ELP

John - good progress. One question ... How is your Ab/Cod and Butt, Kidney plates staying up? Myself I use suspenders that do two things: - I can hang my thighs off them, and they pull my butt/cod up so I don't have the parts slowly moving down during a troop. While trimming is an option, plastic don't grow back. I'd rig up suspenders first and that should hike everything up an inch or two and give you a bit of a "tighter" look. here's a strapping tutorial on FISD: http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11266 The guys go pretty deep into the strapping. All I did was attach 2 bands of elastic to the Ab/cod and butt/kidney so they hang off my shoulders. Basically I put them on like shorts. Works well for me. Also how tall are you? I'm guessing about 5'10. If you're still kind of puzzled then if possible please post pics of the armour without you in it and try to diagram your concerns so we'll all be on the same page.

If you want to push for "screen" accuracy then a pair of $3 rubber chem gloves is well worth it. Just FYI we're going to be looking at a few tweaks on the "Specialist" costume criteria so things may be changing, but as of right now they aren't mandated. Mind you they are the only thing I troop in. If you start with them you don't know how much more comfortable any other glove can be . Specialist requirements are here: http://forum.specops501st.com/index.php?/topic/381-specialist-requirements-blackhole-trooper/

For myself I use a tropical weight wetsuit as my undersuit. There are a number of options on eBay, and in diveshops. My backup is a two piece of black underwear from an outdoor outfitter. There are tonnes of options out there just make sure to follow the CRL: Black non-textured material, either one-piece or two-piece construction with no visible zippers or logos. As to the boots I use the Bass Amsterdam - they can be a bit low (giving rise to the lip of the boot popping out from under the shin armour). Again there are a few options out there but just make sure to follow the CRL: - Black leather or leather-like, above ankle height, with a flat sole, and small U-shaped elastic sections on both sides of the ankle with no buckles or laces. Jodphur-type boots or an equivalent style. All stitching must be black, and unnecessary or decorative stitching must not be present. Elvis / Mariachi boots are not acceptable. - White, or other color boots may be painted black so long as the boots are maintained to remain the proper color. If you go the white boot direction look into TKboots.com and order from them. Have a read through the "Armour Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials" area and you should find a tonne of info. Hope that helps.

As Izzi said weathered look isn't Legion approved ... as of yet (as it might happen in the future) But if you wanted to make the costume for fun ... you'll see that there are layers of colours, and that the best way to do it would probably be using toothpaste: Do your base coat, apply toothpaste where you want the colour to show, apply a second colour, apply more toothpaste around the first areas and in separate areas to show lesser damage/wear, apply your top coat. Now wash off your toothpaste and you've got layers of coloured battle damage. Friend of mine has a Fett and this is how he did his "wear and tear". There are a number of great write-ups on the Dented Helmet on how best to get the multi-colour weathering look. But again this hasn't been Legion approved so as of right now it would be just for fun, with potentially getting approval down the road. And again as Izzi said check the official CRLs for answers to specific lens colours, etc. on currently approved costumes. Hope that helps.

Really good to see the production. Looks great! Thanks for sharing.

Good Luck with your "yard sale" tori . Last time this happened I got the drop boxes to finish my specialist ... not bragging just trying to help your sales .

Welcome Back Shawn! Start building and let's get you back out and troopin' a TX again. Good to hear from ya!

SkyPanda ... Sounds like a great start. Feel free to start posting pictures of your parts. And I've got a balaclava - I don't wear it every troop, but I like it.

And BH I understand that you've never had an issue but "I cannot change the laws of physics" . So long as the risks are known then troopers can do what they like , I would hate for staff to give advice on a forum and subsiquently have a trooper suffer injuries or kit damage as a result of said advice. This way people know the risks, and they can choose what they want to do. But an underpowered or over powered fan beside my face inside a confined space is not something I'm wanting to do.

Just regarding the fans please watch voltages ... A single AA battery is 1.5 volts ... Not 9. So to power a 12 volt fan properly you'd need 8 and that's a fair bit of weight. Will it work with a 9 volt battery, sure ... But you're running the risk I mentioned above. That's why the fans on the legion boards are expensive ... They are 9 volt squirrel fanns. Also at 5 cm x 2 cm the above fans are pretty big. Not to pick on them, just want to make sure you have the needed room.

Re: lense fogging - You can also get anti fog spray or paste, avalible at dive shops and probably large sporting goods stores. I used to dive a lot so I have some on hand. Works great. Initially I did get some feedback with the Aker amp when i mounted it in my chest, but with a bit of foam above it (a small sound block) and my pauldron on it's not a worry.

DDF - (nice pic by the way - always good to see the the Gambler's world pics ... April 13th 1979 if I'm not mistaken ). For myself I only have my iphone mounted in my chest for music/ambiance, so I can't speak directly to the specific challenges or advantages to putting in the electronics. I don't know what BH covered off in the PM or what he didn't so here's my take: If you want a voice amp system then there are a few options: Self contained helmet units: Can be bought from the website but also on Legion boards in the for sale area (usually used) I think there is also a guy who is doing a reasonably prices "home made" run right now. Mounting the speaker in your chest peice. Less costly and generally louder. fans: Cost: I've got 2 laptop fans that can be mounted in the helmet - including fans, wiring, and switches this came to about $7 each. Easy. The Squirel fans get fantastic reviews and move a tonne of air, but they aren't cheap. Positioning: Depends on how big your head is. There are a few common positions but really before you put anything in permanently use some strong double sided tape and slide your head in and out a few times and wander around. Some troopers don't like air blowing on their eyes, some troopers prefer air blowing on the back of their neck, some like to pull outside air in through their helmet frown ... so it's up to you on what would work best. Batteries - this depends on what your draw is. 9 v fan vs 12 volt fan ... You'll have to pay attention here as if you power a 12 volt fan with a 9 volt battery the battery will get very hot and you may risk an explosion. Again I don't have any of these bits in my bucket for 2 main reasons: - Real Estate - My head is already pretty packed in there so there isn't much room. - Comfort - I've trooped in some pretty warm environments and for 6-10 hours at a time and so long as I stay hydrated and take breaks I've never missed having a fan. Hopefully not too much of this is repetition. Any questions please post!

LOL - I thought for Sure Izzi would say "Needs more Nova".

Hmmm ... First thought ... AWESOME .... Second thought SUPER AWESOME! Well done Jason! Photoshop?

BH - Sounds good. If he's willing to Sell to Canada in possibly in an untrimmed unpainted state then I know 4 or 5 troopers who would probably be interested. The Aussie ones are great but the shipping is $$$. - Unfinished unpainted shouldn't have issues at the boarder. I'll keep an eye out for the info and pass it on. Thanks!

Just on a side note for non-us, especially Canadian troopers ... Importing of prop weapons may be illegal in your country. So please be aware of any laws befor ordering. For Canada specifically: It is highly frowned upon by customs and the RCMP. I know of 2 cushman orders that were stopped at the boarder. Hyper firm will not sell to Canada. The resin DLT-19's coming from Australia (if that is the ones BH is referring to) can be sent in 2 pieces and needed to to trimmed and painted (I believe they can also be sent fully finished). The unfinished resin versions have no problems at the Canadian boarder. It's an easy DIY job and you get to paint and weather your own blaster. Sorry for the side note.

If you like you can compair the two requirements Weir - 501st CRL Shadow Scout - 501st CRL If you wanted to do a Weir and a shadow scout you could use all your soft armour for both costumes ... you'd need both the balaclava and the neck seal as one is required for one costume and one for the other. But as you mentioned the belt would be different, and you'd need a bandoleer. And probably 2 sets of upper arms with the proper T-Bits for both costumes. Easiest way would be probably to start with the shadow scout and then get the parts for Weir. Hope that helps.

Nice car Ty! Friend of mine in my 20's had a Chevelle, not a great body but (as I learned later) the engine was in perfect condition. He said it was either that car or a jacked up truck with huge mudders ... At first I didn't understand his choice... Then he took me for a ride and let me say that was the last time I ever wondered why he got that car. I love speed but those things with a 396 in them are Insane! Have Fun and Drive Safe Trooper! When you're up and running we'll organize a pilgrimage to Bonneville ... and crash with Izzi - no pun intended.

Oh, and bonus points for Strong bad ... Nice

Thanks for posting and for the link to the ebay site. Good looking swap out ... And FX helmet or not ... Gotta admit you keep your bucket nice and polished! Really looks good!

WOW ... that's a task a head of you for sure. Fantastic research!

Looks great Ty! Well done both on the build and the weight loss! Great looking pics! Once you're approved fire those pics off and we'll get the write up started.

Romeo - Try talking to VaderDave on the FISD - he sells sets, but he can also probably sell you a one off as well. Friend lost one and he helped out. But BH's idea will probably be the cheaper option.

Awesome - can't wait to see the pics and new parts.

Good Luck and Have Fun! Can't wait to see your handy work!