Slouch

Oops - yes - updated my original post. Cheers

Thanks for that, Mario! - I had already started fixing up those print lines on the E-11. NEARLY finished! I hadn't picked up the one on the end cap - good spotting! I'll fix that now. The vocoder just recently got a fresh coat of pain, as it had a few chips/scratches from trooping. Definitely all the one correct shade of black. That's just the reflection of my coffee table making it look two-tone. Here's a pic Thanks again!

I've taken a bit more off the teeth. The moulding really doesn't show it well, but all the paint is off the gums

Thanks Mario - No stress at all. It's given me a chance to update a few things. New Hovi Tips are done. Ears have been moved back and vocoder paint has been touched up. The angles of my teeth photos might not be the most flattering/accurate, as there doesn't seem to be any paint on the gums, but I can see in some of those pics (of mine) it looks to be on the top lip, but not the bottom and then the opposite in the next photo. The glare wasn't helping my cause. I'll try to sharpen it up as best I can one a few of the teeth to make it more obvious. Cheers - Chris

Thanks so much - new pics with replacement hovi tips and bifurcated rivet on thigh ammo belt have been added.

Thanks so much! I just popped the Han Snap pic in. I moved it from the previous position, so it's more square in the corner. I hadn't seen the internal of the thigh ammo on the checklist - it just said L & R and I thought that meant external, but I'll grab a pic when I'm home - Cheers! EDIT: Bifurcated rivet pic now added.

Hi Team. Please find below my request to be approved to EIB for my ANH Stunt kit from WTF. Name: Chris TK ID: TK 70384 Forum Name: Slouch Garrison: Knightfall Garrison (Melbourne, Australia) Armor: WTF Helmet: WTF S Trim: WTF Blaster: Bounty Hunter Armory Height: 186cm Weight: 88Kg Boots: TK Boots Belt: Made Myself Rubber Hand Plates: Kris Hase (KFG Member) made Gloves: Rubber chemical Neck Seal: Darman's Props (Etsy) Holster: Made Myself Lenses: WTF Helmet Fans: Imperial Fans Electronics: N/A Dropbox Backs: WTF Decals: Dave M - Trooperbay Undersuit: Kmart/Amazon Social Media Consent : Yes https://www.501st.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=25803 Full Body: Front Back - I swear the bridges are even - I was just standing weird! LHS RHS LHS Arm raised RHS Arm raised Action Shot Armor Details: Ab plates Cod & Posterior Plate connections Interior Strapping Wrist Openings Split Rivet Side Connection Han Snap Sniper Knee Plate Thigh Ammo Belt Bifurcated rivets on thigh ammo belt Helmet Details: Front Left Right Back Hovi Tips Lenses S-Trim Accessories: Neck Seal TD Holster Attachment ABS / Canvas Belt Boots Rubber Gloves Blaster Details: Left Side Right Side D-Ring A few things to point out: I have quite broad shoulders and have done everything I can to get the shoulder bells as close as possible to my chest piece. It's also causing me grief with my shoulder bridges and I can't trim the rear tabs without it looking too short, unfortunately. I took the previous suggestion of doubling over the white elastic straps, but my physical build means I either have weird sitting bells OR slightly exposed elastic in certain poses. Tried both and the latter looks far cleaner. If I look a little wonky in the shots, it's more to do with my bad back than the strapping/alignment (my user name is Slouch ). Also a bit of pressure from my impatient photographer (wife) and didn't want to press my luck for a reshoot after scrutinizing the photos myself. If there's any other details/photos required, please let me know. Many thanks - Chris

Shaped with more of an obvious curve ??

Thanks all. Bit the bullet and shaved it out. Tiny bit of tidying to do, but it's flush all the way around - the photos don't really do it justice. Wasn't as traumatic as I thought it'd be Next questions - are these details ok for my sniper knee plate and thigh ammo belt shaping? I'd gone off some official reference images, but then saw some slightly different in other submissions. Should the sniper place finish closer to the front of the shin, or is that mid point acceptable? I just prefer the look of it finishing there. I replaced my old thigh ammo belt, as I'd over rounded it and was told to cut it on a 45 degree angle, but it looks different to some in the CRL. Happy to change, but wondering if this is acceptable. Cheers

Thanks for that - I'll focus on the older E-11 and get that up to spec. Those photos really aren't flattering. It's barely noticeable in person, but I will be sure to conceal the joins/lines. I'll bite the bullet with the last of the return edge. Cheers!

Hi again Team, A few questions before I submit my EIB application - I have two separate E-11s. One is more screen accurate than the other, but the cleaner one just feels a lot better and is more solid. Are they both approvable or should I omit the cleaner model in my submission? I also have a DLT-19. Does that need to be included? Also, for EIB, would this much return edge on the wrists be acceptable? it's completely gone in almost every spot, except the raised section and I can't bring myself to shave it back that bit extra Happy to make the change if I have to, but wanted to make 100% sure. Many thanks!

Can confirm BrenTK was a tremendous help in completing my ANH Stunt TK build (TK70384). Having never attempted any type of costuming, Brent was incredibly generous is not only helping me with my build, but teaching me the correct build methods and also the level of detail to strive towards in our builds. Brent couldn't have been more helpful and really epitomises what the 501st is all about - Troopers helping Troopers - and really imparted his years of experience to a complete novice. With my newfound skills, I've been able to modify/adjust my kit on my own and am ready for my next kit. If it wasn't for Brent, I'd still be staring at an unbuilt kit, OR (more likely) a ruined kit. Thanks again!

Thanks for that! I cut about 10mm out of the left. It was always a lot smaller ( i bought a kit that someone had done about 10% of the trimming on and that was one of the few bits that has stuffed me). Looks HEAPS better, but it's pretty cosy. I've removed pretty much every bit of return edge and reshaped a bit with a heat gun as best I could. The bottom of the bicep is pretty damn tight, but it's fine. If I find it restrictive on troops, I may go back and shim the back edge by 10mm, which won't be visible. Getting closer now!

Thanks so much for the feedback - super helpful. I did manage to cut about 20mm out of the left bicep and reglue it. It looks so much better. I trooper this morning and here's how it's looking. I still need to do the left, but that's slightly cosier, so I'll see how I go. I'll try to heat and slightly redirect those shoulder bridges to get them sitting correctly/centred. I've lost a couple of kgs/pounds since those original pics were taken and have 2-3 more to go. I'm REALLY hoping I can bring the waist in to avoid shimming. I'll add that extra snap tonight, but it's all coming together.

Thanks so much, everyone! I got cracking yesterday and pulled half my kit apart to make all these changes. THEN remembered I have a troop on Tuesday morning!!! Safe to say it was a late night and luckily the glue has dried today for me to make a few final modifications. I'll post more photos once everything is complete again and I've kitted up. Yesterday was an Armour Party for one! - Button covers have been shaved down flat to the bare ABS (not raised at all) and glued - they look HEAPS better. - V-tabs installed to eliminate Stormtrooper-butt. - Large AB plate replaced with correct trim (still waiting for that one to dry....) - Small AB plate shaved/sanded down to be correct thickness and position/ - Managed to trim down one bicep and have solved my issue. Looks a million times better. - Left Bicep still needs some work, but it's more complicated and time wouldn't permit before this troop. - A few filler pieces/reinforcements to areas prone to cracking. - Extra layer of elastic over the shoulder bridge added to hopefully keep it hidden. - Heated/Reshaped Shoulder Bells slightly to sit closer to the chest piece. - Strapping adjustments mostly all done. I just have three more questions before I'm ready to submit my EIB application. 1 - Posterior plate currently has one snap. I'm going to install the second, but am worried the first is somewhat in the middle of where the two should go. Would you place it behind the first one or closer to the opening (cod piece?). I'm leaning towards behind and assume it won't be visible. Is there a spacing recommendation? 2. Shoulder Bridge table - I know it's recommended to remove the tabs at the rear if possible, but I've got quite broad shoulders and they won't otherwise reach. Would that get a pass? (provided they're squared up and sitting correctly). 3 - My Han snap - It's not perfectly in the corner of the chest plate. I don't want to damage the armour by moving it. I assume there would be some indentation. How much leeway do we have on that? (This is Centurion level, but I thought I should check now, while everyone is being so helpful!) I feel like a shim would look worse than the snap being 3-4mm to the left. Thanks again!

Hi again @gmrhodes13 - getting my ducks in a row for an EIB application. Quick question as I couldn't see anything in the CRL around cover strip specs, but as pointed out above, my bicep cover strips don't cover enough of the raised section. From memory, those cover strips are supposed to be 12-15mm. They're currently 15mm and match the forearm cover strip width. Do I need to cut and shut them closer (they are extremely snug as it is) and then shim the back of the biceps, OR can I simply put a slightly wider cover strip, say 20mm on the front to cover more of the raised portion? Same deal with the ABS button covers on the belt. I read someone else's EIB application that they needed to be shaved down flush. Is that recommended or compulsory for higher levels of approval? Mine are probably 4-5mm thick, but unsure if I should remove and do them again. Any feedback would be awesome.

Thanks so much - I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It was brilliant. I can't get over how valuable the fans were in my bucket. Sure they dried me out because of my big, dumb grin, but they were a life saver! I do hope to get approved for EIB. I have a couple of minor tweaks to make to my kit first, but hopefully not far off. Cheers!

Hi all, very excited to finally join the ranks of the 501st and the FISD! Childhood/lifelong dream realised! My local garrison (Knightfall, Melbourne) has been so helpful and welcoming. I also got approved at a great time of year - within two weeks of approval, I've participated in three troops and loved every second of it. My first ever interaction with a 501st member was several years ago when A New Hope was playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. My wife (who usually despises Star Wars) absolutely loved it too! I thought getting a photo with a Stormtrooper was the coolest thing ever. It turns out BEING the Stormtrooper was so much more fun. I could not wipe the smile off my face the entire night! The MSO was back in Melbourne for screenings of ROTJ and I was lucky enough to troop on two of the nights, plus another Disney approved event at a shopping centre over the weekend. I couldn't get over the smiles on the kids' (and some very big kids) faces. Made my day. I've got a few more events on this week and learning some good tips from other troopers as I go. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and feedback throughout the build process. Here's some pics. Please excuse the awkwardly placed shoulder bells. They've since been adjusted.

Requesting access please. https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=39872 Many thanks

Thanks Glen - that's really great feedback. I did order a replacement thigh ammo belt, so will get that fixed up prior to submission. The shoulder bridge large tabs at the back are a bit of a pain. I've got pretty broad shoulders (reminds me - shoulder bells also need trimming) and there's a chance they'll be too short if I lop those tabs off. I've debated about that. I've got replacement chest button plates as the original owner shaved them down when they purchased. It's on my to do list. I just wasn't sure if I'd be able to get basic approval first and then go back and fix a few of those other steps. The velcro being shown was a bit of clumsiness in the photo. It's usually covered, but doesn't sit as flat as I'd like, so the hot water bath sounds like a good idea! Thanks for that link too. Really appreciate it! Cheers

Thanks mate - that'd be terrific. I went to Supa Nova Melb yesterday and it was fantastic. I get up to Sydney a bit, so will be sure to sing out ahead of time. Cheers

Good spotting! I was repairing a crack and put a filler piece in and completely forgot to refinish that section! Thanks for the reminder. Cheers

Hi Brains-trust - an update after I finally received the parts my kit was originally missing. I was nervously checking the tracking from the US for weeks. It took two weeks to scoot around the East coast of the US, then one day to San Fran and then next day it was at my house in Australia! New shoulder bells and button covers for my belt have made me (well, my kit) complete! I do have a spare ammo thigh belt that I'll replace at some point as I don't love the original. I *think* I have finally finished my kit and am about to submit for basic level approval, but if you see anything that needs fixing in the meantime, I'd really appreciate your feedback. Hopefully some quick adjustments I can make to get everything looking tip top. Going off the previous (much appreciated) advice, I changed over the cover strips on my shins to the correct sides. I adjusted my strapping as best I could to balance it out and it's feeling good to wear. Also heat bent the ABS belt to better contour to my body and it's a big improvement. Full Front - Helmet on Full Back - Helmet on *I'll get a better image for my submission with the velcro lined up, but it was an oversight for these pics. Left Side - Helmet on - Holster measurements were all checked. The leather is a bit softer than I'd hoped and gapes a bit, making the straps look crooked, but they'd 100% correct according to the CRL. Right Side - Helmet on Waste Up - Helmet off Action Shot *I probably should have thought of something more creative, but my wife laughed when I said that was a requirements, so we wrapped up the shoot. Any feedback would be awesome and hopefully I'll be joining your ranks soon! Cheers - Chris

Thanks mate! Literally got started as soon as I read Glen's reply. Stripped off the cover strips for the shins and reglued them and made some adjustments to the strapping. I took the padding out of the helmet. I think it's just my long neck making it sit high. I can barely get my head in it as it is, so it might just have to sit a bit high. A balaclava will help his my chin and I've blacked the inside of the helmet out. How do the shims go with the ab rivets? I've already placed them. I could undo and shorten the elastic, but it might make the torso somewhat skewed to the hinged side. Might just be easier to lose a few kgs! The trickiest part is getting my wife to spot things that look out of place when taking the photos as she has zero interest [emoji28] Can't say she's up to speed with the CRL [emoji51]

Thanks heaps - definitely more to take out of the biceps. Most of the others seem to be in line with those guidelines. Cheers [emoji1360][emoji380]