justjoseph63

Due to the complexity of that attachment, I don't think this was a one time thing... it takes time and effort to rig up something like that. As you mentioned, we don't normally scrutinize strapping, but if we can find enough screen caps showing this set-up it should probably be a requirement for Centurion.. maybe even EI.

"...I think it's a malfunction of some sort. I'm not sure how the costumes are pieced together for the actors on set, but from just looking at it, it makes me think that the trim at the top of the shin armor just wasn't secured to the rear". I think you may be onto something, Jason, and it would explain my earlier post. Glen is absolutely right... that is definitely a piece of gaffa tape on the side, but the shadow under the raised ridge is what was throwing me, and your image made me feel a little less crazy, lol. Note in both screen caps that the tape goes UNDER the ridge. I'm thinking this was a one-off.. where the ridge broke off of the calf, but why would they put the tape under it? Hmmmm. The plot thickens.

That's the spirit, Scott! Looking forward to seeing the mods on your Centurion submission!!

Just throwing this out there because it's bugging me, but does anyone else find this pic a bit odd? To me at least it looks like an extra piece on the top of the calf (left arrow) but it could be gaffa tape. Also, the back line of the calf is clearly visible and comes straight up, but it appears that the ridge extends out over it leaving a space (right arrow). I'm thinking it just got crunched and that the calf split at the ridge. Or maybe I'm just crazy, lol.

Done!

Hi, Scott, and thank you for your application for ANH Stunt EI! CRL and EIB Application Requirements: All required photos have been submitted, and on behalf of the entire D.O. staff we are pleased to welcome you to the rank of Expert Infantry. Congratulations! Other-Armor Fit/Assembly; In this area we review observations made by your fellow troopers and the DO team. Some observations may lead to suggestions to improve the overall look of your armor, and please keep in mind that we consider both text (CRL) and pictures (screen caps/reference images) when reviewing submissions. Before we begin, we realize that this is a commission build with modifications, and in some areas it's difficult to tell which from which! However we will go over everything and add some advice. Many of the items shown are fairly straightforward/easy fixes, but some will require some elbow grease. You have folks in your corner in the SCG that are on the ready to help. The items in this first area are only suggestions that we hope you will address, so keep that in mind. On that note, let's get started, brother! As seen in the reference image, we are strongly suggesting that you trim down the ends of the brow trim. Easy fix! Reference images Although not a requirement, the screws on the ears should ideally align with the rear angle of the trap above them as shown, and the bottom should angle back more. This can be a challenge, but definitely doable. Reference images The strapping should be adjusted in a few areas for a more uniform look. Note how the right bicep and forearm sit higher than the left, which also leaves a larger gap between the wrist opening and hand guard. The left side is spot-on! Just dropping the right bicep down an inch or so should take care of everything. Notice in the screen used examples below how the rivet is not so close to the corner. I suggest moving them inward. This will require some skill, but the folks in your Squad that may be able to help. Reference images While some troopers have them, note that the coils on E-11s were only seen in promotional photos and not in the film. While it will not affect approval, we recommend that you reduce he number of them that you have. Reference image Centurion Requirements: In this section we prepare you for our highest tier of approval. Because Centurion photos must show more detail than EIB, items pertaining to Level 3 might be seen there and not here and additional photos may be required. We try to point out all that we can from what we are able to see, but the final accuracy is the responsibility of the trooper. Although we allow a bit of leeway in certain instances, unfortunately your tube stripes on on both sides will need to be repositioned. As seen in the reference images they should be about a standard pencil width from the cheek. Replacements are pretty easy to get, and this is easier than you may think. Reference images Easy fix here! For Level 3, ear screws "..shall be... countersunk...". 2 seconds with a small screwdriver and you are golden! (Don't go too tight, though). Reference image As stated in the CRL, there should be minimal gaps between the sides of the bells and the chest/back plate. The tops of the bells should also be VERY close (think touching or almost touching) to the shoulder bridges. If you tighten up the shoulder bell/shoulder bridge connection that should take care of both issues! Reference image As seen below, your ABS belt is sitting a little too far to the right which is throwing off the symmetrical look, causing the left drop box to face forward and the right one to be almost on your side. Another one of those items which is not specifically listed in the CRL but which is seen in the screen caps. Moving it just half an inch to the left will make a huge difference! Reference images In certain cases where a trooper is 6' or taller we allow a gap between the bottom of the back plate and top of the kidney, but since you are 5'10" (like most of the original TKs in the film) that gap should not be nearly that wide. I would tighten up the elastic strapping that connects them, which will close the gap but still give you some maneuverability. Reference images You have the best of both worlds here- screws that mimic the bracket system and straps. (NICE, and I am so totally going to steal that idea)! However, the screw heads need to be painted white.. yet another simple fix! Reference image Another mystery here.. for some reason the builder(s) have placed the upper ab and kidney rivets too far from the top and they (and the ones beneath them) do not line up horizontally. I know this seems like an insanely trivial item, but since Centurion is the highest level of accuracy we must insist that they be moved. As I mentioned, we have the know-how if you have the time and patience! Reference images This is a fairly easy fix... as stated in the CRL, "The corners of the ABS belt shall be trimmed at a 45° angle that meets the outer edge of the cloth belt". It won't be perfect, but short of buying a new cloth belt the easiest way to fix this is by trimming down the ends as shown. Reference images As per the CRL for Level 3, the (outside edges) of the drop boxes are "...vertically aligned with the end of the ammo belt...". Moving the drop boxes into the correct position(s) and then adding a few dabs of glue behind the white elastic straps will do the trick. Reference images Last up is an issue we see often, where the ridge on the sniper knee does not align with the one on the top of the calf. Although this is actually a requirement for Level 2, we tend to relax this item but it is required for Level 3. I know you used CA glue for this piece so it is definitely going to be a challenge to remove, but if you can successfully get it off without damaging it or your calf piece: First you will need start by removing any excess glue. Afterward, it will need to be glued back, with bottom not so close to the front seam of the calf. I have included an image (last pic) of an RS build that shows how it should look. Yes, there is a gap between the bottom of the plate and the seam, but the ridges align perfectly. Reference images RS sniper plate Again, CONGRATS and welcome to the ranks, brother! I know you have some issues to work on, but I have been in touch with Justin and if you are willing he is ready to help you get that Centurion badge under your name.

Hi Will, and welcome back, brother! Great to see that you jumped on things and that we are seeing your submission for Centurion. Please do add some interior strapping photos... I know that you have them in your EI thread, but rules-is-rules, lol. Plus, I am VERY curious to see how you got the posterior plate from this to this It looks like you may have removed all (or most) of the return edges off of the bottom/sides. If so.. BRILLIANT! Or did you just raise it? One other thing is the drop box on your left side. In your EI photos it looks fine, but in your new ones it wants to wander inside a bit. I think the issue lies with the Chicago screw that holds it onto the canvas belt. Moving that screw out is a possibility, but for a quicker fix would suggest just removing the screw, scootching the strap over and gluing it straight to the canvas belt. Easy peasy. Please snap a pic or two when you are done and post it up ASAP!

Can you post up a few pics, Glen? Thanks!!

I don't think a truer statement has ever been made. Until the time comes when I start sporting one of these. It may be awkward.

I personally think you are doing a GREAT job on the thighs, Dave, and I admire your tenacity! Yes, you still have a bit to go, but you have mastered the issues of ABS paste and you are on the right path for sure. You may have already done it, but I suggest trimming the cover strips on the tops and bottoms. The less you have sticking up on the top the better, and the bottom should ideally sit at the top on the upper ridge. That small split (pic 1) is so close to being spot-on! References I get the feeling that you are gonna' get this perfect, Dave. I am blown away with the job you have done so far, so keep up the good work and keep those photos rolling in!

Hi Bart! Yep, I am an older guy (pushing 60.. ancient by FISD standards, lol) and would be happy to answer any armor/trooping queries you may have.

Congrats, Fox! A very good question there, as I will be building a mannequin to display in my man-cave. Do you have the mannequin yet?

PM sent!

Looks MUCH better, Michael! Did you end up just having to tighten the belt a bit or did you have to tighten the strapping as well? Excellent job on trimming that large ab-button plate! I know these particular screw heads are normally covered by the chest plate and not seen, but I would make sure the heads of all the ones that can be seen are painted white.

If you are planning to trim down the sides of the kidney, you will lose the rivets on the left. If you need replacements, just let me know and I'll send you some (no charge). What part of Florida do you live in? The reason I ask is that I know folks in several Squads here that may be able to help you on a one-on-one basis (in person).

Welcome to the FISD, Philip! Tim has a thread (link below) that will explain every step in detail. Hope this helps! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30456-how-to-join-the-501st-legion-as-an-imperial-stormtrooper-tk/

Hi Code! Based on what I can see, it looks as if this armor is a bit too large for your frame and will more than likely need some adjustments. Not all troopers are the same build of course, but as stated in the CRL for Basic approval: Requirements for all 501st costumes are proportional to the wearer in scale, fit and size. In photo 1, it appears that your posterior plate is sitting pretty far away from your... well... posterior. I realize that you (as I do) have a slender frame, but the armor should be more "form fitting" as seen in the reference images. This photo surprises me the most. A general rule of thumb is that you should just be able to slide your hand in between the top of the thigh armor and your leg (give or take a bit), and it looks as if the circumference is way too large. The shoulder bells are riding kinda' high and sitting out pretty far away from the chest plate, and I believe this is due to the strapping. Without a picture I can't be sure, but I'm thinking that the bell strap is glued too far down below the top edge (yellow arrow) causing it to ride up. Gluing it all the way to the top should eliminate both issues. This will also help to hide the tops of the biceps, but those could (should) be raised as well. Note in the reference image how far they sit under the bell. We are here to help every step of the way with any specific adjustments you need to do, Code, so not to worry! Will it take some work on your part? Yep, but we are here to guide you and make sure you end up with a spectacular set of armor! I would concentrate on one area at a time, and posting up some photos wearing the complete set before you start would help immensely. Let's do this!

Once the glue dries, if you could take a few side pics and post them up it will be much easier to give you a more precise answer, but from what I can see it looks great!

SUPER nice work on those teeth, Will!

We see the helmet tilting issue a lot, Gerald, and I am honestly thinking (from personal experience) that it is due to the padding in the top. Not all noggins are the same, but in this case I think it is lifting the bucket too high, which is causing you to have to tilt it forward just to be able to see. As seen in the third image below the helmet should be more or less level. Note how the one in the reference image sits much lower to the torso. I know you have electronics in the top, but it may be a matter of removing the padding, configuring your layout and mounting them into the cheek areas on the side(s).

Nice job on those pics, Will! Bear with us while we get started, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

I think I may have figured out the issue, Will. It seems your pics are enormous (3024 x 4032)! I just tried to do some editing on the front view, and it was taking imgur over 5 minutes to download this one photo. Yikes... I've never seen this happen. I suggest not only reducing the size, but cropping them as you go (as seen in the second image). 4042 is way too large, so I would reduce the height to about 1200 or so after cropping. As seen in the first image, just left click on the right side of the number, back it out and then type in 1200. If this doesn't work, we will figure something else out, so not to worry. Suggested

Hi Will, and thanks for your submission! If you need help with the photos just let me know via PM.

Just as Glen said, don't worry about re-shaping anything yet. Although AM is made to accommodate larger troopers, it can be successfully cut down to fit almost anyone without any heat involved. I am 5'10 155 lbs. and my AM armor fits perfectly! If I could make a few comments, they would be: 1. Research- While you "hurry up and wait" for Big Brown Box day, look over some of the tons of build threads we have here. 2. Start getting your supplies in order- It's better to have everything in place beforehand. Trust me. I have a link here that will help. 3. Order your boots- Having these on-hand will make it MUCH easier when you get to the point of sizing the calf armor. I suggest Imperial Boots (link here), which is what most of us wear. They only make them in "waves" (once a month) so order early, and I recommend ordering a size bigger than what you normally wear. You will want the ones seen here. Having your undersuit on hand will help immensely when fitting your armor. 4. When BBB day arrives, I cannot suggest strongly enough to start your own build thread. That way, you can ask all the questions you like in one place and post up lots of photos of your progress and any issues you have. 5. Lastly- Take... your... time on your build, and if you have an issue always ask before cutting or gluing. We are here to help every step of the way, Jonathan, so never be shy about hitting us for assistance. It's what we do best!

Before one of us get's going on your approval, we need you to take care of one item for us, Michael. As per the CRL for Level 2, Any gap between the abdomen and kidney armor is no more than 1/2" (12.5mm) wide . I have been in contact with Justin, and he is going to help you with this as well as any items that you need to get that Centurion badge under your name! Speaking of which, I'm jumping the gun a bit but for Level 3 one fairly easy thing that will need to be done is trim down the edges of your large ab-button plate. As stated in the CRL: Plate does not overlap the edges of this area and shall show a definite straight cut edge around all sides Suggested Reference image It doesn't have to be a perfect rectangle of course, but needs to be reduced in size (in the reference image, note the gap between the edges of the plate and the edges of the raised area below it). Getting it off may be a bit tricky, but it can be done. Once you get the ab/kidney gap worked out, please post up an updated pic so we can get the ball rolling!