Leaderboard

I just created an "imgur" account so I can upload better pictures of my build. I just read the post about how to upload pictures -__- I am not tech savvy... but getting there.....

For those aiming for higher levels of approval with ANH Hero armor, please be aware that the CRL for Expert Infantry has been updated, specifically for the Hovi mic tips. The update is an addition to the present requirements and the new ones are shown below in bold font and underlined: "Correct Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips are present. Screens used shall be of a wide type mesh. The rim of the mic may be weathered, and the inside raised area painted white. Interior sides shall be painted black, mesh can also be painted black". The reason for these updates is for better screen accuracy, as there is overwhelming evidence that the vast majority of the Hero helmets seen in the film were painted in this way. As noted, the mesh may be painted black but this is not a requirement at any level.

10/15/22 - Walk to End Alzheimer's TK 89400 - 32nd cumulative TK troop, 4th HWT TI-50597 - #4 CLOR-5435 - puppy handler Mabel - Troop #1. No need to describe this troop. An excellent cause, as Alzheimer's runs in my family. My WHOLE family made this troop. Since it was nearby, low stress, and very open to our 4 footed companions, Mabel suited up with her little TK mount and trooped with us. No, I didn't make a HWT pack just for this. Really. Really. With my buddy Joseph in one of his original suits (he's over 900 troops). In memory of Reenie, a garrison mate and TIE pilot who recently passed. Many flowers on our packs and armor. The little troop did well. I used my rubber DLT to help me achieve a personal first - kneeling!!! No damage to knee or armor. Mabel thought it was pretty sweet too. With the Jr. ROTC group. They *loved* our rubber blasters. Just a TK and his dog. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Taping the shins and dipping them in boiling water worked like a charm!

In addition to Joseph announcement, these two images have been added to the CRL gallery tab that appears at the top of each CRL

For those aiming for higher levels of approval with ANH Hero armor, please be aware that the CRL for Expert Infantry has been updated, specifically for the Hovi mic tips. The update is an addition to the present requirements and the new ones are shown below in bold font and underlined: "Correct Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips are present. Screens used shall be of a wide type mesh. The rim of the mic may be weathered, and the inside raised area painted white. Interior sides shall be painted black, mesh can also be painted black". The reason for these updates is for closer screen accuracy, as there is overwhelming evidence that the vast majority of the Hero helmets seen in the film were painted in this way. As noted, the mesh may be painted black but this is not a requirement at any level.

It's certainly a bit more difficult, but not impossible -- so far there hasn't been anything where we didn't manage to get up on our own and we've done a lot of fun stuff: I think I'll call this "they said it was impossible" Honestly though: if you're reading this and thinking "Oh, that sounds fun!" please try it with another person who can help you, in case you get stuck halfway through. It took me one try to sit down and get up. One try to lie down and get up. But four tries and a cramp in my foot to kneel in armor Also, just because it works for me and my friends doesn't mean other people won't end up with cracks in their armors. Maybe I'll take the time to write a "how to" in the future for sitting and kneeling in armor, but even then depending on the armor, fit and build you can still end up with cracks.

Thanks. I may apply for basic when I'm done and then fix it before I apply for Centurion. I'm sure there will be other fixes for sure. Still struggling with huge gaps between my shoulder bells and chest. Just the way I'm made. My shoulder bridges are gluing right now, then I will post some pics.

Forearms all done TFA shape, but separate box and screw added

10/14/22 - Charity Gala 31st cumulative TK troop! TI-50597 - #3 CDZ-(CLOR!!!) 5435 - #10 This was a charity gala event to benefit Veterans Integration Center and a local animal rescue (Watermelon Mountain Ranch). It was also my daughter's debut of her new Little Leia costume. She seems to be the 2nd in the GA, with the first possibly being the actual actress. She was SO happy. (I'm behind her, and her mom is far left) The plan was to have a Carrie Fisher birthday photo with all of the local Leias, but we only had General Organa and Little Leia in attendance... so I did what I had to do. My wife (trooped with the TIE bucket at the actual gala) also helped out. Expect more HR troops from her. She loved joining Dolores's HR team. Unfortunately, my fellow TKs did not take kindly to the buns and I was disciplined. They had a photo booth at the gala. We invaded after the gala denizens were though posing with us. I think we need photobooths at every event from now on. These physical booth prints are hanging proudly on my blaster wall. Securing the area... ... for photos with the boss! Bonus pix Her approval photo. I'm so proud of the outfit. Figuring out what actual colors everything was on screen took WORK. She could be a stunt double if she wasn't about a foot taller than the actress. HR Rep Livia is reporting to a garrison near you. "DON'T MAKE THE JOKE DAD!!! JUST DON'T!!!" lol lol lol

Noted for my eventual Hero build! Heck, I already have the hovi tips, so perhaps I’ll knock out this paint job now.

So because it states plastoid maybe there is no reason not to have plates on the boots but guessing they are the same as Phasma is the issue. What may happen is we end up with an incomplete CRL but allows you to troop until more evidence is presented that you are either correct or otherwise. What that means as per the recent Legion discussions is "if" more details come to light and you are FTL (First to Legion) that means you will be required to update your costume as the CRL is updated. This is the angle the LMO team has been pushing this term. basically trooping allowed on an incomplete CRL with high expectation you will modify as required. I think the time frame from any new evidence on a costume is 6 months from the CRL update, or it may become retired. In reality you are making a guess on the shape and style of plates as well as the colour of the boots. I believe Phasmas boots in production were impossible to get to a silver colour and not have it peel off or deteriorate so they simply went the rout of black. See that is an assumption as well, not fact based on any information I have received from the prop and costume department. CRL at worst are based on assumptions, hence the problems with one of the officer costumes from IOC. This is why the LMO's were hamstrung on the boots in the past, and they are hesitantly using the black series as a minor stop gap for the boots only. As to trooping how you want, that is a decision for your garrison GML, as the detachment, we don't have any say in that, so best to be approved locally trooping in anything not in a given CRL. I would much prefer a green lit CRL, we want to get this across the line and fully approved, because then if changes occur down the track to it, your costume is only grandfathered not force upon you to update it in a given period of time. It becomes entirely up to you whether you change it or not and you can continue to troop on regardless. This would have been so much easier if the book clearly stated Black boots and a brief description of the plastoid plates, that is for certain.

Nice work Gerald! Congratulations Centurion!

Congratulations on Centurion Christine! Welcome to the ranks!

Welcome to FISD. Looking good so far. Lots of great people to offer help here.

Well, I layed down on a bench, beach chairs and swings, stuff slightly above the ground. It's easier than laying down on the ground. EDIT: just because I don't prefer to do so, doesn't mean it's impossible to lie down on the ground -- TK-71384 is famous for posing that way Yeah, RS armor is super sturdy -- my friend group (Chaos Division Fireteam) and I have done basically everything in those armors: Playing soccer, falling down, laying down, sitting down, running around, climbing stuff and so on... you think it, we've probably done it. Shout-out to my TK-sister @Swoby who's even more adventurous than I would ever dare If you're curious about my shenanigans, there's either my Troop Log or my Instagram ( @lucamorgi ) -- gotta recommend the second, there's way more shenanigans

A. Ny. Way. *lol* Pictures. I'll start with the traditional layout: As has been discussed elsewhere, a lot of the parts got changed to the updated version from TLJ, despite most of us ordering this as a TFA suit. Some rolled with it and are building the TLJ version. I am putting in the extra to TFA this thing. The cod is off to the side because I got a TFA one from KB. The thighs and calves and biceps all have the TLJ style curved overlap on the inner seams. I gotta address that. And the forearms are a whole topic unto themselves. First, though, the truly problematic bits... The belt boxes are all cast as single-piece resin parts: These are fairly late-stage worries. I can get them sorted and attached to the belt pretty near the end. But I'm currently trying to figure out what I want to do. I may ask KB for some plastic pieces, and use these to site the mounting screws in the same places... Then there's the holster bracket. Of itself, not awful: The cutouts aren't truly cutouts, as there's no undercut from where the lower pieces have larger holes. But I have R2dan's upgrade. There is, however, a problem: The aluminum pieces are the right width. All the cutouts and screwholes are perfect and correct. They're just... short. As you can see. Just a couple millimeters, but... Who made the measuring goof, here? Should I just grind a millimeter off each end of the base part? How crucial is this difference, as far as approval? I know some bust out the micrometers, while others just glance and say "good enough". I got the aluminum pieces to be an upgrade from the less sturdy kit parts, but are those millimeters enough to ding me from EI or Cent? Less problematic, but I just wanted to shout out to @ukswrath -- guess what they didn't fix? I'll be using your approach to get the overlapping pieces to seat right. On the other hand, remember all the fiddly shaping you had to do with the ab boxes? Check this out: (The big one is off getting some special attention.) In general, apart from the belt boxes and the solid mass that is the thermal detonator, I am loving the resin detail pieces. Here's ab box #2: Or take a look at the "kit kats" for the left calf: And the rest of the fiddly detail pieces are clean and sharp. The rails for the forearms aren't moulded in: And I am pleased to see the clips are TFA style: And Tony... Check this out: There's more, but I'm going to leave off here for now. More later.

I'll repeat it, Mark- WOW you are fast! Thanks!

It is basically the E-10 blaster the mudtroopers used in Solo, but without those silly ring sights and replaced with the E-11 scope and Hengsler counter. Looks like they also removed whatever that box was on the side with the rods sticking out. I actually built something like this last year for a Mando build. Made it out of a PVC pipe and 3D designed parts. I was thinking of it like an iteration between the E-10 and E-11. I was so pumped to see something like it on screen. My version isnt exactly accurate, but I would be happy to give you my 3D files I made if you have access to a 3D printer or want to tinker with them to make them more accurate. There are others on Etsy and such that have files of the Solo version for sale (which look pretty sweet) as another option.

Few pictures of my Cardinal's debut at Dallas Fan Expo. I am currently using regular FOTK boots because I haven't gotten the Phasma armor yet. But got nothing but compliments and lots of people asking if and when it'll be a CRL. Had to explain the boot drama....