The brown box has arrived

[Ditch[501st]]

The box arrived today from AP. Thanks guys for the work you did. That was the longest 3 months I have had to endure. But now that I have opened the box and let that wonderful plastic smell out, I am in awe. But I had my friend Tom the Trooper help me out on unpacking. Now starts the journey and tons of questions to come in the future.

 

 

Tom on top of the world.

 

Helping me unpack all the plastic

 

What have I gotten myself into?

 

More to come later.

[Ditch[501st]]

1st question, what grey is used on the TD? Is it gloss or a satin finish? I have the PVC tube, but not sure how the finish is supposed to be. Also, is there a certain grey paint number for it? Just like the ab buttons?

[bjsavage7[TK]]

I may not be uber-correct in doing this, but I just used primer on my TD.

[Tolo[TK]]

1st question, what grey is used on the TD? Is it gloss or a satin finish? I have the PVC tube, but not sure how the finish is supposed to be. Also, is there a certain grey paint number for it? Just like the ab buttons?

Hi Carl, here is the chart for the paint: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/8117-helmet-ab-paint-detail-reference-guide/

 

I have an AP bucket and I used the Testor paint. It matches the decals good and I used the same paint on my TD.

Eric

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Awesome cant wait for the build thread. I used primer on my TD then gave it a coat of clear, just used what I had around at that time

[Ditch[501st]]

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a mock up of the bucket without the ears. Just wanted to make sure I had the holes in the right spot.

 

Edited June 20, 2013 by 4165gorilla

[gazmosis[501st]]

Nice job on the lid so far!!! Keep us posted!!

[ABS80]

On 6/20/2013 at 9:07 AM, 4165gorilla said:

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a mock up of the bucket without the ears. Just wanted to make sure I had the holes in the right spot.

 

-----------

 Easy to work when the holes are all marked or predrilled right?

 

Enjoy the rest of the build

 

Mark (AP)

Edited January 18, 2021 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

[Ditch[501st]]

 Easy to work when the holes are all marked or predrilled right?

 

Enjoy the rest of the build

 

Mark (AP)

That is so true..

[Ditch[501st]]

I've been playing around with the ears all morning and have a concern. Is this gap acceptable on the right ear? I can't seem to get it to close any more.

 

 

[Minuteman]

Looking good!

Especially the front looks very nice.

The back is screen accurate, have a look here:

 

[Minuteman]

OMG, that was my 300th post!

EIB #300 and post #300

Jiha

:happy and cheerful birthday:

[garrettm]

The bucket is looking very nice!

[Ditch[501st]]

Another question. Are the aerator tips that are provided by AP 501st approved? Or should they be updated to Hovi mic tips?

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

You can only obtain basic approval with them, for further grades you will need to upgrade them.

 

A pic to show the differences: 

 - basic AP aerator on the left and more accurate one on the right:

[Ditch[501st]]

You can only obtain basic approval with them, for further grades you will need to upgrade them.

 

A pic to show the differences: 

 - basic AP aerator on the left and more accurate one on the right:

Thanks for the info. I think to start I may just go with the supplied tips to get approved. Then once I've trooped a few times I will upgrade. But I do think they need to have some paint work on them to get rid of the chrome finish around the rim.

[Ditch[501st]]

The TD is done.

 

 

[Tolo[TK]]

I used Keith's mic tips. They are not expensive and they look great.

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/4369-mic-tips-mic-tips-mic-tips/

[Ditch[501st]]

After some modifications to the supplied aerator tips, I think they cam out nice. Painted the inside base white. Difficult to see. And then painted the outside to get rid of the chrome edges. Also removed one of the screens to make it more see through.

 

[Minuteman]

The position looks good, but I wonder why AP supplies such inaccurate Mictips. I got no clue.

After a short time you will feel the same and change them

[Ditch[501st]]

I know I've read it somewhere here. But can't be 100% sure. The finishing strips on the front of all the armor seams, is it 7/8"?

[Ditch[501st]]

I want to give a shout out to Trooper Tim for coming over today and helping me get started on my AP build. I was hesitant at first to start gluing, but with his guidance and assistance I can see this will go smooth. I hope to get my TK number within the next month or so.

 

Again Tim, A big thanks for your help.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Troopers helping troopers, that's the spirit, goon on you Tim

[Ditch[501st]]

Here is a pic of what Tim and I got done today. I already had most of the bucket done. The biggest concern I had was painting the vocoder, and Tim said no problem. Lets knock it out. So after the paint has dried, I installed the green acetate lens material that came with the kit from AP. I know it should be darker, I will address this issue later when I get ready for 501st approval. Then there are the biceps and fore arms that we got sized and the inside reinforcing strip glues on with E600. Tomorrow I will get the finishing strips on and I will start to enclose them with a secret trick that I was given by Tim. But I will have to visit Home Depot first .

 

More to come later.

 

Edited June 28, 2013 by 4165gorilla

[Ditch[501st]]

So I got the ab buttons attached and some strapping on the kidney/butt plate done today.