TheRascalKing

Hello and welcome! Research, research, research, and we'll be here to help once you have any questions!

The actual suits have the white pigment cast into them, so they're white on the inside. Most of us spray our helmet interiors black and truck bedliner is a personal favorite choice. I've never understood why anyone uses Plastidip, as it is intended to peel off. I think it's just a hold over from the days when people used to use the stuff in a can and cheesecloth to reinforce their armor.

I think the key is replicating what was done INTENTIONALLY in the films, not exactly what was on screen. The scuffs were likely a result of wear and tear while filming, but Stormtroopers are intended to be clean and white in ANH, as opposed to say the ones running around the forest in ROTJ, or Remnants in Mando. I totally dig the look (and black mascara applied with a blush brush is a great way to do it), but definitely don't go too hard if you want L3 with ANH armor. Or do it after.

Some additional info here if it helps with your research. It looks like there have been 11 or so DA suits that have passed at L2 historically. Feel free to use the Search function to check out their threads (sorry I can't post the links with ease, and haven't completed all of the older threads in my database). But it looks like we haven't had one pass at Centurion in the past 5 years (since @Xinx, whose thread may be worth reviewing if you go that route), so take that for what it's worth. I see that the majority of the 7 or so are also out of the EU, which may be the motivating factor in their purchase. Depending on where you're based, that may be a more important consideration with shipping/duties/etc. They absolutely can be built to L3 standard but wouldn't necessarily be my first choice for Centurion - especially if you plan to paint the helmet anyways and don't need to worry about matching your existing helmet ABS color to the armor. RS has traditionally offered kits in addition to their "pro-built" series, but I did notice that the option has been removed from their website - which is pretty disappointing. Definitely build your own!

He was napping but makes a great photo backdrop. But forreal, all three of my cats are exceptionally well behaved and will come, sit, shake, stand up, and lie down on command. Or at least when they feel like it. They're still cats. There's no Legion, detachment, or even official SW branding on there... Feel free to do a run of your own with Joseph's blessing or some new art!

It appears that that is how the fabric is made, not individually stitched - I don't see a separate thread between ribs. KeepTrooping (formerly Imperial Boots) makes a solid ROTK undersuit whenever their next run opens, and Sheev's Emporium does fantastic work as well, though I'm unsure if they're accepting new orders. You can see the individual stitching clearly below. It also looks like Jintalol Wang is gearing up to offer soft goods, so those may be worth exploring!

Sorry, Mark Von Ohlen, their Brand Manager (though he just got a promotion, I hear...). Also, another sorry - not to imply any negativity with my comments. If anything, my thoughts just highlight the importance of the incredible work you (and Nico) have done to enable the community to have a highly accurate model available to print ourselves. I often just can't help playing devil's advocate or pointing out additional info/viewpoints. Additional updates look incredible!

It's questionable if the demand really is there anyways, IMO. 95% of people can't tell the difference between the New Gen and OT, as evidenced by the Black Series... which also kind of fills the place in the market we're potentially discussing. Just sayin'. Ping Mark lol

I mean, yes, but also there are manufacturing considerations. If they can't produce them at a low enough unit cost to be able to sell them at a price point that appeals to their target market, they won't. Can't vacuum form these, and injection molds are super expensive, so they'd probably be fiberglass like the rest of the "Premier" line, which the cosplay community tends not to favor. Same argument for the armor, so I doubt we'll see them hit the mass market. But we can hope.

Comms all day. People love it when you don't just LOOK like a Stormtrooper, but SOUND like one too! There's honestly rarely an appropriate time to "fire" your weapon at a troop, so that's low priority for me and I prefer a rubber blaster that can take some abuse.

The Endor Finders gloves are much nicer than the TrooperBay offering in my opinion. Cut the inner fuzzy liner out if you live somewhere with a warm climate! https://www.endorfinders.com/shop/tfa-stormtrooper-gloves Everything I've seen from StormtrooperStore is hot garbage.

+1 for Rob's - they're the best around. Just ensure you measure accurately with your armor on and it'll fit perfect.

Thin, recast rubbish. You get what you pay for in this hobby and research is absolutely key, so at least you're asking questions in the right place. Have a look at the links provided to steer you right and stay off Etsy and eBay.

Congrats trooper!

81. Montessori of Ladera Ranch Annual Fall Festival - Ladera Ranch, CA - Sat., 11/4/23 (ANH-S #54, FTE #63) @Dsposato0 and I also got some Imperial marksmanship training in while we were at this troop! Not surprisingly, we didn't hit anything. (You know it's hard to see out of those helmets!)

Para aprobación básica o para eventos oficiales no está permitido, ya que no se vio en la pantalla del cine. Después de la aprobación, hace que los chicos del Reino Unido se sientan especiales. (¡Disculpas por mi traducción de Google!)

TL;DR: "So here's a screen used blaster, can I build one like this *for Centurion?" FISD: "No." Then I don't see the value in this proposal if the DL has final say in what references are valid, but I welcome actual meaningful change to the FOTK CRLs. In the nearly full year since the last update, we have had.... exactly zero new submissions other than @equuspolo for any of the 3 FOTK CRLs, and Ardeshir was vocal about his concerns regarding the unrealistic standards and level of scrutiny during his review (especially of his blaster). Other than him, @TKSpartan (a Deployment Officer team member) has been the only other recipient of a L2 or L3 award for the FOTK in three years, yet we keep making the CRLs... harder? And this is supposed to be... fun?

80. Portola Springs Elementary Trunk or Treat - Irvine, CA - Fri. 10/27/23 Ignore my bad Photoshop and our GA trooper who didn't want to wear his helmet

Before I vote, I'd appreciate clarification. This statement: Seems to me to be at odds with this statement: I recently noted from the reference shared over here posted by Heritage Auctions: ...that not all blasters used on screen for FOTKs had a movable front handle, and many did not have lights. This (and many other) blasters were made by production for use on screen and did not have these features, so I am of the strong opinion that they should be optional and not required at any level. This isn't a Mr. No Stripes situation where a one-off escaped scrutiny - these were intentionally made and used without moving handles. So... can I submit a blaster with a fixed handle for L3 approval and CRL amendment using the clear reference above? Or if we're still going to claim only Hero blasters have validity in CRL consideration, what's the point of this proposal? CRLs should not be about having 'the bells and whistles that make [costumes] stand out", but rather accuracy to what was used on screen, tempered with consideration for what is practical for trooping, and achievable with the resources and materials currently available.

Of course a few of us chimed up and had to set people right... er, left! I think Bender and his wife recently had their Narkina prisoners approved and were just understandably hyped to wear them, plus you can't beat the comfort. Thanks, I found it interesting anyways - we have a great crew of TKs out in SoCal!

Moved houses and workshops! October 2023 Not a troop, but a significant life event I'll share: Pardon my spotty attendance of late - I've been busy movin' on up to a new construction townhome in the next city over with a two-car attached garage, which means the end of an era and nearly 8 years in the single car detached carport that has been "Rascal Studios". Many thanks to the TKs who have graced this hallowed hall and many memories were made and friendships built in this space. Seeing it empty, it's hard to imagine I fit storage, a workbench, and all the tools needed for a stormtrooper build in here, plus my wagon/estate. On to bigger and better things and I'll post some photos of the new workshop once I'm all set up, though with the baby on the way, that isn't likely to be any time soon. 79. Bryant Ranch Elementary Trunk Or Treat - Yorba Linda, CA - Fri. 10/20/2023

Ah, no wonder it looks so good! I know the pain of fiberglass but you did a great job - some of your trims threw me off but it's been cut to fit you well and I can see it now. I stand corrected, though my compliment remains haha

Andrew over at Crossfire Props has printed several of these on commission for me and should be pretty familiar with them by now. He is able to do the whole carriage in resin and the whole tube in lightweight FDM in one piece each, and they're pretty phenomenal. Would recommend him if you need someone to print Jesse's excellent file for you. I can also confirm that the scale and fitment are spot-on. The carriage would be super difficult to cast in one piece with all the overhangs without making it solid (and heavy) like Denuo Novo did, which is why no one is really offering them, so a printed one is probably your best bet. Here's my resin TFA from Denuo Novo in front and the printed TLJ one in back for reference.

Saw these pics on the Faceballs somewhere and am glad that they made it to the forums! Huge congrats and great work on this build - you've done a fantastic job with the weathering and details, and this is seriously the best I've seen one of those 850 kits ever look. Don't let the nitpicking and details drag you down - I hope you stick with it and we see a CRL for this soon!

There is no such thing as an approved vendor (nomenclature is important as to not imply that armor from any vendor will automatically be approved) but a few that have been vetted to provide consistent, high quality product. Lots of great makers aren't on our lists either. There are only two makers of full Rogue One style TK armor at present - Jimmiroquai out of the Phillippines whose fiberglass armor is very accurate, and 850 Armor Works out of Florida, whose ABS armor is much softer in detail due to the material and less accurate, but improved with a recent update. WTF appears to be creating molds for kits in the future, but the jury is out on quality until complete. You're correct that there's no way an OTTK would pass, even at basic for this costume. Just too many differences.