Master Tej

Alright, I have a question about measuring my head. For the length, I did from one ear to the other. For depth, from my nose to the farthest back part of my head. For height, though, I used from my chin to the top of my head. Here are my results - Length: 7 in. Depth: 9 in Height: 9 in Do these all sound about right, just as conceivable head measurements? Did I use the right places for measurements? Does anything make my head sound like it would be the size of a watermelon? - Master Tej -

Well, Evilboy, if you don't mind me asking, what are your dimensions? I do want to be sure that the kit will fit me with minimal trimming, although I would note that ATA was not sure how much better his kit, as opposed to Mightytank's would fit me. Still have to measure my head, though, to be sure that my head will fit the helmet nicely. - Master Tej -

You know, I think I will follow your advice. I was beginning to get a bit concerned that purchasing from two separate armor manufacturers could create paint discrepancies and, although it may seem like more work to trim off all the excess from the armor, I would rather do that than have to do a lot of extra trimming for an overall fit. However, be prepared for lots of (sometimes stupid) questions! - Master Tej -

Well, I emailed ATA, and got an interesting response. He says he makes ATA armor, and that TE2 is an armor maker retired these days. I guess I phrased my request improperly, because you guys said he makes TE2 sized kits, meaning that his ATA kits are the same size as the TE2s were, right? He also says that his ATA kits would fit about the same as an AP kit. So I looked at some images he gave me, and I now have a decision to make. I believe that the one offered from Mightytank is already trimmed, so that is a plus. Also, I don't know if ATA offers lite kits, because I really would like to buy the ARAKYEL lid, as I want to avoid as much assembly and trimming as possible to minimize that amount of mistakes I make, as working with this kind of assembly and whatnot is all fairly new to me. However, they are both black abs already, and if you think that the ATA kit will fit me better, that's something to consider. I'll have to see what ATA's price for a lite kit is, if he does offer one at all. - Master Tej -

Nice, just makes me more excited about eventually being one. Just one thing, though. Through my frequent perusals of the CRL (must've gone there at least 50 times by now), I thought I read that drop boxes weren't allowed for the Nova Elite. - Master Tej -

Here's quite an interesting picture on Wookiepedia - The Caption under it reads "A storm commando variant in white armor", and it has been placed within the Storm Commando article. Here's the link - http://starwars.wiki...er_Commando.jpg - I'm not sure if I did the picture thing right. However, looking at all of the armor, it looks like a standard Scout with a remote in one hand and an explosion in the background. It doesn't appear to differ in any way from a BS. - Master Tej -

Thank you! I hope to be posting with my armor here soon! - Master Tej -

This would be an awesome second costume, one that is "unofficial", of course. I really like the beret idea. - Master Tej -

I didn't look very closely, but is he offering it in the junkyard? - Master Tej -

Then I think that's the direction I'm going to go in. You're right about the "lite" kits. I now looking at a full glossy black abs kit from mightytank in the junkyard, and he offers it for $495. I'll just have to work extra to build up the money, I guess. - Master Tej -

Alright, so I just looked at the Nova Elite bucket ARAKYEL has up for sale, and I am wondering if I should buy it. It appears to fulfill all basic and specialist requirements. However, is there a risk to buying the bucket seperate from the armor? I'm not sure if I'm putting this in the best possible way, but will I be easily able to buy armor with a helmet included? - Master Tej -

My apologies for the lapse in posting - I've been getting ready for school to start and slogging it out in Marching Band and the August heat. I just ordered my pack from Dirty Boy, but I'm not sure where to look to buy the best armor. I have a feeling the answer is almost literally right below my nose, but I can't seem to get it. Suggestions, anyone? - Master Tej -

Well, sorry for the lateness, been kind of busy. Here's the pics of the lightsaber hilt. It needs primer on one side and, when completed, will have an attached power switch, clip for belt, power inlet, and handgrips. However, I'm not sure how to best make it silver. It is made from pipe parts, nothing fancy, and therefore doesn't have the natural shiny silver quality that, say, a graflex, which is made of metal would have. I have a can of silver rustoleum, but I'm not sure if there's a better way to give it that sheen that lightsabers have normally. Any suggestions? Also, sorry for the quality of the pictures. The bluriness is my fault, but I don't know why they came out so grainy. They're really kind of terrible. http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss19/phoenixking248/?action=view&current=Capture_00015.jpg This one has a battery next to the hilt for scale. http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss19/phoenixking248/?action=view&current=Capture_00019.jpg The other side. http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss19/phoenixking248/?action=view&current=Capture_00022.jpg Concept drawing. - Master Tej -

Hmm, I suppose that makes enough sense. At least, I know it makes enough sense to satisfy costuming needs. Who knows, maybe they just have rechargeable power packs that they can switch out between the pack and T-21. Anyways, I won't be able to get the pack for a little while, maybe by next week. However, just for fun, I am working on building a lightsaber hilt. It's something I started about 1/2 a year ago and have resumed work on. I'll try to post some pics tonight. Also, anyone know who I should go to for armor to meet Level 3 certification standards? I would just like to get the armor when I can so that I'll be able to begin building as soon as possible. - Master Tej -

How's that? - Master Tej -

I'll get to work on it right away, Sir! *Gets into Imperial Shuttle and flies away. - Master Tej -

Alright, I have a question. This is something that has bugged me for a little while, and I don't think it's been addressed on any of the discussions in this forum. The T - 21, the weapon for a Nova Elite, is a light repeating blaster rifle, no? In the words of Wookieepedia - "Since the T-21's standard power pack only has enough energy for twenty-five shots, it was almost always paired with a continuous-feed power generator. The twenty kilogram generator was carried as a backpack." Now, I know Wookiepedia doesn't speak for the 501st, but, to maintain a high level of canon accuracy, shouldn't there be some kind of connecting cable between the T-21 and backpack on a Nova Elite? I mean, if the backpack is carried for the main purpose of providing power to the T-21, at least in the canon universe, then wouldn't a cable make sense? Without cable, why bother with a backpack at all? This is also backed up by screenshots from SWG. In the screenshots posted on this forum, Nova Elites are shown with no backpack, which makes sense, as they are carrying no blaster. Now, I know this game is not always correct either, but I'm just wondering if this has been addressed, or if I'm going after a "Phantom Issue", or what. - Master Tej -

Well, unfortunately, schooling will get in my way for Celebration VI, so I won't be doing a month long mad dash to get a suit together, but that also means I will hopefully be fully able to accomplish my goal of being a Nova Elite at my first event. I've already contacted Dirty Boy over in MEPD, he's got a great backpack deal, and I'll stay posted on that. Who could point me in the direction of the best armor seller, preferably already full assembled and painted black? - Master Tej -

Oh, I had seen that IV and V were held on the 30th anniversaries of those movies, and so I kind of thought this one would be too. I can't fathom how I overlooked that it said it was during 2012. Well, I'll have to see if I can, hopefully I can get back to you later today. - Master Tej -

Wait, I thought this was celebrating the 30th anniversary of ROTJ.

Oh, didn't realize I said IV, not VI. And, um, I wouldn't mind at all going as a Shadow Stormtrooper, that would actually be really awesome, but what is the "one month deadline" thing about? That's the second time I've heard that mentioned now. - Master Tej -

To all 501st members, Hello, my name is Master Tej, and I am a potential 501st member. When I knew I wanted (and had) to join, I thought, for my first suit, go big or go home. Nah, not really, but the NovaTrooper Elite particularly caught my eye. Something about that black and gold combo . . . Anyways, I would really like to attend Celebration VI in armor, specifically as a Nova Elite, but I am in need of a lot of help. I have no knowledge or experience in any of this kind of building, painting, or assembly beyond a bit of rudimentary basics from model rockets and the like, and I am just really unsure where to start. I am 5' 8", 140 lbs, wear shoes size 12, and live in Virginia, making me a hopeful member of Garrison Tyranus. As I said, I am unsure where to start with . . . anything, and I was told to post here for help. So, who's got suggestions? - Master Tej -