Sgt JB

The boxes are 1" from the belt. Thought that's the correct length.

I had mine tapered when I assembled them, after my first fitting, they were the first thing to get the dremmel. you'll see quickly that they will pinch in and be uncomfortable. best to open the bottom up, but again, do what's most comfortable for you. If you're going to take some off, do a little at a time, and test fit. looking good so far!

Another thing, I'm kinda big. 6'2" 190. I got broad shoulders, so the bells need to cover alot of area. That makes the space between the bells and the breast plate a little wider. I have a strap going around my arm, that's what they got hung up on, and why they're lifted up a bit. when they're sitting where they should be it looks fine, in the pics they're riding up, and my Mrs. doesn't really know enough yet about how it's supposed to look to have corrected it, or pointed it out.

Looking good!!

lord no, hardest hobby project I've done in a long time, but it's been so much fun. yea, they rode up on me, and the mrs didn't catch it. when I looked in the mirror (after the pics were taken) I fixed that and the cod-piece on the right side.

yea, it's on the list of finishing things to do. thx :-)

So the shoulder covers need to be put on, I need to finish the butt plate straps, Breastplate to back plate straps, and snaps for the belt, but wanted to throw up some pics and see what ya'll think...

Take your time with it, took me almost 3 weeks just to paint everything. follow Mike's painting instructions to the letter and it'll look great.

moot point, I decided that it's good enough as is. I'm being a perfectionist with wanting to repaint. it's only a small spot by the left ear in the back. I'm just going to buff it a bit with some rubbing compound and it'ss make it a little shinier. Rest looks awesome.

good thread. I wasn't having so much an issue with shine, more that the back didn't have the 'wet' look that the front did, it was a little rough. think I'm going to sand it down, mask off the front, and redo the back.

If anyone knows this, I'd appreciate it. I stripped, and repainted my lid, as it wasn't even close in shine to the rest of the paint jobs I did on the armor. However, the back didn't come out as good as the front. I don't want to strip it again, as it's really a pain. So I'm wondering of anyone has painted over Rustoleum Professional High Performance after it's dried. Can I sand it down a little, and just treat it like I'm starting over? or will I mess it up? I'm going to mask off the front to prevent over spray getting on the good parts, but I'd like to get opinions. Thx all.

it's all good. Only issue I have is with the width of the kidney plate. I'm 6'2" so it's understandable, but I'd really like the get a new pair of them, connect them together and have it reach from the back plate all the way to the kidney plate. right now, I've got it hiding under the belt a few inches. when she get's back from the store, I'm going to suit up again, and try to get a few pics up ASAP.

see earlier post about camera being dumb.... :-(

I just got suited up, had the Mrs. take a few shots, get the mem card into the PC and what do I find? original e-11 pics I took 2 months ago, nothing on the camera, nothing on the card... but I gotta tell ya, after painting, and fitting, I'll put an ATA set up against just about anything for look. It's amazing how good it looks after it's all painted.

I'm wondering if anyone's finished a complete ATA armor build (full set, not just helmet), as I'm about 99% done. all I have left is to adjust the belt to fit correctly, put on my shoulder covers, and add some elastic in a few spots, then I'm done. So, I was wondering if I'm going to be the first fully completed ATA, or does someone else have theirs done? BTW, pics up as soon as I can get my camera to stop being silly.

no, you're not

I did the front at 1" and the backs at 1.5" the backs are a little wide, but it's better than them not fitting. and the only people that'd know the difference probably exist on this board.

re-enforce with super glue and strips of tee shirt. do it outside, and use tweezers. the vapors will kill ya, and it gets hot as all get out. to fix a mistake, I used testers model glue and some trimmed off plastic. the model glue will melt the plastic, so get a piece, trim it to fit the hole you cut out, and use a little bit of model glue to melt the new piece back in place. practice on something else first, but with a little practice, you should be able to repair just about anything you do wrong. Also, for something like teeth, or facial mistakes, look into getting some epoxy putty, it's 2 part, and dries hard as rock.

I just got mine today. I wear 10.5 and the 10.5's I got are a little bit big. makes for enough room for foot supports.

you're going to need to paint it. I'm just about done with my ATA build, and trust me, you're going to need to paint it. At very least, your going to need to clear coat it, but I don't think it'll look all that good. I have most of my pieces painted, and the difference is amazing. I'll get some pics up soon.

Well, I got my armor on August 3rd, and I'll be applying within a week or two. You'll be seeing my EIB request same day.

When did you see Star Wars in the theater for the first time and where? My father took me to see Star Wars opening day at the Holiday 6 Theater in Cheektowaga NY, we saw it in the theater 42 times that summer. One of my favorate memories of time with my dad. What is your favorite Star Wars movie? A New Hope What is your least favorite Star Wars movie? The Phantom Menace What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Creatively, I'd say anything challenging, like painting really really small minitures. Spiritually or Emotionally, I'd say good times with good friends. My kids, and my Fiance. What turns you off? stupid people What is your favorite curse word? F*** What Star Wars Character do you love? Stormtroopers. I always loved Luke, he was my hero growing up. What Star Wars Character do you hate? need you ask? (Jar Jar) How did you first find out about your home garrison? I went to a local AAA baseball game in June, the local Fan Force group was there, they did an on-field lightsaber fight, and Darth Vader threw out the first pitch. Went home and looked them up online, and now I'm here! What Costume other than your own would you like to attempt? Darth Maul. I'm a good lightsaber fighter, and I've been asked to do a Darth Maul by next summer to duel in. What Costume would you not like to do? Jabba What would you like to hear George Lucas say when you arrive at the LucasFilm Gates? c'mon in, help yourself to anything.....

My fiance had those, hurt like hell. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. May the Force be with you......

U.S. Army 1992 - 2000 Combat Engineer, and M1A1 Gunner.

My old unit it Europe's moto was "Laborimus Sustinere" which means something like we work to achieve, or sustain, but was always said it should have been "Laborimus Infinitus" We work forever..