Fully finished ANH Stunt TK (1,5mm ABS) from Troopermaster with some modifications

[Cantina Security[501st]]

Nice work trooper, great attention to detail. I love my TM TK, surely my crown jewel of my collection.

[Stormy320]

So where are pictures of your static display?

[T-Jay[TK]]

@ Jason (Cantina Security): Thanks! Although I have only one aromr, it's the same for me

 

@ Jason (Stormy320): Unfortunately the completion of that display is still far away, as no work has been started on the mannequin so far. Still unsure, if I should go for a real mannequin, or try the duct tape version...

[Bulldog44[TK]]

Tino, beautiful job on the armor. Outstanding!

[Stormy320]

@ Jason (Cantina Security): Thanks! Although I have only one aromr, it's the same for me

 

@ Jason (Stormy320): Unfortunately the completion of that display is still far away, as no work has been started on the mannequin so far. Still unsure, if I should go for a real mannequin, or try the duct tape version...

 

Yea - I've been in this stage for years. Really interested to see what you do.

[T-Jay[TK]]

Just for fun (# 2)

[The5thHorseman[501st]]

Love the ceremonial one! There's such a Daft Punk's feel to it .

[T-Jay[TK]]

Love the ceremonial one! There's such a Daft Punk's feel to it .

 

Thanks Germain. Feared you would highlight the flaws with that T-shirt:

- stunt trooper wearing a shirt with a hero helmet

- wrong paintjobs on helmet and breastplate (three stripes and that logo are not screen accurate)

[Bulldog44[TK]]

Love the photos. It actually looks quite natural to have a TK lid on no matter what the occasion.

[T-Jay[TK]]

It's been a while...   Time for a new picture.
 
Just for fun (# 3)

 

Seems like the Emperor has recently infiltrated the FISD to see, what his troopers are doing here. He does not look pleased...

[T-Jay[TK]]

Since completing this build for a static display, many people encouraged me to “join a troop” and become a member of the 501st. But I really worried to damage the armor - and wasn’t sure about grown-ups running around in movie costumes. One day I met a Stormtrooper in a local traffic jam, identifying ourselves via stickers on the cars. Below is my current company car (shhh, my boss doesn’t know)


 
However, we managed to talk about trooping and all this. At some later point I decided to at least try it and avoid any preconceptions. So I started into a foreign experience, that many of you know so very well…
 
My day in white plastic
 
On a recent Sunday morning I met 10 local people, while the only person I knew was the Trooper from the traffic jam. A few were members of the 501st, others not, but it was a very friendly atmosphere and I really felt welcomed right from the beginning. We drove to a hospital, specialized on children who require maximum care, and were asked to show up on their summer festival. The weather was perfect, a mix of sun and clouds at medium temperatures, no rain.
 
In our dressing room we helped each other getting into the costumes and I was already sweating before we left the room. Felt good and curious. Then we went outside. After just a few steps, a mate in front of me stumbled at the stairs but immediately was caught by the handlers. Nothing happened but seeing this, my feelings mixed up with concerns and a little bit of panic - maybe just enough to also give some attention to our surroundings.
 
We marched to the entrance hall. My lenses fogged up (no active ventilation in my display helmet) and it was hard to see anything. With unsure movement I walked in the group. Thanks to the handlers I didn’t get lost. Later I found ways to reduce fogging by adjusting the balaclava at my nose and slower breathing. The better view allowed safer movements and more interacting with people. From that point it was real fun.
 


Some children were a bit scared, while others made big eyes and smiled. A lot of photos got taken that day and these here really don't judge the atmosphere. Many times I was able to convince shy kids to give me “high five” and pose for a nice picture, taken by the parents. Those were the best moments. And sometimes the adults were even more fascinated than the kids
 


A few children in that hospital unfortunately were not able to leave their rooms and participate at the festival outside, so Lord Vader and I visited as much of them as we could inside their rooms. Sorry, no pictures. But it was amazing when a little boy noticed us entering his room and he said “Woah, I have an action figure from you!”

Spent 4 hours in full armor that day (short event) and really felt a bit sad when going back to the dressing room. Although getting 3 serious armor bites at my left knee and a little scratch on my blaster (repaired the same day), I felt the strange need to possibly do this again, someday. We will see if that virus got me. Not saying yes, not saying no...
 
But for the moment I really like to thank the Quettinger Stormtrooper for this ideal trooping opportunity, Alex (Memory) for being such a reliable handler and the Star Wars Fans Aachen for the friendly welcome and the photos from that interesting day.

Edited September 20, 2017 by T-Jay

[Dday[501st]]

Since completing this build for a static display, many people encouraged me to “join a troop” and become a member of the 501st.

But I really worried to damage the armor - and wasn’t sure about grown-ups running around in movie costumes.

 

One day I met a Stormtrooper in a local traffic jam, identifying ourselves via stickers on the cars. Below is my current company car (shhh, my boss doesn’t know)

 

 

 

However, we managed to talk about trooping and all this. At some later point I decided to at least try it and avoid any preconceptions. So I started into a foreign experience, that many of you know so very well…

 

My day in white plastic

 

On a recent Sunday morning I met 10 local people, while the only person I knew was the Trooper from the traffic jam. A few were members of the 501st, others not, but it was a very friendly atmosphere and I really felt welcomed right from the beginning.

We drove to a hospital, specialized on children who require maximum care, and were asked to show up on their summer festival. The weather was perfect, a mix of sun and clouds at medium temperatures, no rain.

 

In our dressing room we helped each other getting into the costumes and I was already sweating before we left the room. Felt good and curious. Then we went outside. After just a few steps, a mate in front of me stumbled at the stairs but immediately was caught by the handlers. Nothing happened but seeing this, my feelings mixed up with concerns and a little bit of panic - maybe just enough to also give some attention to our surroundings.

 

We marched to the entrance hall. My lenses fogged up (no active ventilation in my display helmet) and it was hard to see anything. With unsure movement I walked in the group.

Thanks to the handlers I didn’t get lost. Later I found ways to reduce fogging by adjusting the balaclava at my nose and slower breathing. The better view allowed safer movements and more interacting with people. From that point it was real fun.

 

 

 

Some children were a bit scared, while others made big eyes and smiled. A lot of photos got taken that day and these here really don't judge the atmosphere.

Many times I was able to convince shy kids to give me “high five” and pose for a nice picture, taken by the parents. Those were the best moments. And sometimes the adults were even more fascinated than the kids

 

 

 

A few children in that hospital unfortunately were not able to leave their rooms and participate at the festival outside, so Lord Vader and I visited as much of them as we could inside their rooms. Sorry, no pictures.

But it was amazing when a little boy noticed us entering his room and he said “Woah, I have an action figure from you!”

 

Spent 4 hours in full armor that day (short event) and really felt a bit sad when going back to the dressing room. Although getting 3 serious armor bites at my left knee and a little scratch on my blaster (repaired the same day), I felt the strange need to possibly do this again, someday. We will see if that virus got me. Not saying yes, not saying no...

 

But for the moment I really like to thank the Quettinger Stormtrooper for this ideal trooping opportunity, RhianDeGirondel for being such a reliable handler and the Star Wars Fans Aachen for the friendly welcome and the photos from that interesting day.

 

Congratulations man! You will get more and more sure as you troop. It will take 3-4 suit ups and you'll find it will go faster and with you sweating/freaking out less. You're looking good. Stay away from drama and the administrative side of the club and stick with trooping, you're stay in the 501st will be so much better

[I'm Batman[501st]]

Brilliant! Fantastic effort Tino. Welcome to our wonderful world. You know you want to join that local garrison of yours <br><br>

And hey, if you don't want to damage that superb armour of yours, there are one or two other costumes in the Star Wars universe you could build....

[Memory[501st]]

Whoa... erm... I´m humbled again  and... yeah... erm... *coughs*

 

Well yes, as he mentioned I was one of those to bug him to do the event (I handed him the survival guide, promised him I would have an eye on him, always be within arms reach...). I gotta admit I was quite proud when he actually appeared. Not only because I was happy to finally meet him in person, but because he gave it a try. And well what can I say - HE ROCKED IT!!! He suited up on his own - well almost, we had to help a tiny bit and optimize things but he pretty much did it all by himself. Due to a dear friend of ours he sorted the foggy problem he had  after a bit and boy did he gain confidence after that.

He was all shy and nervous at first so I pretty much stayed next to him, whenever our Vader didn´t need me.

It was both a pleasure and an honour to see him "in action" ... to see how much fun he had, how he started to understand "what it´s like" - and I can´t wait to see it again and again.

Plus the armour is nothing but friggin ACE and ... it needs air... it needs to be seen, to be out there - and he knows it

 

(I´ve told you... there are replacement parts, things can be repaired, whatever, you´ll be fine, you got people who´d help you in a heartbeat)

 

I had a blast being your handler and I´d do it again in an instant! And no, we won´t stop bugging you to get approved

[T-Jay[TK]]

On 05/11/2015 at 10:02 AM, Dday said:

(...)   Stay away from drama and the administrative side of the club and stick with trooping, you're stay in the 501st will be so much better

Will think about this... and then we just have to find an opportunity to meet again - on a troop. Thanks Derrek.

 

On 05/11/2015 at 11:09 AM, Sith Lord said:

(...)   And hey, if you don't want to damage that superb armour of yours, there are one or two other costumes in the Star Wars universe you could build....

Yeah, when I am old and need chairs to rest every 10 minutes you can get me to do another costume that allows sitting while being in armor

 

On 05/11/2015 at 6:14 PM, RhianDeGirondel said:

(...)    And no, we won´t stop bugging you to get approved

THAT is indeed what I fear the most . No seriously Alex, thanks for your kind words.

Edited September 20, 2017 by T-Jay

[I'm Batman[501st]]

 

Yeah, when I am old and need chairs to rest every 10 minutes you can get me to do another costume that allows sitting while being in armor

 

 

Haha. I'm there! Currently building a Snowtrooper for that reason, although now that I'm 3/4 the way through the build, I realise it has a huge cod piece that may prevent that. Oh well.....

[Bulldog44[TK]]

Tino, awesome photos! So happy to see you in your gear. You are a blaster legend and its great to see you get a chance to show your skills in full TK style! <br><br>

Hope you have many happy troops ahead of you! Congrats!

[T-Jay[TK]]

Earlier this year, I received another chance to join the 501st in my local area as a guest trooper. It was May, the 28th and 29th at the 10th anniversary of the RPC (Role Play Convention) in Cologne, Germany. Half a year after being in armor the last time, I wanted to accept this 2-day challenge and find out what happens, when you stay suited up a bit longer…
 
Inspected the hallways with my Officer, David (Cody42) and we were stopped many times for photos.


 

 
This guy scared the crowd, so a bunch of TKs took care and maintained peace and order





Later I “disposed” the individual and convinced some younglings for the Empire
 




On the first day I was suited up for 8 hours and drank faaaar too little (400ml). When I returned home that night and cleaned the armor, I was close to collapse. Not funny if nobody else is at home in such a moment. So, for the 2nd day (another 7 hours) I stayed hydrated

A little glamour shot and a “behind the scenes” picture
 




Had to remove the butt plate for sitting on that chair, but that photo was worth it. A very big moment was to escort Kevin (here in his Vader suit) to a photo shooting with Brian Muir, who had just signed his helmet. Woah, what an honor to meet him in person. I was out of words, so I just thanked him for designing the iconic stormtrooper armor


 
That was a mind-blowing experience and I never thought, this could be topped – or at least not very soon. But just a bit later, I stood in front of Dave Prowse himself! Wow, the man behind the mask was right there within reach - and talked to us like if we knew each others for a long time...
Alex (Memory) and I helped Dave getting into that same chair for a photo shooting, but unfortunately there is no photo available.
 
However, these special moments are the memories to preserve and share with others...

Edited September 20, 2017 by T-Jay

[Stormy320]

Kudos to you and TM. Just great armor!

[illusionz_09[TK]]

Very nice job!

Looks like a great experience.

Sometime the longest troops are the most rewarding.

 

Great Glamour Shots there lol

[ritzmike]

Bravo bravo bravo! Well done my friend! These are the stories that melt my heart and inspire me to push forward finish my TK build and get in there!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T-Jay[TK]]

Hello – again

 

Since adding the finishing touches to this armor back in 2014, it spent most of the time waiting disassembled in the BBB (shame on me). No mannequin and space to display it. Had only worn it a few times on the previously mentioned events. Searched two years for a suitable mannequin with movable arms, because I wanted my TK to hold a blaster. Then finally I found something…

[T-Jay[TK]]

Update 07:      - a mannequin to display the armor

 

After a long research, I recently purchased this dummy. It consists of seven pieces and came with additional metal base and a chromed support for the lower leg, but so far I did not use these parts.

 

 

Plug-and-play all the way. Now here comes the reason for buying exactly this mannequin:

 

 

Bringing all armor pieces onto the legs, meant these had to get „modified“ heavily. A step by step process began…

 

 

While permanently cutting and cutting I had asked myself if this would ever work. But when I finally had all armor parts on the mannequin, I was quite happy with the result.

 

 

Tried to add a blaster, but even the 1.1 kg resin version requires some kind of support in the arms. I am also thinking about using a rubber blaster – just in case the E-11 drops accidentally. Time will tell…

Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend

Edited September 20, 2017 by T-Jay

[Darth Niob]

Looks great mate. May i ask how tall the Mannequin without the armor is and how tall with armor on it?

[T-Jay[TK]]

14 hours ago, Darth Niob said:

Looks great mate. May i ask how tall the Mannequin without the armor is and how tall with armor on it?

 

Thank you, Nick. It's been a while.   The original mannequin was 1.89 m when I bought it. After cutting the legs it now is 1.84 m with full armor and boots.

Sorry, don't have a measurement without armor. I just trimmed it to fit my armor. Let me know, if 1.84 m for a TK is wrong, maybe I can adjust it.