troopermaster

TM = Creamy White AP = Blueish White Yes/no?

Forget the friggin backgrounds Can't you see the difference in shades of white in each photo posted by Rich?

Every AP armour part in the AP-TM comparison photos that Rich has posted is definately a blueish white compared to the TM ABS. I can't see why your saying it's not blue tone. My regular ABS is just the same. In fact, I was sent a sample of AP ABS when someone wanted to extra ABS for their kit and it was a very close match. The blue colour is more prominent is darker conditions whereas in lighter conditions it looks much whiter.

Rubber washing up gloves are what was used on screen in ANH. You can put talcum powder inside to reduce sweating or get some silk liners.

Aren't the photos above already showing the colour differences?

Here you go Brian- ----------- These are gloves I made recently. I hope you can see the stitching clearly enough.

I think the overlap on the sides looks just fine. I would suggest removing some plastic away from your neck line as you say and also try bringing the back plate up higher too. Get the tabs on the top of the back plate to touch the ones on your chest (under the shoulder straps). You might need to trim the plastic away from the tabs on your back plate in order to bring it up higher but that's no problem. Also, don't be affraid to go the 'Luke' route and trim a bit off the lower edge of your chest and back plate. Just follow the original lines and go parrallel from there. You can trim the edge off the wrist if the forearms feel too long.

I give up

Nice comparisons Rich

I think you are confusing vinyl with hard plastic. The vinyl used on these straps is more like immitation leather, not ABS.

None of the screen used ROTJ suits used vinyl straps like on these displays, so there are no hero or stunt versions in that regard. The fraying on the straps you see on these exhibiton suits is simply the 'hook' side of the velcro that is sewn underneath.

I don't know if you have the correct 'S' profile or 'U' shaped trim, but when you slip in onto the bottom edge of you helmet, you cut it about 10mm longer than you need and force it on. That way, the pressure keeps it in place and you won't need to glue it on.

Three hooks, white 1/2" elastic and hooks face inwards

Sure does

Well they did use hooks with elastic, just not like how Mark has done it.

The shoulder straps on my 1.5mm and 1mm regular ABS suits can be folded in half easily without cracking. They are very flexible compared to the 2mm acrylic capped ABS and maybe the ABS that other makers use too, so I can understand why you think that way about the priginal ROTJ straps. If you look closely and freeze frame certain scenes, you can see the velcro on the chest and back plate showing under the straps that are not placed correctly. The shoulder straps are simply vac formed ABS with velcro glued underneath. The ones in the exhitions could be original ROTJ screen used or may have been made after filming from the same moulds, but one things for sure, the shoulder straps have been replaced. The ABS straps may have been lost or damaged and new ones made from the vinyl ribbing. The velcro is still there on the chest. If the straps were the original ones and meant to be riveted, why would there be velcro? The vinyl (or whatever it is) is like man made leather. Fabric (like cloth) is a weaved material like cotton, nylon, silk, not like these shoulder straps in question.

You are wrong once again Vern! (as usual ) I have seen the actual suit in person and it is definately NOT made from a cloth type material. It looks to be made from vinyl/PVC type material and has velcro sewn onto the entire length of the underside.

Exhibit A has a vinyl shoulder strap with velcro sewn underneath. How can you say it "clearly shows webbing"?

Where is the webbing Vern?

The screen used ROTJ shoulder straps are vac formed ABS. The ones in your photos are ROTJ tour suits. Probably made from leather or vinyl and backed with velcro to secure them to back plates. The fronts are riveted onto the chest.

Although I don't troop, I do have a RomFX and instead of mounting the speaker to the inside of the chest plate, I have made a pocket on the front bib of my neck seal that holds the speaker and the RomFX. The microphone is permanantly attached to inside of my balaclava and nothing is connect to my helmet or armour. The set up is very good and very clear. Works for me

My TM measures- Front to back: 9 3/4" Ear to ear: 8 3/4"

No return edge on the torso armour. Cut it off completely and slip on your rubber/vinyl edge trim. Round off the top corners on your kidney plate before you add the trim. Nearly all replica ROTJ suits have this area squared off and it's not accurate

Congratulations Matt

I use tin snips to trim close to my trim line and then use a Dremel sanding drum to take it to the line. Scrape off the burrs with a utility knife blade and this leave the edges very smooth. A quick rub with some fine grit sand paper and your done