Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 My first experience as an official 501st member was the Madison, MS Christmas Parade. It was a great experience! The parade route was 2 miles. The temp was in the upper 50's to start and ended in the 60's and sunny, so the temp and weather were perfect. It was great to see the reception when we passed by. Lots of pictures and video taken. Say what you will, but people still love Star Wars and seeing those characters live and in person dressed in accurate costumes. The kids loved giving the hand slaps and high fives. Lots of kids wanted their pictures taken with us, and I even had two adults (one was hot ) want their pictures taken with me as well as some teenagers. It was a great experience and I can't wait for the next one. One of my fellow troopers let me borrow his Hyperfirm E-11 (he was going AT-AT driver) so I didn't have to use my crappy Hasbro. Anyway, here are some pics. I'm all the way to the right. Me getting mugged by a bunch of kids toward the end of the parade (background, right side) I'm behind the TIE pilot. One of our guys with his son. Me in the background to the right getting ready to greet my adoring fans. Me giving high fives. Our Vader got caught in traffic and missed the parade. People were asking "Where's Vader?" and we would say, "He got caught in traffic". They would laugh and we were saying, "No...really. He got caught in traffic." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted December 1, 2012 Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 Very cool and congrats on your first troop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks, Glen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vader Rocks Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Congrats. First troop is a unique experience isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Congrats on troop #1 of bunches!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Congrats. First troop is a unique experience isn't it? Very much! It just blows my mind. I grew up with Star Wars, but to see the reaction of all these kids going crazy over the characters that were from my generation was an interesting and cool experience. The parents still acted like kids as well when we showed up. Lots of compliments on our costumes. Even after the parade when we were waiting for our ride back, we had several people (kids and adults) who asked if we could put our lids back on for some more pictures. They were very appreciative. Very cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teach Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Great stuff, I can't wait to do my first parade. Thanks for posting the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oztrooper[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Congrats !!! Can't Wait for my First !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyTrigger[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Did I read that right? Your first troop was a 2 mile parade? This shows that you must have built and trimmed and strapped your Armour well! Well done and thanks for sharing your troop pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Did I read that right?Your first troop was a 2 mile parade? This shows that you must have built and trimmed and strapped your Armour well! Well done and thanks for sharing your troop pics. Yep. I Google Mapped the parade route and it was 2 miles. There are a few minor adjustments I'll have to make, but overall I was rather comfortable. There has got to be a better way to get GOOD circulation in the helmet other than a few squirrel fans. I used my iComm and Akers voice amp with PTT. It worked pretty good for the most part. My mic kept twisting to where it wasn't pointed right at my mouth and the only way to adjust it was with my mouth, tongue, and teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyTrigger[TK] Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Some UKG troopers tape the mic to their face to keep it in position. I've tried that but I prefer a black silk balaclava for two reasons. 1. It takes your heat and sweat away 2. It helps keep your mic in position. I remember the days when the mic would start wandering away and trying to reposition it as you described. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles[TK] Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Yea, I've missed a troop due to traffic also. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-42779[501st] Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Congrats on the first troop! I can't wait to get my kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezablad3[TK] Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Looks like a great first troop, congrats...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Some UKG troopers tape the mic to their face to keep it in position. I've tried that but I prefer a black silk balaclava for two reasons. 1. It takes your heat and sweat away 2. It helps keep your mic in position. I remember the days when the mic would start wandering away and trying to reposition it as you described. Thanks for the suggestion. I never wore one before, but it seems like it would be hot. Does it really draw the heat away? And is the mic comfortable against your face like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashpoint0214[TK] Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Nice first troop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebrabuse Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Nice work! You guys look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechosenhitman[TK] Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Thanks for the suggestion. I never wore one before, but it seems like it would be hot. Does it really draw the heat away? And is the mic comfortable against your face like that? i wear one in my vader & it works wonders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laspector[TK] Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 (edited) I was in this parade. I was the trooper all the way to the left in the back. Edited December 4, 2012 by Laspector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 I was in this parade. I was the trooper all the way to the left in the back. Ha! Darrel, I didn't even make the connection. I had a great time! That was a fun first troop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laspector[TK] Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Yeah, it was fun! I'm glad your armor made it through the parade, being your first troop. Because I had problems. My right thigh kept coming undone in the back. I had to get a handler to fix it for me about four times!! I dunno what happened! Never had that problem before and I've been trooping since 2006! But it was still fun. Look forward to trooping with you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Saints[TK] Posted December 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2012 My thighs are glued, so no worries there although it does make it that much harder to remove the armor than it would be to just unvelcro them. When is the next troop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laspector[TK] Posted December 12, 2012 Report Share Posted December 12, 2012 The End of the World party in Batesville MS on Friday Dec 21st.. I'm not really sure where Clinton is but Batesville is about 50 miles south of Memphis TN. I live in Cleveland which is about halfway between Jackson and Memphis. If you could get to Cleveland you would be welcome to ride with me to Batesville. PM me over on the Rancor boards if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastic Soldier Posted December 12, 2012 Report Share Posted December 12, 2012 Congratz, looks like a good time. Great looking bunch of troopers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onkel Christoph[TK] Posted December 13, 2012 Report Share Posted December 13, 2012 (edited) Well done Trooper During my first Troop I had tears in my Eyes!! Fortunately, I have a Helmet on Edited December 13, 2012 by Onkel Christoph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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