has any advice or tips for removing them I would appreciate it! Thanks

Hi, Just like to say that we also have an order with Mark at AP and have found him to be very good with regard to responding to emails etc. We knew that the order was likely to take longer due to the options that we chose but Mark made us aware of the fact. Kathy is enjoying her role as spotter/helper but really wants to get out there in armour. However, she knows that it will be well worth the wait when it arrives. I saw Nick (an NR) at the London Excel troop who had AP armour and I was definitely impressed! Good things come to those who wait!

Hi Guys, With all the help I got from both UKG and FISD I managed to become a trooper. Size really does not matter if you want something badly enough! Thanks for all the advice and support!

Excellent news!

Congratulations! The good news is it gets better. Just wait until your first troop!

TK 6094 reporting for duty! Please update my 501st access. http://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=14368

Hi Malarky, The Jedi Robe neck seal is very uncomfortable it is made with wire and was like wearing a neck brace for whiplash! My wife made me a much better one that she made in only a couple of hours. ------ ----- The boots are also terrible, some sort of Elvis type. They had a cheap zip on the side and in any case are not 501st acceptable. I got TK boots to replace these and they fit great and are very comfortable. The bodysuit was ok but I found it strange that they only provided a large size for 'reduced size' armour? The bodysuit provided does come in Small and Medium sizes elsewhere. Again like the armour I had to modify this to fit better. I am a bit of a strange body shape although I am only 5ft 4in I have a 40 in chest and 32 in waist. So although it was too long in the arms and legs it fitted ok in the chest. The supplied blaster is also not the best despite mine having the magazine more or less in the right position unlike other JR ones I have seen. I will be replacing this when I can. -------- I am pleased that you were able to get your money back. Unlike myself, in my case it was a very expensive lesson to learn. To paraphrase Bishop from Alien 3 my armour 'has been reworked but it will never be top of the line'! Regards Ian

Hi Kris, I ended up ordering AP armour for my wife. As she is the same height as me this was one of the deciding factors. I had advice regarding modifying for the shorter trooper and they came well recommended. CFO was the runner up for me and it was a close run thing. Regards Ian

Hi, Sorry if I came across as a bit abrupt. I misunderstood your reply. Cheers Ian

To CiscoKid, You seem to think that being ripped off is funny? Strange, I thought that the idea of forum threads like this is to promote awareness of the pitfalls and educate people regarding their choice of armour. I am not the only one to have been caught by Jedi Robe and others but hopefully due to threads like this there will be far fewer unfortunates like me! It was already too late for me to return my armour as I had already begun modifying it. Being only 5ft 4in I incorrectly assumed that it was my stature that was responsible for the very poor fit (despite the reduced size claims). It was only when I became aware of the 501st website that I realised that this vendor was known for selling poor quality armour at vastly inflated prices! Had I known I would never have bought this armour in the first place. As previously mentioned I have spent a great deal of money, time and effort just to get the armour to a reasonable standard. Think yourself lucky that you are fortunate enough to have the correct information and advice to not only get a decent armour kit but also at a reasonable price. I am disappointed that you find it so amusing that people get taken in by such vendors. However, I am sure that most people would agree that helping people avoid this is much more important that making fun of those who have! Ian

Sound advice! I myself got caught by Jedi Robe. I was looking for a Stormtrooper costume for a special celebration and had no previous knowledge of the 501st or UKG. I was taken in by their website and having no idea regarding you guys got taken for a lot of money for what I got in return. Ironically enough I only became aware of the 501st through their website. As has been previously mentioned it has cost me an awful lot of time, money and patience to make the most of a bad job. My 'ready to wear - reduced size armour' fitted me so badly I could hardly walk in it! After a lot of hard work over the last few weeks I am just about ready to apply for 501st clearance. I have learned my lesson and have now ordered a kit for my wife from one of your recommended vendors. It still galls me that I could have got better quality armour for half the price!

Hi, Thanks for all the comments and advice and for the great Tutorial. Very helpful.

Hi, Greetings from Plymouth, UK. I'm new and looking for any help and advice. I am only 5 feet 4 inches tall but still wanting to join the ranks of the 501st. I realise that to get amour to fit me with a reasonable amount of mobility will require some major trimming especially in the legs and arms. Aside from the standard minimum requirements - will this have an effect on whether the armour will be 501st standard acceptable or does it really depend on how it is done? I would appreciate any comments especially if there are any other short stormtroopers out there that can help. Many thanks in advance. Ian