RampantLion

Leonard Gude 30605 EIB Letter

Awesome! Thank you everyone for your input and your suggestions. I will clean up those items soon.

Name = Leonard Gude ID = TK-30605 FISD Name = RampantLion Garrison = Georgia Garrison (Outlanders Squad) Armor = ATA Helmet= ATA Blaster= Hyperfirm E-11 (slavefive) Height = 6’0†Weight = 170 lbs Boots = TK Boots Canvas belt = TK-7143 TKittell Hand Plates = White Rubber - Sonnenschein "Queen of Handguards" Electronics = I have an Aker amp and Evilboy's Dual Fan Helmet kit Neck Seal = TK-9356 Darman Holster = TK-9356 Darman Strapping Brackets = Mr. No Stripes Drop Box Covers = TK-812 kwdesigns Here is my armor build thread. Sorry in advance about the lighting / light balance. The helmet is hand painted (Trooper Bay stencils with: Gloss French Blue #14, Humbrol. Gloss Black Paint #1747, Model Master Enamel. Gray Paint #1138, Testors.) Armor Lid Off Armor Front Armor Back Armor Left Armor Right Armor Right (detail) Armor Left (detail) Armor Abdomen (detail) Armor Action Armor Cod and Butt Armor Interior Strapping Armor Interior Split Rivets (Before being covered to prevent snags) Helmet Front Helmet Left Side Helmet Right Side Helmet Back Helmet Hovi Tip Helmet Lens Color Blaster Left Blaster Right Neck Seal Thermal Detonator Back Thermal Detonator Front Holster Attachment Front Holster Attachment Back Thank you for your consideration

I used strapworks.com and I was happy with the quality.

That would be awesome.

It hasn't been mentioned but Eastbay changed their bottoms. It now has unsightly gray stitching from top to bottom and an annoying band at the top full of logos. It seems better made (I own both the version 1 and 2) but would be difficult to fully blacken the stitching. I'm using it currently as my 2nd layer for cold weather troops. I too am interested in what other troopers are doing for really cold weather.

Strapworks has white elastic up to 2 inches in width. Also crafting stores may have some. I have also seen white "garage sale sign" material used for gaps. But I'm no expert. Maybe someone with more experience will come in soon.

I used some 1 inch black elastic from strapworks.com but I think any elastic will do the trick.

I'm now official! http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=16479&costumeID=124 I also opted for a new nickname in the forums. I am now "RampantLion". Thanks everyone who has helped guide me on this build.

TK 30605 Reporting in. 501st approved.

Welcome Josh to the wild world of stormtrooper building. #1 decide which stormtrooper costume you would like to build. If you are not sure then do some more research here and look at other's costumes and decide what you like. #2 Read all the pertinent Getting Started forum posts. There is a ton of useful tidbits in there that you will need to learn. #3 Research. Look at other members build threads to see what is involved in putting out all together and plan your build. #4 once you have 1-3 done you may be ready for ordering your lid (helmet) and/or armor.

Thank you for the advice. I will try moving things around first and see if I can fix the gap. For the forearm strapping do you recommend the straps be on the inside or the outside of the arm? Thanks again.

I fixed the calf and the rivets are in place. Garrison = Georgia Garrison Armor = ATA Helmet= ATA Blaster= Hyperfirm Height = 6’0†Weight = 170 lbs Boots = TK Boots Canvas belt = TKittell Hand Plates = Sonnenschein Electronics = Evilboy's dual fan helmet kit Neck Seal = Darman Holster = Darman Side rivets:

So besides the calf problem and my last 3 rivets does it look good for submission?

Here are the latest pics. I really need to work on my left calf closure in the back. It ended up too loose. Also I think my bells need to be an inch tighter. What do you think? The biceps I can reposition as needed. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Here is a Halloween pic from work. I will get an updated pic soon (once the glue dries) for comments. The obvious flaws in the pic (which have been corrected) are the non trimmed and non fastened sides, high biceps, and the belt is low/ unattached to armor.

My strapping so far. The right kidney strap is still gluing with magnets in place. The right side has the rivets in place in the back but only screws and nuts for the front straps. I will complete the rivets once I verify my fit and take some pics for comments. The cod snaps/rivet Back strapping: Front strapping: Front of armor: Right ab snap: Back of armor: Shoulder bell and bicep strapping. The bicep is currently attached via velcro/elastic to the bell. ****I recommend only doing this temporarily to get the position right and then going back and gluing the strap directly onto the bells. I also did fasten my biceps to my forearms to keep them in place. See here. Forearm padding attached via velcro so it can be removed for replacement, cleaning, or resizing: Thighs. The right thigh cover strip has been corrected from the improper placement I had before. **** I also recommend using e6000 on the ammo belt on the thigh at the top of it to prevent it from pivoting down and getting in the way/ being very awkward looking. Cap rivet in knee ammo belt: Webbing belt harness for thighs using wide black elastic and snaps: **** Once I had things situated I added a drop of e6000 in the snaps to keep them from coming undone. Super glue was used to attach velcro to the straps and belt so that it would stay in place on my belt. This made things much easier. Shins: Belt with holster: **** I also used e6000 on the snaps attaching my plastic to the belt to prevent it from popping off and moved the ammo boxes a bit more to be even with the very edge of the plastic on the belt. See here. interior view of belt. I riveted the white elastic straps and then super glued the box backings. Velcro holds the boxes in place on the belt. Chicago screws were used on the holster to allow removal for events not allowing weapons (Schools etc.). I also corrected the length of Darman's holster to 15.5". I used a soldering iron to burn holes through the belt, leather straps on holster, and elastic straps. ****If the rivets/chicago screws happen to tear/pop though the belt from your holster strap you can insert a washer into the fabric of the belt to prevent it from tearing/popping through. I will make a tutorial on this later.

I use the eastbay compression top and bottom.

I added foam to my storage chest. I used a $10 mattress topper from Walmart. I added velcro to the backs of the foam so that it can be removed for cleaning or replacing. I also decided to glue my handguards to nomex gloves for trooping comfort. I'll get another set for rubber gloves for centurion when I'm ready. As mention in the forums Loctite works beautifully for this.

Interesting solution. Might have to try that.

I was planning on just using the adhesive industrial Velcro. It seems to be holding well in my lid. Anyone else try this for elsewhere on their armor?

Thread: FS: IMPERIAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM -iComm - Ongoing Sales & Project ... http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/14832-fs-imperial-communication-system-icomm/ http://www.voicebooster.com/icomm-imperial-communication-system.html

I second the hyperfirm idea though. I own one and it feels solid. I picked it over the others due to everyone's comments to it's durability.

Good to know. I don't have the eye for details on the e11 yet.