TheLorelei

Thank you guys. I've missed you all so, so much. I, too, am looking forward to getting back to some of the fun stuff! Like a potential Everglades Squad photo shoot *in the actual Everglades*. I'm currently accepting bets on how many of us get eaten by gators. Any takers?

Hello again! Thanks for the update on the ATA molds. Sure thing about the ab, don't think I ever documented it properly anyway. Should I throw it at the end of my oh, only 21 page build thread , or work through things here?

Oh my goodness hi! (Clearly I need to get my alert settings updated too, because I missed all these replies!) I'm so glad my build was of use - and amusement - to you. It was such a fun ride, ears and all. I'll be checking out your ear escapades now! And as far as getting out there in the FL heat... I did, and *even in the air conditioned building* I had to stop for a water break at the half hour mark. C'mon, Henry, get those helmet fans ready! Smudge has still got it.

What a coincidence, my fresh-to-Florida self just answered hours of questions to some guy on... oh wait, hi Aaron I will be watching your progress with great interest! Always happy to have another Trooper join the ranks, in whatever detachment.

...and a special greeting to those who get the reference. Well, after a few years, several moves including a cross-country one, and dealing with oh-my-goodness-so-much death (being related to me is, apparently, a high risk activity), the Tiny TK herself is back! To prove that my time away wasn't ALL grief and taxes, here's a quick photo from Galactic Starcruiser. This was my very first foray into the excellent madness that is being a Twi'lek. Won the lekku in a raffle at a Garrison event a few years prior... Never knew I'd be using them for this! This post is mostly because as I dusted off my armor (figuratively. We all know it was kept nestled snugly in dust-free safety!), I realized I'd like to finally get that replacement ab piece I've been talking about since I first assembled my kit. It seemed odd that the ATA fb page was down, but I figured maybe I had an old link. Until I emailed Terrell and the email bounced back. ☹️ Finally found the sad news on here - how heartbreaking, y'all. Of a much lower priority, does anyone know what happened to his molds? I heard auction, but any updates since? Well, anyway, I'm still reserve, trying to fit in a troop before the census so I can get back to active. Scheduling is a challenge due to exams for my new career path, and handling estate stuff (see? I told you. So much death) but where there's a will, there's a way, and I'll see you fellow shiny whites soon. I hope your years were - and continue to be - as peaceful as possible! Aight, imma head out.

Hello and welcome (and great call on a classic ANH Stunt, not that I'm biased at all )! I found my ATA kit to be quite glossy and with very few bumps, with the exception of the helmet which, if I recall correctly, has lineage to the original screen used ones and consequently is ever so slightly lumpy. Not warty though, for sure. All in all I was thrilled with my kit. Just bear in mind it's on the smaller side.

Welcome, Matt! Fellow ATA-er here; you'll be pleased, like Joseph said. Looking forward to your build thread! (side note, you wouldn't happen to have been asking about ATA on the 501st subreddit recently, would you?..)

Welcome! It's always fun to see a transfer from another MOS. [emoji16]

Welcome - it's crazy how the need for a TK takes hold, isn't it?

Welcome! Plenty of nutcases here, too - you'll feel right at home. Have you picked a vendor yet?

Searching this forum is somewhat difficult. Not sure why. I find it best to use google, like so: www.whitearmor.net: my search term

Welcome! In re: the Facebook thing - just wanted to note that I accomplished *most* of my build without using Facebook at all. Armor vendors are generally reachable by email. When it came time to get my blaster, however, I was reduced to using my mother's Facebook account to contact the maker. ABS is indeed wonderful. As for sitting down, some of us can. Has to do with your particular body/flexibility, the way your cod piece is joined to your ab, and how much you trust your butt plate to not crack, from what I can tell. I thought I'd be able to wear my glasses in my bucket but haven't been able to manage it, nor has it ended up being terribly important as I can barely see anything anyway. [emoji16]

Cricket's build thread will likely be your best friend. Soak it all in. I got an ATA kit, and at 5' 4" or so, it suited me quite nicely as it's on the smaller side of kits. It's also a nice thick ABS and I'm all around super pleased with it. Anyway, welcome welcome!

Welcome indeed, future garrisonmates! Be sure to reach out to Garrison Carida as well. They'll assign you guys advisors who can also help with your build, and you can get in the loop for armor parties if you so desire.

Why yes, there is. Stands for Padmé. If she's good enough for Lord Vader, she's good enough for me. You sure will I'll be replacing my ab/kidney before submitting. Decent bit of work there and much busy-ness resulting in no timeline. Looking forward to it, though! Thanks for the congratulations, everybody! It's a real party over here in my head In fact, yesterday is now a recurring event on my calendar - TK Day!

TK-72363 requesting 501st access. https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=30325

Thanks guys! TK-72363 reporting for duty.

So yes, I just got my approval email, applied on the legion site, and I'm really hoping my top ID choice remains available... now to sign up for Brickfest (and a few more troops, let's be real!) and start those Centurion upgrades. This thread will remain updated with those improvements so don't consider this a closing or anything but... THANK YOU to everyone who helped me get this far. Every reply was and is appreciated, with the exception of maybe Frank. You guys are the best and it's a privilege and an honor to join you.

They must just not like you any more.

I'M IN!!!!!

...the waiting is killing me.

Thanks, @A.J. Hamler ! I hope so! Did you get a confirmation of the receipt of your photos? Nobody replied to my email. @shashachu Uhhm.... yeah, that's a little surreal. Hey, we could flank a short Vader and everything would look perfect Haha, thank you! I'm trying! *phew* You'll have your chance soon, I promise. And thanks!! I'm SO pleased with Smudge's brow line in particular. I initially wanted it much lower but I consider that a distinct Stunt-Hero difference so raised it against my wishes and whaddya know, now I love it that way. Thanks, @gmrhodes13 ! My garrison has notoriously long approval times but I'm hoping you're right. Thank you, Adi. Well done on your build, too! I go away for a bit and come back and here you are submitting for EIB!

Hey Phil, I think "No, it's 1.5"" is the short answer, but here's the whole explanation... I've got a variety of straps on my shoulder bells - the shoulder straps (chest to backplate) are 2" white nylon, with sew-in snaps connecting to 1.5" black soft waistband elastic that snaps into the tops of my shoulder bells. There's more of that 1.5" glued into the mid-top of the bell which snaps into the inner top of my bicep to keep the bicep from sliding down my stick figure arm, and further 1.5" wrapped around the outside of the bicep and snapped near the lower edges of the shoulder bell to keep the bell snugly against the bicep. That strap ended up being a lot more necessary than expected! The bells flap around without it. Confusing enough? I'll get a picture of my interior strapping on here soon.

Thank you, @ukswrath ! Your threads continue to be invaluable. @Frank75139 if I'm there, I'll be there in the afternoon but I'm sure we'll run into each other. Thanks Kyle! I actually just showed my dentist a picture of me "in uniform" - this is getting out of hand haha. And the sitting is totally fab, if I do say so myself. I'll be reinforcing the butt plate with fiberglass tape to help any cracks from spreading as a result of the extra bending, but it honestly doesn't seem to be putting much strain on the armor... I think I'm so limb-y, there's just extra room at the joints or something. Who knows. Whatever it is, I'll take it!! Also your FOTK looks great. That much painting - and the maintaining thereof - is beyond me. Well done.

Right? Why did I even bother. And yeah, I'd heard it mentioned before that it's always a work in progress but I'm really understanding it now! Here's to approval by Brickfest. I weigh the same as a duck, too, and even float. Case closed. and thank you! Hey, fire team Slanted Shoulders has to have some degree of uniformity. that's funny though, I'll have to look back at your pictures. Thanks!