justjoseph63

The pleasure was mine, brother. You can DO this, and I'm counting on seeing that Centurion submission!

TFA bucket: https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_-_First_Order TLJ bucket: https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_TLJ

Correct!

Thread updated as promised with examples at bottom.

Commission builds are a 2 edged sword, Robert. On one hand it saves you time of course, but on the other without having you actually there to fit it you may find that it needs some minor tweaking. Mark has a sterling reputation here, and if he says he can do it then you can take that to the bank! One thing I would highly suggest is that you have him remove the return edges completely in some of the areas (see link below). If you find that it does indeed need adjustments, always feel free to ask us for suggestions and help, and include photos... (we LOVE photos)! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/48166-return-edges-101-ottk/?tab=comments#comment-670906

This is where I'd suggest trimming the smaller one to, Keith (below). Great job so far.. keep those pics coming! Side note: If you see him, please tell my buddy Jeff (Wingnut65) I said hello!

Definitely. Just not shiny and no pearl handled grips, please.

AWESOME! Congrats, Devon... another HWT added to the ranks! Next up, Expert Infantry?

Never consider yourself a pain, Jamie... this process can get a bit confusing at times but we will get ya' sorted, I promise! As soon as you get those photos ready and posted please PM me to let me know. Thanks!!

The drop box pics are not a requirement for this level so you can hold off on getting suited up for now, but can you post a quick pic of the underside of your hand guards and a close-up of your gloves? That's all I need to finish up your approval. Thanks!

After a few troops, you will get scratches. This can come from bumping into things and your armor pieces rubbing together when they are in your bin. For my Stunt and Hero armor I made cloth pouches for each piece to prevent this. You can/should also line the inside of your armor bin with 1 inch thick foam to help it from being banged around during transport. For light scuffs, I keep a "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" pad handy, and for scratches I use the Novus scratch removal polishes. The two ounce 3 step kit is available online for about 12 bucks. As mentioned above, being a little lot OCD I like to stay as screen accurate (and comfortable) as I can. When doing a review for higher levels we take into consideration not just the CRL, but screen references (photos) as well, and occasionally we ask that excessive return edges be reduced. As Eric mentioned, those shoulder bells are 40 years old, lol and got banged around a lot. I personally have never heard of anyone's armor becoming warped, but I suppose it could happen if your bin is stored in a hot place. If you have any questions or concerns (no matter how small) always feel free to ask here on the boards. When in doubt, ask before cutting, and photos help a LOT. You are also more than welcome to PM me if you you need advice on your EI or Centurion application (or anything for that matter). Hope this helps!

Thanks, Eric! If you have any pics of the reinforcements please feel free to post em' up here!

Awesome work on those issues, Christopher! Stand by, brother..

Wow!!! Looks FANTASTIC, brother... GREAT job!

Correct, Jamie. I am the one who will be doing your EI review and am currently working on it... I was just waiting for all the photos to be attached. I really appreciate you getting on that, and as soon as you have your "action shot", the "Han snap" and side views I requested I will be able to finish it up pretty quickly. Thanks!!!

Dave @Bullseye has a fantastic thread here that will help: https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/47793-kidney-plate-shimming-help-needed/ Are you having issues posting photos? If you need help doing that just let us know!

As Q mentioned, occasionally you may find a pre-built kit here but not too often. Plus, as troopers come in all shapes and sizes you would more than likely have to do a lot of work to make it fit your build correctly. Building your own kit allows you to tailor it to your particular size/height, and although it takes time, effort and research you are in the right place! One of the things we do best is to help future troopers with all aspects of putting together a fantastic set of shiny white armor. As I said, there is a lot of research involved, but we are here to answer any questions you may have. The Getting Started link that Q provided is the perfect stepping off point, and best of luck to you, future trooper!

I can see that you are one DEDICATED future Trooper, Dave... outstanding work so far, sir. Outstanding work indeed! Since it looks like you are aiming for Centurion (), make sure that the top of the ABS belt falls within the range below: (Preferably the higher line). Reference images Not sure if you have figured out a way to polish out the dull marks from the ABS paste/sanded areas, but I have used the Novus system with great success. It comes with 3 stages of scratch remover. Available online for about 12 bucks for the 2 oz. size (set of all 3). Keep it up, and keep those questions and photos coming!

Way to go Eric!!! Fantastic to hear that you are aiming for Centurion, sir, and with that set of armor you are well on your way! Hopefully there will plenty of trooping opportunities with the DSG for to show it off. If you haven't had the chance to attend a troop yet as a handler, I have a thread that may help: https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/39382-your-first-troop-a-few-tips/ If you have any questions, just let us know... Now, time to get that EI application in!

Awesome! I see that you have already jumped all over the above suggestions (GREAT job on those, by the way)!! While you have your armor out taking photos, here is a an updated list of ones to add: 1. A shot of your lenses (back lit) to show that they are indeed green. 2. Helmet S-trim (showing a side view of the shape). 4. A shot of your ab plate showing the "Han snap" placement. 4. Cod/Posterior connections. (Inside and out) 5. Right side shot (armor on). 6. Right side shot (close-up of the ab/kidney connection only, no belt) so that we can better see the rivet alignment. 7. Action shot.

Beautiful work, brother. Looking forward to seeing the updated photos so we can move you along! When you suit up for the new pics, please include the required "action shot". We will also need the required cod/posterior plate connections and Hovi-tip detail. Also, please add a close-up view of the areas shown below and your wrist openings. Almost there!!

Hi John, and thank you for your Expert Infantry application! In the following review I will be going over a few items pertaining to your current submission, as well as those that will be required for Centurion level should you choose to apply, and with this awesome looking armor I hope you do! CRL and EIB Application Requirements: All required submission photos have been posted and I am very pleased to announce your armor displays all the necessary elements to qualify for ANH Stunt Expert Infantry. On behalf of myself and the entire D.O.Team, Congratulations! Other-Armor Fit/Assembly: In this section we review observations made by your fellow troopers and ourselves. Some observations may lead to suggestions to improve the overall look of your armor. Note that we consider both text (CRL) and pictures (screen caps/reference images) when reviewing submissions. Let's get right into this and start from the top: 1. The ends of your brow strap could use some trimming to align them with the rear of the traps. (EASY fix)! 2. While not a deal breaker per se, the brow has quite the downward slope on the sides for some reason, giving the traps an odd shape and should be raised if at all possible. Reference images This may be a dressing issue, but the cover strip alignment on your forearms/biceps is pretty far off. Although they don't need to be perfect, the forearms would look much better if they were turned in some. Fixing this could be as easy as changing the position of the strapping between them. Reference images I couldn't help but notice the difference in the length that your shoulder bridges sit on your back plate. I am assuming that they are glued evenly in the front, and it may be a simple thing like the back plate has shifted toward the right more than the left. Looking at the photo they are different heights on the top as well. Also, although you did not list your height I also presume that you are a taller trooper, as the large rear tab is not removed and you needed that to make certain that you could add the elastic band. Again, no biggie, but something that you could look in to adjusting. Reference images GREAT to see that you used the "double snap" method, John! (You won't be sorry you did that... trust me). However, you have a disparity between your back and kidney plates on the left side. It's fine to have a gap between those pieces, but it needs to be even all the way across. I think the easiest way to remedy this would be to shorten the strap on the left side (red arrow). Reference images To finish things off in this section, we would really like to see the cover strips on your thighs/calves line up better. This can be easily achieved by using some 1 inch x 1 inch (or 2 inch) foam strips inside your calves to keep them from twisting out. Some glue them in, but I had the same issue and I attached them with Velcro so that I could remove them for cleaning. Reference images Centurion Requirements In this section we prepare you for Centurion. More photos may be requested in the future that allow us to make better decisions on possible adjustments. If there are any areas of concern they will be discussed here. Because Centurion photos show much more detail than EIB, items to pertaining to Centurion might be seen there and not here. We try to point out all that we can from what is seen, but the final accuracy is the responsibility of the trooper. You used the perfect color paint on your tube stripes, John, but unfortunately the shape and length are off for L3. If you look at the reference pics, the stripes are much shorter and each stripe is about the same distance apart as the width of each other. Also please note that the stripes lean toward the front (not the back), as shown in the example below. They also do not extend under the ear. If you are willing to remove the existing paint on the tube stripes and remedy this, I will send you (no charge) some templates to use as well as a few hints and tips on how to do it effectively. Reference images For some reason your ab plate is peeking out beyond your chest plate on the left side in your photos.. Not sure if this is a size issue, but it needs to be addressed before we can move you along to L3. Can you tighten up the ab/kidney connection? Reference images Belts belts belts... where would a TK be without his ammo belt? I am IMPRESSED that your trimming of the tops and bottoms of the belt were so close to the ammo boxes.... just like the originals! (Many troopers don't do this). But alas, as per the CRLs it needs to come up some. The top of the ABS ammo belt should sit at or just above the bottom of the central and vertical abdomen button panels. Yours - Bring it up half an inch and you will be golden! Reference images Now onto a few tiny details, brother. As you may be aware, Centurion is all about the small items that we (but most others) would never notice. The first one being: 1. Your ABS button covers are way too thick... (there should be no edges on them). Removing them is actually fairly simple. Just CAREFULLY use a razor knife to cut through the glue and then pry them off and trim down the edges. Reference images Ab/kidney rivets: The size of your rivets is spot-on, but unfortunately the placement is a bis askew. The middle one is a tiny bit off but is passable, but the one on the bottom of your ab plate needs to come up and the hole filled. Even though they are covered by the canvas/ABS belt, as per the CRL they still need to be equally spaced along the depth of the armor and about 10mm from the edge. Reference image Now for the big one. Let me preface this by saying that in looking at your overall build I am thoroughly impressed with your mad skills, and that I have faith that you can take this all the way to Centurion! The thighs/calves: As you probably have noticed, there is an inordinate amount of flat area on each side of the cover strips on the front of your thighs. We completely understand that not all Troopers are the same size, and certain allowances must be made as such. But.. these areas must be reduced in order to get you level 3, so here is what I am recommending: I know it will be difficult, but I have every confidence in you, John, Remove the cover strips from the fronts (and backs) of the thighs. Cut down the sides of the flat areas in the front. Use the same size cover strips in front when you glue them back together. Make the back cover strips wide enough to cover the gap (in green, third pic). The front of your calves is spot-on, but the backs could also use a wider cover strip, Lastly, I noticed that the grip of you E-11 has some shine. This may be due to the some reflection and is not actually weathered, but note that the original grips were made of plastic and therefore should have no metallic appearance, So there it is, brother. You have a few items to deal with, but as mentioned I'm sure you can take this set of armor all the way to level 3. You can DO IT! If you need any help, please feel free to ask.

As far as I am aware, AP is still in business and going strong, Dave. You can email them here: [email protected] You can also get in touch with ATA here: [email protected]

"The saga ends, but the story lives on forever".

I am in agreement with Daniel, Derek. SUPER nice job on that build, brother, but when it comes to weathering HWTs sometimes less is more. Looking forward to seeing another HWT in the higher ranks soon, especially a fellow AM owner!