Adam's ANH Stunt Build - ATA

[gunnykid3]

Hello all, my story of getting to this point started several years ago. I have wanted to be a stormtrooper since I was 12 years old. I remember looking at all the Rubies stormtrooper costumes on Ebay just wishing that I could afford one. I spent 4 years saving up and finally found a (unknown to me at the time, very over priced) set of armor on Ebay. It looked like a stormtrooper so it must be good, I thought to myself. Just after purchasing it I found the 501st and the FISD back in January of 2016 and soon realized what I had done was a mistake. I learned that my armor was recast FX armor and I had put it together all wrong. I also had a Rouge One helmet that topped it all off. I knew it wasn't pretty, but I was a stormtrooper.

   

 

After a couple troops, I knew I loved being a Stormtrooper. I even asked the leader of my local garrison if I could come to an event with them. Being able to be out there with the big dogs was awesome. I knew I needed better armor though. I ended up selling the FX armor sometime in 2017 and I got on the waiting list for an ATA kit. My BBB arrived about 9 months later and I was so excited. The problem was that I got a little intimidated and tucked it away. I built the helmet and I felt like I screwed up. I ended up getting interested in building a Darth Vader costume, I felt I could be more successful at that. 

 

I always said I would get  around to putting the TK armor all together but I just never did. Fast forward to today. I am a full time student, I work full time, and I am married. A lot has changed since I first got the armor, but I finally feel like I can do it. My job gives me a good chunk of free time and my wife is super supportive of my goal to get this thing built. I feel like I am in the right place to get as much help as I can get and I don't have to feel afraid. Like I said, I have a lot of obligations in my life right now, as we all do, but I am going to try to stay consistent with this build and post as much as I can. I could also use as much advise and critiquing as possible. Here is the helmet I put together. I was a dumb so I went out and bought the screws and nuts from my local hardware store only to find everything I needed with the kit later lol. I have Trooperbay hand painted-style decals and everything else that came with the ATA kit. 

  

 

 

I am really excited to get started and have been doing a lot of research to refresh my mind on all the details of this project. I have been watching trooperbay's how to videos on youtube for inspiration. If there is any other videos you think would be helpful please send them my way! I know there are a lot of build threads out there. I have been reading up on those too. Thank you all!

[Doggydoc[Staff]]

Hi Adam. Welcome aboard. Glad your journey brought you here. I am sure you will have your TK kit looking awesome in no time. 

[FN1313[TK]]

I had a very similar journey to the 501st with a Rubies armor. Good to see you here and looking forward to your progress!


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[MaskedVengeance[Staff]]

Welcome back, Adam! I can definitely related on the family obligations and such, and I too had an elongated journey to get to this point. I, too, have ATA armor, and really loved building it. Obviously you're not new to this hobby, having already previously built a TK, but here are some links that you may find helpful in your revisiting of research.

 

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/49412-all-in-one-tk-anh-stunt-index-of-resources-by-maskedvengeance/

 

And here is my yet unfinished ATA thread that may still be of use to you.

 

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/48337-mvs-anh-tk-stunt-ata-1st-build-thread-for-centurion/

 

And finally, as far as video tutorials are concerns, I really like the series that RS Props did, which contains far more information than what Mike from Trooperbay did. Here's a link to the RS video playlist.

 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLylZBXOeIZgnM256-WdjM5oMLygc-_4pZ

 

Looking forward to seeing you complete your ATA kit!

[TKSpartan[Staff]]

Welcome Adam, research is the clue. post photos, ask all questions you have. we are here to help.  

[gunnykid3]

Thank you all for the advice! Packages are everywhere now, which means I think I have about everything I need to start now. Based on what I have been researching, I would like to try to be as accurate as possible. In terms of following the CRL I would like to try for level 3. It seems a bit daunting but it is probably best that I shoot for the hardest thing and be done with it instead of always wishing I would have done more and never finding time again. Also, building it to level 3 gets a pretty good quality build so its well worth the extra time. 

 

Some crazy assignments and family medical issues have put me a bit behind in my schedule, but I should be starting to get into it very soon, I have foreseen it.

[Doggydoc[Staff]]

Good idea to shoot for level 3 right away. It will be worth it in the end. 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Just remember there are plenty of people around to offer help if needed, measure twice and cut once  

[gunnykid3]

I have been working on some small thing today. I had an old Anovos TD that I thought could work. I have the plastic ATA pieces, but no clips or cylinder. I think I may have mess up a little in the Anovos one. Good thing is I can always try to build the ATA one later. 
 

I cut out one of the forearms. Looking for advice. Does it look ok? Trying to follow the RS props YouTube videos that MaskedVengeance sent. 
 

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice work, the ATA TD is a lot smaller than other makers, I'd stick with the Anovos.

 

Just on your TD screws are wrong and the brackets corners on the control panel end should not be rounded  Clips shall be attached with slotted type flat or dome-head screws, and be black (two per clip).

 

 

 

Forearms are looking good, there is a difference between them, one is more rounded, the other oval, see how you go with fitment you may want to add some heat to make the rounded a little more oval. With your trim lines you could use a piece of wood with sandpaper wrapped around to get a straighter line