Greg Sickmeier

Doh, found the link above.... Ordered and on its way. A bit of Stormtrooper history. I wonder if George Lucus drew any of his inspiration of the dark side from history... At the end of World War One many German soldiers became members of the Freikorps ad hoc right-wing militia groups used to break up Communist meetings and prevent a Communist uprising. In 1920 the newly formed German Workers’ Party needed its own militia group to protect party members from hecklers and opponents. Some Freikorps members joined the party and took on this role. One such person was Ernst Röhm, a former Bavarian Army Captain. Originally called Ordnertruppe, they were re-formed as the Turn-und Sportabteilung (Sport and Gymnastic Division). On 4th November 1921 the Nazi party held a large meeting. Large numbers of demonstrators against Hitler and the Nazi Party were prevented from disrupting the meeting by the Turn-und Sportabteilung. Following this event they became known as Sturm Abteilung (Stormtroopers) abbreviated to SA. Hitler’s Stormtroopers wore a uniform of khaki brown shirts with swastika armband on left arm, khaki brown trousers with, brown belt, brown combat boots and khaki brown peaked cap with red trim. They were often called by the nickname Brownshirts because of the brown shirts they wore.

Is this still available to purchase?

Hey Caleb, that’s one of 7 parked in the basement; 3 Ducati’s, 2 Yamaha R1s, the ‘07 Repsol & a ‘73 CB350. The leathers you see are from my AMA Pro Superbike racing days. What you can’t see in that photo is 41 more suits, about 40 helmets, lots on boots & gloves. I am a motorcycle gear junky!

TK-42727 requesting 501st Legion access. Thanks, Greg https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=35042

My modified SDS ANH Hero Stormtrooper kit was approved by the Bloodfin Garrison's Membership Liason on Oct 30, 2022 to Level One CRL specifications. Thanks Scott! My newly assigned 501st Legion membership number is TK-42727 Thank you to everyone who chimed in with guidance getting my SDS TK kit modified to get this first level of approval. Next step is to start aiming for Level Two & Level Three Centurion approvals.

Here's what I'm using; Amazon find. Amazon.com: Mannequin Full Body Dress Form Sewing Dress Model Mannequin Stand Adjustable Dress Mannequin Clothing Form 69 inch 73 inch Mannequin Realistic Mannequin Display Head Arm Rotation Metal Base (73 Inch) : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Ok, now I see; I mounted the 2 snaps backwards, doh! Easy fix. Here's the snaps I've been using during my restrapping of my SDS kit, removing most of the velcro, replacing with snaps & 1" web. 15mm Heavy Duty Snap Fasteners Kit Will these do for the split rivets? The Hillman Group 1269 1/8 x 3/8 in.- Steel Split Rivet

How about these: Tandy Leather "Line 24" Nickel Plated Steel Snaps

Another rivet question for you. I'm having trouble setting the 2 single dome rivets that hold the thigh ammo belt onto the bottom of the right thigh. I cannot get the punch & hammer inside the thigh to set the rivets. Is this tool you mention earlier in this thread what I need to do this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prym-Vario-Pliers-Punching-Tool/dp/B000P1ASDI Or here it is on the US Amazon site: Prym Vario Pliers

Just found this; great thread! I used 15mm snaps for the 2 on the lower area of the butt piece. It has been pointed out these are the wrong snaps for this location. What are the correct snaps?

I'm presently working on rebuilding a SDS kit and installed a full Ukswrath communication system that included new Hovi speakers. My eventual goal is to obtain full TK HERO Centurion level approval. Will these past muster or do I need to paint the white rings & silver mesh black?

Here's a fun item with the Holidays coming up. Found it at my local Hobby Lobby craft store.

It works great on bathroom tiles and fixtures too! It's kind of like the guy with the Windex bottle in the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding

OK troopers, I'm impressed with some of the replies so far. THANKS! This place rocks Just a reminder, I am presently trying to get my first level approval for initial entry into the 501st Legion, Bloodfin Garrison of the Indiana realm. As I'm doing modifications to my SDS kit, I'm trying to shoot for an eventual application for Centurion level, but not yet. For instance, I am not reworking the biceps, forearms, thighs & shins to the butt & cover strip configuration just yet. I did flip the Velcro on the right shin so the overlap faces inward, not outward as it came from SDS. Oh, for your tactical enjoyment, here's some pics of my work space; 22'-3.5" (6.8 m) work bench. Various adult refreshments are strategically located Maybe I need to host a Build Party some day...

TK Hero build updates yet to do; back to my SDS TK Hero helmet to-do list It has 4 ear-bar earpieces; it should be 3 for a Hero configuration to meet L3 Centurion CRL specs. At least SDS got the screws count right. I'm striking out so far on a USA source. Paul at Troopermaster in the UK is checking on availability of bright white pieces. It's been pointed out I need to trim the brow piece for the angle to line up with the back of the grey trapezoid. Also, I don't need it for L1 approval, but do the other helmet graphics have to be painted vs. decaled?

TK Hero build updates yet to do; Thermo Detonator It appears the mounting brackets from SDS are too narrow. I should be able to fabricate the correct width from Ukswrath's build thread. The ABS cover piece is about 1/2" too long. Do I try to unglue it to shorten it?

OK, I'll look at the Sniper Plate orientation. I can trim it back as you suggest. What are the snaps you have illustrated? The CRL L3 doesn’t specify a snap type. Is this the correct type? https://a.co/d/cCXh9yK

TK Hero build updates yet to do; large & small buttons plates on Ab armor. Not sure what to do here. The SDS ab plate has separate buttons glued on. To meet L3 CRL, they have to be integral. I've got some from Trooper Bay but notice the rather obvious difference in the whites. I have already sourced the Humbro #14 French Blue Gloss and #5 Dark Admiral Grey Gloss for the buttons. Guidance please.

Continuing TK Hero build updates; lower shins to top of boots Velcro. I saw this in someone's post and it's brilliant, easy & works great!

Continuing TK Hero build updates; cutting back bottom of cover strips on front of both thighs. This is a progress shot; still have to finish, polish and scribe in a joint after filling with ABS putty (I love this stuff!) There was almost a 1/2" gap at the bottom. The SDS ammo belt was radiused on both top & bottom and fastened on with screws & nuts. Here's the correct configuration from Trooper Bay ready to mount with rivets.

More TK Hero build updates; Sniper Knee remount. It came attached with screws & nuts from SDS, I got it as lined up with the upper ridge as I could. It's glued on each end and the middle with E6000

More TK Hero build updates; Ab & Butt plate rivets & snaps. The paint on the top rivet on the Ab plate rubs off everytime I do a test fit. The Chest plate overlaps that rivet and rubs the paint off pretty quick. I'm thinking a dot of clear car paint shield over the painted rivet may fix this. I'm replacing most of the elastic & velcro strapping that came from SDS I'm using 1" nylon straps & snaps so I can control the spacing of the seams.