tkrestonva

My personal sound system - on the left is an Aker MR1506 10w voice amp w mic, on the right is my ancient iPod Classic (which is bulky and heavy but because of that it also makes a nice counterweight to the MR1506). The amp has two input jacks, one for the mic headset and one for an auxiliary line-in port. I use TD-2243's "TK Loop" that mimics stormtrooper radio chatter as background noise. Not shown: I also have an iComm mounted in that gap between the Aker amp and the iPod. Also, ignore the rare earth magnets - I only used them to hold the elastic strapping down while the E6000 was curing.

Agreed. Either will work with plenty of volume even in crowded spaces but the 12 watt is larger, so depending on where you plan on placing it that could be an issue.

A proper Stormtrooper Commander (i.e. TKC) is based on ROTJ armor. Having said that, modifying ANH armor into a TKC can and has been done. Take a look at the CRL: http://www.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_commander Then have a look in our FISD TKC-specific section, in particular the build threads at the top of the index: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/39-stormtrooper-commander/

Hmmm ... I'm seeing it again (fourth time ) on Friday - this time it will be in 3D on an IMAX screen. I'll have to pay close attention. Love all of the Easter Eggs we are finding!

We have a seller here (TK4205) who makes his out of either cloth or latex, depending on your preference. I have both. Latex is more accurate, but cloth is more comfortable. Also, you might want to post an self-introduction here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/5-new-member-introductions/

I personally don't see the need to make a separate CRL. Every variant we've seen of the FO stormtrooper (not counting flametroopers, snowtroopers, and Captain Phasma) has simply been a standard trooper + accessories. As for the megablaster itself, I believe Clint is the only person to date that has built one: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/33718-force-awakens-heavy-gunner-cannon-build

Nice to see that my OT kit won't be put out to pasture anytime soon.

Definitely interested in seeing how this comes out, including your asking price. Looking forward to seeing the video.

Here is Jim's FISD thread:----------

I'll take those spats off of your hands, especially if they come with the latch greeblies. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

This was one of the very first threads posted in the TFA section here at FISD, and should go a long way in providing the hard information you seek. Pay special attention to the video interview of the Anovos CEO in the first post. http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30995-anovos-ceo-interview-swca/

This. Exactly. When I first saw the "Shipping in Winter 2015" claim, my first thought is that the kits will start showing up sometime between late December to late March - and only then for those who got in on the first tier sales surrounding SWCA back in March/April.

Like Rob said, let's start with the basics - where precisely are you located?

I would substitute "low investment of time and labor" with "speedy delivery and excellent communication". But yes, in general faster/better/cheaper doesn't exist - even if you are a skilled do-it-yourself type of guy. At best, you get to pick two of the three. Even then, 1/3 is IMO the most infrequent of the still-doable combinations, and the ANOVOS OT TK is turning out to be the classic example of that. Imperial Boots and their TFA boots & gloves is another example.

What I think is that your ANOVOS rep was mistakenly referring to the ANH suit that so many people have already paid for (including myself since April), not the FO suit. Also, if you are looking for a fully assembled FO suit you will likely pay a LOT more than $1500 - $1900. My gut says that if/when it becomes available it will sell in the range of $3000 - $4000, including the new injection-molded helmet. And you'll still be on the hook for sourcing the appropriate boots and blaster. But I also like Michael's interpretation of "after New Years" and given what we've seen from them I personally think it's spot on.

Imperial Boots sells them. www.imperialboots.com Or, you can get a secondhand set of Anovos gloves from someone who has already upgraded their gloves from the stock Anovos to the (far more accurate) IB gloves.

I've used Rustoleum, with mixed results. Rustoleum tends to be problematic in its application, and the consistency can vary from can to can. You really have to follow the directions to a tee in order to get good results. Krylon is more forgiving, and you'll likely get better results using Krylon. Regardless, you *always* want to use primer on plastic before painting, or at least get a product that has both primer and paint in the same mixture.

Having built one myself, I also agree that it's one of Germain's earlier design. I knew as soon as I saw it, but was waiting for Germain to post before saying anything. Unfortunate.

If you choose not to use a mesh screen behind the teeth, then you almost certainly will need a balaclava to prevent your face from showing through the open teeth. The positive is that by not having the mesh, the flow of fresh air into the helmet increases noticeably.

IMO fans are a nice to have, but certainly not a requirement. They aren't OT accurate (since such things didn't exist in the mid-70s to early-80s) but they can certainly help keep your head cool and reduce lens fogging. I don't have fans in either of my Troopermaster OT lids and I do just fine even in hot weather. However, I most certainly have fans installed in my TFA lid, and I can't imagine trooping without them.

The four troopers that tried to take cover but were blown away as the X-wing counterattack began at Maz's castle. At least one of them had a sidearm. I first noticed the sidearm in that same scene in one of the teasers.

I did see a few holstered pistols, in particular in the battle scene mid-movie. Same footage as that which is available in the more recent trailers. But I saw no one actually wielding one.

Glued using E6000. The long curing time sucks, but in the end it's worth it.

This is exactly the route I would go.

Assuming you are not using the original strapping system (wire and brackets), about the only place I glue elastic directly to the armor is on the strap that goes across the bottom of the shoulder bell. Yes, E6000.