Thinking about a Death Trooper - probably not 501st approveable...

[boomshakra[TK]]

MODS: Since this is a thread about non-501st approvable building, please move it to wherever is more appropriate if necessary - thanks! I didn't think about that until after I posted...sorry!

 

Yesterday my daughter and I participated in the Run for your lives 5k - an obstacle course which also included zombies who would chase you trying to 'infect' you. You started out with 3 flags on a belt and if you lost them you were infected. Some of the Z's were runners, and needless to say neither of us survived (although we finished):

 

 

I am wearing my Imperial Cog underarmor top...so technically I have already been recruited as a Death Trooper

 

Participants (both runners and zombies) were encouraged to dress up and we encountered Santa zombies, Elf zombies, a Snow White zombie and a Thor zombie.

 

What I got to thinking about is designing some Death Trooper armor that would allow me to be a runner zombie. My initial thought is that it would be a foam construction, sized down for a tighter fit and more movement in the joints. It would attach to the underarmor with velcro, so no strapping. The helmet would need to have a decent split around at least one eye for good visibility. Foam would also help minimize any damage from inadvertent contact with other participants - I accidentally took out one of the zombies yesterday...was running by, turned my body to avoid her grasp, and dropped my shoulder...which connected with her face. I stayed with her to make sure she was alright & got an escort back to the medical tent. I also dropped by there after I finished to check up on her & they said she was fine. I felt TERRIBLE about it though...

 

I have started a thread about my HALO Mk VI armor build using pepakura, but might do the rest of the armor (already pep'd a helmet) from foam, so I'll see how that goes before attempting this project. What I'll need to track down is some templates for all the armor parts to cut out of the foam...trying to free-hand would probably end up with armor worse than a Rubies kit .

 

This project is in the 'thinking about' stage and may never come to fruition - I have my HALO build to get through first which is going to take a considerable amount of time to complete. But, if anyone already knows of a source for foam templates for TK armor, please PM me or post a link here. I have no illusion of trying to make it 501st approveable, just something to have fun infecting hapless living people with

Edited December 16, 2012 by boomshakra

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

put up a thread asking for extra parts people do offer them?

[thechosenhitman[TK]]

put up a thread asking for extra parts people do offer them?

 

Sadly no armor maker sells just a part..I have asked around.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

Sadly no armor maker sells just a part..I have asked around.

 

 

sir, the entire legion of FISD has parts... not the makers... many times there are parts available.

even ATA makes individual parts...

 

don't be so hasty!

Edited December 16, 2012 by TK Bondservnt 2392

[boomshakra[TK]]

Well, in a "DUH" moment...I could, I dunno, just use my own armor to model/shape the foam...would be easy to size it to my body, since it is already fitted, length-wise at least..

 

Of course, the helmet will be the most challenging - from what I've seen so far making the dome isn't an easy undertaking, although foam can be shaped pretty well using a heat gun. The thought of pressing a heated piece of foam to the top of my bald melon isn't all that appealing...

 

thanks for the suggestion, Vern - if anything, I might see if anyone has an extra codpiece. Just from the experience of my run on Saturday, the protection of hard armor in that area would be helpful.

[SubSkip[TK]]

"the protection of hard armor in that area would be helpful"

 

Did you go kicking and screaming along the way?

[boomshakra[TK]]

"the protection of hard armor in that area would be helpful"

 

Did you go kicking and screaming along the way?

 

Accidents happen...or some runners might be a bit more protective (aggressive) of their remaining flags. Better safe than sorry - I can see someone running 'over' instead of around a zombie.

[DarkTrooper[TK]]

It is true. There are armor makers that will pull specific parts for you. I've had to do that several times.

[spiltbeerpirate[TK]]

Ive done a Run for your Lives 5k.  Ton of fun.  But seeing a death troop on the course would elevate it above all other fun runs!