bzb
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Posts posted by bzb
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Walt.
You do know how this happens, right?
RIGHT?
Congrats buddy
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Remember to paint the tube on the TD grey. Otherwise looking good
Latest word from my GML is that the tube does in fact need to be white, and not gray.
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So many of the fellas in the Georgia Garrison want Men's Joker Squad armor now, haha!
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FYI, it seems the TD needs to be 100% white.
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With the news of the armor being approved with some minor modifications, we ordered the replacement back.
But today, a small box showed up. Wifey was excited (and loved the tee).
This kit goes together like any other TK lid... with one HUGE exception. This kit is pulled so beautifully that the cut lines are very evident. I trimmed with scissors up to the line and then used a dremel to hone the edge to the pull lines. The ears, of course, take a tiny bit of adjustment, but they're pretty accurate to the cut lines.
The amazing part is how well everything lines up to the marked drill holes. I measured twice, and sure enough, the mark from the ears went right into the indented area on the helmet.
My only complaint is the rubber that comes with the kit leaves marks on the armor *very* easily. Will have to remember to keep the Novus in the crate. It's a pretty bucket when it's done, though!
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Speaking of wifey, she had a blast this weekend at Zoo Atlanta. Dozens of little girls, moms, (and of course) dads came up to her asking her about the armor and being a Stormtrooper. Best part was hearing one of them say, "Is that your Stormtrooper husband? He's scary, but you're not."
She was a real trooper, lasting 4 hours in it with a short 5 minute break. I tried to get her out of the suit so we could enjoy the zoo, but she was insistent on staying in it together and we walked the entire thing in armor, chasing after our own kids and taking hundreds of photos.
IMO, this is a huge asset to Star Wars and attracting more girls to our nerdy world. Big thanks to Kevin for making this reality.
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Is this information verified?
I don't really understand why the original, statue-based backplate isn't good enough for 501st Basic.
I certainly would like official word on that stance, considering FX helmets are still allowed for basic 501st.
And as far as "sensible boots" go... going to need that to be a little more defined. Otherwise, my wife is trying to convince me that these Louboutins are "sensible". Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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Yup, that's pretty much all I post on my IG
bzb311
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Submitted Shannon's today.
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Appreciate it.
I'll paint it gray if that's what the CRL ends up being. But if they're nitpicking based on the comics, in every panel showing Jes' TD, the tube is white.
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Assembly complete. Got Kev's suggested boots on order (Shannon hates the flat soles of the current boot).
Had her walk around in the completed armor for a little while and made some adjustments with the dremel and sandpaper. I *think* we have taken care of the armor bite issues.
Her first troop will be this Sunday at the Atlanta Zoo. She is insanely excited! I can't wait to see the reaction of the crowds.
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Good work Kevin.
If we go along with the way other standards are, the "accurate" backplates should only be addressed at level 2 or level 3.
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Just some food for thought: the 501st allows DARTH VADER to have the wrong chest box and be approvable.
Ya know, the face of the franchise and all. But certainly, let's debate this some more.
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Wow. Looks like I'm getting new armor next year.
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Thanks Kev - actually I did find them at Ace! The washers are apparently called "finish washers".
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Based on the discussion here it really only seems to be the back plate details, as far as the armor is concerned.
If there is more, that certainly would be useful/helpful/nice.
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I feel like it's accurate to 90% of the comic strip's panels - even completely leaving out the supplemental material from the statue.
As this is "technically" a TK - 80% seems to be the accuracy level for the FISD. (Even for Centurion with the leeway given for body types and differences in armor makes.)
Not to mention there's dozens of "styles" of TKs in the movies, so there is truly no single "accurate" TK to model the CRL over. I don't think it's a fair comparison, as this is clearly an apples vs oranges type comparison.
Based on the requirements listed on the 501st website, along with the 3 years of discussion for this character, I believe the description below should be plenty sufficient for the CRL [with some minor modifications].
Here are a couple changes for the CRL that was posted.
Neck Seal
For 501st approval:
Black with horizontal ribs, fitted to the wearer, and extending from the base of the neck to just below the chin line.
Shoulder Straps
For 501st approval:
These shall be securely mounted in front and may free float in back. They may be affixed with rivets, Velcro, or adhesive.
For level two certification (if applicable):
No visible rivets are allowed.
For level three certification (if applicable):
These shall free float in back.
These shall be glued in front.
The plastic shoulder straps need to be held down in the back via velcro that connects/bridges the chest and back piece.
Shoulder Bells
For 501st approval:
One on each shoulder. The shoulder bells are considered effectively symmetrical; they may be worn interchangeably on the left and right shoulders and should have a black elastic strap that wraps around the inside of the bicep.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Biceps
For 501st approval:
Biceps are fully closed.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Biceps must be constructed using the butt joint method. Overlap construction is not allowed.
Forearms
For 501st approval:
Forearms are fully closed.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Forearms must be constructed using the butt joint method on the interior. Exterior (long) edge must be overlapped to represent the vambraces.
Hand Plates
For 501st approval:
Roughly pentagonal in shape, the hand plates are mounted securely over the back of the glove. As an alternative to plastic, these may be made out of latex or latex-like material.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Gloves
For 501st approval:
Black in color, made of either rubber, nomex, leather, or leather-like material, with no visible straps or logos/designs. The fingers are enclosed, non-textured.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):!
Chest
For 501st approval:
Chest plate overlaps the abdominal plate.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Chest and back shall be connected with a white or black fabric or preferably elastic strap at the shoulders.
Back
For 501st approval:
Back plate must contain geometric pattern similar to “Clone Trooper†back details.
Back plate shall overlap the kidney armor.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Under Suit
For 501st approval:
Black non-textured material, either one-piece or two-piece construction with no visible zippers or logos/designs.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Abdomen Armor
For 501st approval:
The abdomen armor has an indented button area with 10 indentations that are vertical and parallel to each other on both sides of the center square detailing.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Ideally there no gap between the abdomen and kidney armor.
A single visible seam line is present.
Two rivets, approximately 5/16"(8mm) diameter, are present on the left side of the abdomen armor, covered by chest/back armor and the belt boxes.
Two male snap on the top right corner and bottom right corner of the ab plate is present, covered by chest/back armor and the belt boxes.
Abdomen armor buttons are integrated and indented directly on the armor. No separate buttons are allowed.
Kidney Armor
For 501st approval:
A separate kidney plate is present, split from the posterior armor.
Thermal Detonator shall be affixed to the kidney plate, 1 inch above the top of the belt.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Posterior Armor
For 501st approval:
A separate butt plate is required, attached to the kidney plate via elastic or other method.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Belt
For 501st approval:
Belt shall be made of plastic
There shall be eleven (6 front, 5 back) symmetrical plastic boxes attached vertically to the belt.
There shall be two larger ammo boxes attached to the sides of the belt at the lateral most portion of the thorax.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Thermal Detonator
For 501st approval:
Shall be attached to the kidney armor (not belt) 1 inch above the top of the belt and include white tube with white end caps and control panel detailing along the center.
The white control panel pad faces upwards, with the controls/round washer style detail closest to the right end cap.
The thermal detonator is attached without visible attachments.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Thigh Armor
For 501st approval:
Thigh armor shall be closed in the back with strain vertical seams.
The knees shall be connected with 1 inch white elastic and secured without visible rivets or snaps. Elastic end should be covered by caps on thigh armor.
For level two certification (if applicable):
Knee Armor
For 501st approval:
Must be hexagonal in shape with built in straps connecting to the thigh with no visible rivets using elastic or canvas strap.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
Lower Leg Armor
For 501st approval:
Greaves close in the back across the seam that lines up with the thigh seam via velcro or snaps
For level two certification (if applicable):
Butt joint is required in the front. Overlap construction is not allowed.
For level three certification (if applicable):
Boots
For 501st approval:
Boots are above ankle height and made of white leather or leather-like material.
Thick sole with lifted heel.
No buckles or laces.
For level two certification (if applicable):
For level three certification (if applicable):
There shall be no seam on the front of the boot.
There shall be a raised strip down the front of the boot.
There shall be a raised strip surrounding the heel of the boot.
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Final fitting. Used E6000 on the shoulder straps in case I needed to move them some. I think they'll be set - her first troop will be in one week!
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Anyone have a link to the hardware for mounting the TD? Stopped by the home improvement stores this afternoon and couldn't find what that connector is. I have hurricane nuts that kind of look like that, but the fender/washer for the inside of the kidney plate looks unique.
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While moving too fast, I put Shannon's belt on incorrectly and ended up cutting too much off the belt. I asked Kevin to look into getting me a replacement piece... but after finishing up the clip-on belt boxes I realized it might cover the screw up.
I couldn't find the cut ends, so I just found another trimmed piece and glued it on with a "shim" as if I were doing a typical repair. Heat gunned it and bent over the top edge a bit to attempt to match it.
End result looks pretty good. You can still see the cut line if you are looking for it, but I the box covers most of the issue.
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Monkey grip, huh?
Shannon has taken this as a reason to find some fancy leather gloves. Sigh. Hopefully she can find something suitable.Another assembly question: any tips on heating up the shoulder straps to get them to flatten out a bit? Stick em in the oven for a few seconds?
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Still a little too big. May have to take them to a local cobbler, see if they can add some padding or something in it to shore it up.
Worst case scenario, she wears two socks and that should do the trick.
Hoping Val's turns out a little better fit!
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Ordered 38, which is listed as equivalent to a 7.5US - but it's more like an 8.5US. All my wife's shoes are 7 1/2 (I should know... I've bought every pair of those dang expensive closet dust collectors).
I got her a pair of SuperFeet inserts today, we'll see if that shores up the size a little better.
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It's like the Bat suit, waiting in the closet... except the complete opposite color.
Jes Gistang - research thread
in Legacy Stormtrooper (Joker Squad)
Posted
We need some clarification on what the "narrow band" is referring to on the TD. Apparently Shannon's is correct... but all it is, is the original tube with the stock end caps and control plate.