SIMpixels RWA TX WIP

[SIMpixels[501st]]

I decided that I wanted to do something that was a bit different but still had ties to the TKs I love. Hence my choice of a nice shiny black TX.

 

This weekend saw the arrival of my new armour kit from RWA. So, without further ado, this is my build thread! Apologies if all this appears as deja-vu to some of you as I'll be posting this on the UKG forum too.

 

My personal weapons of choice are these:

 

 

I prefer to rough trim with my Lexan scissors, file to shape with some warding files, half round is my favourite. Then I sand with some pound shop (dollar store) sanding blocks that have been cut into quarters. Thrifty!

 

So, I've made a start on the left forearm. The guys at RWA have made it simple to differentiate between parts as the pulls have L or R embossed into the waste area.

 

 

But, if you trim that bit off and can't remember further down the line. The One with 11 dimples is the left one, the right has 12.

 

 

I remember it as the words LEft and ELeven have the same first two letters (sad but true).

 

Alternatively, you could just write inside them.

 

At this point I'd usually be marking my returns with a pencil but that doesn't show up so well on the black, so where needed I'm using a white chinagraph pencil instead. Just to keep me on the right track.

 

Elbow end:

 

Rough trim:

 

Filed & sanded:

 

In the pic above, the white edge is the dust collected under the protective coating that is on all the parts that were supplied. I'm leaving this in place as much as I can throughout the build right til the end, but here's it peeled back a bit so you can see what I'm doing.

 

 

 

At the wrist end I don't really want a return at all, I'll cut it back to the thickness of the armour just leaving the natural edge of the part in place.

 

Rough trim:

 

Filed & sanded:

 

Protective coating pulled back:

 

 

As I say, I'll not be removing the coating all the time as I want to maintain the finish during the building process but here's the little RWA Isle of Wight logo that was in the box of bits which shows you how lovely and glossy the parts are under that protection (nice idea fellas).

 

 

So, that's the start of my WIP. I'm not in a mad rush to complete it, but I'm pretty sure it won't be too long.

 

More soon!

 

Si.

[toddo[TX]]

Good start so far Simon. I haven't heard of RWA before. Who are they?

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Good start so far Simon. I haven't heard of RWA before. Who are they?

 

They are fairly new on the block Todd, it's their own sculpt that they've been honing for quite a while. They started producing them for sale in May this year and they are currently only supplying kits within the UK.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Have trimmed the ends of all my forearm parts now, will leave the long edges until I start to fit them.

 

 

I've also trimmed three of my biceps parts but will wait to post the pics until all four are done tomorrow.

 

I know, what a tease!

[splinter[TX]]

Hey Simon, I love the protective coating idea. How far away are they from offering armour outside the UK?

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Hey Simon, I love the protective coating idea. How far away are they from offering armour outside the UK?

 

It won't be any time soon Scott, they're still not 100% happy with everything.

 

Once they've fine tuned it all they hope to be supplying kits worldwide.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Okey doke, had a bit of time to continue my build...

 

Inner biceps parts in untrimmed & trimmed:

 

Outer biceps parts in untrimmed & trimmed:

 

Shoulder bell:

 

All the arm parts are now ready for fitting together. They may need a tweak trim here and there once that's done, but I'll cross that bridge (and show you what I did) if and when.

 

 

Also had a delivery from the Imperial Supply Depot: a pair of aluminium TD clips and some armour polish.

 

 

I'm not usually known for buffing my TK but as my TX is gonna be über shiny I thought I'd make sure I had something on standby for future reference.

 

I'll be trimming torso parts next.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Torso time!

 

According to the Shadow Stormtrooper CRL, the kidney and butt plate can be in one piece. Luckily for those of you who like that kind of thing, the RWA kit comes just like that.

 

 

However, my heart lies with the ANH stylee so mine have been separated (which is also acceptable, phew).

 

Here they are untrimmed and trimmed:

 

Abdomen/cod plate untrimmed and trimmed:

(not damaged, just has the protective coating ripped back)

 

Chest plate untrimmed and trimmed:

 

In my excitement I forgot to take an untrimmed photo of the back plate, so here's the trimmed one with a picture of SpongeBob on a unicycle with Patrick spectating (hope that more than makes up for my misdemeanour).

 

 

I'll be trimming the miscellaneous items tonight then start on the legs later in the week.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

I've been making my snap plates tonight so thought I'd do a quick bunch of pics to show you how I do mine.

 

 

Yeah, I know, yawn! More exciting stuff to follow soon, I promise.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Still not got around to trimming my thighs, have had other stuff to do.

 

Anyway, here are my Thermal Detonator end caps. I've run out of masking tape so I used insulation tape to mark it instead. Not particularly clear for you to see but I could, so it did the job.

 

[toddo[TX]]

I really enjoy your photos, techniques, and explanations. Keep it up, and your build will become the go-to reference for other builders.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Continuing with my Detonator build. It's mostly tape & gravity at the moment as I forgot to pick my E6000 up. Doh!

 

Anyhoo, here's the TD with some numbers for all you crazy cats that worry about all of that.

 

 

 

*disclaimer* This is my 7 ½" Detonator. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

 

These dimensions are based upon my own research and decisions. Go on, shoo, go and find this stuff out for yourselves, it's not obsession, it's just paying attention for goodness sake!

[Fivezero[TX]]

Great build! Love the way you have the pictures organized!

 

Fivezero

[toddo[TX]]

The good work continues.

[Chef[501st]]

It's good to know we have the same metre rule.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

No armour updates today, been busy with other stuff.

 

However...

 

Inspired by firebladejedi's TK build over on the FISD, I thought I'd treat myself to a pair of Keith's HOVI Mic Tips. Glad I did, they are fab! Here's a pic of them with my new t-shirt that arrived today.

 

 

I quite like subtle geekery, those that know will know and to everyone else... meh, I'm a fan of wholemeal bread!

 

More soon.

[toddo[TX]]

It's hard to beat Keith's tips for sure.

[DeathMOS30[501st]]

Wow awesome build and great details do you mind if we use these awesome how tos in the armor tips and tricks area? I plan on revamping that whole area in a couple of weeks.

Great job trooper cant wait to see the finished product.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Thanks bro. Feel free to use whatever you wish.

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Real life has been keeping me busy but I've picked up my Lexans and I'm back on it.

 

Tonight's instalment is all about the drop boxes. As usual, I'll let my photos (and a bit of text) do the talking.

 

 

 

[SIMpixels[501st]]

Tonight was shins night.

 

I'm 6'1" and my TM TK has quite a gap at the back of my knee (the shins are his standard length ones). With this in mind I ordered a set of longer shins from RWA, hopefully they'll do the job of closing up that knee gap a bit.

 

Anyhoo, on with the pics.

 

Tops trimmed first...

 

Then the bottoms...

 

[Master Tej]

This armor build has been amazing so far! Are you planning to add any sort of accessories to the finished product?

 

- Master Tej -

[SIMpixels[501st]]

What sort of accessories were you thinking of Nick?

 

All I'd planned on adding were all the "screen" style accoutrements that will get me as close to Specialist as possible (with an ANH flavour).

[Master Tej]

Well, I suppose a pauldron's the only one. For some reason, I'd convinced myself that you could add comlinks, or grappling hooks, or other movie props. There are also guns.

 

So yeah, were you thinking of adding a pauldron or guns?

 

- Master Tej -

[SIMpixels[501st]]

To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of the pauldron on anything other than Sandies (although it seems all higher ranking troopers in TFA will have them).

 

As for weapons, my trusty E-11 will be with me.