Billhag

SEE!!, now that's the way it's done....no fluffing or fannying about, simple and easy,...just how all 'How To's should be Huzzah!!...well done that Man

Yerrp, they have been posted up on a few peoples ‘Build’ threads over on the UKG. Jame, here you go mate, easy to do even with the belt made up. And yerrp, your drop boxes are wrong. It might not be a problem with clearing EIB or Centurion but you may want to think about doing them the correct way

It's nice to have a couple of pairs of boots to have a bit of a change around every now and then When I've trooped my TK Boots I've just used a 'Crayola' crayon to give 'em that cracked paint crease effect. You can do it as heavy or as light as you want and it stays in place but you also have the luxury of being able to just wipe the whole lot off without staining or harming the boots. I just touch 'em up when needed and away ya go!!

Si, sorry for the Hi-jack mate, didn't mean to distract from your build thread, and I think you know just how frigging AWSOME! I think your progress is, it's the Dogs Danglees mate As for my diagrams (or 'Bill-a-grams' as Aaron-synaptyx christened them years ago), I think you can tell just how much I love 'Airplane Safety Brochures', Ikea 'Instructional' leaflets, ohh and not forgeting those old Airfix model 'A to B' guides I do try to keep them as simple as I can so that you can look at them quick and still get a good idea of what's going on. Mathias, no problems matey, fill ya boots

Yerrp, one of many little tricks that I use in my builds for the guys in the 'G' With the splitty to male popper I've found that you get a better fit if you use the Heavy Duty camping snaps instead of the Pryms (tested both by the way), it as a smaller hole in the base so when you spread the wings out there is far less movement when its finished and in position Personally I prefer the 'covert' split rivet elastic route. Use the right washers and single caps and it's pretty hard to tell the difference

Vern, mate not so sure on that one, I've found plenty of shots of blasters in ESB with no front disc that are NOT a Promo/Snowie variation And yes, those two blasters in the steps shot are Promo variations, I noticed this back in Sept. 2010 when I posted up here the High Res shot from 'Empire' magazine.

.....how freaky is that?, and that was after YOUR very first troop many, many moons ago As Steve said the T-Shirt / Super Glue fix works a treat mate.If you do it right you wouldn't even know that it's there and it will last you forever. A brillant alternative to the old t-shirt material is a dried out wet-wipe, good ol' Matt Sparling came up with this and it works in a similar way as if you were using fibreglass matting. Both do a fantastic job and have kept many a set of armour trooping for years and years.

Gary Yerrp, I think I know the difference between the Disney suits and those available to 501st members, I'd be outcast from the P.E.A.S.'s and probably get the sack as the UKG's Cheif Armourer if I didn't Also aware of what Disney expect from you Florida boys as I've been lucky enough to attend one of Star Wars Weekends and chat to a good few of the guys. As I said, I was just curious about the possible charity side of things.

Nicely done guys, way to go I hope you don’t mind me asking but a friend showed me some of these pictures at the weekend and ask if the troopers were 501st and I of course replied “they sure areâ€. They then ask me “what do the guys get out of it from Disney?â€, which I replied “I don’t really knowâ€. Let me explain, here in the UK when one of the Big Boys such as Lego, Sony, PR Companies for Lucas Films etc. approaches the UKG to attend and promote their event we always negotiate with them for nice sizable donation for our charity pot. It’s a ‘Win-Win’ situation, they get The BEST available and we get to have fun, show just how good we are and help a much needed cause in the process. Now I know things are run differently over in the States but are the Disney troops done just for the sheer joy and magic of it or do others also get to reap the benefit such as nominated charities?. I in no way wish to detract from what you guys do and the honour of participating in such big events such as these, as I said, this ‘off the cuff’ question just got me wondering. Well done again guys

No Stefan, it's a rather famous well known British comedian Al Murray ....people often confuse the two of 'em, but Al is TOTALLY useless at making armour (but does pull a mean pint)

Tony, I think Luis and Mathias have now clarified the situation and have stepped up to assist you in helping with your proposed project. I feel that my comments may have touched a nerve by your reaction. Just so you know the term ‘Troopers Helping Troopers’ originated from myself and Aaron – synaptyx when we were both on staff here, so I’ll think you’ll find that I am fully aware of the meaning of it and it is something that whole heartedly believe in and practice day in, day out as a Staff member for the UKG. Now just because my comments were not all ‘lovey-dovey’ and “Hey Bud!, errrm, not sure if you know but....blah-blah-blah†doesn’t mean that I’m being nasty and unhelpful, I was just stating the facts. Confrontation was not my aim, but appears to have been yours by the way you have reacted and the subtle little digs you have thrown in for good measure. That’s OK, it shows you have passion, which is great, so I’ll let it slide. The fact is we both know nothing about each other so neither of us as a right to get personal. Those that do know me know that I’m a straight talker, I don’t fluff and fanny about with my opinions or comments, I say it like it is, and often with a very warped sense of humour which is not always appreciated or understood by everyone. As I said at the beginning, it appears you now have the help you need to hopefully sort things out, so all’s well that ends well. The best of luck with your project.

Tony How is stating the 501st rules 'sniping' mate? As for an angle?,...that IS the angle,....501st merchandise can not be sold to non 501st members...FULL STOP! As for your enthusiasm and dedication to the FISD & the 501st, I applaud it whole heartedly, and long may it continue

Whoooops!! So that's a Detachment CO giving permision to a Non-501st member to produce and sell branded 501st merchandise, who then trys to sell them to other Non-501st members .....oh dear, oh dear, oh dear

Only 29 for me so far this year (down on last years tally Jan-Oct. by about 10) Over on the UKG all our troops are officially sanctioned (no non-cannon) and have to go through the 'Event Sign Up' system. Each troop you complete / partisipate in is listed on your 'Service Record' and the 'Garrison Service Record' which details the date, event, and costume that you trooped. It's a great system, you can check the details either by the event name, the date, or the members name.It works brilliantly and we have records going way back to 2005 (most priory records were lost when the site went through a forum upgrade back then) I can't really say what my 'best' troop as been so far this year as there have been so many brilliant ones but the most memorable as got to be the one that my granddaughter Meadow got to see me in armour for the first time. She didn't know who I was until I started singing our favourite song (with the odd bit of static burst sneaking in) and she just screamed "GAN-DA!!" Now every time she see's a stormtrooper she thinks it's me,....bless her

Yerrp, I'll second Mathias's recommendations regarding the helmet details That aside, great build and very nicely done, congrates on your achievement, it's well deserved .

....why do I get this feeling of 'Déjà vu' ? Mike Glad to see my information and pictures on the UKG helped you out mate,....fingers crossed, you find exactly what you seek.

Mini Flat Forearms!!! ....and don't get me started on the Bells, Biceps, etc., and that BEAUTIFUL LID!! It's as if you've shoved one of your September 2012 suits into the washing machine on 'Boil Wash' and everything as come out just right for little Luke (but without the obligatory 'red sock', 'coz that would be kindaa silly) Can't wait to see the rest, and I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that I will need some clean dry boxer shorts when I feast my eyes on the fully built suit in all its Glory. Mate, in all the years that I've known you, you have NEVER ceased to amaze me, you mad, talented ba$tard YOU!

Not true mate, Where did you get that info from Rob?, I've trooped for over 4 years now wearing a balaclava and it's no hotter then NOT wearing one. OK, it's a given that it's not a great big, thick woolly one like our mums made us wear in the winter as kids. but the base layer motorcycle ones and the Under Armour Heat wear hoods are brilliant and you wouldn't know you had them on. I think you really need to get out there and troop mate and try some of these things for yourself so that you can give a more objective view of some things. As for the frown?, Pet mesh for the win as Tom said

Sven, chill out mate!! The butt isn't sitting right, there!, HAPPY NOW!! Pete hasn't got the suit sitting right on him and he needs to tweak the way it hangs, that's it FULL STOP!!. I could go through the EIB submissions and show far worst presentations and builds that have been passed off. As Mathias said, it's a trait with smallish troopers who have the popper set up instead the original 'Bars & Bolts' that the butt tends to ride up higher over the base of the kidney plate. No biggy, easy to solve. Sven, you're a SPECIAL type of guy and I can see you going a long way in this hobby. Long days and pleasent nights my friend

Sven, Cheers mate, very informative, thank you

Eric, there must be something in air on those wonderful islands mate, ‘coz you and Tony (oh God how I miss that wonderful man ) seem to get the gist of my somewhat warped sense of humour. As for the accolade, could we not share it?, I’ll take Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and you can have the rest. Well, you are on staff so you deserve the extra day (perks of position and all that) plus I’ll need to make time for my various other hobbies such as crossbreeding thoroughbred Chinchilla’s and Chiwawa’s (with surprising results I might add), collecting ceramic thimbles and making pasta collage’s of well known 40’s & 50’s pop and movie stars (they REALLY do look like them) Oh and of course some armour building thrown in for good measure. Sven, If you knew anything at all about me you’d know that ‘Ego’ and just how high you can pee up a wall is not something that I’m into. My mentioning the amount of armour that I’ve built was a pure illustration to highlight that I think I know what I’m talking about. I’m Chief Armourer on the UKG (NO!, I’m not flexing my ego again) and every day I advice and help people with their costumes. That can be something really simple or something extremely complex and challenging, but no matter what it is I ALWAYS consider their feelings with the content of any comments that I may make. Support, providing information, encouragement and most importantly stoking up that fire and fuelling that unyielding enthusiasm that we all have for this weird and wonderful hobby that we love. I’m glad I rattled your cage a wee bit, because you may consider how you say things and put your opinions across in future posts. As for the ‘German’ thing?, welllllll, I’ll after ask two of my dear friends Dennis and Dan about that. Pete, well done mate you look..... FRIGGING AWESOME!!!!

Sven, thank you so much for your 'EXPERT' comments, I don't think I've laughed so much in ages. I really wished that you had been around years ago so that I wouldn't have made such drastic mistakes on the 39 (yes that's a three tens and a nine!) sets of armour that I've built to date. Still, I now know better, so rest assured and sleep peacefully, that the 3 sets of TM, 1 set RS and RT that I'll be building for my fellow members of the mighty UKG will be built to your impeccable standards. Pete, In my opinion you only need to adjust the way it sits on you to get it to look a wee bit better. Boy!, I'd forgotten just how much I'd missed this place

Mathias Fair enough mate, I know what it's like keeping all the plates spinning when your on staff BUT!.. I'm a little bit shocked to hear you say that you're adding EIB's to the main page "in no particular order" Surely they should be laid out as they HAVE ALWAYS been which is in a consecutive order which relates to their approval dates. I really don't think that's a lot to ask mate and it means a great deal to the guys who have achieved this accolade. You may not think so but I've seen what it means to all my guys over on the UKG.

I think someone on staff needs to take a GOOD look at the EIB designated numbers ‘coz they are all over the place. Plus the guys pictures are out of sequence and don’t reflect the chronological order of when they were approved. Dr.Senf, should be 208 but LadyInWhite as that position (when she should be at 209) Sparrow should be 229 but Hunterhwt as that position (when he should be at 232) Hunterhwt should be at 232 but mkc2 as that position (when he should be at 233) Onkel Christoph should be at 234 but boomshakra as that position (when he should be at 235) Boomshakra is 235 (approved 27 July 2012 - 01:34 PM) but you duplicated this and given Daveski 235 also who should be 242 (approved 05 August 2012 - 01:48 PM) You have also duplicated several numbers for approvals. The correct list and photo list should read as follows;- 232=Hunterhwt (approved 16 July 2012 - 03:49 PM) 233=mkc2 (approved 21 July 2012 - 08:32 PM) 234=Onkel Christoph (approved 27 July 2012 - 01:30 PM) 235=Boomshakra (approved 27 July 2012 - 01:34 PM) 236=RedSpecial (approved 29 July 2012 - 02:33 PM 237= Bigironvault (approved 30 July 2012 - 02:51 AM) 238= antillis (approved 30 July 2012 - 02:56 AM) 239= Brent (approved 02 August 2012 - 06:40 AM) 240= Boltstrooper (approved 02 August 2012 - 06:47 AM) 241= HGBode (approved 03 August 2012 - 08:02 AM) 242= Listed as 235 Daveski (approved 05 August 2012 - 01:48 PM) 243= Listed as 236 rayzor (approved 05 August 2012 - 01:50 PM) 244=Listed as 239 TK 5376 (approved 12 August 2012 - 02:25 PM) 245= Listed as 240 bloodandtears (approved 12 August 2012 - 02:28 PM) 246= Listed as 241 theisaac (approved 13 August 2012 - 08:20 AM) EIB means a great deal to a lot of people, including when they were approved and what designated number they have and where their picture (when posted) is located, Please can you take care to get it right, it’s not a lot to ask, I used to be able to do it with eyes shut (literally after a long night ). Thanks guys