Daetrin

Yup, that's my fault. I just haven't had the time to fix it, and if you squint you don't notice in FF. If someone wants to play with the CSS and suggest a fix, I'm game. Else it's a lo-pri known issue. And Tony, if you're a php whiz I can certainly use some custom php code. Alas, I'm a .Net dude and trying to navigate the forum files was too much of a time sink.

Pictures?

Aaron - FISD would never been the same without you here. Our resident webmaster created the Academy, re-skinned the site, did tons of graphics for our boards, and he's an all around first class guy. Hope wherever you are that you're having an awesome birthday, young man

Matt - and you've not plugged me in to one of these? Dude, shoot me a PM as right now my helmets are as vacuous as the eyes of a slave Leia that's been forced to pose against Jabba at C5 with 40 dudes in a row.

A very happy birthday Paul. You've been a fixture here as long as I can remember, and have contributed much to our hobby and this forum. Cheers

I have HIPS armor which is TE2 in case of point. I've trooped with it quite a bit, carrying it up and on the Great Wall, playing laser tag, etc. Not much new - no it won't hold up over time as well as ABS, but still the only cracks I really have had is in the ab plate along the stress lines. Answer? Just get a replacement, and replacement parts are cheaper for HIPS than ABS. When the paint starts to yellow or get really scuffed, I just did a touch-up coat with new paint. Not sure if anyone noticed at C5 I had recently done so only days before. And with ATA being $300 or so less than AP, you can afford a lot of replacement parts Still, nothing beats shiny ABS. Honestly - I think you can't lose either way, it's just a matter of which you put more value on: less expensive & easier to assemble vs. something that will handle more stress/abuse and doesn't need painting at all.

Just shows what kind of guy Scott is - even off the boards his actions inspire. Cheers to Scott, and also happiness that it worked out for you Steve

AP or T/MC would be great options for you if ABS is what you're after. My $.02... And...welcome to FISD

They look good to me. I'm constantly surprised at how many people get excited about their photo taken when you whip these out. Good job

FX helmets are still 501st acceptable, but realize that they are not really in production anymore except by recasters. Secondly, they are becoming a vanishing site as well - most events I see they're down to about 10% or so. And, for that price, there are nicer helmets available. If it were <$100 or so it may be worth it, but certainly not at $150.

This transcends costuming and enters the realm of true prop replication. I can think of no higher compliment.

While not perfect, I think for most folks it will be good enough. When I was at Celebration V I saw a lot of troopers who could be EIB *except* for their blasters - getting the right number of t-racks for Hasbro's being among the main items (well, that and side gaps). It goes to show that with a little imagination one can get to EIB *done* with little cost. This is an excellent find - we'll have to ensure it's stickied. In fact, I'll do it now.

Saw the thread in the GML area - you should be an easy pass for both 501st, and when that's accepted - EIB as well methinks Super job Some minor tweaks though for when you next suit up: 1. Fix chest/back strap on right 2. Add butt to cod strap to keep that "tail" from danging down 3. Drop boxes could be 1/8" higher 4. Ideally do a little scuffing

Hey Mason - when you can could you possibly take one side ways against the full plastic sheet? I'd like to use this for the Incinerator CRL when the time comes. Pretty exciting - can't wait to see the full suit too. That free gold coin for the first Incinerator Trooper Expert Infantryman is still up for grabs ;-)

There are 15 combinations if you include no striping, which would easily allow 8 enlisted ranks + 7 officers. We could easily make this: 0 = no stripe 1 = stripe Below makes it also dead simple to tell an officer from an enlisted man. ENLISTED (note all start with 0) 0000 - PVT : Private (and private recruit) 0001 - PFC : Private First Class 0010 - CPL : Corporal (assistant team leader) 0011 - SGT : Sergeant (team leader) 0100 - SSG : Staff Sergeant (squad leader) 0101 - SFC : Sergeant First Class (platoon sergeant) 0110 - MSG : Master Sergeant / First Sergeant 0111 - CSM : Command Sergeant Major / Sergeant Major OFFICER (note all start with 1) 1000 - WO : Warrant officer (all ranks, e.g. WO1) 1001 - 1LT/2LT : Lieutenant (2nd or 1st) (platoon leader) 1010 - CPT : Captain (company commander) 1011 - MAJ : Major (batallion XO, usually) (aka sub Commander) 1100 - LTC : Lieutenant Colonel (batallion commander) (aka Commander) 1110 - COL : Colonel (brigade commander) 1111 - GEN : General (all ranks) I'm lumping in all the Generals as it's unlikely many will don full armor, as most will probably be like General Veers and with a simple helmet/chest armor. Also, I'd suspect that if they did need to don full armor there would be so few at one time that distinguishing between a Brigadier General or Lt General, etc. wouldn't be very helpful.

I couldn't agree more there Billy!

Looks awesome in every sense of the word mate - can't wait to see you in it which will only make it better.

WRT to boots at least... FYI I talked to two different TKC's while here at C5. Neither used paint on their boots - they both used tape - yup! blue electrical tape. It was a great match and looked fantastic.

A big thumbs up from me - well done

There is also T/MC for ABS as well, which is comparable to the AP and costs less. Would be worth checking in to. I'd advise against SDS as his reliability and customer service are spotty.

Congrats #128 Mike

A very happy birthday to Brian (tkrestonva) - who's been a veteran here on FISD for a loooong time and a good friend to many. Best wishes to you mate!

Brilliant find! Yum, yum, gimme some And...welcome to the FISD!

My experience having had both is that yes, ABS will certainly take more abuse, but I have garrison mates who've had AP crack as well. Actually the only part of my TE2's that have cracked have been the ab plate, and it's easy enough to just tape it for a bit and then order a replacement part. Heck, after about a year or so it needed touch-up paint anyway, and I just re-shot the whole suit. The rest of the suit is holding up fine. While I won't do stunts in the TE2, I have hauled it China to troop the Great Wall (carrying it up in two backpacks) and don't exactly treat it with kid gloves either. As noted, it's far easier to trim as well, and HIPS suits tend to cost less. I guess it just depends on which you feel is the easier or the two choices : HIPS which is easier to trim but usually needs paint, or ABS which usually doesn't need paint and is more durable, but can be harder to assemble for a novice.

I'm sure if he set up a PP account and took donations - O Yeah! Even if it were 5 minute trailers at a time, it would be dope