TrooperTim

Your first helmet is lookin slick.

There are six 501st members in this city. It's under complete Imperial Control.

Looking good! I've always viewed the UKG as having an extremely detailed approval process. Is the black dot on your sniper plate from the hole in the pop rivet? Not a big deal really, I just noticed it.

I used a bowl of boiling water on the stove. Place the center of the straps in the water. While holding the strap ends, slowly bring the edges to the center.

How have I completely missed this thread? And you live in the same city as I do? What what what! The display is looking very nice. Too bad it won't see much action. Yeah, at your height you would make a good Vader, maybe even a Chewy. Great droid too!

Do you still put a cover strip on that left side? I would, assuming this is the left shin. Put the velcro on the inside of the cover strip? I did. Will velcro hold together when there's this much of a gap to close? Not likely. Terry's suggestion is probably easiest. A more tricky method is to bend the front shin edge to the inside slightly. The back gap would be reduced from the new angle of the front edges. You could do this either by molding iron, heat gun, or boiling water. I used boiling water on certain areas of my armor but you have to be very careful.

That would be me. I put a camera, mic, and fans in my AP helmet. Good thing I'm a pinhead! As long as the event host says yes! Anyway, I keep my videos unlisted only for 501st and family viewing.

Much can be said about self-reliance and research; however, most people aren't library hermits as I am. Nervous? I'm probably an elitist armor snob but I don't rub that into everyone's face... very often. You do realize the original suits were sloppily put together, right.

Didn't notice, but thank you web team!

Does the image gallery site you use have a url for the pictures? Might I suggest you use the insert image button (or the IMG tags) on your posts to show the image instead of a link. It will make your build thread pretty!

If Tray won't send you a replacement helmet then I can help you fix it. I guess this is a normal thing with MC's pulls. Try the easy fixes first. As Terry suggested, sand it down and polish it. Just don't use the sandpaper I gave you. It's too heavy a grit. If need be you can bondo and paint but we'll see how things go. Your TK will be awesome sauce. You have the help of a few expert craftsmen. Don't make a poll to find the answer, be the answer.

Noel, the ridge is on the side and front of the dome. It's like a wavy line. The only explanation I can think of is that the original helmet they pulled this from had runny paint, and MC kept that there as an authentic part of the helmet. I noticed very minor orange peel on the shoulder bell also. I've never seen a T/MC kit up close before. Maybe this "ridge" is unique to T/MC. A couple other people are building T/MC armor. Compare their helmets with yours. Edit: My AP helmet has a very slight wave on the left side of the dome above the front trap; but it's barely noticeable. I know screen-accurate helmets have hereditary errors, like a bumpy cap and back, so maybe this "ride" is another one of those original helmet errors?

Especially scary when you start loosing appendages. Keep a steady hand and clear head. Depends on how screen accurate you want to be. For ROTJ you can overlap the thighs. Regardless of what movie you're representing you can velcro close the thighs and still get 501st approval. I think the strips help strengthen the durability of the parts so for ANH/ESB, butt join the parts and put the strip over it. The shins don't have to have strips since the mold line sorta creates a facade of one but I recommend them for ANH/ESB.

Nice work. Does one shin fit more snug than the other?

I can drop by next weekend and help you sort things out. Some of those small parts for your helmet will need to be replaced/upgraded. I did a little research and finally understand some history of T/MC armor. What film were you building this to represent?

That's impressive. I would be part of that if given the chance. ...and there's video too!

Most troopers do. You may or may not need to trim the back of the shins depending on the size of your calf muscles. ------ I used the same measurements you're using. 10mm from mold line to edge. 20mm front strip and 25mm back.

I've been using a very similar setup. I made a black vinyl pouch that I velcro to my inner thigh. It's like I have a pants pocket. See you at All-Con. My helmet cam will be recording!

I say paint it! You don't need to sand anything unless there are rough edges. Just use a white primer to cover the black and prep the paint for adhesion. Seal it with the clear coat and you'll be good to go.

I'm not sure if the weapon is being used by any group/military to a great extent. There are better options out there obviously. Yeah, apparently the Indian Ordnance Factories offer a model of it. There are quite a few floating around in the middle east. Wiselite offers a "sport" sterling. There's an "American Redux" version which is a slightly modified working replica. That thing sells for a death star sized jar of trooper coins.

I've had two events where I ended up trooping in the rain. I used testor's enamel paints. Never had to repaint in over a year. I don't think anyone would really notice a difference between acrylic and enamel when your helmet is all finished. At least I probably wouldn't. Toxic, really? Well, actually, that may explain a few things for me.

Good luck. Looks great. To nit pick, I think the belt should be shifted up more in the front. It looks to hang a bit too far down.

My biceps are almost up that high but it's due to my body size. You could drop them an inch or so. I use snaps to attach the bicep to the shoulder bell for extra security but you can use industrial velcro if you like. Looks like you'll need to add plastic (shim) to connect the ab and kidney. I don't think the back plate needs to be cut unless you want to shorten it so it sits right above the kidney and create a more screen-accurate look. I'm not sure how to undo an ABS weld aside from using a dremel or box cutter and cut into the welded seam. The left shin does look larger toward the bottom and would need to be tapered a little. You can put a piece of foam in the shin to push it forward so it doesn't stick in the thigh.

You can draw pencil lines where you want to cut instead of painter tape, unless the tape is more helpful. The pencil won't scratch the plastic much and the mark is easily removed. I'd suggest trim the corresponding inside forearm then tape both together to form the complete part, then test fit it and measure before you cut. You can cut the outside forearm right up to the indention and I think it would look alright. Trimming the inside forearm at the elbow will help quite a bit with mobility; mostly being able to take your helmet on and off. I have an idea; photoshop time. Take inspiration from Stormtrooper Bob Ross. EDIT: Images Removed

Once you achieve EIB the rank disappears so maybe those troopers are like an Officer from an Academy and those who haven't achieved EIB are like an NCO. I don't put much thought into it but I celebrate your new forum rank, Captain. Engage Ludicrous Speed!