JBar

I think you're doing an excellent job with your helmet so far. Glad you found a solution for the lenses. And getting the right padding for the helmet can definitely be a challenge. As far as the mesh goes for basic approval you're definitely fine. When I submitted for EIB one thing I had to change was adding a wider mesh as you referenced. I had the default WTF mesh and it wasn't wide enough. I can't for sure say if yours passes or not but I ended up needing to cut out the mesh from a kitchen strainer as it was a wider mesh

Yeah even with the front knee aligned I still had the issue of the back not lining up. I dunked the calves in some hot water and bent them into shape a bit but in the end I realized once the velcro is on that will hold the shape just fine so I wouldn't stress it at this point. Glad you were able to fix them easily

Hate to say this but yeah you're gonna want to redo your right (left picture) calf. Don't sweat it you were smart and used E6000 so it's very fixable. Trust me I made mistakes like this a lot with my kit. So with the Walt kit that right calf has a super long ankle bottom once the top is lined up. It's meant to be that way so once you re glue the calf so that the knee is flush on both sides you'll just need to take a dremel and sand down the ankle openings so that they are more even with each other and retain their shape. Shave down as little as possible until you know for sure how much you can take off once you have your boots and thighs fitted properly. Basically I'd save that part for the very end. But for now I'd pop that right calf apart and re glue it. See if something like a butter knife can help remove the cover strip and just go slow with it. Your fingers should be able to rub a lot of the glue off once the cover strip is removed. If for some reason you feel that the second cover strip doesn't have enough strength you can always glue one on the backside as well. Here are mine: You can see I kept the shape but sanded down the ankles so that one isn't excessively long This is why a build thread is such a great idea. You can get help along the way like this and again this one is very fixable

Looks like you got the photos figured out. Looking like an awesome start can't wait to see this all come together. You're gonna know more than you ever thought you would about stromtroopers by the time you're done with this

You're welcome to make a stormtrooper in any way you want but in my opinion I strongly encourage an ABS kit for this. 3d printing is amazing but there is a ton of cost in time in printing this. The vendors that most people use have been vetted which makes approval much easier on your GMLs. If the armor isn't just right you may find yourself starting all over. Plus there's all the work of sanding and painting and for me I'd rather do just about anything, mow lawns, walk dogs, etc and pick up the money to buy a kit rather than spend weeks sanding and painting. ABS plastic is also very flexible compared to 3d prints that will crack and shatter pretty easily. ABS cracks too but it's easy to fill and reinforce. That being said if you decide to move forward with printing this is still the best place to be for information on how to continue.

I did something similar using motherboard mounting screws like you have in your PC. It was really tricky with the curve of the lens but after cutting them out I used Sugru to install the jackscrews. Once dried I used a small hand drill to line up and make holes in the lenses for the screws. You can see I still messed up a bit but in the end I'm really happy with the results and I can take them out if needed. Motherboard screws used: SGTKJSJS M.2 SSD screw Mounting Screws Kit for Asus Motherboards

Sadly my left shoulder strap cracked on my first few troops so I would definately recommend reinforcing them once you're done. Since I've done this they've been very sturdy. I just used my heatgun to curve some abs plastic leftover from cover strips so that they reinforce the crack points in the shoulder straps. I sanded the contact points as normal and used e6000 for the flex

First milestone reached. [10] Troops

10th Troop! First milestone reached. Got to troop with St Alban's Church in Long Island. We helped outreach free healthcare for local residents in the areas. Had a little fun too 501st Troop: 40 FISD Troop: 10 Event: Bronx Anime and Comic Expo Location: 1315 Olmstead Ave Bronx N.Y 10462 Date: 8/17/24 https://i.imgur.com/H99ATDi.mp4

I remember my first hospital visit. I was extremely nervous as it was also my first troop with a new garrison. Like you said the nerves went away once it all started. For me I have to remember from a kid perspective just looking at a stormtrooper and all that cool armor is often enough. A simple wave or giving away a trading card is the coolest thing for someone young. That thought helped take the pressure off to perform. These are now my favorite troops

Welcome. I myself am not a first order expert by any means but lots of people here are. You'll definitely find what you're looking for in the first order threads. Hope to see a build thread once you find the armor you want

Looks like you're off to a good start. Definitely would love to see a build thread. It both helps you as well as future troopers build their kits. There's a lot of good info that people chime in with too. I have a Walt kit myself and it's a great kit to learn all the ins and outs of a TK

Exciting to see some Blizzard Force action!

That looks like a ton of work. Worth it though

Welcome! You've come to the right place. There's a wealth of information here and it's all good stuff. Those links above area a really good place to start. Hopefully we'll get to see your build thread once you decide which armor to go with. Let us know if you have any questions

Gotta love having to make them less perfect XD. That being said where did you find the WTF templates? I just see the ones for his child sized helmet

Those are some gorgeous planes and photos! If only we could sit in the planes for pictures

Armor is coming along nicely. Looks like you got it but I liked this simple shin and thigh fitting trick using tape

I also like to comb through the EIB and Centurion application posts and you can see the things that are picked out that need changes fitting wise. Generally you want minimal armor gaps showing if possible especially between the chest and shoulder area. I heard that George Lucas even requested drop boxes to be added to cover up more undersuit area (can't confirm this). As for calves and thighs yeah tape down the front and wrap them until they fit. Make sure your friend tapes a very straight vertical and centered line which you can cut down where the tape edge is. Do the same for the other opening side. This video does a better job at what I'm trying to explain

Excellent job Dylan! It's such a good feeling to accomplish this and it's a big achievement. Nice work

Well deserved @Wompet! Amazing Con that I need to visit next year. Those props and pics are amazing. Love the Tantive IV airlock too

Hey my wife I think saw a FB ad for that Camas troop. I moved from Vancouver, WA a year and a half ago. I really miss that area. Say hi to everyone from NYC!

501st Troop: 39 FISD Troop: 9 Event: Bronx Anime and Comic Expo Location: 1315 Olmstead Ave Bronx N.Y 10462 Date: 8/03/24

501st Troop: 38 FISD Troop: 8 Event: CPNassau Sci-Fi Mini-Con Location: Levittown Hall, 201 Levittown Pkwy, Hicksville, NY 11801 Date: 7/20/24

Looks like you're well on your way trooper! For fitting advice I think the biggest thing that jumps out to me is that your thighs are pretty high up. By dropping them down a maybe 2-3cm you'll both close the gap with your shins but it will also drastically improve the fit of your posterior armor. Right now the thighs are overlapping it. When you get your boots in they should scoot the shins up higher to close the gap even further. Lastly make sure you have an even gap of armor on each side of your thighs. Right now your right has a much bigger gap than the left around the codpiece Also I'm not sure how much padding is in your helmet but I'd take as much out of the top as you can to get the helmet to sit lower. Very little neck showing: Lots more room to pull your thighs below your posterior armor Some more minor/easy fixes to consider especially for level 2/3 would be to make sure the cover strips aren't excessively long. Some especially over the front thighs look like they could use some trimming down. Also I like to center my belt center button over the raised edge that goes down to the codpiece. That will center your drop boxes too. And ideally you'll want the bottom buttons touching or half covered by the belt for level 2/3. When working on your strapping you'll want to make sure your ab and kidney plates are flush with each other. Also make sure your kidney and back have a minimal and even gap. I think some under suit material might be bunching up in a few places like in your back and around your shoulder bells. Also just make sure your TD clips are pushed all the way down. These are pretty easy fixes and I'm sure these were some quick fitting photos but I thought I'd say something for when you're ready for submitting them. Good little things to keep in mind But again for overall fitting I'd definitely take those thighs down a bit and see if you can work your helmet down lower. Overall looking forward to your build. Looks like you're really close!