JAFO

Great work Vince. I was measuring up the exact same thing this morning.

A quick update for anyone coming to this thread for info, the general consensus based on the review of numerous images is small greeblies on the top section - biceps and forearms - and large greeblies on bottom section - thighs, shins and spats.

Thanks Kev! Moving on to shin sockets shortly. I'll be following your lead [emoji16]

It's amazing quality. Very stiff but should loosen up over time.

Thanks Tony. Can't wait to be finished. I'm loving the build but just want to armour up!

Today I received my eleven rib neck seal which I commissioned via Landher Prop Suppliers (on Facebook). It is exceptional quality. A little stiff for now but well made and a great fit. It looks great with the helmet! And that's where we get to for this update. Next will be attaching a belt and thigh rig to the existing harness. This will then allow me to size and shape the thighs before getting on to the BIG job of priming, sanding, etc.

I've also been focused on the ab piece magnetic closure mechanism system. Having recently created the brackets out of styrene I measured where they would sit inside the ab piece. I then used Marine Epoxy to affix the rare earth magnets (40mmx15mmx2mm) on the inside of the ab piece. Next up I used CA glue to affix magnets to a .75mm layer of styrene. I then used styrene cement to attach the .75mm styrene layer with magnets to the 3mm styrene layer that has a socket cut in to it. The .75mm layer acts as a buffer between the magnets so they connect but can be easily disengaged. I then lined up the styrene brackets to the magnet on the opposite side and affixed the styrene using Marine Epoxy. I allowed each closure sufficient time to cure. No point rushing. All three are now done and a really nice seal has formed. Easy to get on. Easy to get off. I have some spare magnets kicking around and have started to have a play to see how they might work with the TD. Will update once I know! I've also gone magnet crazy looking at back-up solutions on the cod and butt sections. Just a little extra support for the snap plates.

Progress on the build has continued in fits and starts. I try to get a little something done each and every day. I've reacquainted myself with a sewing machine after many, many years with the aim being to add Velcro to the gaskets, and construct a harness rig for the abs piece. I won't be winning any sewing competitions any time soon but I'm happy with the way things turned out. After constructing the rig I then set about adding snaps and readying snap plates for the interior of the ab piece. I attached the snap plates with Marine Epoxy which this fibreglass kit just loves. After leaving the front snap plates to cure for 24hrs I got around to positioning the rear snaps plates and stuck them in place. At this time they're still curing. I'm looking forward to getting the harness affixed so I can move on to the belt and thigh strapping.

Congrats on the build Brian. Best of luck with the approval!

Great update Vince! I'm about to tackle the thighs myself.

A little playtime today. Got to sanding the inside edges of the shins, and tidying up the TD after the recent foam fill exercise. Also started sizing up the elbow gaskets to attach to the forearms with Velcro. Stitching to be done.

An alternate would be to buy a standard undersuit or compression wear then head over to eBay and buy a pair of shiny shorts. If you search 'shiny, wet look' you'll find plenty of shorts or 3/4 lengths pants already made.

I'm surprised it took 12hrs! Yet another awesome piece of work Jim.

Sorry...I have no idea why that has posted SO many times!!!!!!!

Both sections have lights installed.

Lights go in both sections.

I have the Extreme Racing undersuit. Its well made. Probably thicker than I anticipated and also sizing was an issue. Had to go larger than expected. Haven't had an issue with the 'seat' section yet but time will tell. I also have a two-piece black compression suit which is lighter and more breathable. Will be interesting to see what will prove canon when it comes to the CRL but given the only place you see the undergarment is around the cod and butt I can't imagine it will be a deal breaker.

Happy to report a little more progress today. The TD that forms part of Jim's kit is awesome but being hollow it feels somewhat fragile. Today I created some exhaust holes and then used expanding filler to add support. I went very slowly and was careful not to over fill for fear of exploding the TD. It came out a treat! Once cured I'll sand down the filler then patch up with Apoxie Sculpt.

My next job was looking at a magnetic closure system for the chest plate. I started by marking spots before using Loctite Marine Epoxy to glue the magnets in place. The final part of this process is TBC. I then turned my attention to the bicep 'traps'. With this kit they come 'unfinished' so aiming for a little more accuracy I combined a little time with a little styrene and a little Apoxie Sculpt. Once sanded and painted I think I'll achieve the required result. And finally, for now, I've spent a little time with the forearms to smooth out and shape the detail I cut earlier. And that's about it for now. Next up I'm working on the rigging so I can do another test fit before cutting/shaping the thighs. Once all cuts are done I'll then be sanding away before heading to paint town. Thanks for stopping by

In the meantime, a friend arrived to help assist with my build. Meet Jeeves... Wish I could say his physique was modelled off mine but he's close enough In the midst of all this fun I also received my holster kit from R2Dan. Most impressive. It is safely put aside until time comes to mount it. Next up, time to look at the solution for the shoulder bell support. I discovered this 'Alu Crescent' which seems to mirror the arc of the bell. I need to install in the yoke but, for now, I cut two sections down in to approx. 7.5cm lengths. The Dremel made quick work of the cutting. Whilst the Dremel was out I decided to utilise it to tackle some of the forearm detailing. I used the 'Grout Removing' tool to make small pilot holes which I then opened up with a slightly bigger bit. I find this Spray Air Duster a real winner whilst working with the fibreglass. Allows me to clear my path and do spot checks without powering down the Dremel.

Post Armour Party it was time to get 'snap happy' with a view to securing the codpiece and butt plate... I used Loctite Marine Epoxy to score the snap played to the inside of the abs. The epoxy really likes the fibreglass. In the meantime I also commissioned an 11 RIB neck seal from Aaron at Landher Prop Suppliers. Aaron had been making 8 RIB NS but I'm honoured to be the first to have the TFA specific version. Waiting to get this in hand but I'm excited to try it in person. Oh, and I also continue to pimp my road case... I've decided to run with a magnetic closure system for my abs. Using 3mm styrene and a Tamiya Scriber 2 (AWEOME TOOL!!!!) I started creating the brackets that will be installed in the back of the abs. Just waiting on the magnets to arrive to complete this task.

It has been a while. Progress has been happening in the background and it's time to share a rather lengthy update. Thanks to some fantastic 'Winter' weather I've been able to stay true to the old adage of "Make armour while the sun shines" ... or something like that First up, I got around to sanding the interior of the kit. Being fibreglass it's essential to take time to smooth it down and make it safer for handling. As always, safety was of the 'First Order'. After a good sanding with 240 grit it was time for a wash down and dry in the sun. In the meantime, more decals arrived and I continued to pimp the road case. Thanks to Aston Martin Hall we had a fantastic Armour Party where we managed to achieve quite a bit. My first task of the day was shaping the chest vent. Using reference material I blocked the 'cut zone' and used an X-Acto blasé to make repeated straight cuts until the desired shape was achieved. With some sanding to finish I was happy with the end result. Next up I took the opportunity to install the aluminium aerator that I received from Vader Painter Studios. A really impressive CNC'd piece of aluminium that is miles better than the plastic piece installed in the Standard Line Anovos bucket. I used Apoxie Sculpt to mount the aerator. The Armour Party also provided the ideal opportunity to get some test fitting completed. Much fun was has... Things shaped up very nicely... And my codpiece came under a lot of scrutiny...

The weird tab was used to secure the aerator - along with a little CA glue I reckon. I held the inside of the helmet (the piece where the aerator sits) then just gently twisted the aerator back and forth. It popped off easily after a few turns. FYU, the screw supplied with the VPS aerator is not long enough to do the job. I just used some Apoxie Sculpt. I'm sure other welds would work as well. Just make sure you can use with ABS!

Some do larger sizes. Some claim to be accurate but, actually, still require work. What is your short list?

Hi Bryan Here are a few other reference shots. Two from the movie, one from behind the scenes... ----------------- http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160804/90e0292e9d621657d9d4617d80927038.png Whilst not obvious in every stormtrooper shot they are definitely there when you look close enough. Perhaps some thin abs/styrene shapes inset in the groove would work.