Hello from France !

[Robin]

Dear troopers

 

First of all, i want to apologies if my english is hard to understand, as a french i try my very best (je suis désolé 🇫🇷)

 

I'm very honored to finally be able to introduce myself on the FISD forum. I've heard a lot about this space, which is a real bible for getting answers about various Star Wars armors.

To talk a little about who I am: 
My name is Robin, I'm French, I live in Paris and I'm only 20 (I know, I'm still young). I've been a fan of the Star Wars universe since I was very young, and I wanted to make a dream come true: TO BECOME A STORMTROOPER ! I've always admired these soldiers of the Empire (while my friends preferred the rebel alliance).

 

In short, I was lucky enough to realize this dream and acquire a stormtrooper suit of armor from Original Stromtrooper (formerly SDS) in late 2023 (it's the ANH stunt version also) ; all for a relatively affordable discounted price ($850 all taxes included), complete with E-11 blaster, gloves, holster and boots. I know OS armor has a bad reputation, but this was the one that best fit my budget. Having already registered on the 501st french garrison forum (of my country), I was given a few tips to follow to make the armor valid for the 501st. However, the answers were poor and undeveloped as to what really needed to be done. That's why I'm turning to you, because you're A New Hope for me. I've certainly seen the need to modify :
- The belt
- The holster
- The boots (but I have my doubts because they're different and I think closer to the originals)

 

I guess there's still more to modify on this armor to make it valid. Maybe the helmet needs to be change due of its shape.

By the way, here are a few photos of the armor I'm wearing in a link bellow, noting that I'm a bit short to be a stormtrooper (in fact I'm only 5.6ft).

 

https://www.501stfrenchgarrison.com/forum/attachment.php?aid=1525

https://www.501stfrenchgarrison.com/forum/attachment.php?aid=1524

 

I sincerely hope that you can give me the right information to make this stormtrooper armor valid and finally join your ranks, those of the Galatic Empire!

Thank you a thousand times over for the help you've given me and the time you've spent reading my message ! Please, feel free to give me any answers you may have...

 

And may the force be with you ! 

[Shanester[TK]]

Welcome aboard Trooper! 

[JBar[TK]]

Hello and welcome. SDS will take a lot of work but here is a list of some of the parts that require fixing

Also here are two SDS conversion threads on what people have done to fix them for approval

 

 

 

[Robin]

Thank you tk91213 (JBar), for the tips and references you provided. 

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it all. Although the instructions are very clear, it seems too complicated for me.

I'd already tried to modify it before, referring to the advice I'd been given at previous conventions by other stormtrooper colleagues. But, not having the necessary skills to modify it, I damaged the armor more than I improved it and the other thing is that I don't have enough time because of my studies. So, I admit to lacking hope. 

 

The best thing to do is to sell it and wait to buy an RS prop master but not before 2027 I think. 😕

 

Anyway, thanks again for your advice and for taking the time to help me, dear troopers. 😉

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Hello and welcome, building armor is very daunting when you open that first box and the panic sets in, most of us go through the same feelings. I couldn't see our images as I'm not signed up to the French garrison forum.

 

SDS does take a little more work to get right unfortunately.

 

Have you thought of reaching out to your local garrison, many do armor workshops and are happy to help build.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Welcome!

[Novak Dimon[TK]]

Hello Robin,

welcome to the FISD! 🫡

I have some comrades in my neighborhood who managed to upgrade the SDS armor for 501st approval with some work. 
Don’t  hesitate. Building and modifying an armor is a marathon and not a race. 
Almost everything can be fixed.

My advice is: open a build thread here, upload some photos and reach out to troopers in your area. 
Here we will give you every possible help and advice and sooner then you think you call yourself a 501st Stormtrooper!

Edited February 26, 2025 by Novak Dimon

[JBar[TK]]

Another option is when you have the money you can buy a fully assembled kit. It will cost more but with patience and saving you can still have a stormtrooper later. Check out RS Props for example. It's probably double or more what SDS costs but it's generally approvable right away. These costumes can take years to build so waiting a few years months to save up money is very common. Best of luck!

[swibowoj[TK]]

Hello and welcome to FISD.

 

[Robin]

Well, the truth is, as my armor was already built, it wasn't a question of a kit (which is also one of the reasons why I'd rather buy an already-built armor than a kit).

Having now read in more detail what needed to be modified, this looks really bad for me. While it's feasible, I really don't have the skills, let alone the tools, to complete the project. 

 

And the price is likely to be a dead end, given the result (tools, screws, rivets, straps, etc.). The only things that seem possible are at my level: the belt and the holster to the maximum. 

 

I would truly like to find a miracle solution to make my armor valid. But, it is what it is. 

 

Despite this, I'd like to thank you for all the advice you've given me troopers. I really mean it... 

[Nairy[Staff]]

Hello Robin! Welcome to the FISD!!  The knowledge that you find on this forum is extensive, and we have a lot of threads that can be helpful!