My brand new GF Follano!

[BlazeNova]

So I bought this GF Follano Type 2 (what AP is based from) locally here in Toronto from someone who sells collectibles. Granted, I did not even know what a GF Follano was at the time but the asking price was so outrageously low ($750), in addition he told me this was a very rare suit. So how could I have said no to that? I've always wanted Stormtrooper armour of my own, but never having the time to build it myself, nor justifying paying a $1000+ for an assembled "costume" due to being a student, I thought I did "ok" here. However, I'm honestly a newbie and you guys are the real experts here. So you tell me.

 

For my only research on the armour before purchase, this is the place where I checked up on it: http://www.starwarshelmets.com/imperialfanGF.htm

 

For the price, I got the entire set up. Helmet, body armour, size 11 CAboots, blaster holster, undersuit, gloves, and the neck brace.

Both the helmet (inside) and chest plate are autographed by Follano. Everything was completely new and in original bubblewrap/plastic packaging, never worn as it was kept in storage for so many years. The "storage smell" that the armour gave off at first really tells you how long it had to stay dormant in someones attic since the early 2000's. A collector had originally purchased several of these from Follano way back and had left some in storage. He was later forced to sell this to pay the bills, from which I later bought it off of the merchant. The pictures shown right here are the ones he provided me.

 

 

 

Now this came with absolutely no instructions, and this was actually my very first experience in dealing with TK armour. Took me almost an hour to try to put this on (I had no idea what half of the pieces were used for and where they went,etc). Yup, I had literally no idea what I was doing. So understandably, my first time wearing this was not very positive. After doing some research online I now have begun to have a better understanding of where most of the pieces go and such. With that said, I still would like some pointers from anyone who has experience with the GF on how to properly set it up and such. Hopefully so I can take some pictures later actually wearing it to show to you guys.

 

With that said, this suit still requires modification in my eyes. It only has velcro, and as I was putting it on I struggled with it. I see a lot of troopers have a strap and snap system going on with their armour so I will want to do the same with mine. That and also add a vinyl screen to the frown on my bucket. That is one of the reasons I was hoping to find someone else in the GTA who would be willing to help me out with this as I have zero experience "building" anything with my hands. I also can't for the life of me figure out how the attach the thermal detonator on the back of the belt. I'm not sure what to do with it, it neither has a velcro strap on it (neither does the back of the belt), nor did it come with any clips to attach it to the belt.

 

I also had trouble with keeping the arm and forearm armour on. I'm a skinny guy (183cm, 75 kg) and they would be slipping around and off me the whole time. Still too loose. I assume with the strap and snap system is a way most people get around this?

 

Well either way, that is just the basic modifications I am planning for this bad boy just so it is wearable and comfortable enough to troop in. Once I get that all done I think I will move onto the helmet and change the mic tip aerators (the ones that came with the helmet are old as the ducktape around them is being to peel off), and possibly plan to buy some Stormtrooper helmet padding from ebay... but all that later of course. A voice changer sometime later down the line would be incredible.

 

Here are for now some pictures of me trying on the GF bucket.

Edited October 28, 2014 by TK9021

[Nagedzi[TK]]

Nice hero bucket and what a great deal! Yes, most of use snaps and straps. There are a lot of ways to do this so it's best to check out some build threads. I'm sure there are also quite a few in the GTA that can provide some help. Best of luck!

[BlazeNova]

Thanks Andy! You were a big help to me on these forums already, thanks to you I should now have my temporary e11 blaster to go with this suit. Should do well until I can get a more legit version sometime later on.

[Tolo[TK]]

Nice find!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[Haribon72[TK]]

Yes, nice find!

[ikinaceous]

You've done well there.

[maxsteele[TK]]

Looking at the photos, it seems like you have more construction than you're expecting.

 

The reason the forearms and biceps are slipping off you is because they're too big for your body.  You will need to cut them to fit your arms.  I would also highly suggest to remove the velcro completely from them and join them together with glue and finishing strips.

 

You'll definitely want to replace the velcro and go with a snap / strap or bracket strapping system.  Biceps, forearms, and thighs should be completely closed and glued together.  Shins don't glue in the back or else you'd never be able to get them over your feet.  Velcro to close the backs of the shins is ok, but you'll want everything else to be more secure.  You may need to remove and re-position the battery pack at the bottom of the right thigh.

 

What we can't tell from these photos and what you've already ran into is your body size compared to the size of the armor.  Having the pieces fit you is very important.  You'll probably find you need to take apart the thighs and shins to cut and fit them more to your legs.  The connection between the ab and kidney will probably need to be brought in, and then you'll need to work on the fit with the chest and back plates.

 

I think you'll need to re-paint the buttons on the ab plate.

 

I am the poster child for "If I can do it, anyone can!"  If you take it one step at a time, research everything, and ask for assistance on your build thread, you'll have your TK ID and start trooping in no time!

Edited October 29, 2014 by maxsteele

[BlazeNova]

Well that's what I was afraid of, I'd much have rather paid a wee bit extra if it meant I didn't have to add a strapping system to it, especially if it meant I wouldn't have to cut the armor to size... I'm too paranoid in screwing up the armor in the procress. I'd much rather pay someone here in the GTA to do it for me.

 

I'll have some free time later on and post some pictures of me wearing the armor in it's current state to give everyone a better idea how it looks.

[Spycee[TK]]

If you do it yourself you'll have the pride that goes with it. It's really not that hard. It's hard to REALLY screw up something if you take your time, cutting a little at a time.

[BlazeNova]

If you do it yourself you'll have the pride that goes with it. It's really not that hard. It's hard to REALLY screw up something if you take your time, cutting a little at a time.

See, that's just the thing. Unlike majority of the people here, I don't take any enjoyment or pride in building things/making them. I'm not handy with my hands either. That's why I was looking to only getting an already assembled "out of the box" armor. The seller told me it is already assembled and would be wearable, I believed him but now I see I may have made a slight mistake. Unfortunately, I can't return this armor for a refund anymore so I'm stuck with it.

 

Follano did an awful job on making this wearable, he had to make this armor in mind of only putting it on a mannequin, because it's not ideal for human wear. If that was what he was aiming for, then I want whatever he was smoking lol! The velcro system is horrid and I feel very stale and not very mobile/flexible when wearing the armor using it, constantly hearing velcro ripping apart sounds in random places on the suit. Sometimes different velcro parts of the armor randomly rip off as well.

 

Here are some shots of me wearing the armor.

*** Note: Yes, I realized the sniper knee velcro ripped during the photo session, but there was no way I was going to attempt in bending over to try and fix it. Otherwise I'd risk having other parts of the armor velcro rip. After one or so poses, the garbage hand plates strip fell off as well and yet again, I wasn't going to risk bending down to try to retrieve them. Oh yeah, the button piece on the chestplate came off so I will have to superglue it back on later I suppose. Wanted to point this all out to everyone.

 

 

As you can see, the bicep armor is a mess. I'm a skinny lean guy, so I can't velcro it anymore thinner as it already is. I also can't plate them under the shoulder pads due to the velcro under the shoulder pads not allowing it (at least if I want to be mobile and move lol).

 

The thigh pieces are annoying as well. They were pretty big so I tried to re-arrange the velcro on them to make them more thinner resulting in them looking a bit weird. But even when doing that, they still continue to fall down my leg. When the rest of the armor is put up, there is one strip of velcro that comes down from each of the front sides that attaches to the thigh pieces. Even with that, the thighs still hang pretty low. The leg armor is alright, but due to being a soccer player, I have the most muscle in my calves, so it's hard to cover my whole leg with the armor leaving a big part of my boots showing. Not sure if thats supposed to be normal or not.

 

Here are some seperate shots of the bicep, arm, and thighs armor:

(Yes, I need to get a new pair of gloves that have the handplates already attached to it. The velcro strap is crap, constantly slipping off)

 

Edited October 31, 2014 by BlazeNova

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

The armor simply needs to be strapped to fit.

 

the forearms and other parts are designed for the overlap assembly common in the past.

most likely you will be hard pressed to get a color match on the ABS for making finishing strips.

 

the GF brand is many years old, and his plastic was made custom for his shop.

even if you contact AP he may be able to supply you with a color closer than

other makers out there.

 

the overall assembly of your armor is not that bad. since all the parts are velcro you can reposition the thigh pack

and knee plate pretty easy.

 

you will need to cut the fronts of the leg parts to a butt join and add cover strips.

the forearms should not be tailored to fit, just made the correct size if your arms are small enough.

 

strapping is used on the original suits that travels from the shoulder all the way down the arm.

this holds the parts in position.

 

when you bring your thighs up and outwards the armor should fit you perfectly.

this will allow you to walk better.  the goal with the lower torso is to wear a harness

so that it pulls the lower torso up as high as possible. then the legs fit better.

 

strapping the rear of the torso correctly will fix the belt location and the kidney plate.

 

get new hovie tip helmet tusks... those are garbage!  any experienced EIB level TK should be able to sort you out

in a single day.

Edited October 31, 2014 by TK Bondservnt 2392