WideAMG's RS Props PVC ANH stunt build

[Locitus[Admin]]

Nice!!

Is it 1:1 scaled?

Yes. It's old pictures from when RS was just starting up. I think you can still find the pics on their facebook.

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

Merci Mathias, you're always around to help

[Locitus[Admin]]

You're welcome.

[Squeaky[TK]]

using the same guide for the ab buttons

 

 

I didn't have a template for the buttons and I couldn't find a punch the right size so I used the contour of the raised buttons to trace a painting border. Matched the diameter of the originals.

 

glued the plates to the ab with E-6000

 

using the RS-supplied original-style straps for the lower leg closure. I matched up the hole locations from the reference pics

 

drilled 5/32 holes for the hooks. ensure holes and hooks are concealed by rear cover strip when closed.

 

straps as supplied by RS. test fitted into holes.

 

halves are butt jointed for centurion (might not be necessary in the rear). straps lined up and glued inside. allow 1 inch unglued for tension.

 

orientation of hooks is open-end towards the body.

[Tolo[TK]]

That's a nice build!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

Damn, that picture scared me! I was hoping "please, i hope he hadn't glued his hooks this way!", the rest of the post reassured me 

 

So far, you're creating the best build thread i've read! Keep up like that   

[Squeaky[TK]]

Thanks for the feedback. I just hope that my build, however basic, helps out some people. Almost complete so stay tuned.

 

 

Attaching the drop boxes

 

I didn’t want to glue or rivet the boxes together or to the belt. I wanted more adjustment and usable space for later. I decided to use Velcro. I have industrial strength Velcro from my thighs and arm attachments which I will use for the drop boxes, a little overkill since the boxes are light but I have extra so no harm done.

 

Need several pairs of matching hook and loop pieces. Size is not critical as long as they fit within the straps.

 

The Velcro has adhesive backing already attached.

 

First attached a hook piece to the inside of the front drop box and a matching loop piece to the end of a strap. Remember to heat and seal the end of the strap to avoid fraying. Attached them together.

 

Added another piece to the back of strap inside and matched the other strap end.

 

I now have a velcro’d loop that can be detached from the box anytime.

 

I wrapped the loop through the belt to check for length.

 

When I put the back of the drop box on you can see that I sits high due to interference with the straps. Simply cut out an opening for the straps.

 

Now the back sits flush and straps are cleanly inside.

 

Drop boxes are to be positioned in line with the outer edge of the ammo belt as shown in this guide and screen shots

 

On the RS belt the outer rivet interferes with the inside drop box strap so it needs to be notched to provide clearance

 

Added another set of Velcro under the strap to belt to secure it in place. (just showing the pieces, not the final location)

 

Finished location of the drop boxes

 

Here is the original belt

 

I haven’t determined a final method for attaching the box halves together. Just using magnets for now until I figure out their usefulness. Maybe lithium packs for fans can go inside?

[Cantina Security[501st]]

Are you going to have your drop boxes able to open? Taking advantage of their usable space? I love that idea.

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

Nice to see a RS belt with the end caps and drop boxes rightly placed! Quite rare those days unfortunately...

[Squeaky[TK]]

Harness for thighs

Again industrial strength Velcro, this time in black.


Simple harness as included in the kit from RS. Adjustable for waist size (I’m a 33 waist pre-buffet, need to do laps around the death star after the holidays)


Attached Velcro to the INSIDE of the harness near the front. I aligned them with the highest part of the thigh geometry. I used the hook section of the Velcro on my harness but I hindsight it’s better to use the loop (soft) section so as not to rub against the body suit.




Attached a Velcro strip (loop) to the end of the black thigh strap.



Cleaned and attached the matching Velcro strip to the inside of the thigh. The adhesive backing supplied on the Velcro is sufficient.
Attached the strips to the thighs. You can adjust the length after.





Put on the harness and pulled the thighs on. Simply tucked the strap underneath the harness and pressed down to secure. You can adjust the straps on the top or bottom to fit.



Crotch tab rivet

The two male snaps are already installed on the butt plate from RS. Just need to install the crotch split rivet (for centurion) and strap. This is the only reference pic I have found for the location of the crotch tab rivet.


Visually pic the location for the rivet. Mark, pilot and drill hole for split rivet.



A leather hole punch is perfect for making the hole in the strapping for the rivet. Applied a little heat to the strap hole to seal the new cut edges.


Assembled rivet and strap.




The length you will need will vary from person to person so I kind of guessed based on other RS builds similar to my size. Don’t cut the strap length until after fitting in case you need to lengthen. I am not going to paint the rivet since the original was not painted.



Up to this point I was worried about the butt hanging down but the crotch strap fixed it right up

[Locitus[Admin]]

Yeah, that's the point it, and why it's such an important strap.

[Squeaky[TK]]

Agreed. Even though the CRL says the crotch rivet is not required for basic approval or EIB and doesn't need to be functional for Centurion I believe it is necessary and very important.

[gazmosis[501st]]

I just wish the RS butt plate would be re molded to not hang down so low and better contour to the body. Troopermasters butt is awesome! Wait..........

[Squeaky[TK]]

Troopermasters butt is awesome! Wait..........

indeed

Edited January 11, 2014 by WideAMG

[Tolo[TK]]

Troopermasters butt is awesome! Wait..........

 

We don't judge here.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[Locitus[Admin]]

Agreed. Even though the CRL says the crotch rivet is not required for basic approval or EIB and doesn't need to be functional for Centurion I believe it is necessary and very important.

Almost no strapping is mentioned in any CRL. That doesn't mean you don't need it.

[Squeaky[TK]]

Arm Strapping

 

trying to keep the original look of the bicep to shoulder relationship. The shoulder strap is inline with the top inside edge of the bicep. this works for my fit so it will be my anchor point.

 

placed a strip of Velcro between the shoulder strap and the bicep.

 

for the bicep to forearm I used a strip of black strapping with Velcro on each end

 

I kept in mind the rotation so that the edges lined up during assembly

 

assembled

 

 

Holster Attachement

 

used this guide but the screen shots show the rivets further to the rear. Approx 40mm from the ammo belt edge.

 

marked the rivet locations

 

punched the holes for the Chicago screws with a leather hole punch

 

as you can see the rivet locations are not the same as the locations supplied on the RS belt.

 

here is the original belt that RS has. You can see that their original belt has the holster riveted in the middle. I don't know the origin of that belt but probably not ANH

 

transfered the location to the holster and punched out with leather hole punch.

 

attached the screws

 

here it is installed. the canvas belt is a little high in the back in this pic but I think the holster location looks good.

[Squeaky[TK]]

OK here are the pics for critiquing my full kit.

 

these are issues I already know about

- hovi mics have been adjusted to not point up so much

- ears have been trimmed down

- biceps look oversized but side views show that they are snug

- the lower legs are attached with original strapping but it doesn't close tightly, may need to supplement with Velcro

- I forgot the TD for the pics

- no blaster yet, just using a Hasbro

- undersuit logo showing upper back

 

feel free to comment for centurion approval.

fire away.

 

[Locitus[Admin]]

I wouldn't worry much about the back of the shins. Personally I'd rather use accurate enclosure and small gaps than velcro that might not work and/or make noise  when it gets forced open by flexing shin muscles. The mic tips also look good to me. The biceps could be a little slimmer, but over all you look just about ready for centurion.

[Squeaky[TK]]

biceps reduced.

TD added.

ears thinned.

mics angled.

 

[gazmosis[501st]]

Sexy as hell, bro!

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

Yep, you look fantastic!

 

Perhaps you could just even the top of the thighs back cover strips:

 

 

Also try to heatbend a bit the butt plate ends to avoid too much flaring out.

 

And move the sticker which is inside your left shin, i can see it on your back shot 

[AsBlondeAsLuke[TK]]

Steve- You look amazing! Having followed this build since the beginning, it is amazing to see you're nearly done.  Thanks for the detailed info and pics on the RS strapping system.  Just trying to figure all of that out and needed a reference.  Your build pics had exactly what I needed to puzzle out which strap goes where.  Thanks again.  

[Squeaky[TK]]

great news. my build has been accepted by the 501st. thanks to all that contributed with their comments

I hope that my build helped out some people. so many great builds on this site, so much talent.

 

once I complete my blaster and get better pics I will be applying for EIB and aiming for Centurion

 

Edited January 31, 2014 by WideAMG

[Barcoder[TK]]

Congrats on your approval! Well done trooper!