Daetrin

Looks good to me trooper! Let's see what the gang has to say.

Way to go Brian! I hope to get mine done before C5 as I finally have pictures.

It's all good Daniele. I started in 2005 and I'll agree that much has changed since then. Perhaps the largest drivers are twofold: 1) The Legion is much bigger, and has expanded far beyond just Vader and the TK's. The recast debate used to center on that, but now we have to consider clones too which are all 100% fan sculpt, for instance. If you think TK armor has drama, it's nothing compared to the world of clones. 2) There is more visibility and sensitivity with LucasFilm. The 501st is now actually copyrighted by LFL, and the events far more visible in nature. In a way it gives the 501st some protection/support from LFL, but it also means we are more tightly bound to play by the rules that they set forth. And people change too. There was a time where recasting TE directly would also be considered a negative I think, but he has in the past 5 years burned so many bridges no one cares about him anymore, as he has through his behavior demonstrated that he doesn't really care much about the 501st and it's members either. In the end for myself at least what I treasure is transparency. When I joined the Legion the kind of information that we're posting here was very, very hard to come by and new people were duped in to buying things they probably wouldn't have if they had been given transparent information / full disclosure. In a way it's less about recasting per se and more about ensuring people have honest information. What people chose to do with that information after that is a personal decision. The reason you don't find "bad" recasters here on FISD is that most won't come clean about their activities, or have awful business dealings.

The bottom line is this: the 501st is a community. We are a 501st site that exists to look out for the interests of said community and it's policies. Direct recasting of a fan sculpt or molds someone bought hurts our community. It's also a 501st policy not to condone recasting. You can argue all you want about "honor among thieves" or "well it's all just recast anyway" but those are irrelevant. What is relevant is when such activities negatively affect our membership/community here on FISD. I am not the recast police nor do I want to be. I don't run around THD or RPF or other non-501st sites looking for recast behavior, nor anywhere else on the 'net. I will vigorously protect my membership though, and their concerns. So, in the whole 'recast debate' here on FISD it should be seen in that context.

Hi Mike, My opinion after being in this hobby and DL here for four years is that anytime one asks for "best" and "most accurate" it's a bit of a moving target. Every year the offerings get more accurate and less expensive. Also, some of it is subjective. TM is arguably the most accurate ANH/ESB armor out there now, though it's far more expensive than other options and is not always readily available. The question then becomes: "Is the difference in it's accuracy and the next lowest on the rung significant enough to warrant paying more & waiting longer?". For some, this is an easy "yes", but for others the difference is not worth it to them. The same goes with helmets - TE2 is probably the closest you can get to a screen used helmet today. That said, it has a bumpy cap and back to preserve this closeness, though others will prefer a smooth cap and back which is what we see on screen. TM also makes a very good ANH/ESB helmet as well that gets more accurate every time he does a revision. Which is 'more accurate'? Well...that depends... I wish it was simple to answer, but again as I state there is on one "best", and even if there the answer today would be obsolete next year.

I think you look awesome Brian - I don't really notice the color issue really in the photos. The RT chest/back go very well indeed with the AM kit. You look lean, mean, and ready to rumble * * nod to our 4 year old banner sig

You're rocking it Mason - way to go

You look fantastic! I'll agree about the split - it should be visible below the belt. Perhaps a little adjusting is all that's needed.

Zman - I think you nailed it but going for the game variation, the lenses need to be flat green and it looks like you have bubble? Otherwise - as I posted to your GML - looks an easy pass to me. Sean - what can I say except it would be great if you were 18 and able to join. Wait! There is a cadets program now - you can join that way.

Pretty good for a first test fit. That butt plate can be hard to get right - mine too several goes and I'm not ashamed to admit I had to put a little padding in to get it to sit just right. You're almost there - having print outs of screen caps certainly helps while doing the fitting.

Today is Pablo's - TKDUENO - birthday. I wish you a happy one brother

Yes. I heard it from him last year at D*Con in person.

I'm sure Gino, etc. do have something to say, but they are not part of this community. Due to lies, bad business practices, etc. they are no longer welcome here, though for a time they were. Yes, there is a greater prop community that is much larger than the 501st, but as this is a 501st detachment and plays by the 501st rules. So when I say 'community' I mean people who are 501st, trying to join the 501st, and those who through solid business practices are considered reliable vendors to the 501st. Non-501st forums are free to operate under whatever rules or good conduct guides as they establish for themselves, and are outside my concern. Thus when you mention policing, I as a DL of this community stick within that which is in my charter only, which is to protect and promote the general welfare of my membership.

That's an interesting question. LFL actually has an agreement with the 501st that 501st members can make armor for their own use.

You're wrong Daniele. This hobby makes a differentiation on several areas. Bad recasting 1. If you recast someone's original sculpt without permission (TM, RT, AM). 2. If you recast a set of molds someone paid money for without permission (TE2, AP). Item #1 above is pretty cut and dried. #2 people tend to fudge for their own agenda from time to time. Yes, it's true that Matt (TE) 'recast' blah blah blah, but that doesn't really mean that people can recast anything that remotely ties back to this suit. Also, various parts have been altered and improved. The belt that is used in CAP based armor is different from the TE/TE2 one, and the compad that ATA uses is not the same either. Others have spent blood sweat and tears altering their copies of the molds, and to be able to say that they are still the "same" is a gross mis-representation of the facts. Un-regulated recasting hurts our hobby - most everyone is in agreement of that else people like TrooperMaster, etc. would be very reluctant to sell their wares, and we'd be back to how it was when people were happy to pay $1200 for a set of FX. And thus us, as members of this community, need to self-police it for the common good.

Any word on who he is, and what the lineage of the molds are? E.g. what is he really selling?

We are 17 away from catching MEPD. There have been few new EIB applicants and SuperTrooper is getting bored. Lord Vader is expecting us to catch up with MEPD this year. He even sent a cheery post card commemorating the last time a detachment disappointed him. So, let's win this!

The seed boxes should be closer together - almost touching - if possible. Otherwise it looks passable, though I'd pimp mine out a bit more

Honestly? If they are not on this list: http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11538 They are not considered reputable for one or more of the following reasons: 1) They are recasters (in the bad sense of the word) 2) The quality is bad 3) The prices are unreasonable 4) The service is poor The reality is that anyone on the list we provide has been vetted for quality, service, etc. over numerous transactions. If you venture to EBay, you are truly on your own and buyer beware.

Pretty cool Scott. What are you riding? I've been riding pretty steadily most of this decade, and yeah, can't imagine riding w/o a helmet.

I'll vouch for John - his work is what I'm sporting on my Hero lid

The EIB certainly specifies the bumps. The older CRL did not, but this is getting tightened on the new 501st CRL as the ANH Stunt and ANH Hero CRL's are broken out. As Dennis noted, there are a few folks who make 3 bump ears, but they can be hard to come by sometimes.

When I went to D*Con I just changed in my hotel room, as I was lucky enough to have one right at the event. For smaller cons, I just change in the parking lot.

1. Get sleep. Being sleep deprived by staying out partying too late makes you groggy and not really able to enjoy the day or be good company to others. 2. Bring a camera and take boat loads of pictures. 3. Don't be bashful - meet everyone you can. The whole point of a con is to meet and hang out with like minded people. 4. Don't try to do everything. Have some unscheduled time where you can relax and gather it all in. Most importantly - have fun.