The various types of armor and where to find them UPDATED 2023

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

glad to see RS props added. amazing product!

[P3laton3[501st]]

Why don't we add the people to contact to order an armor?

Most of them wander here around in the forum.

[Sonnenschein]

Why don't we add the people to contact to order an armor?

Most of them wander here around in the forum.

 

Keeping a low profile is necessary sometimes

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

all the contact data is on the listing?

[Javier Rivera]

thanks,thanks,thanks you alot this is my first time here and all ready love the place, I was about to buy on Ebay but with your advise I will browse around a few companies that you suggest to see who fits me better. if I found something good enoug for me I write you back and maibe with pictures from my new acquisition you guys had help me a lot so far thanks

[Javier Rivera]

...I know that this site is not entirely to buy stuf but when you ad a few email address someone may think that it,s a good help, of course you don,t has total control on any email address you gave, but don,t get me wrong I,m new here and I know the strong side in this site are the tutorials on how,s done this and that, so in time you will know me better my apologies on my first mistake. and keep the aesome job you guys are doing. thanks

[Flyboy[TK]]

Hi All,

First of all let me echo the comments of so many others that this thread (and site) is tremendous. I've had the dream of being a trooper for years and have looked at many sites with no luck. The comments and replies here have been so supportive and helpful that it's steeled my resolve to make this dream come true. Thanks to all who have posted here for the inspiration and information. I'm hoping that the members here might give some advice as I begin the journey.

 

My goal is to assemble the TK gear (probably from ANH, either hero or stunt) that's right for me and that will aid my application to the 501st. (Attaining Expert Infantryman or Centurion would be pretty cool as well.) Price isn't a deciding factor as I'm happy to spend money on quality items. I'm not skilled with crafting items or doing mods so something ready to wear is the best option for me. I'm 5'10" and vary from 160-180 pounds depending on how lazy I am.

 

Prior to reading this thread I was keen on purchasing from jedi-robe but it seems that's not a solid option. I was also looking at purchasing from SDS (if that's the originalstormtrooper site) and having it delivered to my job overseas then bringing it home to the USA but it seems that there isn't all positive feedback from SDS. Is it just the sketchy delivery from SDS or is the quality not worth the price? The one thing I noted on SDS is that it seems as if it's made to put on display and not for trooping.

 

I've requested information from RS Propmasters on their fully loaded suit as there have been good reviews here. I've also sent off an email to TK boots as they seem quite popular and there's a waiting list. I've spent a few hours surfing this site and thread but now I seem to have more questions than answers so I thought I'd ask the experts here. What advice can you give me on purchasing ready to wear TK gear (ANH hero or stunt) that will allow me to join the 501st (and hopefully upgrade to AI or Centurion)? Thanks for any replies and same team, same dream of bringing the joy of Star Wars to all!

[Locitus[Admin]]

Hi there!

Glad you found this helpful. That's the idea.

 

Either RS or TM can make you a ready to wear suit. For a Hero suit you'll need TM's hero helmet. Both of them should have no trouble shipping your suit to the states. With either of them you can go centurion pretty much out of the box. And the cost would be about the same as SDS As for the boots, TKboots are well worth the wait, but you could also get some black chelsea boots and paint them white. However, that might be better for display than trooping.

[Javier Rivera]

First and foremost...

 

There is no one 'best' armor. There is a 'best' armor for *you* depending on a few factors:

1) Your budget

2) What your body size is (yes, different armors lend themselves for different body types) *

3) How experienced are you at building armor

4) It's not the kit, it's how it's fitted to the wearer that counts *

 

While FISD does not endorse any particular armor maker, below are sellers who have proven themselves time and again in terms of customer service, honesty, and quality.

 

All makes below can be made to be both 501st and FISD acceptable.

 

MATERIALS

Armor is made from either HIPS or ABS.

HIPS

--- Pros: generally less expensive, easier to trim.

--- Cons: needs painting or serious polishing to look shiny. Most HIPS will not be as durable as ABS or take the stress of ABS

--- Suitability: will hold up fine for regular trooping

 

ABS

--- Pros: no need to paint, high durability

--- Cons: may lack the detail of HIPS, usually harder to trim

--- Suitability: will hold up fine for regular trooping plus take a lot of abuse

 

OTHER TERMS

Untrimmed: means the kit comes untrimmed and you'll have to trim the parts before starting assembly.

Trimmed: parts are pre-trimmed and you can start assembling right away

ANH Derived: traces back to a screen used helmet. Armor came from an incomplete ROTJ suit that was supplemented with parts from a tour suit, with this base being modified to be more ANH accurate in detailing. Parts will need to be butt joined with a finishing strip glued on top.

 

* ON SIZING

ANH Derived armor (TE2, AP) was sculpted for a typical UK actor circa 1976, e.g. 5'10" and 165lbs. While good for smaller body types, it has been successfully made to fit people as large as 6'4" 235lbs though requires a bit of shimming to pull this off.

 

1. If you are taller or larger in frame/girth, you may want to consider AM, RT, or TM armor makes for easier fitting.

2. If you are shorter, while ANH derived armor may lend itself to your size, even FX armor has been made to fit and look good on people as small as 5'6" and 115lbs (and smaller!).

3. RT has upsized his helmet by 4-5% which makes it equivalent to the size of the old FX but is more accurate in appearance.

 

So, while it's true that every kit has a certain ideal body type, every make has been made to fit every body type and still look good.

 

Who to Avoid

1. Be aware that this site - http://www.stormtroo...s.com/home.html - is not considered commercially available. It is run by a person selling recast parts, and at a healthy premium over what you can buy direct from vetted sources. You've been warned...

2. Do not buy from e-bay - kits are over-priced, the quality is often dubious, and always recast.

 

 

VETTED MAKERS

While there are many other sources for armor, the list below only contains those who have proven track records of honest business dealings, quality craftsmanship, and that are free from recast debates. You are certainly free to buy where you will, but if you vary this list we strongly encourage that you at least do your due diligence inquiring about the seller's quality and reputation before parting with your money.

 

 

Type: TE2

Country: USA

Contact: HDPblues on FISD

Kit: HIPS, untrimmed, ANH derived

Availability: Very limited. Only produces set numbers in runs.

Assembly: Armor needs to be trimmed, parts butt joined with finishing strips, then painted.

Comments: Helmet is considered the most screen accurate available, though some don't like the bumpy cap and back.

 

 

Type: Authenticprops (AP)

Country: Canada

Contact: authenticprops@hotmail.com

Kit: ABS, untrimmed usually but can also be ordered trimmed and ready to assemble. ANH Derived. Helmet is screen derived but cleaned up with a smooth cap and back. Armor similar to TE2 but with some parts being different. The left inner shin is actually a duplicate of the right outer shin. The arms (Bicep, forearm and shoulders) are the same, there is no unique left and right arm. The AP helmet comes with sink faucet aerators, which are not acceptable for EIB use. The lens material is a thin light weight acetate like material.

Availability: No known problems obtaining this, though there may be a waiting list.

Options: un-trimmed, fully trimmed, fully built- ready to wear. Options for helmet upgrades, belt upgrades and other options. Contact for a detailed set of pricings. Actions have been taken to reduce packaging scratches, and the ABS is bright white and has a semi-gloss finish like the originals. Now you can order a fully built helmet with advanced upgrades. upgrades include:

chinstraps, cloverleaf helmet foam, and darker lenses. Upgrades cost extra. Options must be ordered when contacting.

Assembly: Seams are overlapping joints making it a reasonably easy build, though one can use finishing strips instead.

 

 

Type: ATA (Affordable Trooper Armor)

Country: USA

Contact: Supertrooper on FISD / ATAworks@yahoo.com

Kit: HIPS & ABS, untrimmed, ANH derived

Availability: No known problems though there may be a waiting list.

Assembly: armor needs to be trimmed, parts butt joined with finishing strips, then painted.

Comments: The quality of HIPS material is such that it is the most durable of all HIPS armor makes. ABS is a custom color match very close to the original suits.

 

 

Type: T/MC

Country: USA

Contact: tray@traynichols.com or PM Tray on the FISD boards

Kit: .090 ABS, untrimmed, ANH Derived. Helmet is screen derived. Armor similar to TE2 and AP but with some parts being different and others being modified. The left inner shin is a duplicate of the right outer shin similar to AP. The arms (Bicep, forearm and shoulders) are the same, there is no unique left and right arm. The helmet comes with resin cast hovi mic tips, which are acceptable for EIB use, and all assembly material excluding paint. Comes with your choice of Smoked gray bubble lenses or flat dark green lenses. This is most comparable to AP with some slight changes.

Availability: No known problems obtaining this. 4-8 weeks for delivery and sometimes sooner than that.

Assembly: Seams are overlapping joints making it a reasonably easy build, though one can use finishing strips instead.

Comments: The armor is ABS, not bright white and glossy like FX. Due to material thickness lines are a little softer than some other makers. Should shine well with Mr Sheen.

NOTE: available in black too!

 

 

Type: RT-Mod (RT)

Country: Canada

Contact: trooper7@shaw.ca

Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt. More accurate than FX/AM but not as much as TM/TE2/AP. Ears lack bumps, but can be added if you ask.

Availability: Available to order, but there can be about a 2 month wait.

Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together. Helmet comes assembled.

Comments: Designed especially for taller/larger body types and has more capacity to fit these troopers (without shims) than TM or AM. Arm and legs molds can be adjusted up or down to custom fit measurments supplied by trooper.

The helmet is 4% larger than an original helmet. The difference is subtle but better matches the scale of the (RT)suit.

 

 

Type: CFO - note this is for ROTJ armor only (ideal for ROTJ, TK Commander, or Incinerator Troopers).

Country: UK

Contact: PM Sskunky on FISD

Kit: ABS or HIPS untrimmed. Kits can come in lite, full, assembled and weathered please inquire for prices and custom orders. ABS is standard and screen accurate. We can make the armour in any colour HIPS with a 25% deposit. Kits come complete with all plastic parts.

Helmets come with resin mic tips cast from an original, black rubber trims, decals and lenses all subject to availability and stock.

Availability: Kits available at all times with approx 4 week turnaround time. We have a US distributor who will be able to ship kits within the USA.

Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together - along with RT is the easiest kit to make.

Comments: These suits are cast from original therefore there will be warps, lumps, bumps etc. present on the plastic. The original suits were made to fit actors in the region of 5'10" and 180lb.... there is some flexibility as with all armour which is down to assembly. This armour is no way sanitised or idealised, it is a true representation of what is seen on screen in STAR WARS "The Return Of The Jedi".

Other Notes: Hand guards O2 canister/detonator detail and end caps, belt, knee belt and shoulder straps are own sculpt. Necessary/minimal sharpening was done to the moulds to attain the correct level of sharpness lost from the original fibreglass moulds obtained from Cameron Oakley. The original shape and contours are intact and the details and edges have been sharpened as documented in various threads on the F.I.S.D and other prop forums.

 

 

Type: Troopermaster â„¢

Country: UK

Contact: Please see info contained in for sale threads when posted.

Availability: Limited.

Kit: ABS, untrimmed, fan sculpt. Reputedly the most accurate fan sculpt. Seams on legs and arms are butt-joins with capping strips.

Availability: As slots become available, for sale threads will be posted. Kits are very limited and offered infrequently.

Comments: This is really beautiful armour and extremely movie-accurate. It comes at the price of being pretty tricky to assemble though, with potentially a long wait for supply. TM now supplies all his armour in acrylic-capped ABS. His ABS suits are incredibly glossy and, if assembled with care, look fabulous. Not for very tall troopers. Armour is more generous than SDS or AP, but not as large as RT-mod.

 

Type: RS Prop Masters

Country: UK

Contact: studio@rspropmasters.com

Kit: 1.5mm ABS or 1.5mm PVC, untrimmed, only 1st Generation cast of an original ANH armor. Is Expert Infantry ready out of the box, and Centurion ready with very little work on the accessories (hand guards and such).

Availability: 3-5 days

Assembly: Parts are untrimmed and requires cover-strip and butt-joining for assembly. Can be ordered pre-assembled for an additional fee.

Options:

1. Helmet + Armour - Kit

2. Armor only - Kit

3. Helmet - Kit

4. Helmet - Fully finished and hand painted

5. Armor + Helmet - Armor trimmed to your specification but not assembled + Fully finished helmet.

6. "Fully loaded" - Accessory package, when bought together with armor. Contains strapping kit, latex handguards, rubber gloves, canvas belt, etc..

All prices are excluding shipping.

Comments: The newest maker on the market and the only 1st Generation cast of an original ANH armor. Comes unaltered with all the good and bad that brings. May require more skill to assemble than other kits. Extremely accurate when assembled with care. Armour is more generous than SDS or AP, but not as large as RT-mod.

 

 

Type: Armor Master (AM)

Country: USA

Contact: troopergear@gmail.com and tupperwaretk@yahoo.com are the two reliable, lowest cost, and best vendors of this armor. Both lite (helmetless) and full kits are available.

Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt. More accurate than FX and the armor is Expert Infantry ready out of the box.

Availability: No known problems though there may be a waiting list.

Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together - along with RT is the easiest kit to make.

Comments: Armor is good accuracy though the chest and back tend to be larger and sharply defined. Very durable. Helmet is a bit larger than scree-derived, and the face is the least accurate acceptable (though the dome is fine).

 

 

Type: FX

Country: USA

Availability: FX is not currently being sold. Do not buy from e-bay - kits are over-priced, the quality is often dubious, and always recast.

Contact: N/A

Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt.

Comments: It's good, robust armour that will hold up to a lot of abuse. While the helmet is fading away, the armor continues to be popular and will be in the Legion for some time.

Paul sir are you the owner of ATA works it,s seems that wenever I try to contact them the e-mail send me to here. Believe me 4 times I try to contact them 4 times I end up here...if you are then tell me your prices ???

[Daetrin[Admin]]

I am not affiliated with any armor maker. You can contact him via ATAworks@yahoo.com

[scniab]

This thread is an absolute lifesaver. I feel so relieved to have a place to start! I'm definitely leaning towards RT or ATA. My main concern is that I'm about 220 lbs and a lot of it is in the chest! These all seem pretty straightforward to mod or get custom-sized. I could be wrong, though, I really have only just begun to learn everything.

[jnnfr72[TK]]

Keep us posted Super Crazy Nut In A Box!

[scniab]

Sure thing!!

[Flyboy[TK]]

Thanks Locitus for the info. I'm leaning towards getting the RS fully loaded package as it looks great on their website. I've tried looking for user pictures in these forums without a lot of luck. I spent about an hour surfing the build threads and found a couple pictures but wasn't able to find what I was looking for. If anyone has an RS build or knows of someone that does please feel free to talk my eyes on to their pics on here for me to check out. I'm starting to get way too excited...

[Flyboy[TK]]

Oops, forgot to ask one other question. I'm trying to decide on going with ABS or PVC. I've read the descriptions on the RS site but I'm still not sure which might be best for me. I imagine I'd be doing light trooping but it would mainly be on display. Does anyone have thoughts on ABS VS PVC? Thanks!

[Locitus[Admin]]

Oops, forgot to ask one other question. I'm trying to decide on going with ABS or PVC. I've read the descriptions on the RS site but I'm still not sure which might be best for me. I imagine I'd be doing light trooping but it would mainly be on display. Does anyone have thoughts on ABS VS PVC? Thanks!

You'll be just fine with either version. People have been trooping in ABS suits for a decade now. Also, for a display piece, ABS would be more accurate.

There are several RS build threads on the forum. Have a look in this section: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?showforum=80

[Dr.Senf]

Check their facebookside.

They have loads of pics etc on it.

[bigironvault]

Oops, forgot to ask one other question. I'm trying to decide on going with ABS or PVC. I've read the descriptions on the RS site but I'm still not sure which might be best for me. I imagine I'd be doing light trooping but it would mainly be on display. Does anyone have thoughts on ABS VS PVC? Thanks!

 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is more flexible than PVC but because of that it doesn't take to gluing as well and can deform with extreme heat. ie. Leaving your armour in the car in the summer. But in most cases ABS is better suited to deal with thermal expansion.

 

Poly-Vinyl Chloride is generally pressure treated and a bit more durable than ABS in normal temperatures. But because of the variety of PVC out there it really depends what type of PVC the maker uses. In extreme heat, PVC can potentially be less resistant to thermal expansion.

 

The reality is that under most "normal use". I don't think there'll be a huge difference between the two. At least from a material standpoint. I don't know how it would apply to doing "pulls" anyone know?

[TrooperJesse[TK]]

Would you guys say buying an untrimmed armor hard to trim and make it hard to get it ready to wear? Any advice on untrimmed armor..

[Griffin-X[TK]]

Well, it's untrimmed or not ready to wear. So you'll need to be prepared for that part. It's sort of like building a model airplane/car kit...only lifesize. You'll need to trim the kit to fit your body and build, then assemble the parts based on your size.

[TrooperJesse[TK]]

whats the best thing to use to un trim armor?

[TrooperJesse[TK]]

sorry, whats the best tool to use to trim the armor?

[Locitus[Admin]]

It's to your own preference. Some use box cutters, some use scalpels, some use dremels.

 

I like to use something called "lexan scissors".

[nicksevere]

I'm finding a mix of lexan scissors and xacto blade #16 gets the job done.

[TrooperJesse[TK]]

What do you guys say about the RT Suit from RT-mod.com ? Good buy? or no.. Id buy without helm since I already have the XFX helm