iconoclasta_88

New, better pictures. What do you think? Saludos.

I have finally started working on the armor. Just a very few things got done, trimming some parts of both arms.... To do it, I followed Paul's adviced when he said that the original armor were really bad trimmed, that I would be fine even if I did it with a fork and a knife (or something). So, using the LFL archive's photos, I started trimming. I am not planning to measure much, just eyeball the measurements based only in screen used armor references. So, it will be a long journey but I intend to do it right from the very beginning. Here is a picture... Mre to come soon. Saludos.

Como to the dirty side, you can shoot jawas and burn down moisture farms! Saludos

Thx bro!! All the parts, the kit itself and great help you gave were really REALLY important part of this project of course. You do know your stuff for sure... And I think that, with all the time invested, research and help provided from lots of members here have payed off with a great looking bucket. Thx mi hermano! Saludos.

What do you think bro?? Saludos

its been a while since my JoeR cucket first arrived in february 2011 till today. Focusing in many projects in Real Life, including a baby girl born the same day the bucket arrived. But I have been patient and worked on the bucket, gathering all the parts I needed to build a ROTJ replica that I then could turn into a SE TD. I know that technically the SE buckets are not ROTJ but made from a different badge around 15 or so years later and that they are similar to the tour helmets but well... this is the closest we are able to get, and probably the closest we will ever be. So... I gathered the bucket, the correct hardware and used the correct assembling technique (AFAIK). Then had to have the replica vintage hard hat liner from a run Sskunky did a couple years ago. Also had to go through a couple Bubble lenses sets until I had the correct ones in green from riveting. Finally, after looking for a correct silk screened set of ROTJ decals, went back to Sskunky to get a replica (even if not silk screen) set of ROTJ decals that fit awesome! Also added a set of chin straps from Karin with vintage "snaps". Added some weathering (not enough yet, need to perfect it)... and, a ROTJ replica is done. Here are a few picts from my phone and hope to get some professional picts taken soon. MY SE TD bucket in its form/stage of ROTJ replica... First, this is the ROTJ look I got inspired by: And this is my bucket: The insides: And me in my ROTJ mode. Even if it is not 100% done, have to say that I loved working in this bucket. It is a very cool, detailed and awesome kit. The ROTJ look was not my fav, but must admit that I have found a new love for it. Never will it surpass the ANH or the Sandtrooper love I have, but this is now probably my second fav look for a bucket. The JoeR kit is awesome and the details and little defects gotten from the original helmet are awesome! So... what do you think? Saludos.

Oh...and moving the head around with full armor, pack and pauldron is not eqsy at all... But you get to do it with time. Saludos.

So, almost just a trip to the mud away from becoming a TD. Right? Two things that might help... Soulder pouch, to solve pretty much every single issue with it, just attach it to your pack strap. And I mean, attach it for good. That is the way Sandtroopers were done in '76, so I guess it should work for HWT too. How to carry the pack, must of us TDs just wear the armor the way it should bem then on top of it carry the pack. Straps going over the whole armor. Of course we dont have shoulder bridges made of plastic, but I am guessing it should be fine. But maybe double check with other HWTs. Ayway, what lots of us use to make it more comfy is a chest strap across the chest and under the chest plate. I can see how hta could be a problem for female troopers, but I guess there must be a way to make it comfortable. I have trooper for as long as 9 hours straight with a pack, and using padded straps and a chest strap makes it almost easy. Hope it helps. Saludos.

So... Its been more than a year and my SE Sandtrooper helmet project has come back to my work bench once again. Hopefully to finally finish it. A few months ago I upgraded the bubble lenses to more accurate ones, i dont have a pict atm but will post soon. Also waiting for new decals from Mark already on their way, to upgrade. But today I fixed the accurate ROTJ liner Mark did for me a year or two ago. I think it looks awesome and actually, fits really good. Here is a picture of mine and 2 pictures of real screen used buckets. Can you tell which one is which? I know you can, just kidding. More updates soon. Saludos.

Cool! No interest list yet? Saludos.

Awesome!!! Saludos

Hi guys! Have been off the hobby for some time... just logging in sporadically mainly to keep up with my MEPD tasks... Lots of work since october/november and not time at all to work on armor. But I am back and will start working on my armor in a couple of weeks. Just wanted to say hi and and keep updated anyone that might be interested in my progress. Stay tunned, this is going slowly, but still going. Saludos. Juan.

Yep me too. Title of the thread doesn't help much though... Saludos.

Thx for all your comments! So, we decided to follow your advice and corrected the positioning of the belt's squares. Also cut off all the threads hanging from the belt. It is not 100% accurate, but now it is starting to look much better. What do you think? We also have started working on the helmet's inside. Still slow progress, but almost there. Saludos.

Yes! The belt did not worked 100% the way we wanted. :S It wasmade, well, more out of instinct than actual technique. Specially after seeing yours, I can see this is not as accurate as I thought it would be. Maybe we will try a second attempt. Or just take it to the barber shop We are not going for the über accurate build here, so lets see what Sam wants. And yes... we will take the covers off and relocate them properly, as much as possible. Thx for the advice. Saludos.

OK... Here it is. The belt trimmed the right way. One step closer. Saludos.

Noted!!! Thx Paul! Will follow and appreciate this and all recommendation and insight knowledge to make this better! Saludos.

I don`t really know yet. HEHEHE! I am not 100% about cracking the armor for real, but I will definitely go for the gaffer's tape and on set repairs look. Also, weathering and black scuffs; of course trimming following the kind of trimming job done on ANH and other stuff. I am one step closer... I already have the gaffer's tape. Real from film making industry. I am not planning to modify the armor, just trimming it the way it should be, put it together with the right techniques and meticulously emulate the clumsy (care free) style we see in ANH. Weathering, and all the correct hardware will help me get the right look! Lets see how it goes. I am not really sure of everything now, just have a goal in mind and will try to go for it. Saludos.

THX everyone... I am very excited about this project, and the TM kit is just a piece of art. Really, had never seen one up close before or seen the kind of details that Paul go into with all the accurate parts and hardware, I will do my best to build the armor and make justice to the awesome kit and all the work that has been put into it for so many years!! And yes Paul, I have one golden rule above all the rest, and it is something you told me about 3 years ago: If you use other peoples work as reference, you will end up with a copy of a copy. Only use screen grabs or real armor images for reference. And I have tried to follow that to the last single letter! It will take some time, probably more time spent in reading, researching, comparing and discussing, that actually working on the armor, but I want this to be all what I have dream about! I realize many ppl might not have seen some of my prior work, so just to give everyone an idea, here are two picts... one of my current TD armor, and the other of a replica Set for Stun lid I build a couple years ago (I love posting pictures!!!!). Saludos Juan

LOL!!! Actually bro, I work probably +60 hrs a week, have a 2 yr old daughter and lots of family activities. So my armor building time is reduced to maybe 3 hours a week. That is why I plan to work this over the next year. It took my 3 years to finish my sandtrooper armor up to my own standard. Being a perfectionist, patience is something I have developed. Thx for you comments bros. This is going to be fun. Saludos.

Thx Karin, I still have a debt with you. I believe a owe you some postcards and maybe a few other things. Saludos.

I've been in this hobby for a few years now, started from a *cough cough* recast *cough cough* FX kit, to what now I consider a quiet accurate Sandtrooper TE2 armor with all the needed gear. It has been a long, looooooong journey, with lots of reading, researching and learning from the armor experts in this and other communities, within and outside the 501st. Have build a couple replica helmet attempts in the past, and still have to finish a JoeR bucket in the SE Santrooper fashion, and e Set for Stunt replica from a Cap-W bucket... But now I will starting to tackle one of my most ambitious projects, an ANH stunt Stormtrooper full "replica" armor. And even if I have not yet decided wether if to replicate an exact trooper, or just replicate the look and feel, this build will be inspired by the Boarding Party taking control of the Tantive IV in ANH. For me, as for many others, those ARE the original Stormtroopers. So now... Just yesterday my new TM armor arrived. It is a 1.5 flexible kit with all the original strapping and newey buttons, and the such. Also got a replica belt and an accurate holster and latex handguards. And even a new pair of TKboots which I am deciding if I should dye black and then paint them white, while I can find the real deal. For blaster I already have a doopydoos pipe kit with lots of extra parts and modifications. I have not worked in TK armor in years, but I am currently helping a freind (Mrs. Fett), to build her ATA kit so I have started practicing and finding out all the little differences from TD armor for real and not just in theory. It will be a very long road, but I am comfident that probably a year from now, I will have what I can only see in my mind now: a "real" Stormtrooper armor. So, here are a few pictures just case I know we all love to see pictures... My TM kit fresh from the oven!! This will be a slow project, but hopefully it will be interesting and I know it will be exciting for me! Saludos Juan

Yes. Actually I think that the plastic belt is to long to the left but the square is in the right position. Do we have already trimmed it to better resemble the real armor. Will post pictures later. Thx for your comments bro. We are very happy with how this is starting to look. Saludos.

What do you think? Saludos

Yes, we used the paint can, so that is exactly the measurement suggested, now it would be a bit shorter... Well try trat and post some pictures of the line traced later today. THX for the help and comments. Saludos.