mikedwelle94

I'm sharing the link to my Photobucket album, containing multiple shots of each of my costume components for the CRL. http://s996.photobucket.com/user/TK-421/library/Shock%20Trooper%20CRL%20photos?sort=9&page=1 This is the one picture I managed to get before my u-trim started falling off. It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.

Subscribed and eagerly awaiting progress shots.

Exciting times indeed. Would have had app photos posted tonight, but the rubber trim on my torso plates decided it no longer had any business staying where I placed it. So that'll be my project for tomorrow afternoon. Photos tomorrow, promise! Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

Trimmed the chest plate to look more like ROTJ: Also did a little shaping on the thighs And finished the belt assembly. At this point, the costume is complete and ready for submission. I've sent the CRL photos to Darth Aloha, so I'm just waiting to hear if they're up to snuff. I'll share my application pictures in a few hours.

TK-80494 here. I've been around the forums since 2013, but I only recently got approved in January of this year. I learned the hard way that the most important thing you can do while waiting for your kit is RESEARCH. Read, read, read, and when you get tired of reading, read some more anyway. I went into the build feeling overly-confident but relatively ill-informed, and my kit suffered as a result. For example, I trimmed too much off the sides of my plastic belt, and I used a spray chemical on some of my plastic that wound up making it brittle, causing it to crack and crumble in a few places. My armor is one of the rare red ABS Magmas from ATA, but after ruining a few parts and not being able to afford to keep buying replacements, I decided to make the best of a bad situation and become a Death Trooper. The only reason I'm approved now is because of the patience and helpful advice of folks here on FISD, and the Spec Ops detachment. If you manage to eff your kit up beyond repair like I did, the path to the 501st is still open to you thanks to the Death Trooper option. Just keep in mind that trooping opportunities for that kit won't be as frequent, for reasons I shouldn't need to explain. So I'm well on my way to completing my second kit, an Imperial Shock Trooper, which I'll be able to wear at any event. This one is going *much* more smoothly than my first, now that I really know what I'm doing. Just make sure you're doing it right the first time. Death Troopers are cool, but it shouldn't have to come to that when your original intention was a clean TK (or in my case a shiny red TX)

Thanks for sharing that link guys. I just sent payment for one.

So I suddenly have some spare cash after Pick 3 drew my number straight. So now I'm in the market for a DLT-19. Is Hyperfirm still making these? Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

If you're going for Centurion, you should get a new ROTJ thermal detonator kit from either TM or CFO. The one you have should be good for basic and EIB. And I'm interested to see if the Anovos kit can be constructed with overlaps instead of cover strips, which is also a Centurion requirement.

Thanks for the advice - I'll see what I can do about this after work tonight! Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

Sshhh it's definitely the lighting lol. I know for sure I can bring the strap up on a thigh, and add padding to a shoulder bell. If you see anything weird anywhere else, do feel free to comment Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

Crosspost from NEG: Did a test fit after taking nearly an inch off the tops of the thighs. Sorry for the picture quality - they were taken by my sister's phone. And just to prove it's me under that helmet: Just need to add the drop boxes and trim a little bit more off the thighs and buttplate. Other than that, the armor is pretty much "me" sized, and just needs a little padding in a few places. I'm starting bookkeeper training next week, which means early in, early out. I'll have 5 days next week that I can devote to finishing this armor. I'm thinking about debuting it at the St. Patricks Day parade in Boston Advice is welcome as always!

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Cuis_clone

Calling this helmet done after going back with the white paint pen and some acrylic paint. I might revisit the weathering and go for a dirtier look when I apply for Expert Infantry, but for now, this should be good to go.

Really? Who is the maker of the helmet kit? Do you have pictures of that and the ears? Any ear cap from any vetted maker should fit any helmet from any vetted maker, once trimmed properly. How's everything else coming along?

Nice. It's a good time to be in the NEG, it seems! This is super convenient, considering Eric is the man behind the CRL and has already seen most of my reference material. Exciting times ahead for sure!

Now that I've done some detail work with a white enamel paint marker, some black acrylic and sandpaper, I can call this helmet ready to go. I'll more than likely re-visit the helmet weathering and try to give it a dirtier look when I apply for Expert Infantry, but for now this should be golden for base approval. I tried to replicate all the little paint chips and scratches on the red paint seen on the video game helmet. --- Does anyone know who the new LMO is? It's getting to be that time where I should get in contact with him/her and let them know where I am with this.

Meanwhile, I've secured the ammo belt to the fabric using split rivets. The drop boxes have been trimmed and painted - I just need to assemble the two halves of each box and attach them to the belt. I'm thinking I want to do it in such a way that I can store my ID, a credit card and some cash inside 'em for those visits to the conventions. At that point, the trooper should be done structurally, leaving only the paint and weathering work to do.

Yes, but after I get base approval. I'm thinking a backpack and a DLT-19 will happen sometime this summer.

Opened up the eye holes a little more and glued on the left ear. All that's left to do now is weather the helmet. And everything I have, spread out. To do list: - Paint red stripes on both thighs - Paint right shin - Rivet ammo belt to fabric belt - Weather everything - Touch up red paint on boots - Trim out backs of thighs and shins to improve mobility - Trim and assemble drop boxes and paint red, then attach to belt with elastic. One more full day's worth of work, and it should be there. This has been a fun build so far!

Snapchat-337931459918057743 by Mike Dwelle, on Flickr

I'd replace those boots first. Go to: http://www.imperialboots.com/product/421/ Also, the holster doesn't appear to be attached correctly for ANH stunt. I'd visit the CRL page provided above

TK-4510 ROTJ decals that came with my TM kit. You should look on Trooperbay for yours Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

Very nice sir. I would recommend taking some cotton swabs + paint thinner and tidying up some of your paint edges just a little bit. Can't wait to see this with some weathering on it! Loving the bubble lenses. The red paint should be reaching up to and meeting the bottom edge of the black frown - no white plastic should be visible between the bottom of the frown and that red paint. Easy fix. Subscribed and watching.

A big thanks to Eric for all his help with getting the ball rolling on the Imperial Shock Trooper CRL. It would not be where it is now without his efforts. Tim, congrats on the new position and it is well deserved. I'm looking forward to working with you on the Shock CRL and watching it get the green light.

Will do, thanks for chiming in. That will happen tomorrow night most likely. The lenses are temporarily held in with sticky back velcro - easily removable.