Armor9

RS Props, PVC

I do have a message out to them, but wanted to get some other ideas in the event they can't or are just too backed up. /fingerscrossed

Does anyone know of any reputable armor suppliers that do or are willing to sell individual pieces and not just full kits? For example, I'm looking for an ANH TK left shin with sniper plate and a right thigh with ammo strap? Would appreciate any info you have. Thanks.

Chemi, I am sorry if my post appeared to be a slap at you personally, that is not how it was intended. There have been other DOs that have mandated the weathered Hovi Mic as well. I was simply using that as an example. I appreciate the time you took for my review more than you know. I know you are all volunteers and are donating your time. Being someone who works 60-70 hours a week, I know how valuable free time is and you are donating the one commodity that you cannot get more of, your time. I do thank you. My issues are more with the CRLs, how they are written and how they are applied to the grading process. While I understand that you use reference pictures to give context to the written CRLs, there are many many many pictures available to use as we build our kits, but the only pictures we have reference to in the CRL are for the Hovi Mics. The first issue is the words used in the CRL. Two of my biggest issues are the positioning of the tube stripes and ears. However, the word used for this is “Ideally”. The CRL states, “Ideally, the tube stripes are positioned approximately a pencil width from the side of the cheek,” and “Ideally, the placement of ears (and screws) should closely follow the rear angle of the trap above them.” Ideally is aspirational language, not mandatory language, but it is being used interchangeably like the word shall. If these two requirements are mandatory, the CRL should be changed to read, “The tube stripes shall be positioned approximately a pencil width from the side of the cheek,” and “the placement of ears (and screws) shall follow the rear angle of the trap above them,” if that is what is meant. If it truly is aspirational it should be treated as such. Regarding the “Han snap” the CRL only states, “A single male snap on the top right corner of the ab plate is present.” But there is no requirement listed for how far it should be from the edge, etc. The same goes for the rivet for the thigh ammo, there is no spacing requirement at all. If the spacing is a requirement why is it not listed like it is for the rivets on the abdominal armor? For the abdominal armor it states, “Rivets are equally spaced along the depth of the armor and about 10mm from the edge.” For the abdominal armor, I get it, it is listed and therefore should be enforced, but for the thigh armor….? The list can go on. We, as builders, are referencing the various pictures we can find online which are clearly different pictures than we are being graded on. If we are being graded on specific pictures, why are those pictures not listed and posted in the CRL? The same thing goes for measurements, if we are being graded on the placement of snaps and rivets, those placements should be listed in the CRL, or pictures placed in the CRL. The placement is clearly listed for some items, but not others. For us to build to the CRL but then told there are other, different requirements that we never knew of or have seen before, can only appear as arbitrary to those of us on the outside. I can clearly see that my post has inflamed the situation and been taken personally, which was not intended. The intent was to help those members that come after people like me. To give those members a clear standard they can build to. If there is a measurement, give it to them. If there is a picture they are going to be graded on, give it to them. If something is mandatory, use words that convey that and not permissive or aspirational language. The spirit of my post was to try to make this a better place, not throw stones or piss anyone off; for that I apologize.

Honestly I did not want to ruffle feathers or cause any delay to my application, hence me weathering them. They have since been de-weathered but was just being used as an example.

They were weathered pursuant to a PM from Chemi.

Thank you very much, you have some awesome skills!

LOL working on in the sense of being a more presentable Trooper, but not for the next level.

Now that I have my EIB, I wanted to address some issues with the requirements and the language used because as a lawyer, it is bugging me. One of the issues I had is my Hobi-MIX tips were not weather. You are correct, they were not. They are not required to be weathered, but they can be, but even though it is not required it is being forced. The CRL state: Correct Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips are present. Screens used shall be of a wide type mesh. The rim of the mic may be weathered, and the inside raised area painted white. Interior sides shall be painted black, mesh can also be painted black. Note that is says “the rim of the mic MAY be weathered.” The word MAY is a permissive word meaning that it can be weather but it does not have to be weathered. Notice that other parts say SHALL. Shall is a command word and means MUST. As such, the rim may be weathered but it does not have to be. Some of us do NOT want weathered TKs, we should not be forced to have a weathered TK if we do not it to be. My original Hovi tips were black, the interior was back, the mesh was black and the inside raised area was painted white. However, there was no requirement for it to be weathered but something that was permissive was forced to be done and that is not right. When you are using words like may and shall please use them correctly and when reading them please understand how to read them. They mean VERY different things. Do not read may to mean shall and vice versa. My other issue is the CRLs verses the “reference” photos. As well know, that with Star Wars, we can find pretty much any photo to justify our position. For example, when Leia is stunned, there is a Stormtrooper missing ALL blue tube painting on the helmet. Could the FISD start using that as their reference photo to make us remove all blue paint from the side of our helmet? Sure, if they wanted to, they could. That is the problem of using a few reference photos and ignoring the others. That is why I am stopping with my EIB and not moving onto Centurion. When you look at the CRLs, the only thing I am missing for Centurion is I need to fix the 45 degree angles my belt. I agree with that 100%. However, the other items come down to people’s personal preference and the certain reference pictures selected. I know I am not going to change anyone’s opinion and stop the use of arbitrary reference pictures, but this has been bugging me, and I know it has bugged others, some who will not be vocal about it, so I wanted to add my 2 cents. Thanks.

For the V tabs, I have a few questions: For the "Armor Sides" is the bottom one the butt plate and is the top one the kidney plate? Is the V Tab only glued to the butt plate but left unglued to the kidney plate? Do you think some white industrial velco help keep the two plates together? Thanks.

Thank you all and thanks for all the time for the review. Very excited for the EIB having been a former Infantryman in my younger years. Sadly this is the end of the road for my journey, not willing to make those changes for Centurion, but excited nonetheless.

Couple of updated photos.

@Chemi Please let me know if this works, wife wasn't home so I couldn't get it on to get the picture. If you need it on let me know and I'll upload one later tonight or tomorrow, but it was as easy as bending those and completely see how it changes the look. Thanks!

Thanks for that info. My armor is PVC, do you have any knowledge about not using Novus with PVC or should it work as well?

I've used this as well.

From my years in the Army, no matter how hard we fought or trained, when we were back in garrison we took care of our kit and gear making it like new so it would take care of us the next time we were out. I’d like to think the most battle hardened Stormtroopers would do the same upon return to garrison. To that end, what are your tried and true maintenance and repair tips and tricks? What is the best method to getting black scuff off armor? Is there a better brand, type or style of white paint to touch up screws and rivets? Whats the best polish to remove scratches and bring back the shine so Vader notices you on the parade ground? Any other ideas you use after a troop?

Here is a picture of my ab/kidney rivets.

I have updated the photos using a different hosting cite, they should be bigger now. When I get home, in 2 hours or so, I'll get you the other picture of the ad/kindey you requested. Also, I am not sure why the old pictures are still in the original post, I deleted them but they stayed, sorry for the double pictures.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread, but I am very happy to see we have found a common problem many of us have that a few people have solved. In no time I suspect we will see TKs sitting everwhere

Any concerns of breaking the the butt armor that connects to the codpiece?

LOL I’m more impressed that you are able to sit while wearing your armor. What is this wizardry.

Should I just try to fill it in with some CA glue from the front side instead of resin? I was thinking using resin since it was easier to work with and wouldn’t set until the UA light where as with the glue it is very time limited.

I can’t get behind it. I believe it was glued using CA glue. It’s on there very good. Like I said, I’m baffled how it cracked when it at the spot it was glued. I would have expected it to crack were it was unsupported.

My armor is PVC. On my left sniper knee where it attaches to the left shin, there is a small, less than 1/8”, crack. I cannot access the back of the piece, only the front as it is glued on the back. I was thinking of taping off the area, using a small brush to put a little bit of white UA resin to fill the crack, cure it, the use a dab of white gloss paint. Thoughts? Any other ideas? I honestly have no idea how it cracked with it being the glued area. Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks for that info!