T-Jay

However, I always felt there is something missing to make that Vader look more fearsome and terrifying. So I thought of a Star Wars-styled base… The camera did not get the colors right but in reality there is a clear difference between the amber and the red. Just look at the wall to the left of the base. Anyway, as this is an ANH Vader, I tend to use the white light most of the time. And here is how it all looks during daytime.

Hi everyone Since a few years I wanted to build a lifesize Darth Vader display for my living room. In May 2020 things got serious and the build was then completed in less than one year (April 2021). Running a WIP thread was not on my list, but I had taken photos of some build stages to do a rough one now. In places it might feel a bit rushed, so here is how it all turned out... Part list: Dome: TM Facemask: TM Armor: 80s ESB/ROTJ Tour Cast Chestbox: Darth Rosso & FenixProps Shin Guards: Korbanth Cod Piece: Dark Shadow Boots: orig. WWII Wehrmacht Offizier Cape Set: KevVader Leather Suit: FenixProps Belt: Paul Walsh Belt Boxes & Buckle: Dark-Side Gloves: Endor Finders Ligthsaber: Parks Sabers Saber Hook: self-made My friend Nick @Darth Niob had an 80‘s ESB/ROTJ Tour armor plus TM dome for me (both already painted) and arranged a suiting TM facemask from Paul Walsh in the UK. Paul had kindly sent that mask straight to Juan Fernandez in Puerto Rico for finishing. I used the meantime to focus on gathering the other parts and the mannequin. From my lifesize Stormtrooper display I already had a good experience with a specific type of mannequin and bought a similar one again. Of course it had to be modified heavily, to match Dave Prowse‘s dimensions. Meanwhile the facemask from Juan had arrived and as I had expected, the colors did not match the chest armor. Both pieces sit too close on the mannequin to oversee that fact. Luckily Juan had told me what colors he used, so I was able to buy them and repaint the chest armor. Now the colors match perfectly. Was quite happy with how Vader now looked and placed the mannequin in the living room. Not on the photos: a tiny bluetooth speaker is located right behind the front mesh of the facemask. When playing the ‘breathing sound‘ it is quite cool to have it coming straight from there.

Hi Andreas. Glad to see you finally went for the classic ANH stunt armor. Looks good so far. Basic approval should be easy.

The All-In-One TK Stunt Index of Resources has its own chapter for Armor Yellowing. Maybe you want to check this out... And if nothing works for you, it would still be possible to convert a good armor into a Sandtrooper or a Zombie-TK.

...and if that doesn't answer your questions, drop me a PM so we can chat or run a phone call. This way you can ask many questions and get immediate replies.

Done

Hi Torsten. Welcome to FISD. Great to hear about your plans to join. Not sure what step of the process you are actually in at the moment. However, don't hesitate to ask questions here, or run a build thread (so we can assist) or just contact me via PM. We also have a section in German language, in case that helps you. Good luck and enjoy your TK-journey.

Donated. 🙂

As far as I know the Baptys were used for filming in Tunisia with the Sandtroopers and therefore are not the perfect fit for us Stormtroopers.

Donation sent.

Hi Ken and welcome to the FISD. First of all you have done an outstanding job on this blaster. Don't worry about the power cylinders and the counter being angled. We've had this discussion a while ago and both is accurate. Most builders (me too) just find it strange to have parts on a blaster that are NOT parallel to the receiver tube. But we have seen both so that's fine and gives it your personal touch. Your blaster looks great and once the stand is finished, I am sure it will make a very nice display. As it currently appears 'factory-fresh' you might want to think about some fine weathering?! This often adds the bit of extra realism. Not sure if @justjoseph63 already mentioned, but here you can find interesting info with a specific chapter for weathering. Regarding blaster certification: armors and blasters can be built towards different levels of accuracy (Basic, Level 2 & Level 3). As far as I know you can only get your blaster reviewed as part of your full application for higher levels (incl. armor), which in both cases requires to already own the lower level and thus the 501st membership. In other words I am not aware of a process to only certify a single blaster. Maybe the staff experts here know more. However, we DO have an unofficial certificate in the Download chapter of the E-11 Blaster Reference. Just check the PDF document and scroll down to the last page. Printed and framed this will surely look awesome next to your display.

Not sure if I correctly understood your problem but the first video in the following link shows how to disassemble and assemble the whole Sterling. Maybe this helps...

Also helpful for all things related to the classic E-11 blaster: https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/32111-fisd-e-11-blaster-reference/page/4/#comment-422899

Never too late to check in for seeing a good blaster build. As always, great work Joseph.

Hey Ken, maybe our member Fieldmarshall is able to help you:

Welcome to the FISD, Markus. Great story. Looking forward to seeing more content from you here.

What sticks out to me is that both blasters have different kinds of T-tracks. While the tracks on blaster 2 look like having been bent to really lock into the venting holes, blaster 1 has tracks with no signs of any bends. It more looks like they have been shaped to have curved ends. This results in the question of why having 2 different types and/or methods of adding T-tracks. My guess would be both are rebuilds.

Outstanding Blaster, Adam. Yes, there have been a few blasters in the past which I found outstanding, too. But from all E-11s I've ever seen here on FISD, this seems to be the most perfect one so far.

Glad to hear you are back again Joseph.

Hi Kian. Maybe you can start just with a helmet to see, if you can wear it with your glasses. If not, it would still be a nice display piece.

Welcome to the FISD. Seems like you have already been pointed in the right direction. Any questions, just ask. And when things get serious, start a build thread so we can help. By the way, I like you current profile picture.

Thank you very much.

Thanks for all your thumbs and the comment. Currently I am not sure about my next troop, but I will try to get more photos in the future...

Just started my troop log and kindly request the 50 troops milestone badge.

46) -- 02.02.2023 -- Star Wars Reads Day, Lohmar 47) -- 04.02.2023 -- Annual Anniversary, Globus, Bedburg 48) -- 17.03.2023 -- Night of the Libraries, Hilden 49) -- 01.04.2023 -- Globus Shopping Center, Bochum 50) -- 04.05.2023 -- Elbenwald Fan Shop Store, Cologne (no photo available)