justjoseph63

My pleasure.. keep us informed!

Roger's resin parts http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36566-spool68s-t21-resin-parts-kits/ are simply unbeatable to either upgrade your Hyperfirm T-21 (as I did) or build one from from scratch. Fast service, top quality parts. Two enthusiastic thumbs up! If you need assistance with how to do the upgrades, just PM me.

Wow, do I have ESP or what? LOL. If I can be of any assistance on your HWT journey, just let me know!

Congratulations, and welcome to the rank of Centurion, Harry! HERAUSGEBENDE Arbeit auf dieser Rüstung, Herr!

Way to go, Christian! "Troopers helping Troopers!

Great post, Mark.. you are doing the Imperial Attache program proud!

I think I'm gonna' order one of these, but only because they offer a $15.00 discount if I sign up for their newsletter. I wonder if they would throw in the foam inserts to straighten out the left shin? These lines in the ad are great: Sideshow have created what we consider to be one of the most perfectly blended representations available. Item shown is a prototype. When shipped, the final production piece may differ in appearance.

Once you get your ANH approved, Dave, you can do double-duty and go HWT... (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge).

The Trooper's best friend, of course, Tino... E-6000. Industrial strength Velcro might actually work though.

Always a pleasure seeing a great set of RS armor, Paul. One thing I might add is to bring your shoulder bells in a bit (especially the left one). They should be touching (or almost touching) the shoulder bridge to look their best. Best of luck on your EIB, then on to Centurion!

Looking sharp, Eric!!

AM includes lenses in their kit, Peter, and they are actually very good quality. Side note: I changed the title on this thread from Gwen to Green. Hope it helps!

Welcome to the FISD, Jon! Like Mark mentioned, some kits (such as AM 2.0) are designed for taller Troopers. My HWT armor is AM, which is a great kit, and had held up great. Getting replacement parts may be difficult, though. I went with Anovos for my Hero build, and like the flexibility, but if you go that route I would recommend a few things.. Ditch the flimsy canvas belt that comes with it, and go with a heavy duty one which can be found from several vendors here. Also, for long term use, I would avoid using the Velcro strapping system that is included and go with the snap system that most of us use. They also offer a "soft goods" package. Don't do it. You can save quite a bit of money purchasing the under suit, gloves, etc. separately online. Most of the information you will need can be found somewhere on this site, but always feel free to ask questions, and don't forget to check out the Advanced Tactics area, where you will see just how far you can take your armor toward screen accuracy. I would also highly suggest signing up at the Alabama Garrison, http://empirestrikesbama.com/main/. Many Garrisons/Squads have "armor parties" which are designed to help new folks get started, or you can volunteer to be a "handler" at one or more of their events. This will give you the chance to meet some of the 501st folks, ask questions, and get involved even before you get your armor complete.

Watashucksachiha Nihon no chūton-chi kara kiite inai no mo fushigide wa arimasen!

Looking at it, it definitely seems that it is some sort of fabric stain like Terry mentioned. A cleaning compound like Meguiars http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/category/clean-prep or the Novus 3 step polishing system ---------------- should work just dandy.

Even though it can get a bit heavy after an hour or two of trooping, I gotta go with my Hyperfirm T-21. I modded the heck out of it with a new resin deck (sharper detail), top/bottom greeblies, rear sights and tubing on the barrel.

"SW day at the library" troops are GREAT events, Michael! I have done 3 or 4, and always had a great time. The local libraries around here really get into the event.. the staff wear all manner of SW costumes, set up contests for the kids and honestly appreciate us being there. The faces of the kids and parents light up as soon as they walk in the door, and we always have a blast.

I have one I can sell you, Pete, but it will be next Saturday before I can ship it. (I leave the country in about an hour). The price would be $12.00 shipped Priority Mail.

I attach it before I put on my neck seal so that it hides the wire.

I thought seriously about padding out the 1 inch wide nylon straps as you did, Josh, but I was afraid they would sit on top of the shoulder bridges and/or shoulder bell and cause them to crack from the weight of the pack. I ended up not doing it, so the straps sit between the connections and there is no possibility of this happening. However, it does get a bit uncomfortable after a few hours. Do they seem to work for you? If so, I might consider this, especially for long troops.

So (after what seems like ages), you finally received your official 501st I.D. number and signed up for your first Troop. Now what? Depending on the event, there may be a few differences in protocol. For instance, a "Canon" event (usually one authorized by LFL or Disney) may be more serious in nature and regimented, while other times we are there to make the occasion a lot more fun, (parades, movie premiers, etc.). Here are a few basics to think about in regards of what (and what not) to do on your inaugural appearance with your local Garrison. Of course, all events are different.. some will be indoors, some will be outdoors, or a combination of the two.. some will have just a few members, others may have over a hundred, but the basics stay the same. This list is by no means meant to be complete, so all Troopers are welcome to add their own ideas, tips and fun things to do! 1. Before you leave- If you have not had the chance to wear your armor for any length of time, put it on (including your bucket) and wear it while walking around the house and maybe in your yard for a while. This will give you an idea of your range of vision, movement limitations, and let you know what you are in for. Walking up and down stairs will help. 2. Be prepared- Double (and triple) check your armor to make sure you have all your accessories and all your connections are secure before leaving your house. I would suggest carrying a small repair kit in your bin as well. I have a thread here which will help: https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/48390-emergency-trooping-kit/?tab=comments#comment-674403 2. BE ON TIME- I cannot stress this enough. When you sign up for a troop, they will have an arrival time, (usually an hour or so before), and a "step off" time when you should be completely suited up and ready. The hour gives you the chance to get your armor on, and make any adjustments. There should be "handlers", but any fellow Trooper will be glad to help you out. The POC (point of contact) person for the troop or event coordinator will give you any details you might need beforehand, (directions, special notes). Feel free to ask them any specific questions. If you have any concerns, let your handler or the person in charge know about these. They are there to help. 3. Be aware of you surroundings- Due to the limited visibility in a bucket, watch out for curbs, steps, obstacles, etc. Small children will often run up to you and stand close, so be aware that they may be right below you and cannot be seen. When raising or lowering your weapon, take it slowly as not to clock anyone in the head. 4. Photos- You will be asked (sometimes hundreds of times) "Can I take a picture with you"? Be patient, and get used to it! But be aware of where your arms are to avoid touching anyone inappropriately by accident. Often, people will ask "Can I hold your gun"? That is entirely up to you. A lot of us have spent a great deal of time building our weapons, and they (especially the resin cast) can be damaged if dropped. Many of us carry Hyperfirms for this reason. If you don't want to let someone hold it, you can say something to the effect of "The Emperor forbids it" or "It's against Imperial regulations". Side note: Never, EVER point your blaster at a child for any reason. This is just in really bad taste. UPDATE: It's sad to say, but in this day and age it's not a good idea to point your blaster at ANYONE. 5. Hydration- Another item that is VERY important, especially in warmer areas and extended troops. FISD legend Steve (gazmosis) wrote a great post on this subject, and it is used here (with permission): "Big troops, big crowds, lots of kids, lots of chances to show off your hard work. With the hot weather, there are also lots of chances to be become quickly dehydrated and sick. Don't let this happen!! There is no greater cooling system than hydration. But drinking a ton of water is not the solution....it's how and when you drink it that is. Let's be clear here!!! We are talking about WATER! Not soda, not energy drinks, not juice. WATER...H2O. Leave the Gatorade in the cooler for after the troop. Proper hydration should begin a full day prior to a hot troop. Steady intake of water (8-16 oz. an hour) is fine. Too much water at one time can actually be harmful but a slow and steady intake will allow the body to properly absorb and distribute it until you are hydrated down to a CELLULAR level. Yes, you will be in the bathroom a lot. But when the pee is clear...you are there! Continue this until just before bedtime. On the day of your troop, avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate you. Your bathroom trips will have evened out overnight. Have one more bottle or serving of water before suiting up. Once in your suit, you will sweat. No matter what fans you have in your lid....you will sweat. THIS is your cooling system. If you are properly hydrated, you will have the fluids so that your body will adjust to the rise in temperature and cool itself properly. If not, your body will use the water in it twice as fast and without the proper reserves, you will risk not only dehydration but elevated internal temps, dizziness, and possible heat stroke. The long and short of it is be safe and smart. We need out troopers vertical!!!!!" On that subject, if you do feel dizzy or need a break, tell your handler immediately. It's nothing to be ashamed of... safety first! 6. Changing areas- Most events will have a secure and private changing area, but some may not, so ask ahead of time. If it happens to be an outside area, you can wear your under suit to the event underneath your clothes. 7. Armor bin storage- Again, most troops will have a secure area designated to store your armor bin, away from the public. If this is the case, you are fine. Some have asked "Do I need to keep it locked during the troop"? That's up to you. We tend to be a very honest bunch, treat each other's belongings like our own and keep an eye out for one another. (I have never felt the need to lock mine). If it is a parking lot suit up and your bin will be visible to the public while you are away from your vehicle, that's a different story. 8. Conduct- Have a blast on your troop, but keep it civil. Some Troopers clown around a bit occasionally (myself included) depending on the circumstances, but remember, you are a representative of the 501st Legion, the FISD and your Garrison/Squad, so act accordingly. When in doubt, ask someone who has done that event before. Side note: If you happen to be a smoker or vaper, please do not do it in public view while in armor. 9. Handlers- Handlers are an absolutely integral part of a troop, and make our lives much easier. They take photos for the public, warn us of obstacles, escort us to the restrooms/break areas, pick up fallen armor pieces, protect us from kids smacking us with toy lightsabers, guard our stuff, bring us water, keep us informed, and a myriad of other things. After your troop, be sure to thank them for all they do to make an event possible and allow those in costume to have a better time. 10. Trooping in other Garrisons/Squads- Once you have your official TK #, you are welcome to troop with any 501st unit in the world. You may need to sign up at that Garrison, as many do not list their upcoming events for the general public to see. Once you have access to their site, you will need to sign up for the particular troop that you want. Most importantly of all....... HAVE FUN!!!!! UPDATE! The thread below was posted by Caleb (Thrawndike bar), and contains some awesome responses/TK chatter while in public. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/47603-howto-talk-like-a-stormtrooper/

Great to hear you have a better idea of how the strapping systems work, Ben... sometimes it's much easier when you actually get to see things in person! For the thigh strapping, there are a few methods, but I have several of Ty's systems, and they work GREAT! Easy on, easy off, and they will never, ever slip on you. http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/29991-thigh-garter-system/?hl=%2Bthigh+%2Bstrapping+%2Bsystem

That's part of what we are here for!

I would avoid Anovos' soft goods, Ian. You can get them MUCH cheaper elsewhere. For instance, you can purchase black compression pants and shirts on Amazon for as little as 10 bucks each. Rubber gloves? $4.00 at WalMart. The Anovos neck seal is not that great, and I recommend one of Darman's : http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/21385-darmans-neck-seals/. Also the canvas belt that is included is total rubbish. There are several makers here, but I have one of Gary's (Flashpoint0214) and love it.

Welcome, Ian! Unfortunately, this is not an inexpensive hobby. I can appreciate the fact that you would like to get trooping, but to get an armor kit that will be accepted by the 501st / FISD will run you a minimum of around $450.00 to $550.00. They come un-assembled, of course, so you would need to purchase building supplies. Depending on what area you are in, there may be someone in a local Garrison or Squad holding an "armor party", where you can perhaps borrow some of the more expensive tools. Plus, there is the cost of soft-goods, i.e. under suit, boots, canvas belt, leather holster, neck seal, etc. You can see where this adds up... There is an excellent thread from Dday here which will give you a more precise breakdown: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/28304-how-much-can-i-realistically-expect-to-pay-to-finish-my-stormtrooper-costume/ Just take your time, save up your money, and purchase things as you can. Before you know it you will have everything ready to start your build, and be out there trooping!