Daetrin

Up to you. I think 99% of troopers I've met have the biceps glued both sides. I think the majority of people glue the backs of the thighs, but I did not on one of my FX thighs. It's probably best to velcro at first and only glue once you're 100% you have them trimmed/shimmed correctly. IMPORTANT: once you rip the velcro off it will be slightly smaller in diameter, so if it's already a tight fit it may not fit anymore after you glue the backs. As me how I know!

Luis - you can't fault people for trying to protect solid members of the prop building community. Recasters and recasting destroys the hobby. One can be in denial all they want, but it's the truth. It's your money and it's your conscience, but don't take issue when people call you on it.

I like the Air Force attitude of "looks right, flies right". For some this means adjusting to your slimmer build, for others using a lot of padding or a muscle suit. Personally I think the former is better with a muscle suit being a last option. Yes, there can be a little padding but when there is 1" visible between the thigh and flesh...I think skinnier armor wins out.

Yeah - why not just buy direct?

Not sure 100%, but I can say that the thighs sold on FX suits at least as far back as 2001 were different than what's sold now. I can't recall the exact year the change was made, but the new ones are shorter and more barrel shaped. That's the only difference that was easily recognizable by me when I compared my 2001 suit to the newer suits.

Thanks guys - been awhile since some of us have seen an FX. AP/TE2, etc. are as Terrel says - per the first pix.

It could be worse. You could be 40 wishing you were 18 ;-)

Set - love your profile pix! You make a great officer

You should be fine. I'm 6'0" too and 180 lbs and I actually had to trim my TE2 on the sides of the ab/kidney. You may not have to do any shimming at all and still be able to close the side gaps. Even when I binge and go up to 185 I can still fit w/o any issue. TM is nice but very pricey given the exchange rate compared to TE2 or AP. You may have to shim one of the calves (left) as well.

Wow - only 10 more Elite and we'll need another coin run. Congrats on being #40

Actually there has never been a published list of requirements for the 501st - it's been tribal knowledge and a bit inconsistent, hence, the CRL project. On the one hand, if you do the Elite requirements you're guaranteed to get in ;-)

Totally awesome. What a great dad you are

Looks good go me. Scott may want complete & final pix, but unless the caffeine hasn't kicked in I'd say you're good to go to be Elite #40.

Way to go - nothing beats a pair of killer TE2 buckets (unless you have three ;-))

And the babes - can't forget the event babes! Knock 'em dead bro! Your kit is aces

All set John. Thomas - gimme a ping when it shows you have a costume. Your GML should be able to straighten this out.

Congrats! That really is a killer setup. Way to go

It's utter rubbish. Box it up and send it my way. Been waiting - glad you finally made it. Congrats bro

Outstanding! Yes, a side pix. Lord Vader is getting impatient - he's been waiting for you to achieve this for some time. ;-)

Everything I wanted to say Mark beat me to it. Take heart bro - it's the rare person who can just put a suit on out of the box w/o at least some trim/shimming to do.

Honestly while the elements are mainly there, I'd suggest trimming down the biceps and thighs to better suit your body. You can use a heat gun to form the ab/kidney closer to your body, or what I had to to was just run a strap round the other side to draw them closer to my ribs (though for me it was the butt plate that stuck out). I see you also have the curse of the tall trooper (lots of black behind the knees) - all I can say is I feel your pain! Hopefully some day someone will make longer parts.

Agreed on all counts. Mods are all done, just need some strapping re-adjustment. And wot he said re: no side gaps

Looks like you're set - just waiting on final word. NEVER get discouraged. Heck, most garrisons will let you troop w/o being 501st if you're just a mod or so away from being done. We're a club, after all.

I think it's an easy pass - you look better than me! Just waiting on official word from Scott!

That's pretty funny since there are many in the Legion who feel an "out of the box" FX should be OK, e.g. incorrect ab plate buttons, tube stripes, etc. You're TK is already better than perhaps 50-60% of the Legion. That said - props to your GML for pushing for a higher standard. I wish more would.