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Is it a spray booth or are you playing Dexter today? Bart

Regarding glasses: I too wear glasses. Thick padding in the front of the helmet (similar to what @Nairy said) works wonders. I got absolutely no problems wearing them inside the helmet due to the padding. Just gotta get enough distance in the front of the helmet. You can try out chinstraps, but I found that they left me with headaches and troubles moving my jaw. If you add enough padding on the sides of the helmet, there shouldn't be too many bubblehead feelings. A lot of that is personal preference (comfort vs appereance).

There's a lot of AP build threads on here. My own is linked in my signature and there's many in the ANH Stunt section. Mark (owner of AP) is active on the forum. Email is indeed the best way to get in contact with him for any questions or repair parts. Welcome to FISD Robert!

It's an addiction

Hello all. I'm a life long Star Wars fan and have slowly been taking steps to join the 501st an start trooping. I just acquired a used ANH Stunt kit that I want to try and get up to Centurion level. The seller stated it was an AP build. I have many questions that I'm doing lot of reading to try and find answers for. For starters I can't find a webpage for Authentic Props. Are they still operating? I was also trying to find Level 2 boots and not having much luck. I guess Imperial is closed until 2023? I'm in the Austin TX area so if there are some seasoned TK troopers in the area, please contact me.

Sealing the inside of the armor is a great idea, I've done this on two of Jim's kits, I would advise trimming first, only as it can get pretty messy Nice looking spray booth, where there's a will there's a way

The fiberglass itchies is directly impacting my progress on my R1 armor. I understand your pain. It's not nearly as fun to work with as ABS... Hope the plastidip works!!

Still not starting the FOTK yet but I officially started my deathtrooper today. Since this will be relevant for both builds, I am adding it to this build thread. So, when you order a fibreglass armour kit and BBB day arrives…. Even though it is almost irresistible to put the pieces on, it’s not a great idea as it is similar to rolling in fibreglass. I was itchy for days. I decided to coat the inside of the armour with plastidip to seal in the fibres. The issue is that it is winter here and I can not spray outside. The solution. Build a spray tent in the basement. I made a square frame with 3/4” PVC pipe and attached it to the metal support beams with rare earth magnets. Then draped plastic sheeting over the frame and closed the seams with tape. since there is no ventilation, you need to wear a respirator mask in there but it seems to be working well so far.

I will look at every helmet interior no matter how dated! That is a big bit of foam, more than I would have guessed. Interesting. I may need that as I do find the front of the helmet bottom edge seems tight against my throat so moving it forward is probably a good thing. Bart

I go to the hard hat suspension for a couple reasons. One, I wear one at work and am used to how they feel and can keep the hardhat stable and two, what some of the local TKs are doing so I see their stuff and get their take on it. The final fit is still up to debate. I'm going to experiment for sure as this is one area that everyone will have a different comfort level with. For basic approval I don't have to have the interior finalized and I fully expect some additional tweaking for comfort will happen over time. Would be very hard to hit the ground running and expect no further adjustments. As I'm adding fans too there is a bit of fiddling yet for the helmet. I'm looking forward more and more every day to getting pre-approval photos up. I feel it is within reach now. Two weeks ago I didn't think it was ever going to get there. Bart

This is my stunt helmet, and almost everything here is outdated (image taken when test fitting my mic system), except the foam on the forehead - and here you can see how it looks! I've done the same in my Hero helmet which is my main costume! And personally, apparently having a buckethead for a head I don't have any issues moving my jaw or issues with headaches and such regarding the use of chin straps! Maybe there is something wrong with me! I can even use my Hero helmet for hours without a hint of a headache! @Morgi

I didn't add it myself on this helmet but it is very raw in its construction! Just a popper with two elastic straps, a male on one and a female on the other, and it sits inside the helmet by just utilizing the screw, nut and washer that is already there!

Hey I can get one arm on by myself now in under a minute. Two is going to be asking a lot! I'm still celebrating arms today. It's arm day and Star Wars has been playing just about non-stop on Showcase so listening to that for inspiration as I putter around. It's my darn glasses that will be the biggest hold back on where the helmet can finally sit. I can't not wear them or I'd have a headache and be walking into everything. I like the idea of looking through the tops of the lenses instead of the middle and I think that is achievable. Getting close to the lenses with my glasses maybe not so much. I'll see. No pun intended. I wish I could wear contacts, but that's not an option for me either. Stupid eye problems. I have the helmet padding now from Amazon so can play with that a bit too. There is padding over each ear as well which I probably need to reduce too as it interferes with getting my head in the thing. I've been told I can have an ego, but I didn't think it was enough to actually physically swell my head. Slowly but surely. Bart

Morgi's is a huge suggestion. Having the helmet as low as possible is extremely helpful for your vision. Also try to get your eyes as close to the lenses as you comfortably can. Both of these fitting tricks really help you to actually live happily inside the armor. My own bucket has only some fuzzy velcro on the top to allow it to sit as low as possible and my lenses fit like glasses - very close to my eyes. I have no problems seeing and really enjoy being inside the bucket. Your arms are looking great! I hope to see them both on shortly.

Welcome to the FISD! Centurion is an awesome goal and you can find all the help you could possibly need on here. From my latest knowledge, AP should still be operating, you might want to try contact them per e-mail, if you need anything. Not many armor vendors have a website, instead you can find an up-to-date list over here. Imperial Boots open once a month for about a week during which you can order, then close for the rest of the month to process the orders. Just keep an eye open, they should have another run soon. In the Attaché List you can find some troopers in your area who have committed themselves to the task of helping TK recruits, so do not hesitate to reach out to them, should none reply to you first. Again, welcome, and enjoy your white armor journey

That's some nice work on your arms, good to see how much the over-all look has improved! I, personally, would recommend getting the helmet as low as possible, so you can view through the inner upper corners of your lenses. This gives you the best field of view to the sides and downwards, so you don't end up tackling too many small kids Maybe try what it feels like without the padding at the top and if that works for you? OT Troopers did have their helmets extremely low, here shown with the reference pics from Joseph's CRL Reference Guide: Although there's really no need to go quite this low with the helmet, I think it helps with the overall appereance.

Ok, so after strap adjustment number 4 or 5 I think I have the forearm centred nicely top to bottom so elbow and wrist seem about the same gap, with normal and expected movement, and the biceps in such a position that I feel fairly comfortable when bending my arm. Still lacking some padding in the forearms but that is an easy one to do. I think I can move on to fitting the rest now. - Duplicate the right arm to the left for strapping positions. - I have ordered modified shoulder elastic from AP that will hopefully rotate them forward a bit. - I am going to add the butt plate v-tabs today to try and see if that is enough to reduce the bit of butt flare I'm seeing. I haven't found any other threads that seem to apply or give me additional ideas. - Still thinking on the drop box move over fix. - Waiting on the neck seal to finish the top and the harness so I can fit the thighs correctly. - Will add the velcro tab on the front of the boots and inside the shins for rotation fix. - I have the white elastic for the back of the shoulder straps but just can't position it well on my own yet (But all considered I'm able to dress 90% of myself now which is way better than when I started). Thoughts? Bart This is me smiling because I think I am done with the arm sizing and see the light at the end of the tunnel (at least I don't think it is the train coming down) for the rest of it. I felt somewhat closer to stromtroopery look this morning. I know I can paint the front of the tips white to keep moving it forward in accuracy. Again, easy to do. Does the height of the helmet look correct? This is unaltered. It just has the padding it comes with from AP on the top and sides. I am going to use a hard hat harness ultimately to snug it onto my head to reduce the bobble head feel for me. As it sits right now I'm looking pretty much dead centre out of the eyes (not that I can see a lot).

Things can be a little tight in the helmet, some have modified lenses to fit, here's a few threads maybe of help https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/29798-wearing-glasses-while-in-a-bucket-the-real-reason-why-tks-cant-aim/?hl=%2Bwearing+%2Bglasses https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/27948-eye-glasses-in-tk-helmet/?hl=%2Bwearing+%2Bglasses#entry353692 https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/19214-buckets-glasses/?hl=%2Bwearing+%2Bglasses

Looking better

Happy holidays to all, whichever and however you celebrate, to you all and yours [emoji4] This is truly a unique, and inclusive space. Well done to all for making it so! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Because of bad travelling conditions my family postponed Christmas day so I puttered around with my arms. I moved up the forearms about 1/2 inches which didn't translate to the same at the wrists, but there was an improvement. I found if I moved the bicep up about half an inch I had the best fit for spacing and comfort so despite not wanting to do anymore adjusting I am and have adjusted the bicep snap again. This now must be the last adjustment before I drive myself crazy. Forearm still not centred to my liking: Pulled the bicep up a bit and it feels better here: Beginning to think my arms change length every day since this shouldn't be this hard to find the happy spot for this:

I'm still very much overwhelmed by the thought of being welcomed to this group, I'm truly thankful for all the support I received from everyone during my build and helped me achieve the best I can to bring my armour to life. Sending love and best wishes for the future, Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2,023 to all! A special hug for all those who have had a hard time this year, due to health problems or loss of loved ones...Life is like that. A roller coaster of emotions. Lots of strength, and may this 2.023, the force be with all of you.

After many years here on the FISD I truly consider this my "happy place" and everyone here as my extended family. Just like a "real" family, some of us don't always see eye to eye on everything, but still we encourage each other, provide help when we can, share lots of laughs and revel in one another's accomplishments. We lend an ear (and the occasional shoulder) when needed and know that we have each other's backs like no other Detachment. It truly does make me proud to be a part of this group, and whether you be just starting down the path on your TK odyssey or are a seasoned vet, know that I appreciate you all and wish you the very best of what the holiday season and new year has to bring. Let's make 2023 the best year EVER on the FISD, and please help me keep crazy uncle Louie away from the Christmas punch.

I also commissioned Mandalorian Business to create realistic renders. He's taking his time as he's talented and busy. His belt and stomach armor looks really nice. Link to a WIP he posted up shows that. I'll be leaning towards his interpretation of the belt as it fits the concept art and can be quickly modified to fit the game by moving the pouch things. https://www.instagram.com/p/ClW1UfYqSLH/

I have done a lot just trying to pump up awareness of the design. It has indeed helped as I see more discussions, art, etc. If anything I could create a step by step process and have it hosted on Google Drive or Icedrive. My main issue is ADHD or being broke. I have a 3D printer and I will get to it, but it might be like 3 months away. lol I don't know the strictness of these forums, the 501st Legion (group), or whether my desired build would be tolerated. Ideally I want a 'realistic' take on the game design. I want to take elements from the Live Action Clone Troopers from Kenobi and Andor, the movies, the concept art for TFU and the actual TFU model. Considering how much is Clone based, I would follow a Clone CRL and then tweak it. Helmet, shoulder pads, stomach, groin, belt, knee ammo pack and knee pad being the key differences I can recall. Does it fall under CT or TK? Well it's an Imperial Clone. It falls under Imperial, Post RotS and Post Phase 2, but it just so happens to be a Clone. Anything Post Phase 2 I would consider as a "TK", but then again I have zero say.

Hey Nadas, For a speaker system, I have both an AKER MR1505 and TRamp (https://www.facebook.com/trooperamp/). Below is my thoughts on each and a demo of each unit. As per the video, I think that the Aker is exceptionally good value and I’d highly recommend it. However, for the extra immersion, TRamp offers the clicks and static bursts. If you want them, it also has TK samples and loops built in, as well as 10s of other characters built in. For helmet fans, I started off just building my own. Simple and cheap 5v fans from China, some wire and switches, and a USB power bank. This was fine for trooping and worked really well. More recently, I upgraded to TroopaCoola. Not only are they more attractive to look at, but, the system I went for is the Digital Variable System (DVS). This means you can increase or decrease the speed of both fans to suit your requirements. Here’s my thoughts on TroopaCoola; Regarding blaster lights and sounds, my personal opinion is that it takes away the “magic” of a costumed TK. Anyone that knows me knows that I love OTTKs and like to represent them as realistically as possible. I’ve used the example of Disney World before, where the characters are “in-character”, allowing the guest to believe they are meeting the actual character. To me, that’s so much more memorable than just “a guy in a costume”, especially for the children. As such, I find that lights and sounds on an E-11 are never realistic. It comes across as more of a toy than a prop. Of course, this is just my personal opinion, and no offence is intended to those that do use light and sounds on their blaster. Best wishes Dan

I can fit my bucket on without taking off my glasses. But this is a pretty cool idea!