TheRascalKing

Yes, they are inside out.

It would be cool if the milestones above incorporated with the detachment logo - maybe as like a stacking bottom rocker instead of standalone shield (but same color scheme), which would allow production of non-branded stickers/patches in addition to the forum badge to be made without a merch slot. Maybe someone with time and much better photoshop ability will get my vibe... (Or "50 Troops"?) Or maybe a run of enamel pins for the major milestone badges that could be pinned through the patch or made into stickers when earned. Just some ideas - I like the intention of placing more emphasis and recognition on trooping in addition to keyboarding.

Congrats, Luis!

A huge thank you for this, @Nairy! Greatly appreciated and this is a fantastic service you provide to the detachment. Well done.

Yes, the recessed lines were filled in black with a fine oil-based Sharpie.

The New Gen armor from Rogue One on is still very uncommon in the Legion, with only about 25 of us approved, only 2-3 makers of kits, and far fewer resources than the Original Trilogy stormtroopers (with 4,000+ approved)... I have not seen anyone consistently offering commissions on them at any level of quality. Most of us that have completed approvable builds are because they have been passion projects and taken months or years. I don't want to dissuade you, but you should be very cautious before handing anyone money. There are also no Canadian manufacturers of the armor, so it will need to be imported from somewhere unless you print it. That said, there's no better time than now to learn a new skill and start your build, and while it could use some updates and I would have done a few things differently after gaining the experience I have, I did post my build thread here in the hope it would be beneficial to others. Know what you're in for, do copious research, and ask lots of questions! If I did it all over again right now, I would basically do what @MikeRadness did and collaborated with him closely during his build. He didn't post a build thread but his L2/L3 approval threads have some great info and pictures. Also, Mimban troopers use the same base New Gen stormtrooper armor, but specifically fall under the MEPD detachment, so there may be more info over there as well when you're ready to get dirty. Good luck!

I sure would love a new signature banner if able, Jonatan! Many thanks in advance!

I would like to nominate @gmrhodes13 for a Bronze-level 3D Contributor Award for the almost 20 files he has added to our Repository over the years. Whether they are his designs or not, they are here and made visible and available to troopers through his efforts. It's a Contributor Award (not a 3D Designer Award) and I would say he has contributed more than many. Good luck, Glen!

Sent! PP: 2FV72661EW162682V

The suits are VERY slim fitting and I'm sure the closures at the back are getting stretched over time. The rear cover panel is attached to the belt as well, so if the belt is misaligned, you'll get those gaps. Only we care. 😆

I fear that they may not be making it any more - it has become scarce locally here as well, but the Model Master line is a good alternative: https://www.amazon.com/French-Testors-Acrylic-Plastic-Model/dp/B0035LJBNI

Nothing new here - one strap in front and one on the outside of the thigh has been standard for ROTK and FOTKs for a while. I believe everything is supposed to be New Gen style moving forward.

They're definitely Rogue One/New Generation based, and appear to be generally pretty accurate. As with all video games, it can be difficult to tell what are intentional (or unintentional) changes made by the design/development team, from what are limitations in graphics rendering (either at the development or end user's side), but generally speaking, they are pretty solid. The one bigger deviation that I pointed out to them was the pieces that connect the back and chest armor under the arm are white on their game models, instead of black as in all other modern live action suits but it doesn't look like they were able to update it in game (or chose not to). Personally, I think they just like to change at least one thing between every movie or game, every time to mess with us. Either way, it's not different enough to warrant its own CRL, but it might be nice to see the CRL updated to allow those to be optionally white or black since there is reference to that end.

There is a ton of nuance to stormtrooper armor, and when you have seen firsthand and built enough of it, you definitely identify makers you like and ones you don't, based on whatever criteria you set - lineage, accuracy, quality, thickness or color of the material, the material itself, the fit for your size/frame, customer service of the maker, price and shipping.... the list goes on and on and some prioritize some characteristics over others. That said, the Jedi Robe/Stormtrooper Store armor falls short of other offerings in almost every category measured, other than price, from my direct experience. The pulls are inconsistent, inaccurate, and thin. The armor is recast and the makers are not involved in and give nothing back to this community. Of the 1,133 individuals who have received Expert Infantry Approval (L2) for the accuracy of their armor, I don't believe a single one utilized Jedi Robe/Stormtrooper Store armor that I could find record of (and I maintain a spreadsheet of this data). The data below doesn't lie, and most troopers would be well advised to pick from any of the other makers currently available. Ironic that you mention them, but the Denuo Novo (formerly Anovos, same molds) armor is generally held to be one of the best on the market currently and the majority of us that are selected to work regularly with LFL for their appearance requests wear it (/Anovos). ANH Stormtrooper armor should be "warped" in certain spots, as the originals were hand sculpted, though the Anovos/DN has been "cleaned up" digitally and the surface imperfections aren't present as on say, an RS kit, which I describe as "accurate to a fault". The single piece lower back (kidney/posterior) and overlap construction may be easier to build but are also inaccurate to ANH and pretty significant errors, not benefits (unless you're building ROTJ). People are welcome to make their own decisions, and your experience may vary, but those who have knowledge and experience in this hobby, purchase from other vendors and try to guide others to quality makers, like (most of) the ones below. *Chart updated to just show ANH Stunt and data for the last 10 years, which seems more relevant

Troopers helping troopers is what we're about here! Plenty of SoCal troopers in here could tell you stories about buying armor from Dale back in the day but I'm glad I saw this and could assist haha I'm happy to see his work continuing on through Dave, and you'll find that the AM armor is a great improvement over FX in many ways. I recently finished a kit for another 3-digit trooper and it came out great, so it's still an excellent choice if you want that vibe!

(answering your PMs here instead) I'm not 100% sure the story of how far he goes back with FX, but I think that's who we're both talking about. He's on Facebook but otherwise, even from the limited experience I had with him (I've purchased armor in the sketchy parking lot behind the McDonalds by Disneyland - IFYKYK), he's a very private person and I don't think he'd appreciate me giving out his contact info unfortunately. He has stepped away from making armor, but over time, from my understanding FX morphed and became AM (Armor Masters). AM 4.5 armor is a much more refined fan sculpt and still available today through Dave's Darkside Depot (also on Facebook) - the molds or at least the distribution rights were transferred to Dave C. in Florida a few years back. If you're interested in that armor (thick and bright white), I would hit up Dave and not Dale. Any FX armor you find is likely to be yellow and brittle from age and they are no longer approvable with the Club due to their accuracy, but they absolutely hold a significant place in stormtrooper costuming history. Good luck!

I haven't been around quite that long but actually live in Placentia, CA and know a thing or two about stormtroopers. You talking about Dale or Victor M. maybe?

Agreed and will note for the troopers who help me take the final photos. I do intend to release the visor files and a downloadable template for the pauldron for free to the Detachment once the CRL is live.

Finally found time to put the whole costume on and get some decent photos shot by @KC Grim. Please let me know any additional feedback you have before proceeding. I plan to add some light weathering to match reference before submitting final photos for the CRL, but want to ensure everything else looks good in advance. Thank you!

Hey @Dubfunkstar, this sub forum is where files are shared - maybe an Admin can move your ISO post to another forum?

Thank you @Doggydoc and @Deployment Officer Team! Permission granted.

Thank you. Now that it's "done" and more thoroughly photographed, I'm going to try to update my build thread further so it can be of help to others. Lots of trial and error in this suit but I'm happy enough with the end result. I still have some upgrades planned, and my TLJ submission won't be far behind this, though the Denuo Novo forearms have some well known quirks that give me pause for concern. I'll feel much better providing guidance to others once my suit is certified at L2, though I currently have no intention of pursuing L3 due to the rubber gasket requirement.

Mandatory Information Costume = Stormtrooper, The Force Awakens Costume CRL Link = https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_-_First_Order Name = Justin R. TKID = 61490 Forum Name = TheRascalKing Legion Profile = https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=26076 Garrison/Squad = Southern California Garrison, Orange County Squad Armor = Denuo Novo Helmet = Anovos, Standard TFA Optional Information Height = 5ft 11in, or 180cm Weight = 175lbs, or 80kg Neckseal & Gaskets = Sheev's Emporium Forearms, Cod, & Belt Boxes = Imperial Surplus, TFA Belt Pouches = Denuo Novo and Trooperbay Holster = Dantooine Props (functional) Hand Plates = Dantooine Props Gloves = Endor Finders Undersuit shorts = Geeky Pink's Boots = Imperial Boots Blaster = Branfuhr Studios F11-D, TFA Armor Photos Helmet Off (unadjusted) Front / Back Right Side Left Side Action Pose Detail Photos Helmet Neckseal Chest Plate Back/Yoke Thermal Detonator Shoulder Gaskets Shoulder Bells Biceps Forearms Gloves/Handplates Abdomen Section Codpiece Posterior armor Belt Thighs Knee Gaskets & Plates Shins Spats Boots Optional Accessories F-11D Blaster Thank you for your consideration, @Deployment Officer Team! Huge thanks (and Armorer credit should they desire) is due to @equuspolo for the hands on assist with adjustments and to @KC Grim for taking my full armor photos.

Sand it. Most chemicals that remove paint aren't kind to plastic.

Congratulations trooper!