CableGuy

Many thanks, Q. If I read correctly, I think I can only register my 501st profile once I have my TK ID. In which case, happy to wait. (Just an eager beaver). :-) Thanks Q. Dan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cheers Mark and Chris. I don’t think I have forum privileges to post in the EIB section yet. I’ve got my photos ready and have posted the question regarding application before receiving TKID - fingers crossed. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, I received clearance for my ANH Stunt Stormtrooper from my Garrison today (UKG) but haven’t yet received my 501st TK ID (as I could only apply today). Can I make my EIB application now or do I have to wait? Many thanks in advance, Dan :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, What a day- my blaster AND armour all got cleared for service today. I’m officially a 501st Imperial Stormtrooper. :-) Although I might do some little bits down the line, I think my blaster is pretty much done for now. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable project, and my huge thanks to out to the wonderful contributors to my thread, specifically Tino, Jesse, Chris and Brian. Of course, I appreciate everyone’s input along the way. Cheers guys. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cheers mate. Thanks for your input along the way. Have fun on Sunday. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, The magic moment when the email reads... “Congratulations! Your costume has been cleared for trooping.” I’m hugely proud to confirm that I’ve been cleared for trooping!!! I might be a little excited right now!!! Thanks to everyone that helped along the way. Next up - EIB and Centurion. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, JC. Great tip. I might give that a go before replacing with ABS. Many thanks, Dan :-)

Cheers Chris. I certainly do - let’s hope it’s still available. ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all. So, greenstuff around the trigger guard is now painted, satin black. I’ve started working on the bolt colouring. I’m reasonably pleased with it but will take another look tonight. Point of interest - the ‘fake’ part of the bolt that sits next to the cocking handle is made using MDF (wood). Annoyingly, the surface is quite porous/absorbent. This makes it hard to have a consistent appearance with the resin and ABS parts in the ejection port. As such, it’s very likely that I’ll remove the top couple of millimetres of MDF and replace with two strips of 1mm ABS. This should allow more consistency. :-) I’ve put this in for UKG blaster clearance. If it clears, I’ll submit for armour clearance too. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Many thanks, Syahrin. I'm following your build with interest too. Can't wait to see how you incorporate the electronics into the Doopy's. :-)

Great looking armour, Tino. Love the slightly weathered appearance. Nice blaster too. ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great work, Stephen. Many congrats on your clearance. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Tennant - thank you. Your's was part of the inspiration I mentioned above. (...and yes, it's possible that your's and Tino's completed blasters 'may' have featured on my desktop background at some point)... I think a pipe build with similar components to your will be my next project. Your finished blaster is exceptional. I'm especially taken with your Snaggletooth Hengstler. If I'm honest, I think my Doopy's counter is the weak link of my blaster and might be due an upgrade (already). ;-) Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated. :-) Dan

Many thanks, Bryn. I've just refreshed my memory of your build - it really looks superb. I'll try to get my ejection port/bolt colouring as good as yours. :-) Cheers, Dan

Cheers, Tino. It's an honour to hear those comments from you. :-) You and the other pioneers of blaster mods can take a lot of the credit. As so many people say on this very forum, research is key, and I've had a huge amount of inspiration from previous, and current, builds. Your kit has really helped to bring this to life, along with the welcomed encouragement and suggestions from the community. I'll be making those final tweaks to bring this to a close, including the ejection port, weathering the scope screws and brass parts, weathering the trigger guard/trigger and painting the greenstuff. Need to attach the front lens, too. I used the 'white crayon' technique this morning for the scope text. I'll be sure to post some more photos, hopefully some daylight shots, when these little finishing touches are complete. Best wishes, Dan

Thanks, Rudi. It’s been a pleasure sharing it with such a nice community. :-)

Many thanks, Shaun. I’d recommend the mods if you have the time and patience. :-) Thanks, buddy. You are far too kind. :-) Yeah, I’m really pleased with the variety of finishes too. I mainly followed Tino’s first build for the paint types. :-) Cheers, Stef. That’s very kind, and I look forward to seeing yours progress. :-)

Thank you, Brian. You’re very kind - I really appreciate your comments. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EXCITEMENT ALERT!! ;-) Well, it’s not totally finished, however I fitted the grip tonight. To mask the inner curved parts of the trigger, I decided to try something a little different and used children’s Play-Doh. Amazingly, it worked well. :-) Whilst I didn’t take specific pictures of everything, I fitted the grip to the body with screws and E6000. Trigger fitted and working. Power cylinders weathered - I used a rag and sprayed metallic silver onto the rag and gently dabbed where required. Fitted remaining screws. Attached trigger guard. For this, I used super glue and them filled around the guard with greenstuff. Time will tell how this holds up. I still have a few bits to do, including hand painting/weathering the ejection port. And here’s some pictures. A few finishing touches and we’ll be done. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, both. I'm cautiously weathering as I don't want to go TOO far. I want it to look "screen used" rather than one that's gone through the "garbage smashers on the detention level"! lol Once the grip is attached I can review the main/likely contact points and continue from there. Looks like I'll have to learn to dry-brush in a few places, namely the ejection port, a little on the scope and counter as in a couple of very small places my light sanding appears to have reached the primer. This might be due to thinner paint layers in certain areas. Rookie mistake... I do have a question, though. Seeing how easy is is to weather, trooping is going to take it's toll on the paint. A little is fine, but going through to the primer or resin is going to look awful. Is there a protective clear coat that people use? Or just leave it as it is and be prepared to touch-up any damaged areas? Thanks in advance. :-)

Well, I’ve had quite a productive evening. Grip is coming on with the gloss. Not all spots have gone but it’s looking better. And the below pictures say the rest really. Started some light weathering and have quite a few parts fitted. Hopefully can add a few more parts tomorrow. Nearly there. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, chaps. Good to know it's not just me doing something wrong. I've already reduced the appearance of the 'spots' by applying a slightly thicker coat. To get the glossy, reflective finish for my old SDS TK lid, I had to spray gloss white right up to the point where the paint was just about to run, but obviously stop before that point. I applied the same method to the grip last night and will try again this evening. Thank you, Brian. That's very kind. I have the same feeling - incredibly excited to be nearly finished and be able to apply for 501st clearance, but a little sad at the same time that I won't have this to work on. However, I really fancy a pipe build next. I might do a bit of a Tino and start a collection, then a weapons locker, etc... :-) Best wishes, Dan :-)

Great stuff. Cheers, Chris. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, Been away this weekend so very minimal progress I’m afraid. My grip is now wearing a fetching coat of gloss black. "IMAGES REMOVED BY CABLEGUY due to attachment isue" The front of the grip has not taken perfectly, however I believe further coats should fill the little dips. Next up, time for a Matt black coat for the barrel and t-tracks. Off with the t-track masking and here we go. In combination with a couple of other parts, it’s really taking shape. Hengstler counter is also coming on, however I’m out of Matt black paint again. Just for anyone keeping count, thats 2 x 150ml cans used so far. Very nearly “trooper time”! :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, Just a little update for anyone that’s been following. I’ve not disappeared; just been finishing off my E-11. I’m now into the latter stages of painting and will hopefully be complete within a couple of days. I can then finally apply for clearance with the UKG, then EIB followed by Centurion. Regarding EIB and Centurion, looking at many other applications, I’m very hopeful that my complete kit is already ticking all of the boxes. Of course, only time will tell, however if anyone has spotted any concerns, please let me know. :-) Many thanks, Dan :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk