TheRascalKing

Heck yea, congrats and looking good, Will!

Yup, the squared off vertical lines on the tear are clearly meant to be ESB. Bummer, they're actually harder decals to find, so a shame to waste! ANH need to be hand painted or decals to resemble hand painted... no squared off lines and no material between those tube stripes (remember to keep em a #2 pencil's width from the cheek and on the correct side as well, check the swoop!). I've found black pinstripe tape to be very helpful when doing the ear bump outlines if you don't handpaint.

As a HWT that often wears an orange pauldron, I also updated my ear rank bars to reflect the rank of "Captain". No one ever notices, but I think it's a nice detail for those hardcore folks I've always thought of it many elite military units where basically to have that job, you are at least an officer of some degree (like fighter pilots, special forces, etc...)

Yuppppp. I also have about a dozen Star Wars coffee mugs, as I would invariably receive at least one as a gift for almost every major holiday. Also, all kinds of random SW toys and knicknacks... on the bright side, I worked at a Children's Hospital for many years, so I would just give the stuff I didn't want away to our kiddos, so I wouldn't feel as bad. I don't mind being the Star Wars guy, but no, I won't come entertain your children's birthday party attendees, random employee of mine XD

Back at it again. Really slowed down while I did some problem solving and had some paint issues (which are extra frustrating at this stage). I'll post some photos and descriptions of my progress and hangups later this week, but as a bit of a teaser...

Idk if it's worthy of reference, as it's become less of a "how-to" and more of chronicling of my descent into madness (a la Hearts of Darkness hahahaha). But I'm happy if it's helped. There's still plenty of problem solving to do on these suits in general, so I've had some fun (and frustration) trying to get my suit to a level of quality that I expect from myself. I swear some more updates are coming soon, I just have been very busy with work and a few little details that have taken extra time (ugh, shoulder straps). That's an awesome way to think of it, and totally true - you're not just doing this for you, and I really hope others are able to learn and make great armor for years to come once this project is done! We obviously LOVE stormtroopers here and it leads to lots of nitpicking and fine scrutiny, but it comes from a good place. Keep up the awesome work! Not exactly Centurion level stuff here and probably not worth the time sanding the print lines out. God I hate print lines >.<

Fun idea, not an approvable idea without a TON of work, unfortunately. Also, a CRL has not been created yet, so you'd either be waiting... or shooting for the CRL model, which I don't think is very likely with ANH armor. Like Glen said, I'd check out the current Incinerator CRL if you just wanna add some redssies Or if you want to start an Anthology suit, Jim Tripon (most detailed and closest to proper material), Headshot Props, and 850 Armor works (both ABS/hybrid kits... not as detailed and no helmet, but cheaper) are the current options for ROTK/Mando style armor.

WOW! I have long maintained that 3D printing a full set of armor is not practical or remotely screen accurate... and buddy you're starting to change my mind! By far the best looking (and only getting better!) 3D build I've seen so far, and I LOVE that the files are being updated as you go. Looking good and I'm super excited to see the final product! Don't get discouraged during the process - hopefully you're aware of what a monumental undertaking this is - and take any feedback not as criticism, but as everyone trying to help you look your best! This could be opening the door for some really cool stuff if we can help you get everything dialed in to where it looks presentable (and not like the Hex3D files I've seen for example haha). Keep up the great work!

It certainly would appear that someone out there disagrees with your opinion. After seeing that, I'm done trooping in mine... I believe it was one of only 2 Centurion kits on set if that makes you feel any better haha

I haven't pulled the liner out of mine, but I can definitely see the benefit if it's hot. They definitely aren't designed to come out. I just sprayed it with Rust-Oleum 2x flat white in the end - PlastiDip would just peel off and I didn't like the Flex-Seal as much. I didn't prime, so it might not have bonded as well to the resin. I ran out of E6000 and used Fast Hold, which usually works great (it's like half E6000, half CA) but definitely not this time. I'm just gonna try going back to E6000 and straight into the scuffed up panel. And yup, that's the stuff. Still not perfect but way better than the cheap 1" offbrand stuff I got off Amazon - it usually is just for masking off paint but doesn't do clean lines or bends well. That stuff is definitely a step up. And thanks! I'll post some more soon - it's been triple digit heat in CA this week so...

Oh cool, I will! And I'll try to get submitted before it gets harder

OKAY, I'm way behind on updates for this thread, apologies! I've had some setbacks in the build, which got me so frustrated, the last thing I wanted to do was rehash them! Normally trooping helps remind me why I invest so much time and money in these suits, but since that's essentially off limits for now, it's been rather disheartening. Still finding time to work on it here and there tho, and I AM getting close! Here's a few updates to hold you over. Okay, let's start with an easy one that went well. Handguards are smooth and glossy and velcro'ed onto my Endor Finders gloves easily. DONE! All body panels are done in paint - I just have the helmet left to (re)paint. I didn't have enough clear to get it glossy and smooth, so I ended up deciding the orange peel was TOO much and sanding the clear off until it was smooth again. It'll get painted this week, then on to the colored details. Added in the rear zipper closure from Rogue Repro... I also tied a little cord on it so I can zip and unzip it myself! Next, I started gluing in nylon web tabs with Line 24 snaps in them in order to attach the suspenders! As it turns out, gluing onto the paint was not a great idea, and the FastHold took the paint off with it. Frustrating. The back panel came out well though, with almost no pinholes or paint issues! I also masked and painted the blue, then the grey details on the ab. Another setback... snapped the stem on the brand new can of blue. Got blue everywhere, but luckily, got enough on the ab first. I'll clean em up a little, but that'll do. Also tried masking and painting the side stripes... and they came out awful. Ordered some "precision" masking tape (seen in green) before repainting... Better... I'll keep adding to this as I can - there are some more photos and updates to share but it's too hot haha

Helmet came out beautifully (would hate to see it changed, but hey, if you wanna do the CRL.......) and I'm STOKED to see someone working on this! Many of the younger generation will be really excited because they know the character and anyone should be blown away by that much gold chrome! haha How cool to have the support of the voice actor as well! Keep up the planning and good work!

Thank you all so much for the congratulations and kind words! I appreciate it very much and hope to make the Legion and Detachment proud! To make sure I have it all down, I condensed your notes to a work list, @TKSpartan... let me know if I got it all correct! This same suit has made it through Centurion twice now, and I appreciate your attention to detail - there's always SOMETHING to fix or upgrade haha 1. Helmet ear alignment - Mandatory for L3 or a suggestion? 2. Clean up vocoder paint - Not surprised, common for Anovos helmets. It's not too bad, but I can clean it up a little more for you, no problem. 3. Arm gap issues - Oh yea, I knew this was coming and will adjust and minimize that spacing in my L3 photos. 4. Thermal detonator screw clip location - Mandatory for L3 or suggestion? I'd prefer not to if I can help it... 5. Left leg adjustment - Easy, will adjust for L3 6. Posterior plate adjustment - Trickier (#bigbootytroopers), but will adjust for L3 7. Shoulder bridge to bell gap - Will adjust and minimize for L3 8. Ab to kidney gap - Will adjust and minimize for L3 (I didn't think these last two looked tootoo bad, but I'll do my best for L3!) 9. Fix cocking handle on blaster - It just snapped off and was lost, will fix for L3 Let me know on #1 and #4 if they're considered mandatory, and I will definitely fix the remainder in my L3 photos... it was admittedly pretty hot and I hadn't installed fans in my new bucket yet, so I was a bit rushed. We'll make sure the Centurion photos are as proper as possible! My girl should be an honorary Centurion too, after all I've made her learn so she can help adjust me and take my photos hahaha Thank you again!

So my logic was to use the two medium boxes with the raised top ridge and work off those. I measured the center of the belt and made a mark, then placed the right box where it goes from the reference image, then measured that distance and duplicated it on the left side, which wasn't quite centered. Then I measured the width of the two smallest center boxes and subtracted that from the distance between the two medium boxes, then divided what was left by 3 to get my spacing. For the last two biggest boxes, I just replicated that spacing from the edge of the medium boxes out. Hopefully that all makes sense! MATH haha If I get a chance, I'll try to measure where mine landed, but it might vary slightly suit to suit.

I know they don't usually include frown mesh (we require it as costumers, but technically not movie accurate), but they're otherwise usually good to go. From what I've seen, the biggest changes people usually have to make to RS commissions are for comfort, not accuracy - they're nice for display out of the box, but not really for trooping! Adding helmet fans, better helmet padding, reinforcing the shoulder bridges, fixing some of the strapping for longevity, and adding velcro or padding to areas that rub like the TD clips, for example are all highly recommended, but not required. RS is accurate to a fault sometimes Congrats to the OP tho! Looks like it fits well. Submit for EIB next!

And you thought you'd just spray 2X straight on it Welcome to hell hahahaha Keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel tho. It's all worth it for a smooth, glossy finish! Enjoying all the progress! You'll be done before I am at this rate haha

I doubt I'll ever actually sell it, but it did hurt a little to do. I keep switching between "I just don't care anymore" and "I will jump through whatever hoops I need to finish L3 out". It's just armor and it's just Star Wars. Whatever lol Happy to have helped you out and appreciate the kind words! Armorer would be cool, but is what it is as well - I'll get there some day. Only thing as nice as getting awards and approvals myself is helping others get em as well!

In the words of Eric from That '70s Show, and the forum signature of our Founder... "I guess I never realized how seriously I take imaginary ranks assigned by [my] friends..." lol Thanks man. This won't be the last EIB app you see from me or one of my Mentees. Let's get this knocked out! Let me know if you need to see anything else.

Thank you!

Hey Mario, It ends above the ridge, JUST below what's visible - you can see I have the ammo pack tilted up a little to help it not catch on my shin and that's just barely covering it. But that knee ammo pack is glued on there pretty good and covered in cracks, so it's not coming off...

Hard to say for sure because our time in those two episodes was split over three days and we moved around quite a bit. I THINKKKK in that shot, I'm this guy? I remember having to step out of the way when Giancarlo walked up, then filled back in behind him. And honestly, I think it's good that I have such a hard time picking myself out. The troopers that stuck out usually weren't for good reasons - we should all just blend and look the same in armor! I know for sure that's me in the balaclava on the right in Episode 3 tho

Thank you! You know, I literally took those extra photos and was like "Nahhh, I won't need em... You can see it's glued..." hahaha Added the above! I appreciate the keen eye and suggestions! Thank you!

I concur and wish I had done this before painting.