TK 21216

Hey all Thanks very much for the pointers and advice. Being new to it I just wasn't sure, but I'm glad for the input. I didn't feel right when I put it on, although it looked "good" to my untrained eye, I felt something was off and you've confirmed it. The RS lid seems to sit better and just look right, but I couldn't for the life of my understand why the other didn't when it felt and seemed more detailed. Appreciate you indulging newbie bone questions and for setting me on the right path. Cheers Rich

Apologies, pic now attached!

Hi All Am shiny new to the 501st (and UKG) and had my first costume cleared last week. For me it has to be ANH Stormtrooper first to realise the inner 70s & 80s childs dream! Over the months of prep I researched a lot about the helmets, best armour suppliers etc. I opted for an RS suit and haven't been disappointed, it sailed through clearance and has been a joy to behold! The one area I've been a bit concerned about is the lid. The kit i chose came with a stunt helmet and i decided i wanted to have a hero one as well, I don't know why, i just did. The RS kit is a Brian Muir edition and is truly superb, but (and maybe this is my inexperience shining through), I've been a little bit underwhelmed with the finish of the helmet, which is why I think i wanted to have a hero as well, probably closer to my own childhood perception of the helmet as it was the one made for the close up shots. I bought the efx ABS hero variant (largely on impulse) and have begun work on it to get it to Legion standards. According to the 501st costume library the hero lid should have the following: 1. Traps (trapezoids on dome of helmet) and tears (area beneath the corners of eye lenses) are gray. 2. Rear traps and tears have vertical black lines. 3. Lenses may be flat or bubble, green or smoke, sufficiently dark enough to obscure the costumer's eyes. 4. The “ear†bars may have three or four bumps and should be gray or painted gray, with a black outline. Painting the bumps with a rank stripe (highlighted) in black is optional. 5. Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area. Six total teeth on the frown are cut out and the frown is tapered at the ends. 6. Tube stripes are medium blue, should be 11 or 13 per side but can be between 9 and 16 per side with the curve bends extending backwards. 7. Vocoder (vertically ribbed chin detail) is painted black. 8. Aerators/Hovi mix tips (cylinders on either side of the vocoder) are black or painted black. 9. Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painted. 10. Mesh may be used behind the frown to obscure the face of the wearer. In the image below I've put both together. I believe I've almost completed the hero version to the above requirements, other than darkening the lenses (temporary) and then (when i can find any) adding the bubble lenses. I guess my questions and general musings are more around what actually does need doing to it to meet the 501st requirements. I read on a few posts that TK Lids must have ear screws, although its not required in the costume library ? With the below image, is it just me or does the hero lid look a little wider? it fits well looks great in the armour but it looks a bit wider around the tubes? Maybe my eyes are failing me or I'm too paranoid for my own good!? I'm also not sure why the ears need modifying, they look fine (when compared to my stunt) and meet the requirements in the above list. In many ways the efx helmet is far more detailed than my RS stunt. I know i need to fill in the seam beneath the frown, white sealant seems to be the popular choice? Thanks in advance for any help and advice and as warned, apologies for any bone questions! Cheers Rich