tkrestonva

You should at least sign up on the Carolina Garrison boards. I know for a fact that there are Carolina Garrison members in SC (including the Legion Founder). If you can't get to them, then depending on where in SC you are perhaps a few of them could be convinced to come to you.

The TFA costumes (Kylo Ren and First Order stomtrooper) set the precedent for getting accurate costumes built and CRLs released based on available references and quick-on-the-draw armor makers before the movie actually comes out. Still, either I haven't been paying close attention (which is true) or they must have set a new land speed record for getting the Shoretrooper CRL done.

If you are truly looking for a prebuilt set because you aren't very crafty (and most of us were in the same boat but you learn via study and experience), you are better off going with RS Props - they will request your detailed measurements and build the suit accordingly. Anovos, on the other hand, builds to a "one size fits all" philosophy. Having said that, it is always better (and far less expensive) to take the time and learn how to build it yourself.

Question ... I see you are in Alabama - why would you need cold weather gear? Most of the time you will be too hot and need to shed body heat - not keep it in as UA ColdGear is designed to do. Unless you anticipate trooping outdoors in winter or late fall/early spring, I would personally hold off on that purchase until the actual need arises.

That's what our garrison's 6'8" trooper did as well.

Extended shins are a good idea, depending on which kit you have. If you're going to do that, then it's important to color-match the plastic as closely as possible - which means you'll want to get them from whomever made your kit. Other than that, regardless of who made your kit (some kits are pulled to allow for somewhat larger than screen accurate bodies) it's mostly a matter of positioning the parts such that the amount of black undersuit showing is balanced out across your body. On a side note, being 6'5" is not unmanageable. We have a 6'5" trooper in my garrison (he wears an NE kit) and he looks pretty good. We have another trooper who is 6'8" and he wears an Anovos kit. There is a lot of undersuit showing, but again, if you balance it out it becomes less of an issue.

Even though FX kits are outdated, it's nice to see a few who are still attempting to make them look their best. Looking good.

Take it to a professional automotive painter for the best results. They will color match the armor to the helmet.

Better to ditch both the Anovos strapping and recommendations entirely. Ukswarth's thread here at FISD is the go-to source for how to properly build an Anovos kit. But since you asked ... you need to reduce the length of the shoulder strapping - the shoulder bells should almost touch the plastic shoulder bridges. As for the biceps, you can either hang them from the straps that run across the bottom of the shoulder bells using homemade bicep hooks (i.e. the Han Solo hooks), or internally strap them to the shoulders using black 1" wide elastic.

I also have one of Peter's kits. It's a great kit but like Q said, it did take a while.

Not only is it ok to do a WIP thread here (as well as at the UKG), it is encouraged. All that I personally ask is that depending on what your primary configuration will be (ANH vs ESB), you put it in the correct section of the forum.

The vest looks awesome, and the price is good - significantly less than the $200 shipped cost those of us who have the fan-made vests from Chris Hale paid for ours. However, when you add in the cost of Anovos shipping (which to my 20190 zip code is nearly $50) then add whatever the applicable sales tax is, the cost seems just about the same. The Anovos vest does look a bit more accurate than my fan-made vest, and it certainly took me longer to get my vest that I would have liked. Nonetheless, I have it right now and have been trooping with it since this past June. So if I was starting my TFA TK journey completely from scratch I'd probably go the full Anovos route. But Anovos' less-than-sterling reputation for making their estimated shipping dates is something to keep in mind.

It's definitely possible to switch out between ANH and ESB. I used to do so frequently before I found myself gradually gravitating full-time to ESB. Assuming your base kit is ANH, you would need the following extras: - ESB helmet - ESB gloves/gauntlets - ESB belt (can't use the ANH belt due to the visible fasteners supporting the holster) - ESB holster - ESB blaster

I on the other hand, enjoy being exclusive. But like you say, it would be nice to not be the only one present (or one of two). Even at our large events, that is often the case.

Definitely depends on the armor maker. Most fan-made kits (TM, RS, ATA, etc.) will readily sell you a replacement part. Others (such as Anovos), about the only way you're going to get a replacement is if someone is parting out a kit.

For approval purposes, no - at least not in most garrisons. But IMO they look better with it intact.

Boots: TKBoots or Imperial Boots Gloves: Black nomex for comfort, rubber chemical gloves for accuracy Undersuit: Underarmor or a cheaper knock-off brand, as long as the labels can either be hidden or otherwise covered up Canvas belt: TKittell (either here at FISD or via his website at imperialissue.com) Voice changer: Either a standalone Aker MR1506 or an Aker / iComm combo In addition, start accumulating the tools and supplies needed for your build. Clamps, rare earth magnets, blue painters tape, E6000 adhesive, cutting tools, etc.

Congratulations! Make sure you request full access to the FISD forum: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/16-501st-trooper-status-requests-include-link-to-your-501st-profile-in-your-request/

Most "out of the box, ready to wear" kits ... aren't. They almost always require fitting adjustments, no matter how carefully you were measured prior to having the suit being built. As others have said, you are fortunate in that you have RS Propmasters and Troopermaster nearby (or at least nearer to you than those of us in the Western Hemisphere, other parts of Europe, and Asia). Either can work with you the entire way to build a suit that is specifically tailored to your measurements. Also, definitely check in with the UKG.

My biggest question mark is how thick (or thin) will the plastic be. If it's the same gauge of plastic used in the OT TK kits, then that could be problematic. Also, here is a sneak preview as to what the kit looks like. As far as can be told, the seller stole or copied it from an Anovos facility in CA and tried to fence it on ebay - the auction lasted maybe a day before it was taken down. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1-Full-Scale-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-First-Order-Stormtrooper-Armor-Kit-/332020418872?hash=item4d4df58938%3Ag%3AcncAAOSw4GVYGSPH&nma=true&si=Fi%2Bj%2FlaGn9c9I1VxqFYqidPwO4c%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Thickness concerns aside and assuming the above is an actual representation, I would buy it if I didn't already have one of the prototype kits. It certainly looks a lot easier to assemble. But I simply don't see enough of an improvement in the details to warrant it right now, at least while my current TFA kit is still serviceable.

I have Peter's baton and I really like it. I posted here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/38482-z6-riot-control-baton-build/

I personally can't think of one. Expert Infantry and Centurion are all about how the armor looks externally, and are agnostic to the internals. As long as this method doesn't affect the external appearance (I plan on using it myself for my belt upgrade), it should be fine.

Which Aker do you have? I use the 10w MR1506 and it fits inside one of the boobs in my chestplate. I can also get my iComm and an iPod in there (which plays trooper chatter).

Man, I love these conversions.

Agreed on all counts. I'm quite impressed with the AM 2.0 kit, and how it gives those of us who are north of 6' and 200lbs a great option.