RynoHawk

I have an Aker 10 amp I use for my gunner and will put in my TK. Probably won't spurge on an i-Comm or the like for awhile. The cheapest way to emulate the static burst is to kinda make a "Chh-" sound with your mouth at the end of speaking.

Yup, everything is present. I thought I was missing shim/cover strips at first but I found them. I'm definitely taking my time on this and not rushing. I already have a costume I can troop in so no hurry there. Now if Weird Al comes back through town...

Cool jumping in with both feet starting on the helmet! I want to build the helmet first, but am thinking on starting on something easy like the biceps, forearms, etc. to build up my confidence and skill. So far, I haven't started on anything.

I like the eyeglasses insert!

It was Big Brown Box day as well as Medium Brown Box day at my house! BBB and its little brother. The smaller box contained my boots from TK Boots. I feel like Tony Manero at Christmas time! I wear a size 13 off the shelf and after discussing with TK Boots, I went with the size 13D and it fits great (need the provided shoe horn to help). Pardon the messy floor. Dogs and four year olds and all that. Also forgive my hairy legs. I wore them around a little bit while I unpacked and organized the TK kit. TK kit also looked great although there was a tiny chip in the end of the faceplate. I think it will be hidden by the helmet though. I also did some pre-pre fitting and unless I lose some waistline, I may have to shim the kidney. I didn't bust the tape out or anything. As I said, I just wanted to get everything unwrapped and organized. But, yay I have a kit to work on now!

TrooperBay sells D rings. I made one out of a metal coat hanger. I don't know how that will fly on Level 2 or 3 approval though.

My kit and boots are both in Nashville, so hope Brown can do something for me today! Just a run down of what I have so far: What I have (or in transit) Most of the tools, glue, straps, etc. I have or are on the way. Waiting on magnets especially but due in on Thursday. Balaclava. Under suit. Blaster (I have a Hyperfirm and a Disney parks one I painted for the lights and "pew pew" sounds. Very popular). Aker voice amp. Fans (I may make another set for this, but they are easy to transfer between helmets). Armor Kit (Due in today). Boots (Due in today). What I still need Canvas belt. neck seal. Snaps and set tool. Holster, although I can possibly convert my existing holster with the belt loops to a ANH TK one by changing the straps. Paints and brushes. Need to pick up some tongue depressors (or eat a lot of popsicles) or similar for glue spreading. Possibly an i-Comm, but not a necessity right now. I think that's it. I have tried to limit my purchases right now to just the basics, even though I've been tempted by a lot of "Oh, shineys!!!" that do me no good until the costume is complete (also not looking at the swag boards). Hopefully I will have some BBB pics to post tonight!

I hope then that you are building a First Order Stormtrooper, because that's what those boots are for. The 421 boots are for the classic OT Stormtrooper.

Thanks, Joseph! Your supply list was very helpful too, BTW!

I only drilled on the back to put on a D ring. I can't remember what size I used (I think I found it on here somewhere) but it was a standard drill bit. If my counter comes off again, I may drill some holes to make stints to hold it better.

Okay, so after a little over a year since joining the 501st, I'm finally purchased an AM 2.0 kit and it's en route. My original plan when joining was to buy one initially and start out as a TK. However, money was a tad short and to be honest I was really pumped up to join, so I started with a Imperial Bridge Crewman costume that I eventually upgraded to Imperial Gunner. I was then going to go full TIE pilot, but there's a bit of a wait for most kits and AM just so happened have a run about ready to finish up and ship so I was able to go with what I wanted to do in the first place! Originally, I had planned to hopefully have this ready in time to take to Celebration in April, but some other unforeseen circumstances have made me have to cancel my trip. Not a complete bad thing as it takes some pressure off the build as I don't have a deadline, and I can still troop in my current costumes so no hurry there either. I have had a blast trooping as a crewman/Reserve TIE and gunner, but I am stoked to finally start on my dream costume! Also, I didn't really build anything with my current costumes, save for padding my gunner helmet and painting a Disney blaster so it looks more "troopable." So this will be my first real build of basically anything. I'm the guy that would glue his fingers together when building model airplanes, so hopefully I don't destroy anything in the process. The past week or two, I've been procuring the tools and other stuff I will need to build the kit and have been reading over other build threads. Ukswrath's and Navajo Bro's build threads and Panda Trooper's videos have been particularly insightful among others. Today I finished up buying most of what I need to get started that I don't already have and organizing my work area in my garage. I don't know when I will actually start building as my garage is not insulated or climate controlled and it's been OMG cold the past few days. Hopefully, I'll get some days where I can work in there and not freeze and be able to finish up before I bake. Also have some TK Boots en route, which according to UPS are sitting in Memphis along with my armor. I will likely get both boxes the same day! The armor is AM 2.0, but I guess it may be more like AM 2.1 as he is now making the helmet as a two piece assembly (I believe the top and back are one piece now) as opposed to the three piece he used to ship. Only major thing I really need to get still are some snaps for the snapping and some rare earth magnets for the glue setting. My plan was to work on the straps and such while I was waiting for glue to dry, although I don't know if I need to wait and until I get the armor somewhat together so I can measure? Anyways, anxiously waiting for that BBB!

My armor is in Memphis too! Maybe they can enjoy some BBQ together! I already have that very same tote which I use for my Imperial Gunner/Crewman/Reserve TIE pilot. It is especially handy if you have a smaller car. It fits in the trunk of my larger sedan, but only in the back seat of my smaller one. Just don't sit on it. I cracked my lid! Also, nice helmet! Kylo is a good choice. You may want to do that one next (if you don't already have a bunch of Kylos' running around) so you can have a soft costume alternative when not feeling like armoring up. Another option if you want a RL costume and another trooper is the Clone Trooper (standard clone or any of the individual variants like Rex, Boss, Cody, etc.) which is dual approvable. Wear one costume and counts towards both clubs!

Getting all my stuff together as well. My boots and armor should arrive off the same truck. Good call on the undersuit from Academy sports you mentioned in another thread. I picked up a set of those at the store near my house.

Great thread! I have an AM kit incoming soon and will be using your thread for reference. I actually registered on NER forums so I can see your more detailed build (if permissions allow for visiting 501st).

Welcome!

Check to see if the confirmation email went to your spam folder.

Just curious (I've never been in the position of mailing prop weapons when I was in the service), but if you're US Military having it shipped to I assume a US Base, would it be subject to German customs if it's going through APO?

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/11538-the-various-types-of-armor-and-where-to-find-them/ Contact the individual armor makers for availability and pricing.

These are great (and cheap)! I need a new top though because I cracked mine when I sat on it (not recommended). At $20, might just get a new bin.

Just to clarify, Disney and Hasbro blasters (and probably some others like Rubies, etc.) are approvable at basic level (basic level blasters are optional) so long as you at least paint it to look more accurate. All it costs you is the price of the toy blaster and some paint and sandpaper. You don't have to worry about accurate t-tracks, counters, power cylinders, etc. until level 2. That is where a conversion kit like DoopyDoo's would come into play. At level 3, a toy blaster would not be approved at all. So long as the toy is based off a Stormtrooper blaster, it should be good to go once painted. Something like this would be good for the trooper on a budget, or if you just want something to go pew pew for the kids. But as was stated if you want to go to level 3, then you may want to look into something more accurate, such as a scratch resin build or premade Hyperfirm. (All text highlighted in bold red done by me for emphasis).

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http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36221-fs-hyperfirm-anh-e-11-b-grades-from-new-style-molds/ I think he has one or two left if you can place an order in time. Otherwise, keep an eye out for threads like that in the "For Sale" forum.

It's pretty much up to legion standard straight out of the box. Only add on you may need if you want to clear Centurion status is a D ring on the back.

Congrats!

Congrats!