tkrestonva

I've seen photos of a TX MRCE and it's pretty sweet, but I agree with Smitty. Save yourself some work and some bucks and go with the ATA pulled in black. BTW, that's a pretty sinister-looking avatar you've got there. I like it. Smitty, do you have a pic of the black CAP helmet you used to have?

Hello. How about introducing yourself over in the New Member Introductions section? Fans, speakers, voice changers, and a microphone are pretty typical of the electronics we like to stuff inside our helmets. I've heard of some installing 2-way radios, but I haven't personally seen any in use. And I am DEFINITELY interested in more details regarding this "communications package" and especially whether or not I can retrofit my RT-Mod bucket with it.

Go to ebay and paste the following in the search box: TANDY LEATHER HOLSTER SPRING BELT CLIP Cheap, and screen-accurate. Just make sure you get the right size.

Sorry to hear about the typhoon but happy to hear none of your folks lost their lives. Although I've never experienced such a thing, God willing, we in the States are certainly not immune to natural disasters. Other than thoughts and prayers, anything we can do to help? Also, is there a post on the main Legion board?

I agree with Joey. $350 or so is a fair price for a new or near-new A-grade Hyperfirm MG34. Less than $300 is a real bargain.

100% agree. The best weathering is that which occurs through regular use.

I assume you're talking about FX armor, correct? Your logic is correct, glue the side that is generally visible, velcro the side that is generally hidden from view. It may make it harder to armor up alone - which you should never have to do, but not impossible.

Double post, please remove.

Those boots look acceptable as far as I can see. The problem is the seller. Starfortress is a place you want to keep your distance from. I don't have any first-hand experience with them, but the people I know who have bought from them in the past have nothing good to say about this seller. Shoddy products, bad customer service, and a proprietor who fled the U.S. because he was facing some pretty horrendous criminal charges.

Between the zipper, fancy stitching, and lack of a U on the sides, I agree with Paul's assessment. If I were a GML, I'd reject them.

Is it the lenses that are holding him up? They appear to be bubbled grey lenses.

I don't quite recognize the armor, what kind is it? I want to say SDS, is that correct?

There aren't going to be any more movies (so said Steve Sansweet at Dragoncon) but maybe someone can put the bug in Lucasfilm's collective ear about including Force-sensitive stormroopers in the live-action TV series coming out in a few years. Since the timeframe for the live-action series is supposed to be between Eps III and IV, at least the timeline would work.

From DragonCon a few weeks ago: -----------

So, are you ready to submit clearance pics to the Garrison Tyranus GML? We're in the busy season for trooping, we could use as many troopers as possible. ROTJ would make a nice addition to the mix.

I'd contact TKCaleb if you're really interested. -----------

Looking good. Can't see any show stoppers.

Veering off course just a bit . . . I just noticed that the cuffs on Chewie look a lot less like the gold-colored cuffs so clearly seen in ANH, and a lot more like the TK-stylized cuffs that you occasionally see at troops, and for which there are a couple of how-to-build threads on this board. Could it be that the TK cuffs you see at cons and such are actually screen-accurate, albeit ESB instead of ANH accurate? Back to the original topic . . . Watching Paul and Jez discuss the fine details that even most people here wouldn't pick up on is like watching a couple of university professors debate the details and significance of a rare archaeology find. Utterly fascinating, although I feel like I'm barely hanging on. Keep it going, guys.

Thanks! The helmet is being redone but that will be the last piece to be resculpted, so it may be a while even after the new AM body armor (which will be the successor to FX - but no definite release date yet) is released for a new AM helmet to show up. In the interim, the FX helmet will be redone with a more accurately-shaped dome, but that's only one of the needed changes.

As said, stay away from eBay and web stores. The only exception I can think of is if you personally know the seller, and in that case you can deal directly with him/her without eBay. As far as the kit goes - the body armor is FX. You can get FX for a lot cheaper than that, assuming that's the maker you intend to go with. You'll also need to fit it to your own body, so prebuilt kits are generally a bad idea. I have no clue what the helmet is, but based on the frown alone it is NOT ANH-accurate. Neither is the blaster. Take you time, research, ask questions here, and hook up with your nearest 501st garrison, and you'll soon understand what I'm talking about. I understand wanting to dive in right away, but with this hobby, study and patience pays off many times over. The 501st as a rule does not endorse one particular armor maker over another. 501st acceptance depends on the quality of the kit and how it's assembled, not who makes it. Having said that, everyone has their personal favorites, including myself. Once again, take some time to peruse the threads here and you'll soon have a good idea of the various armor makers and what might be best for you based on cost, desired accuracy, skill level required to assemble, your individual physique, etc. Good luck, and we're all pulling for you.

Older photos (but with the same armor/helmet combination) are posted on my EIB submission thread. http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=5749 An added benefit of the FX Lite / RT-Mod combination is both the helmet and armor are made of ABS with similar thickness. I can't say for sure whether or not it helps with making them more compatible appearance-wise, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

Unfortunately there aren't as many good options when it comes to TX helmets. No harm in continuing to look for a non-FX TX, but I think most who choose not to go with FX end up buying a TK bucket and painting it.

I've noticed the FX has a slight gray tinge to it, so if you are really looking for a perfect match, I'd go for that if you can find it. The easiest thing to do would be to bring a piece of FX (for instance, one of the hand plates) into a paint store and have them do a custom blend. In all honestly, it may not be worth the effort. I wear an RT helmet with my FX lite, and it is very close. So close that even a 501st stormtrooper wouldn't notice the difference unless they were looking closely. Other helmets aren't as close in color. I'll get a couple of photos up later today, each under different lighting conditions, so you can see for yourself.

Can you see the reaction to that request? Actor 1: Hey dude, some Star Wars nerds want us to redo the 9/11 Stormtrooper vid with better costumes. Actor 2: I know, instead let's beat them up and take their lunch money!

Paul, do you have any photos showing how the thighs are strapped to the rest of the costume?