rhapsodyred99

Great work on the build! I am not sure about that cord around the thigh, I know its screen accurate for the detention scene, but it looks odd, may just be me though. Nice blaster build too by the way. I love that display stand, and wow on the DLt-19, bet that thing is HEAVY!

Ok so I have done all I plan on doing to the armor for right now. I still need to work out if I want to go EIB and Centurion since I do not think I have the skill needed to pull off shims well. Here are the final suit up pictures as I submited them to my GML: Armor: RS PropMasters Belt: RS Propmasters (clothears costumes) Neckseal: Trooperbay Holster: Neokerberos Blaster: Doopydoos (M19 scope by TKleper) Boots: TK Boots Undersuit: Eastbay Height: 6'1" Weight: 230 lbs Guy in the last shot looks thrilled doesn't he?

I both love and HATE builds like this... Love it because level of skill and determination are astounding, hate it because the level of skill and determination are astounding and sooooo far out of my league! The counter alone is unreal, no one will ever believe it is not the real thing, I have taken the graphics to add to my Hyperfirm thank you so much for posting it. I have a real sterling/counter/scope that does not look a fraction as good as yours! Can't wait to see it finished, I am betting you would not be able to pick out the real from the resin unless you were right on top of it and picked them up to see how light the resin one is. Just wow.

I really like the blue in the scopes, its actually quite realistic, lots of people use silver or a cut down compact disc but my real M38 optics look more like your paint Job. Great Idea! I also like the added counter details. here is a pic of the back of my real sterling/counter/scope build that shows yours is pretty spot on IMHO. Nice work on the suits as well!

Well I stopped at the Wally world and picked up theese this morning: I know they are not 100% the same thing, but they are very close (and having used them to repair a tire before I can attest to thier ability to stick to plastic, pulling them off the plastic backing is a chore). I noticed GMK says they have been in business since 2006 so I am guessing they are not the 100% original either. Ill pop these in tonight and see what I think. Oh and a picture of the frown mesh I put in (I know I know not original but i REALLY hate balaclavas) and the shin hooks if someone is interested:

Sigh, You are right of course and why go 99% and leave the eyes ANH... Ill stop and grab some tomorrow, not like its a hard change

I almost bought some of this that the Queen of Handguards, Sonnenchein AKA Karin pointed out in another thread here: http://www.whitearmo...__fromsearch__1 which would have made my lid look like this: But instead mine looks similar to this: I had originally planned on this being an ANH build, but the shiney PVC just reminds me more of cloud city than the banged up ANH armor, but at that point I had already assembled the lid. Just don't tell her I put in frown mesh! She is DEATH on that!

I used Heavy duty quilting thread though I did make the front a little tight. Luckily the silk glove gives there fairly well so hopefully it will do ok. I had heard the sewn on handguards tended to break threads at the most inopportune times, which is why I held off for so long, but in the end I decided since this was an RS, I wanted Prop Replica more than Idealized, and since the rubber gloves with straps were as far as I know only used on the MK II armor, I decided to go ahead and stitch it. Maybe I should wear them to work one day and see how they last... I can see the looks now...

In the process now. I wanted to get my gloves stitched up and the rivets and screws painted. Also decided to finish out my Doopy into an ESB build, instead of using the ANH Hyperfirm. I know for basic membership that stuff was not important but I figured I waited this long ya know? Hopefully by this weekend I will have the gun finished and can officially take shots for approval. Those are hooks holding the shins closed. I tried to go 100% original strapping for this RS build, the only non original bit is the frown mesh I put in because I hate balacavas. I also did the green film for the eyes in ANH style (attached to the ears instead of using the tire repair goop sticks to hold them in like ESB) but thats on the inside of the lid so not noticeable.

Well It was too late to post a step by step, but it is super easy once you realize to turn the glove inside out, insert the handguard (make sure its the correct one!) and sew. Then flip out the glove and you are done. I used the pattern from Troopermaster on this thread: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/4980-esb-gloves/ Here are my finished gloves:

Well I sewed the hand guards onto some silk glove liners last night and finished painting the screws and rivets. I made the sewing of the hand guards alot harder than it actually was. Once it dawned on me to turn them inside out and put the handguard inside the glove to hold its shape it was super easy. Turn the glove back rightside out and you are done. ----------

yes i was being a moron.. turn the glove inside out...insert handguard....sew... /Smacks head

I have the correct hole pattern that is not the problem, my problem is I cannot seem to wrap my head around how to sew them onto the glove that basically totally deforms when you take it off of your hand. I can not sew it with my hand in it... Do you use a curved needle like a dr uses when sewing stitches? Basically the straight needle will go too far in and can not turn if my hand is in there, and if I take my hand out the glove is floppy and I can't tell where to sew. should I trace my hand on some cardboard and try that? I think I will end um sewing the cardboard...Or do I need a smaller needle? (mine is about 1.5 inches long) I must be making it harder than it is, as I see people going for centurion with the gloves stitched all the time, but right now I am feeling like a moron Any help would be appreciated!

Depends on the level, but if you buy CFO with all the trim etc I think its around 650 GBP, so you will have to convert that.

What costume was that? I can't even call it armour... Looks worse than good ol FX! Is that the rubies? If so people actualy paid 1000 bucks for that??!!!

Ill give the foam a try as I did notice the sniper plate kept wanting to go under the thigh.

Ok I have made a few changes, namely tightening up the chest and ab elastic, and adding a curve to the butt plate. I also added an ESB holster. Sharp eyes will notice a hyperfirm ANH blaster in it, but a RS Pugman Cast will be there soon. I am also getting parts from Tango'd Fett to add to my Doopy to make it a promo blaster I may pop in there instead. Another note, the helmet decals are from Tropperbay, and are too small for the RS lid. RS is still perfecting their ESB decals and have promised me a set as soon as they have done so. I also used non traditional gloss black paint on the frown and vocoder, because with the shiny PVC I thought it looked better. I also plan to stitch the handguards down to some silk liners and to paint the rivets. I weither need to add some frown mesh or wear a balaclava since you can see my face. I have not decided yet which. Anyway How Did I do? And now for some Obligatory action shots.... -----------

RS belts have little dots where the holster is supposed to be riveted. They are all in the center like that. Supposedly that is where their originaly screen used belt has its holster riveted, but thats also the belt seen on the tantive raid with the wonky holster so.... Anyone with an RS belt can very easily just "follow the dots" unless they research prior to building, or just know. The Clothears people who make the belt for RS actually have a info sheet explaining what each of the dots are (some for snaps, some for rivets to the belt, those two in the middle side for the holster) so its no wonder we have seeen several RS builds with holsters attatched this way. See this pic that shows RS real belt and the repro clearly riveted in the middle: I think you have done a good job on the armor, having just built myself one (going ESB so the holster thing was a non issue for me) I can attest to the amount of work it takes. 5 foot 7 is actually the average hight of the movie troopers from what Muir tells RS so you are good there I dunno if its the angle or what in the first picture but your helmet looks HUGE lol! Not so bad in the others.

Rs is basically just 2 guys, Rob and Simon, and they have pretty much the hottest product on the market right now as far as Tks go. Their PP khaki helm is making people buy a lid from them if nothing else, and most people want it built from them which takes forever because they have such a huge backlog. They also make fett armour, vader armour, and other sci fi props. Basically they have a ton of work to do for just two guys. it has taken a very long time for me to get responses from them, but they do eventually get back to you. And if I had an Issue, even one caused by me, they have always made things right (I got the wrong size belt, 3 inner drop boxes one outter drop box, missing shin hooks and Td clips and I screwed up my right ear and they sent me another... etc) In this hobby you just have to be patient unfortunately. I a the type of person who wants it RIGHT NOW, but replica props are not a simple click and buy and get it the next day, at least Usually the wait is well worth it. Just give them time they will get back to you eventually, but Id send an email every week or so (just not daily!) to remind them

I wonder if you will consider using a non latex or silicone at some future point? I know you have non latex hand guards. Either way I will definately pick up a seal when you are ready to market them and a pair of handguards at the same time. Would look good with the RS PP helmet that should be arriving any day now... What did the ESB troopers use out of curiosity?

Looks great, I have been following this thread for months. It helped me decide to buy an untrimmed pvc RS myself and tackle a Movie accurate build. Your documentation and help was most appreciated! Here I am with my first suit up in ESB style. This thread was an HUGE help in my first build. Anything you see right probably came from reading here, anything you see wrong is all my fault I Look forward to your finalized Suit!

Thanks Mathias, Ill tighten the chest elastic, as I see what you mean, hopefully that will take care of the riding up issue. I wanted to get all the fittings done prior to painting the screws/rivets because I figured in taking the armor on and off repeatedly I would just knock the paint off, but ill paint them prior to official submission to the 501st. I also notice that the butt plate seems flattened in the back picture. it is not contoured to my body. you can actually see the edge of it sticking out on the front picture I am thinking of forming a thin piece of metal to the contour needed and gluing it to the inside to make it more form fitting. What do you think? I think it may have flattened out from the months I have left it on the floor with the front weighing down on it. I am afraid to take a heat gun to it to try and reform it...

---------- Ok was able to get into Photobucket and upload some more pictures. Thanks for the kind words Valgars!

Hello all, I got an untrmmed RS PVC suit at the start of the summer and have been slowly but surely building it. Here are some pics of my first full suit up, and considering I had zero experience building armor, much less trying to make it movie strapping accurate I think I did ok. There are a few problem areas I see, namely the shoulder bells are a little far from the chest straps, but I am somewhat muscular in the arms/chest area and have wide shoulders, which makes sitting them closer to the chest tough. I am not sure they can go closer they are pretty much tight on my shoulders now. Also there is a large space in the back plate and kidney plate, but because I am 6 foot 1 that was the best compromise I could arrange. I think I am going to have to live with the gap. And the next thing I see is of course the spaces between the ab and kidney, but considering I weigh 230 pounds they are not going to close unless I shim. Anyway wanted to post up a few pics so I could see what else I need to work on and perhaps hear some ways to do it. Thanks! Edit: Can only upload theese two pics, Ill have to get post the others on a service and link em sorry!

this thread makes my day, I am 6 foot one (about 1.8 meters) and 230 pounds (105kg) and I was concerned about how the backplate fit the abplate. I too have to have a bit more black there than a traditional stormtrooper, but seeing your pics helps me see better than a mirror in my house anyway, that it still looks great. RS armour is definately made for someone about 5 foot 7 and around 150-175 pounds I think. But from these pics you can see that it still works for us taller/larger guys. I like the pieces you have melded to the abplate to close the gap, very subtle. Right now I still have about a 3 inch gap on each side of my armour I was trying to decide how to handle. Great work!