FencingCorvetteTrooper

Glad this has been of help to others! Keep plugging away and you'll be there in no time.

First - congrats on a beautiful build! We love our AP armor. Great adjustment with the shoulder straps as we did the same thing with our builds; 5 TK troops in and so far they are holding on strong using this technique.

#5 11/17/17 - Love Jen Holiday Party in support of children and families battling with cancer. Every year, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts a huge holiday party for those families that have been receiving treatment as a way to take their minds off of the struggle for a little while and celebrate their victories in the war against cancer. It was an awesome time as we were able to see everyone's faces just light up, and the excitement in their eyes. My brother and my son joined me again in our TK gear. As a father, there were moments where I just stopped and gave thanks for my family and prayed for all of those kids there and that they'd succeed in overcoming this disease. There were definitely tears flowing under my helmet today, but grateful that I, along with my fellow squad members, could bring smiles to so many. Found a lone Rebel fighter as we traversed the party space... TK's and Shoretroopers can dance - in fact, they can lead a pretty mean conga line! Fire Team Alpha asks - have you been naughty or nice this year? There was no escape for our poor little Rebel fighter... Happy Holidays from the Everglades Squad!

#4 11/15/17 - Company Holiday Party While not an "official" troop, it was a troop nonetheless and the second of three we would do across 4 days! A work colleague was in charge of planning the department's holiday party and he decided to incorporate a Star Wars theme into the event. Knowing I was in the 501st, he asked if I could make an appearance as part of escorting a surprise guest (our CIO's wife) into the party. Since TK's look better in groups, I got my son to join me and it went off without a hitch. The funniest part was staying in character all night and refusing to turn around or acknowledge anyone when they called my name (by the end of the night, looks like all 150 of my co-workers now know about my love for Star Wars!). In the conference room getting ready... With our Master of Ceremonies...

#3 12/14/17 - The Last Jedi Premiere The Florida Garrison's Everglades Squad was all over South Florida from Thursday to Sunday night for The Last Jedi screenings and it was a blast! For this troop, my son, my brother and I were joined by one of our fellow TK's in his first official troop! My lovely wife assisted as a handler and made sure order reigned in the universe. While it was a smaller theater, there was still some fun to be had followed by catching the late showing of the movie once all the trooping activity was over. We are actually signed up to do another movie night on 12/21, but this time in downtown Ft. Lauderdale at the huge IMAX theater connected to the Museum of Science. While my brother and son will be donning the white armor again, I'll be in my Greedo costume accompanying a fellow bounty hunter in her new Boushh costume. Looking forward to catching it again on the REALLY BIG screen! Nothing cooler than gearing up inside the projection room! Trying to get my ticket, but they were sold out! Guarding the entrance and ready to check tickets. One of the employees actually purchased a commissioned RS Props ESB TK and showed up to work, ready to go! He's looking to get into the 501st, so we filled him in on all he needed to know and hope to see him officially join the ranks soon!

Thanks! I need to do more of the GoPro DLT-19 shots though. Just hard to remember with all the excitement and activity going on! LOL Got the idea from our squad leader, who has been doing it for a little while. Can't believe I hadn't posted this one though. Probably the best pic of them all from the troop!

Picked those up at TrooperBay! I had to ask if they had pink as it wasn't an offered color, and they did a special order for me.

I voted!

Woo-hoo!! Way to go Jav!! Now on to Centurion!

Looking good bro! Should have the EIB badge in no time, then on to Centurion!

Gary Cardenas 72313 Centurion letter size Andrew Thank you!! http://www.whitearmor.net/eib/certificates/72313-centurion.png (I put the rockers you ordered in the mail today, sir)!

Awesome!!! Thanks Andrew!! And of course thanks to all the great folks here on the FISD for the help and guidance!!

Hi Andrew! OK, I made the new bell straps and looks like that did the trick! I updated my pictures in full dress on my original post above. Please excuse the fact that just as my wife started to take some of the shots, the sun decided to perfectly position itself through one of the windows and was reflecting on the armor. Hoping everything meets requirements as requested!

Hi Andrew! Oh man, I hadn't even caught that! Looks like I will need to cut some new straps for the bells. Back when I submitted for EI, I only had a snap to the bridges and then used velcro to connect the strap to the bell (for the purposes of flexibility in adjusting). Well after the first troop and a failure with my left bell's velcro, I decided to go the route I should have gone in the first place and use snaps on both ends. Looks like I may have been a little too generous with the length of the elastic. I'll do my best to get that corrected, suited up and photos retaken by week's end if not sooner. Thanks!!

#2 11/5/17 - New World Symphony Concert for Kids - A Star Wars Spectacular This was another great troop as not only did my son get to participate in his TK for the first time, but I pulled double duty as both a TK and later as my bounty hunter alter ego Greedo! It was a definite learning experience with Greedo as the ventilation system that worked during the trial runs, didn't seem to cut the mustard during the actual troop. I hung in there like a champ though, and managed to put plenty of smiles on people's faces along with my fellow Legion comrades. And the concert itself was amazing as the orchestra played music from all the Star Wars movies. My lovely wife pulling handler duties for the first time. She and my daughter did an amazing job handling for 9 of us and it all went off without a hitch! She got quite the stares walking to the performing arts center with those DLT's in tow! The three of us suited up and ready to go! The entire squad in the photo room ready to meet and mingle with the crowds. After the morning show started, we took a stroll along historic Lincoln Road on South Beach and had a blast just watching everyone stare and take pictures as we hung out. Many weren't sure if they could come up to us, and often times asked if they could take a picture with us, to which we gladly obliged. Here's my daughter with her brother and my brother. I'm in the background telling my fellow TK RagTooth to hurry up and get those pizzas delivered in 30 minutes or less otherwise Vader would have our butts! My son guarding the art store while Vader went shopping inside... Is this the droid we're looking for?? A little mid-troop bucket display as we were treated to lunch. Then it was on to the afternoon show. This time, I shed the TK and donned the Greedo. Please don't judge me LOL.... Our boss Vader doing his thing and claiming all of Miami Beach for himself!

#1 9/30/17 - Star Wars Night at the Miami Marlins game. This was the moment we were working towards when we started our builds and we made it! We got our official approval 3 days before the event, and off we went! To say we had a blast was an understatement! While my son couldn't troop due to this being an official LFL event, he still attended and did an amazing job as a handler (looking forward to his first official troop alongside of us next month). With the adrenaline pumping, I don't think my brother and I could volunteer to go out over the course of the evening fast enough. We'd come back in, hydrate and then head right back out over the 4 hours. Here we are with our first actual troop moment as we welcome fans at one of the gates. It was outside in the heat, but we survived the 30-40 minute post with flying colors! After we came back, we got all of the TK's together and posed with our boss. My brother is to Vader's right and I'm peeking over Vader's right shoulder from the second row. Here I am, second from the left, with my comrades guarding the first base line before the ceremonial first pitch... On our way to a fan meet and greet, we all immediately noticed the industrial backdrop provided by the freight elevator and had to strike a pose. I'm on the far right and my brother is second from left. Here we are guarding home plate. I'm all the way at the top of the circle and my brother is third from left (amazed how I can tell us apart, huh? LOL) Finally, some of the group shots. We had an awesome turnout of around 30+ legion members and can't wait for next year!

Personal Information Name: Gary Cardenas Height: 5' 10" Weight: 178 lbs. FISD Name: FencingCorvetteTrooper Legion ID#: 72313 Profile Page: https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=25957 Garrison: Florida Garrison / Everglades Squad EIB#: 765 EIB Thread: Build Information Armor Maker: AP (Authentic Props) Helmet Maker: AP (Authentic Props) Blaster Type: E-11 QuestDesignCanada Boots: TK Boots Canvas Belt: AP Hand Plates: AP Electronics: Aker 50W Amp, TrooperTalk Neck Seal: Darman's Props Holster: AP Changes made from EIB Application (recommendations as well as two changes required for Centurion): 1. Recommendation - added white weathering to ends of Hovi tips 2. Recommendation - Adjusted belt higher using Velcro so top of belt is as close as possible to bottom of ab button plate 3. Recommendation - Shorten back calf cover strip to stop at base of top ridge 4. Recommendation - Butt plate appears to not be connected. This is not something I could adjust as the butt and cod plate were connected with the required strap in my submission pictures. I could attempt to heat gun/bend more curve into the bottom of the butt plate, but afraid it will compromise the fit and ease of movement. At the current moment, I am able to move comfortably and without any issues, bites or chafing. 5. Centurion Requirement - Removed all return edge from bottom of forearms 6. Centurion Requirement - Adjusted drop boxes to align to edges of belt. Used velcro to help prevent boxes from sliding. Thank you for your time, consideration and feedback!! Full Submission Photos Extra action shot with DLT-19 and pauldron

Looking great Nate!! Like they mentioned just sand down the forearm openings at the wrist but you’re always going to get some wear. I wound up getting Nomex gloves and for now using the ABS hand plates that came with our kit with those. Still have the rubber gloves with the rubber plates and I just switch between them depending on long troop (nomex) vs short troop (rubber). As for the submission pics you should be ok. The key is to show you actually have the rubber gloves and flexible hand plates. A little wear and tear just shows you actually use the armor

Funny how this all just started as putting together one costume. Now look at us!

Hi Sergio - Just saw this post, and have to agree - this troop was a blast! It was my first one as well and definitely worth all the hard work and waiting to get final approval (three days prior!!). Agreed on all points with the lessons learned (I was one of the newbies with a minor wardrobe malfunction, but that has since been fixed). Look forward to joining you on the 5th for the New World Symphony troop. I was recently approved for a second costume (Greedo), so I may try to pull off a two-for-one troop given we'll be supporting two separate performances. Let's see how it goes....

Nice job man!! We'll be seeing you out there trooping in no time!! Isn't it a great feeling when you first put it all together?

Gary Cardenas 72313 EIB letter size Andrew Thank you!! http://www.whitearmor.net/eib/certificates/72313-eib.png

What a great way to start the week!! Thanks guys, I appreciate it! Will definitely look to make those minor adjustments and see you at Centurion soon! For now, time to enjoy EIB and get my patches

Thanks so much Andrew! Looking forward to the feedback.

OK, and now for the updates! 1. One thing we did prior to the troop (and glad we did), was to trim down the back of the thighs. This gave us just enough extra room to walk more comfortably and maneuver steps. Highly recommended mod if you need the extra space and it doesn't always require a drastic cut. Here was a side by side to show how much we trimmed off, starting with the right thigh. And here are both thighs trimmed... 2. Next was trimming of the cover strip on the upper forearms to present a smoother and less drastic contour. It did also provide a little more from the comfort perspective as it cut down on some clashing we had with the bicep piece whenever we tried to bend our arms. Here the piece on the left is as it was originally, and the right shows the new contour line. 3. Shin creep. While the use of foam in the shins did help, we finally caved in and went the route of sticking velcro on our shiny new boots. This mod is DEFINITELY worth it. We trooped 4 hours and never once had an issue with our shins moving around. Here's the strip of velcro on the boots... And here is the matching strip inside the bottom of the shins. Note we still kept the foam on the inside of the shin with the sniper knee as that helped keep that piece out further and prevented it from ever catching on the bottom of the thigh. 4. Another update we made was to replace the velcro attachment at the top of the shoulder bells with a snap. My original thought was that with velcro we could adjust the fit more easily, but while that was true, it made for a small wardrobe malfunction late into the troop. Unfortunately, no pictures of that one, but I think you get the idea ;o). 5. Finally, while not necessarily an improvement per se, we went ahead and installed our electronics and it worked out great. We're using TrooperTalk, running on an old iPhone 6 and with the 50Watt Aker speaker in white. I found that where I positioned the speaker was perfect as I could actually stick a finger behind my chest plate easily and adjust the volume knob as needed. I ran the background chatter and it was perfect as it would be going off as folks were standing next to me for pictures and complemented my minimal dialog with them. Well, that's it for now. I am sure more updates will come as we troop more and more, but hope some of these might be helpful to others. I also went ahead and got my submission package together for Expert Infantry, so hopefully that comes through soon, and then it's on to Centurion!