Welcome Paul!I have (had, thanks Covid) a similar build to you. I think you should be OK whichever vendor you decide to go with.
I’m “over the hill” in Reno, feel free to reach out!
Welcome (back)!
It seems daunting at first but by the end of the build you'll learn so, SO much. Especially if you decide to make another costume down the road... TK's are actually not the hardest first costume in the Legion, IMO.
I believe the original hovi’s were white/off-white and painted black, and what you see is the paint wearing off as mentioned.
I think rewording the CRLs as some kits come with black and others white hovis, to avoid confusion, maybe?
A dirty variant would be neat!
As for TDs being optional because some TKs lacked them, IMO, I view those like Mr.-no-stripes or Mr.-upside-down-bicep. Production goofs.