tigger68

Update...I don't have pics yet but my pauldron is underway. Since I decided to be the second Novatrooper Commander now all I have to do is start saving up for my armor, and get into shape for it...maybe by this fall. I can't wait. Wish I'd have it to hang out with all the spec ops peeps at Freedom Fest, but maybe next year.

Congratulations! It looks verryy niiice.

Sorry, but as much as I like you, I think I'm keeping this one for me. I like the look a lot. Just need to decide if I want the pauldron to be all one piece, or divided into 1/3rds. The cool thing though...I get a custom fit pauldron most likely.

Okay, I have to post this picture. My leatherworking friend showed up at Planet Comicon on March 26th with a gorgeous piece of leather...and yes, he found gold paint to match. He has offered to make me a pauldron in exchange for making up a rebel legion costume for him. And yes, that is really leather. I handled it, and it looks even better under lights, not in a picture taken from a phone. The gold isn't quite as "greenish" as it looks in the picture, the fluorescent lights in the convention hall kind of gave a greenish cast to everything, including TK armor. Just thought I'd post the picture for everyone to see. This is from the same store that I posted the information from initially, but is a different piece of leather. TTFN.

Shadow, your General Weir looks awesome! Congrats on being the first!

I don't want to steal Shadow's thunder but check out the LMO blog on the legion boards. Will give the answer to whether or not he was approved. The post date is March 15th.

No problem. At the direction my job hunt is headed I'll be able to use the real thing for a reference. And cold? I used to think the wind coming out of Big Cottonwood Canyon was cold 'til I moved to Kansas. Then I learned the meaning of 'windchill.' Hope to see some pics if spring/summer ever gets here.

Izzi, sorry I didn't realise you had painted your spare helmet the 'non-elite' way. I didn't read that far on your post. Sorry. The upside I now have a visual reference for it. Oh btw, did you ever repaint the shoulder bells?

Whew, that is a relief to know that someone already did it before me. I wouldn't want to have that on my hands. Thanks for the good luck wishes, I think I'm going to need them.

Okay after picking up my pauldron and looking around this sub forum, I've begun to rethink things. Instead of building an elite nova maybe I'll just go for the everyday run of the mill novatrooper commander. Pros: 1. haven't seen a build threat for it yet; 2. Don't need a backpack; 3. Don't need a DLT-19; and 4. Don't need ammo pouches. Cons: 1. Haven't seen a build thread for it yet so I would be on my own; 2. Wouldn't have the designation of "Elite"; and 3. If I were to get it finshed before July, couldn't troop with Alpine Garrison as a 'Mini Me' to Izzi. Okay my goal list: 1. Get a good job. 2. Finish my TIE Pilot while getting into shape. 3. Order my TX armor. 4. Get approved as a novatrooper commander. I think that is enough for now. Maybe I'll do an elite someday but not right now.

The glossy finish of the CA boot is due to the use of patent leather. Patent leather CANNOT be polished, and if you scuff it up, it is ruined. Trust me, I've worn a lot of patent leather shoes in my time (mostly mary jane style shoes growing up) and one scuff and the shoes are ruined. I wouldn't pay $169.00 for a pair of boots that are going to be trooped in. I'm worried about where the shins meet the leather and any pinching or scuffing that can occur which would ruin the boots. I'm not saying people shouldn't purchase these if they want, just wanting them to know all aspects of buying them. Sorry TKboots can't make them in black. Would be a great fix.

Ugh, maybe it would be better if we could convince TKboots to do a TX boot for us. And jodhpur boots are still WAY less expensive. Besides, it looks like these have decorative stitching on the top, and I thought that wasn't allowed. Oh well, maybe I'm looking at the pictures wrong. I'll stick with the black jodhpur boots because I can save almost $100.00.

Mike, Here is Pandatrooper's AM build thread over on the FISD. I can't see where he cut down the forearms, but he did have to do some cutting of other pieces. Pandatrooper's AM Build - FISD Hope this helps.

Well, I was supposed to pick up my pauldron today but mother nature decided to send a blizzard instead. So now I have to wait...stupid snow and 3t mph winds. One smart aleck meteorologist called it "The Blizzard of Oz". They're all as giddy as if igt were a tornado. Really funny to watch.

Great! I tried on the backpack from my TD friend, and um, since he's 6'3" and I'm only 5'4", it looked really strange. So he said he'd help me build one of my own, and just make the pieces more "vertically-challenged" friendly (my words, his were more along the lines of munchkins...). I'm really excited to get started on the parts and slowly accumulate what I need. I can hardly wait to have it finished, accepted, and be one of the black ops crowd officially.

Didn't pick up the leather. The color wasn't deep enough. I'd have to repaint or dye it to more closely match the rustoleum color. However, the leather was beautiful. If I didn't have to match the colors I would definitely have spent the money required to purchase it. Oh well, I'm picking up my pauldron next week. Already have the paint, so I might as well paint it. Trying to decide if it is cheaper to purchase my backpack, or to make my own. Question...can we make the backpacks, um, size appropriate as long as they have the correct looking components? Just a question because I'm short from my waist up. Most of my height is in my legs so a full-sized backpack will look kind of awkward, like I'm wearing my older brother's uniform. Thank you to everyone for your advice regarding the pauldron.

I'm going with him tomorrow to look at it and take a sample of the dried paint on a scrap piece of leather. I hope it is close because it would make life a lot easier when it comes to painting the rest of my gear. I know "antique gold" covers a whole range of colors and I want it to be as close to the paint on the armor as possible. Thanks for everyone's advice. I'll tell you how it goes after seeing the leather tomorrow morning.

Well I'm taking the plunge. I'm sgtarting to pick up pieces of non-armor for my nova. I am purchasing my pauldron and backpack from a TD who is no longer going to be wearing them and have a question... Another garrison member who I've been helping found some antique gold colored leather at a specialty shop locally. He's offered to purchase it and apply it to my pauldron free of charge. How close does it have to be to the rustoleum metallic gold? Or should I just stick with painting the pauldron?

Very talented. Might have to do the same to the back of my Hasbro, but I think I'll keep the length because, I'm the classic, "Aren't you a little short..." and the length of the sterling looks really weird on me. Yeah, a DLT comes almost up to my shoulders. But I love what you've done with the rest. *puts ideas away in box until has a moment to actually work on things* congrats on the great work!

Thank you Izzi. I just put it in the same spot as on the other forum. And yes, it is very important. I don't want anyone getting ill while trooping. Makes a fun event not so fun.

Okay, we had this topic over on the other boards, but I think it is still very relevant, and wanted to post it here. I'm also including the responses from the other spec ops board. Sorry it isn't really well put together, but I wanted to keep everything, including responses, or as much as I could. Hope you enjoy it. Fit Club Heat Exhaustion/Hydration Info Just scroll down until you reach the articles. They are fairly long, but contain good info. Happy and safe trooping!