PiettLives

Thank you gentlemen for your help. Still in need of a knee ammo belt.

If you're planning on using the solid strip of smoked plastic for the eyes consider leaving some gap for air flow. I've seen lots of troopers either mount it flush or trim two lenses and seal them all the way around. I've left mine as a solid strip and mounted it with the screws in the ears leaving a bit more of a beveled edge inside so the visor doesn't sit completely flush. It works well for ventilation.

Jeff, I forgot to mention that to make sure the inside trim of the bottom of the calves has no return edge and is very smooth. Especially with you painted boots, you might even want to line the inside edge with soft Velcro so your armor doesn't scratch up the ankles of your boots.

TK's...I'm calling on you for your help. About a month ago there was a post on the main boards about a "Tampa Bay Lightning" TK. (http://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=88589&p=1112870&hilit=Lightning#p1112870) The team was looking for the wearer and we ended up connecting them. Come to find out the trooper (Shonna) was in the hospital with kidney failure and not doing well. We recently invited her and her family to our armor party as her kit was in need of repairs. The squad presented her with a plaque making her an honorary ambassador of the Tampa Bay Squad. She was honored but stayed in her suit way too long and had to be helped to the car. After looking over her suit, she needs a few replacement parts. I'm hoping someone out there may have spares that they would be willing to donate to this awesome trooper. The biggest item needed is a cod piece. Hers is ductaped on and pretty damaged. Also needed is a knee ammo belt and sniper plate. If anyone can help she would be forever grateful!

I agree with Clint and Tim. If you're interested in the FO TK then read through ukswrath's build thread: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/31877-ukswraths-tfa-build-thread-tk-10116/ to see what you're in for as far as building it yourself. With the current price tag unbuilt, I'm not sure anyone would want to pay them to build it as well. You could probably buy a car or motorcycle for that price!!!

It does come with that feature as it adds a little "static" to your voice before the burst at the end. I agree with Steve that you have to have the mic right on your lips for the system to work at it's best. Also, if there is any loud noises or PA being used you might want to use the PTT cord. Otherwise the static burst will fire non stop which gets annoying.

That's what I use our Officers for! If you have free hands and no armor...you will do my bidding!!!

Jeff, your kit looked great last night! Just a few things to tweak and you'll be ready to go. Welcome to the Legion In White my brother!!!

DO...NOT...BUY...FROM...EB*Y!!!!

I HATED my setup with the belt/suspender combo until I too got Ty's product. Highly recommended!!!

Anyone else?

The battery is listed as the TL-2450 and should be available at stores like Batteries Plus. Mine finally died but I ended up ordering it from Jim. Everything I've gotten from him shipped the same day...awesome dude!

David, the family has asked that the photos not be shared without their permission. If you'd like to share my words then of course...feel free to do so. Thanks to everyone who posted above. I was truly honored to help the family and wanted to share my story with my TK brothers and sisters.

Hey Troopers! I'm looking to put together a better info packet for my new TK recruits here in the Tampa Bay Squad and I need your help. Every one of us has a build thread that they liked, followed or read as the bible! Please take a moment and post your favorites (even if they're your own) so I can share them with newbies who like we were at one time, intimidated by what comes in that big brown box!!! Hoping for EIB or Centurion threads of course (being an FISD Attache) but I'm really looking for very detailed and guiding threads with great photos and info. Thanks!

Following the request from our FISD XO TK-66668 "MechaPumpkin", I'd like to share a troop that I was honored to be a part of. I'd become aware of a family looking for a "Darth Vader" for a sick child. I'd actually suited up for a fund raiser the family had done in October of last year but didn't know it was them until digging further. Their son Hudson was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma (Cancer) on September 6, 2012 and wasn't responding to treatment anymore. Their doctors had given him about 2 weeks to live. Although his family didn't tell him I'm sure he knew. After the last Dr visit his parents asked him what he'd like to do and his response was "I'd like to battle Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel!". Without a second thought I contacted our best Vader here in the Tampa Bay Squad and coordinated a visit at their home ASAP. I suited up as well but more to support my squadmate to share the weight of this troop. We suited up downstairs on a rainy day and I made my way upstairs to announce that Lord Vader had heard that someone had challenged him and he was here to accept. His older brother Grayson was also there to share in this with Hudson. I had made a bunch of "pool noodle" lightsabers and brought them along to let them choose their weapons. I stepped aside and stood guard and watch as SL-5754 spent the next 1.5 hours battling and talking with Hudson. The family watched from a distance and let the boys have their fun as we fulfilled a 4 year old's dream. Just a few weeks later Hudson was one with the Force. Brian and I attended his Celebration Of Life and brought along our buckets. At the end of the service they showed a video they had made right after that last Dr visit where Hudson and his brother dressed as Vader (Hudson) and Obi Wan (Grayson)as they had their own lightsaber battle with special FX added. The end of the video had photos of our visit. I've trooped 90 times in my TK armor...this time...I was never more honored to suit up and bring smiles to a little boy and his family! Thanks for reading

I have an ATA kit that I've trooped in 80 times so far and I love it! I've seen other kits but love mine. I was super intimidated building it at first but have since helped many of my fellow squadmates with their builds. There's a sense of pride when you complete your kit and you should contact your local squad (if you haven't done so already) and inquire about and upcoming armor parties. The only real downside to the ATA kit is the wait time as I ended up waiting about 10 months for mine to finally arrive.

I just found this and had to share! It's a video of Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal talking about what he calls his worst show ever, Guns N' Roses at 2011 Rock in Rio. I've skipped the first half and started it at the funny part. -WARNING- Very NSFW language several times but great story none the less...ENJOY!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=j5InL-S8mmE#t=130

------------ What a great video...and a very well dressed crowd!!!

Hello Jason and great to hear you're on your way! Make sure you do lots of research and look for some AM 2.0 build threads that look doable or make sense to you. Lots out there to follow. I also recommend you get with other TKs in your squad to assist you to make your Halloween deadline. Otherwise I'm not sure you'll have enough time and knowledge to complete it. You can get a belt from TKittell and the clips you can make from a metal strip purchased from Home Depot. Good luck and make sure you post a build thread and keep everyone updated as it's the best and quickest way to get help.

Your left bicep WILL need to be reshaped as they are very wonky and more oval than round. Just make sure for any test fittings that you are wearing your compression suit as it makes a difference. And yeah, when your ready to enclose the backs of your thighs and shins you'll need help.

Jeff, looking good so far and remember if you need an extra set of eyes or have questions just let me know!

What Steve said above! I'm 5'9 - 185lbs and have an ATA kit that I love but the wait is pretty long.

Derek, you are off and running with that list which is awesome! Good luck with you build and welcome to the Legion In White!

I'm 5'9 and 185lbs and have an ATA kit that I love! Looooong wait time though!