Lafleur

Good luck trooper

Wanted to skip the loop completely. But loop it is.. just need to figure out how to do it the best way with the snap almost in the middle 😅

A few steps more done in the project. After some thought and looking on reference pictures I opted for black mesh on the hovi as suggested by @gmrhodes13. Got them painted with some tip weathering and mounted, super satisfied. Only thing left is the inside of the helmet and attaching the lens. Here is a side by side picture with my RWA Stunt and TM Hero. Also started working with the belt. Measuring and checking as I’m reusing my armor. This made it kind of hard though as you were stuck with the snap placement on the armor fitting previous belt. Wanted it to just snap on in the right place with no need for adjustments when it’s on. Let’s say even though tripple measuring I needed to change place on the snaps 😆🙈 Good thing it’s on the back. (bad lighting and the phone camera makes the belt look a bit weird, it’s straight and nice though) QUESTION: The drop boxes, are you allowed for Expert and centurion to place Velcro on the white elastic band and the belt instead of doing the standard loop around the belt? 🤔 Would be much easier to adjust them and the snaps in the belt wouldn’t be in the way.

Thank you 😊 It sounds a bit worse than it is. Like my friend said, it’s good behavior therapy. I also have a bunch of things on my first suit I “messed up” and as you say it’s only me seeing them. I always judge myself the hardest and just need some time to mentally work it through 😅 I’m slowly starting to like it more and more and by the time I’m done I’ll be both proud of it and love it. Regarding the template mine was not from Trooperbay. And guessing it’s a lot of things that matter if it works or not. Placement, material on the masking template, what kind of paint, brush. I just felt that without the template I was more in control over the result. It’s like I said though, my personal opinion. There is probably a lot of ways and combinations doing the lines depending of what feels the best for you. And in the end that’s what matters. Big thanks for your kind and uplifting words regarding my build. It’s good to hear other opinions than your own to help me not to over analyze things that as you say (and I know deep within 😅🙈) probably only I will see the most 😊

Congratulations fellow RWA trooper, you’ve done a great job! 🥳

Good job trooper! Looking awesome 🥳

Welcome, good job trooper! 🥳

I wasn't sure on this so didn’t want to be hasty in my decision (tried to learn from my mistakes). But leaning towards painting them black as I think it looks nice 🤔

I have used painters masking tape but still get bleed, I’m a master at it 😂 but painting it white first was brilliant!!! 😱❤️ Thanks for the tip.

The Hovi Mix got some paint too. This was at least straight forward and went without any mishaps. Did some distressed white on the rim of them to make them appear a bit used and scuffed as screen ones. Some last minute trimming and paint on the ears and screws.

I used a template. My opinion is don’t! ❌ Mine are now sorted to the trashcan. These give a lot of bleed through and are also very hard to place on the curvy surface. Troopermaster gave me the advise to just use some thin masking tape and a precut template. So stealing his pictures he sent me to show you guys how I think it should be done next time 🫣 At first I was thinking of just starting over and wiping the paint of the bucket. I know the bleed is easily fixed with just a toothpick after the paint have dried as I did it on my last bucket. This time though I thought before doing. The Humbrol Enamel paint isn’t the easiest cleaning so tried first on a spare plastic piece. And WOW am I glad I did this. The only thing really cleaning it also dissolves the abs I just left a second or two 😱 I know this is an issue talked about a lot here on the forum but can’t say it enough! Even the brush was just to throw away after as it was full of abs. Ditched that idea and went back to clean the lines with toothpicks after it dried instead. Just carefully rubb the tip in an angle against the paint and it will slowly scrape it off. The the tip gets full, cut 1mm of and continue or take a new toothpick. Before: After: After doing this I went back with “the right way” and did a touch up to the lines I wasn’t happy with. It will need some minor toothpick trimming after dried too but not much 🙂

Following is a guide on WHAT NOT TO DO!! 😅 I had cut out the teeth too much 😔 Even though looking at pictures, planing and having a goal I somewhere on the line got carried away and took a bit too much. “This needs to be a bit straighter”, “only touching up this” and “fixing this small thing, there is a line”. I know this is an issue I need to work with myself on but here I am. Honestly at first I just wanted to quit as I got so angry at myself. But after some mental torture and a lot of screen helmets I at least found one probably made by the intern that was at least close to mine 😆 So my Hero won’t be Luke or Solos, it’s the one in the back 😅 But as you know misery loves company! Blue lines… 😒

Need some paint on the bucket too. As I always have troubles having a steady hand, especially when applying dark paint on white background I try and keep the outer black line as straight and solid I can but don’t give full attention do the inside as it’s going to be gray later anyways. This helps me a lot doing the black first and grey after, more forgiving. Added a bit grey to the mouth too. This was when I started realizing mistakes have been done and they where not to be alone, more would follow 😔

Thanks! 😊 Needed to hear some good as I’m finding more and more small things I’ve done wrong. It’s fun doing this, and I love building but to be honest I’m no expert, far from it. And doing all the mistakes break my spirit a bit 🙈 I get carried away and overdo things, have a hard time leaving them wonky, cricked and not symmetrical.. I can look at a picture, aim for it and look back 10min later and wonder what the hell I was thinking 😅 I know it will end up okay in the end, and I know I will be proud of the result but the way there is a rollercoaster for me. So I really appreciate your moral support and also not to mention support I get behind the scenes. @Nairy my friend and garrison buddy have given me a lot and even Paul at Troopermaster have reached out giving me super great tips and @gmrhodes13 pulling out spreadsheets, pictures. Thanks to all of you! So in the spirit of “troopers helping troopers” I’ll add the section “what NOT to do” in my build thread too 😃

Yes, was looking in horror at the ear pieces wondering how the hell those where getting trimmed and mounted ?

Done the last trimming and sanding. Test fitted the rubber trim on the opening of the helmet. Ready for paint…

Part 2, the ears. Forgot how I hate the stress of fitting the ears ? The Hero helmet was a bit harder than my Stunt as it only has 2 screws holding it down so you need to be extra thorough to get a flush fit. Must say I’m really impressed with the mold lines on Troopermasters ears, they are almost spot on when fitting. After a lot of testing, fitting, cutting and sanding.. we have a basic Hero helmet done ?

Starting up with the basics.. cleaning the ABS. Easier when it’s all in parts so when you’re done assembling just wipe it down and you’re done ✅ Using my lexan scissors I do a basic trim on all parts. In sharp corners if I’m afraid of cutting and making the abs crack I drill a little safety hole. It’s easy with a small file making a sharp corner when done trimming. Fitting faceplate and back. Using magnets to hold them when adjusting and some extra masking tape when the positioning feels right. Forgot the eyes and teeth when doing this so back stepped and did both. You get carried away sometimes ? When you’ve found the spot that feels right for the faceplate it’s time for the first upper rivets on the sides and a test fit… (Taped in the lenses to get a real feel)

@gmrhodes13 I knew you had some fantastic info stored up your sleeve ? I’ve actually bought a Hero TM helmet to build so I won’t be needing any modifications I think but your reference pictures and info is fantastic! Super grateful for the help. I think I’ve sourced all info on the lightsaber. There isn’t that much to go by more than 2 pictures I think that’s ”official”. Won’t be using the 3D print versions after some consideration as I feel both have good and bad things going with them. Also I love my lightsabers with aluminum hilts as it feels real and sturdy in your hand. So I’m going the route of modifying a hilt I’ve bought. I will start a separate build thread on the lightsaber as suggested ?

[Dark manly voice]: Calling out to all Autobots… I mean Stormtroopers! ? Help needed! So I don’t want to mess this up and aiming to do it the most accurate I can to a certain point. What’s the “latest” to think of when doing the Hero helmet and belt? I know about the four rivets for the holster on the belt. I’ve found some member who’s done this.. accurate? The helmet is the same as the Stunt except the mouth and also hovic tips that are black inside instead of white?

Hi everyone, I’m back like the T800 ? So what’s the only thing TKs are missing that’s super cool in Star Wars? Well my thought is the lightsaber ? and as the Hero version is allowed to have one… I need a Hero! As the base I will be using my RWA Stunt suit with a new helmet and belt. Troopermaster TM was kind enough to help me out and not only provide a kit but also match the ABS color as my RWA suit is a bit whiter than most. He did a great job! ? Of course we need a lightsaber too ? so question to whoever will follow my journey. Same build thread or a separate one for the lightsaber? ** pictures on the way

Thanks! Nice to know there is others out there ? Love my RWA kit. I have a Hero version of it planned so going the centurion road once more early next year I hope.

Congratulations ? you’ve done a great job! Be proud of your achievement. looking forward seeing your Centurion application, you are so close ? And btw, dad bods rock! Chocolate rules ? do some “beach posing” for the photos and suck it in some extra! Tightening the belt a bit extra or adjusting the armor to sit a bit lower or a bit higher could do the trick too. Small adjustments does a lot sometimes I’ve noticed myself. Good luck and again job well done on your EIB!!

Looking good trooper! ? You need to fix the missing unpainted split rivet for your cod piece though. You just have a hole there at the moment ?

Thank you! ? When starting building my suit I had Centurion as a goal. Didn’t think it was achievable at that moment though. But I stayed on course and got a lot of help and guidance what to do and what not from fellow troopers and this forum. EIB and Centurion submissions have been a huge help too as you can get tips from the D.O teams comments. ”Troopers helping Troopers” I hope I can pay it back in the future ?