TT8's TFA

[ukswrath[Staff]]

There is a clear just not as involved like other paint systems.

 

Roger that 

 

Looking forward to seeing it.

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

Well boys and girls this was an absolute disaster towards the end! The bad chemical reaction from a bad can of paint. A painter that could roll paint on walls better then a spray! Buffing, sanding, straps loosening up and well its at the end. Enjoy............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2015 by TriumphTrooper8

[Sly11[Admin]]

Michael, aside from those last challenges you had, your armor looks awesome, you certainly look ready for battle to me. Well done.

 

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

Awesome job Michael. Sorry to see you go through so much grief at the end, but it looks like you made it out ok.   

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

I just got the word from my Garrison GML.........FO TK-10114 has been as approved!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Congrats Michael, welcome to the ranks

[Sly11[Admin]]

Congratulations Michael.

 

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

Congrats Michael 

[Pyrates[TK]]

Way to adapt and overcome and Congratulations!

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

Well the work paid off with two very special premiers I was involved with along with TK-21029. These were very secret premiers. The first was at The White House which spread around like wild fire with many people asking if anyone knew who or where the stromtroopers were from? I am using a majority of what my compadre wrote on another forum:

 

Here is what happened......we were contacted only days prior about this event and told it if we accepted that we were cleared with Lucas and Disney studios to be present and that we cannot tell a soul and further instructions as to where to meet the secret service for full inspections would follow. My own family didn't know until after.

 

We were there for the private screening of Star Wars for the families of fallen military serviceman. There was a specific child that was the focus but again, this is something we are still not allowed to give details on. Yes we were able to meet and spend time with POTUS and FLOTUS as some may be wondering. The part where we came on stage during the press conference was a last minute decision that was made and we did not expect to do that (and was not happy when told there is a step we had to step up). There is a ton more photos that we cannot post as every one must be approved by the White House.

 

It was a surreal experience and was suited up for 8 hours in total. That is about the extent of what we are allow to share but it was killing us not to be able to share what was happening with our friends here.

 

Enjoy!

 

Prepped and ready!

 

Press Conference

 

 

 

Movie Premier with my Youngling!

 

The other Youngling!

 

Starring up at the lovely sky! It was a Hoth moment!

[DiodeDave]

That's very cool, congratulations

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

WHAT!? Friggin awesome 

[A Master Builder]

SWEET! Looks Great

[Pyrates[TK]]

What an experience - congrats!

[mitcheg1[501st]]

I saw this on the news! Wondered who the lucky trooper was! Nice!

[Sly11[Admin]]

Well done guys, that is truly awesome.

 

 

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[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

It was an honor and previliage. We also were lucky enough to troop the whole time all over the areas keeping the helmets on. I had the stitching on one strap come undone but glued it up and kept going. Out side of that my left shoulder felt like someone was cutting into it with a 2x4 it was a fun troop. Once you get used to the suit it's not that bad at all. Can't wait for the plastic bucket!!!

[crashmann[501st]]

And you forgot to mention this was the first time trooping with the armor for both of you. What a way to make a debut!

 

The armor looked fantastic, and I think even Darth Vader was jealous 

 

Charlie

[crashmann[501st]]

And here is TK-21209 (Randy) dancing with the President and First Lady

 

 

Charlie

Edited December 20, 2015 by crashmann

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

So I got a pauldron from Trooperbay for the First Order TK and decided to just leave it black for now and used 30lb magnets that TK21029 gave me so I could remove it and not have nay more strapping! It looks great but one issue.....it is smaller than the movie version. Some people like and some don't. I think I can add on to it to get the extra so it looks better. Now there are three colors starting with Black for Sargent, White for Chef and a dark Red for Officer. What may happen I don't know.......
 

 

 
 
Well after the Regal troop something happened when I was getting out of the armor. It was something I was hoping would not happen but it seems that in due time the crack on the neck yoke! It let out a good pop and there it was. I brought it home and made some templates for reinforcing strips made from .090" ABS. I beveled them and even gave one end at the top a bevel to wedge into the gap where one side cracked. I used JB Plastic weld and I will know Saturday with my duel troops if it worked! Good feeling came when I noticed the epoxy came through the crack so it flowed into all the voids ever so nicely!

[ukswrath[Staff]]

And it cracks outside of the shoulder mods... imagine that ANOVOS!

 

Sorry to see this Michael.

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

Well the fix I tried failed! It was on the first of two same day troops. I did not feel bad or disappointed. I have hear stories about numerous repairs to the same exact spot. So I decided this time I am going to bridge the area leaving the first repair in tack. I did what we do in welding repairs. Remove the crack. Leave a radius at the end of it and bevel the joint. I used wax paper as a backing to fill the crack area then when the filler has set up remove it and from there if it has voids the remove the area to solid resin and refill it. This worked well with another piece of .090" abs extended past the crack. At this point even before I painted it I pulled and did some twisting and it is really strong.

 

This is the best for the repair!

 

Crack Removal

 

 

Wax Paper Backing

 

 

New Strip Added and Glued!

 

 

Clamps and Wax Paper Removed!

 

 

Painted and just needs some wet sanding!

 

 

I also did a new modification that people had noticed from numerous screen and publicity photos going around of removing the back edge of the forearms for more movement. I had some issues and decided to do it on mine.

 

Original

 

Modification

 

Movie

Edited February 12, 2016 by TriumphTrooper8

[dak[TK]]

Looking good and thanks for the time line on the build

[Endoskull]

Questions for ya

 

1. The chest actually has a hole in the middle?
2. And all the black circles on arms and should are actually holes as well?
3. Also did you paint black on the butt canister and back black circle or are they stickers?

I'm working on a Jakk's Conversion for my 6 year old - I have no idea why I'm asking for details - I mean ... I can't wear it when he's done ;-)

Thanks

-jer

[TriumphTrooper8[501st]]

The chest has a hole in it with gaffers tape behind it and also the same for the biceps/arms. The Thermal Detonator is all stickers.