TheRascalKing

I have quite a few updates to include at some point, but I have been focusing primarily on actually finishing my suit and less on documenting, especially as I can add to this thread with additional photos of mentees I'll be helping build once I've kind of got this all figured out (hopefully). But let's go on a tangent real quick to hopefully help clear some things up - as much as Denuo Novo got right on this suit, and the fact that is a massive improvement in quality and design over the original "Alpha" TFA suits that were briefly somewhat available(?) from Anovos... they still messed some stuff up pretty bad. On a few of these, I remember early on thinking that I was going crazy, but they turned out to be just known errors in manufacturing. Consider this all constructive feedback but unlikely to change, as it's not uncommon for even licensed makers to make concessions in order to make manufacturing easier or less expensive, or to appeal to a broader customer base. In addition, sometimes things are just lost (sometimes literally) in translation between the design (usually stateside) and manufacturing (usually in China), and other things are simply just missed entirely. Let's take a look at what DIDN'T go right on these suits (or at least the one delivered to me) and how we can potentially fix or improve them. I'll flesh this out more and add pictures or any others that I'm forgetting, but let's start with: - The forearms are shaped incorrectly at the wrist and should be larger and more square - The forearms are molded incorrectly at the elbow and are indicated in the instructions to be cut in a shape that is not accurate (not TFA/TLJ/or "Finn Mod", really) - The tall belt pouch is too short to accommodate the ABS panel - All gaskets are sewn inside out, without velcro attached to a potentially L1/2 usable shiny side - Forearm rails provided are TFA style, without a provision for a hex-headed bolt for TLJ - The ABS Standard line TLJ helmet features TFA-style clips (fiberglass Premier seems to be correct) - Several of the included templates in the instructions (like for the "kit-kats" and thigh holster) are just not remotely accurate for drilling holes - The included screws for the belt boxes and holster are too long and will protrude through and damage the part if installed all the way tight. Both should be replaced with shorter ones or a different solution. Though these are almost certainly intentional manufacturing concessions, let's acknowledge that: - All of the resin pieces are beautifully cast, but very HEAVY - I will be replacing several of them - The single-piece resin thermal detonator is more suited to TFA-style, than the 2 piece tube/carriage style for TLJ - Many of the clips need the bottom of the casting reshaped to lay correctly where they go - The included resin holster is not functional - There are visible seams at the sides of the barrel at at the top of the chest/yoke at the shoulder necessary to allow for vacuum forming I'll propose solutions for each at some point in each section of my build, then link them back here in the future, but hopefully at least making people aware will help!

Also, just for the sake of transparency... I'm doing the freakin' slurry on my own suit seams. But I'm doing it for my own interest in accuracy and possible EIB submission, and I'll be documenting the process in my build thread as others have done to try to help future builders. So I have no real personal skin in this game. For me, it's just a logical thing to question (ask me how I feel about rubber gaskets too), and is about recognizing the potential value it may bring to others, even if it doesn't affect me personally. That's dope that the 400 previously approved FOTKs did it, and I'm sure they all look great. I encourage them all to submit for EIB where this requirement belongs.

I'm a bit concerned that a few vocal individuals still seem to be really missing the point of this thread and the core argument being made. WE ARE ALL AWARE AND AGREE THAT THE MOVIE SUITS DO NOT HAVE SEAMS. No question there. No reference needed. The matter in question and the point that is trying to be made is: Disney and LFL approved the Parks suits, the LICENSED Denuo Novo suits, and the Resistance version to represent their character, the First Order Stormtrooper, WITH SEAMS PRESENT in the aforementioned areas for practical reasons. If Disney and LFL are okay with it, why aren't we at Basic? Is the hyperfocus on this detail at the Basic level worth the exclusion of new members and perceived elitism? This proposal is an acknowledged concession in accuracy in order to remove a potential blocker to membership and to help extend the service life of the ABS armor for more troops, and overall imo, isn't something that makes a significant difference to the appearance or impact of the suit. It is not a question of what is accurate or not, of new CRL creation, or even if the seams SHOULD be filled or not, it's about whether this requirement belongs at the Basic level. I'd like to see it go to a vote of the general Detachment. I acknowledge and agree with this as well, but I see this proposal as a possible effort to increase those numbers and show support for builders of FOTKs now that we DO have a consistent, quality, licensed supplier of what SHOULD be one of our CORE costumes. These kits have been out for over a year now, and ONE SINGLE PERSON has submitted for EIB on these forums, which is telling. Some people just want to troop and don't care about the seams. And the Star Wars-loving public doesn't either. Instead of turning people away from Basic membership, let's welcome them to these forums and encourage them to learn more about how to improve their accuracy while we make our push for 1500 EIBs. I can't see how we're going to hit that number any time in the next several years with the ever-increasing difficulty of DO review and revision of existing CRLs. Per the current administration, they "have never dumbed down a CRL to suit one manufacturer"... but I think this is a prime example where there is precedent, a clear argument, and some level of demand to make a logical exception to a standard of questionable value. I appreciate the debate and everyone's input. I feel like the case has been made, and this can always be revisited under future leadership.

Personally, I would remove the reference to requiring rubber gaskets at any level. Given that this costume has no real-world reference, there is no way to confirm that the gaskets should be made of rubber from the toy. Plus, it's a dumb rule anyways, imo.

The list provided by @themaninthesuitcase has been completed up to current for EIB, and then for the last 5 years of EIB approvals with additional data available in the threads that may be beneficial for analysis. Please reach out to @Sly11if additional Staff members would benefit from the information. I hope it helps and I'll continue to add to it as I have additional time, but bringing the EIB list up to present was the real first push.

Shoddy, inconsistent placement of the ear screws - just like the originals, check! haha The glue residue is unfortunate, but at least it's slotted and countersunk. Would probably be best to redrill and move it above the neckseal trim line for those who are going for higher levels. Interesting, thank you for providing!

I appreciate that clarification, Caleb - this really was Todd's idea that I helped push across the line to reality, then several additional folks jumped on it after I shared it with you. I'm delighted they ran with it, but yea I was the one who brought it to the Detachment and wrote the "CRL". The goal is always smiles on faces so I'm glad people got a kick out of it! Here's the Amazon link to the "official" speedo if anyone wants to grab one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G2THW89

Hey Daniel, I don't think anyone has actually submitted or posted a build thread utilizing the proper shock cord and anchor method. I would do some research on the Pathfinders forum to check how people have rigged their MrPaul's shoretrooper pieces, as that system was designed to use them. If you figure it out please post and let us know!

I'll echo the above and request that you only have your blaster in your "action pose" photo. Holding it or even having it holstered blocks and/or changes the way the armor hangs, which is where you need the most help. The suit itself mostly looks good, and we'll do our best to help you get it adjusted properly and across the line! It absolutely helps to have someone who knows TKs adjust you during your photos, so if you haven't reached out to your local unit for help, it definitely is worth it too. Please also include a photo of you from the back. Your shoulder bridges look crazy long but it kinda depends on how they sit as to how much you'll want to trim them.

AWESOME! I'm lazy - what does the Aurabesh say? (But dang, I actually want some of these now.... it doesn't say 501st or FISD on it, soooooo.... challenge coins are a delightfully silly tradition in and of themselves and this is super fun!)

Outstanding job, and big ups to @MaskedVengeance for providing additional reference! Looks like we'll have enough here to add this as an official variant to the proposed CRL!

Thank you all! The Orange County Squad and I send our love. This was in the works for months before we finally worked up the nerve to buy matching "budgie-smugglers" and make it happen. Kudos to Todd M. (@thebearded1ne) for the original idea, Manny D. (@rekked), Scott S. (@TattooedStormtrooper), and Dwight S. (@Dsposato0) for suiting up with me, and to Ryan B. @TKBatchy for providing the perfect jacuzzi location and coordinating with our photographer, Casey K.!

Outstanding submission, Caleb! Though I'm gonna need to see some additional canon reference material to support those accessories, and those Parks binders can get the heck out! haha Got you covered, dude! I have a feeling he knew exactly what he was doing... we're all very impressed lmao

Shoot it over and I'll update and fix it as needed! Email should be in my profile for staff. Noted.

If it doesn't exist already, and y'all can send me anything that does... yea sure. In fact, I've already started and have linked Andrew my draft to see if he thinks it would be helpful.

@Deployment Officer Team If the above exists, I'd sure love a copy just for my own curiosity.

Curious - is there an Excel spreadsheet that contains all of the specs on the EIB and Centurion award recipients over the years?

In short, yes - a bit. It's a common misconception that fiberglass cracks any more or less than ABS though. Depends on how you treat it and what shapes it's pressed into.

Agreed! I am uncertain of the lineage, but I would suspect that it's either the same molds as Anovos utilized, or at least the same files used to create them. The ears in particular are... unique (TOO sharp?). I'd say overall that it's EXTREMELY similar to the old Anovos offerings, but that the assembly quality is like 2% better, as noted. The thickness was about the same as the early Anovos (before the generation that had the Lucasfilm copyright stickers on the inside) and is in the middle/pretty average across the manymany helmets I've worked with. Not thick like AM, but not paper thin like some.

Super, I appreciate that confirmation. This is the first time I've seen one of these "new" helmets as well, but I wasn't particularly surprised - Anovos used to dab a little CA glue on their neck seal trim back in the day as well, but this was pretty firmly glued in place. It could probably be thrown in a (large) freezer and popped off, but it wasn't my helmet and I didn't want to damage it. Curious if anyone else will be able to validate the ear screw type in the near future, as the helmets are now showing as in stock and shipping on the Denuo Novo website, which has held true for all other products thusfar. The trooper who owns the above one bought it on March 12th and it arrived on March 15th to Southern California, if that knowledge helps - that's shockingly fast. Totally - could be a desirable upgrade at higher levels, and I'm uncertain why they went with a brow trim with visible extrusion marks. Easy to replace though, and instead of hyperfocusing on one silly flaw in a negative post, I choose to share my excitement (and first photos) with the Detachment - as a new, high quality, licensed OT Stormtrooper helmet offering is good news for everyone in our hobby. Especially as the original Anovos have become rare and expensive (when you can find them on eBay), this could be a huge help to many troopers with original Anovos kits, and hopefully heralds the second coming of licensed OTTK ARMOR as well from a quality maker.

So is it approvable...? I'd love input from the @Deployment Officer Team, but at Basic, I'd say yes - just as the previous Anovos OT offering was, and that the mic tips would need to be replaced for EIB at a minimum, then additional small notes as below for Centurion. Required Costume Components The following costume components are present and appear as described below. Helmet ✔ Traps (trapezoids on dome of helmet) and tears (area beneath the corners of eye lenses) are gray. ✔ Rear traps and tears have vertical black lines. ✔ Lenses are flat material, green in color, sufficiently dark enough to obscure the costumer's eyes. ✔ The “ear” bars have three or four bumps and are gray or painted gray, with a black outline. Painting the bumps with rank stripes (highlighted) in black is optional. ✔ Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area. A total of 8 cut outs in the teeth area of the frown are present. ✔ Tube stripes are medium blue, numbering between 9 and 16 per side with the curve bends extending backwards. ✔ Vocoder (vertically ribbed chin detail) is painted black. ✔ Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips (cylinders on either side of the vocoder) are black or painted black. ✔ Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painted. ✔ Mesh may be used behind the frown to obscure the face of the wearer. ✔ Note: The helmet is accurate in detail and proportion to official references. ✔ Many commercially available helmets or those considered disproportionate in size or shape are ineligible. OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): ✔? Ears shall have three screws per side, one above and one below the ear bar and one at the base of the helmet. ✔ Ear bars have four bumps only. Not three. ✔ Traps/tears and tube stripes shall have the correct ANH TK details. ✔ Ideally, the tube stripes are positioned approximately a pencil width from the side of the cheek. ✔ Fall of tube stripe tops ideally lean toward the front. ❌ Correct Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips are present. Screens used shall be of a wide type mesh, with the rim of the mic and the inside white or painted white. OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable): ✔ Ear bars shall have only one bump painted in black (rank stripes). ❌ Ideally, placement of ears (and screws) should closely follow the rear angle of the trap above them ✔ Neck trim shall be of an s-type profile rather than a u-type profile. ✔ Tears/traps shall be hand painted or use decals that emulate hand painted (with correct ANH TK details). ✔? Ear screws shall be slotted, flat topped, countersunk and painted white. ✔ The vocoder must be integrated into the helmet, and not a separate piece. Other Notes ❌ Vocoder would likely need repaint to better define the arches on each "tube". ❌ Frown would likely need repaint to extend paint to last tooth before the end "V", but no longer leaves the teeth into the gums like previous Anovos offerings. ❌ Mic tips would need the interior and lip painted white, though the mesh has been corrected from previous Anovos offerings. ❌ The third, bottom ear screw is not visible and is covered by the neck trim on both sides. It is unknown at this time if it is also a slotted, countersunk screw, but assumed as the trim lays flush. The trim is super glued in place and I was not able to peel it back to check. ❌ The ear screws do not follow the rear angle of the trap above them (but I think this is a dumb rule anyways, personally). ❌ Though not noted in the CRL, the brow trim may need to be replaced with one without extrusion marks.

Props to Karli C., TK-52757 for allowing me to take a few photos of her recently arrived Denuo Novo helmet today! Figured folks may want to see, and I haven't seen anyone post them yet...

I have also updated my Soft Goods Discussion post with more info and a brief comparison of the Endor Finders and TrooperBay gloves currently available for FOTKs, and my above post with my completed TLJ thermal detonator. I also finished the included solid resin Denuo Novo TD as a TFA variant using their included stickers and will figure out the best place to post that at some point, maybe even a comparison thread once completed so people can visualize the differences between the two suits. Idk. We'll see. Crossing a few items off this week and trying to forge ahead. Rainy weather and work have slowed me down lately, but I want to get this finished out soon, and still to a high standard!

Handguard Accuracy Update I will be using a set of cast resin handguards from Dantooine Props instead of the included vaccuum-formed plastic ones. After cleaning up the mold release and some light priming and sanding, they were painted in the same Behr Gloss White and attached to my gloves using white 2" industrial Velcro. These are super clean castings and make for a great upgrade! And mounted to gloves (more discussion on gloves in my Soft Goods Discussion post)...

Huge shoutout to Andrew of Crossfire Props - if you need stuff 3D printed, including in large-format resin, he was an absolute professional and pleasure to work with, and at a reasonable price. He did some TLJ First Order Thermal Detonators for me in single-piece resin, with low-infill FDM for lightweight inner tubes, from the Jesse_M files on commission and they came out amazing. He's currently based out of Kansas City, MO, USA but will ship via UPS, and everything was well packed. Give him a shout with any print or paint commissions! @crossfireprops on IG https://crossfireprops.artstation.com/ https://crossfireprops.com/pages/customs-commissions