crashmann

There's been a lot of debate about which Tupperware lid is the correct size, but most believe it is the smaller one, especially when compared to the 2 1/2" mortar tube. For your shampoo bottle, you'll need to cut it down in height like Strider did a couple of years back: You're pack looks fantastic, and with a little weathering you'll be ready to apply for Police Officer! Charlie

That's beautiful Thomas! Thanks for sharing the detailed photos. It's incredible how well preserved the radio is! Charlie

Wow, very nice work Christian! You have a great eye for detail, and you really captured everything in your build! I can't wait to see it when you're finished Charlie

SWAT's goal is to emulate a particular sandtrooper from a particular scene. All of the photos of the sandtrooper backpacks show the seed trays have a flat edge, and that is why they are sliding apart and barely held together with gaffer's tape: So, if you're going for SWAT, do not leave the lip around one of the trays. Trim the trays so they are flat. Charlie

You've got a couple of options for affixing the seed trays. If you're going for SWAT, then you trim the edges so they are totally flat. Then they'll slide apart and you'll need gaffer's tape to hold them together, just like in the movie. However, if You're looking for a more practical solution that will keep them lined up, check out this post: Charlie

Many folks have taken an old school backpack and cut the padded shoulders straps off to use on their sandtrooper backpack. You could also use a few inches of elastic to connect the top of the frame to your shoulder straps. This would act as a shock absorber while you're walking. I don't understand the mechanics, but the chest straps do alleviate some of the load off your shoulders. If you could find backpack straps with those already built in, that could save you some work. Charlie

Thanks for doing the work to capture all of the screenshots and sharing them Markus! I was going through the scenes last week and was surprised that there is only 90 seconds of screen time for the sandtroopers! Of course, it's because the sandtroopers are so awesome that they made such a huge impact with such little screen time :-) Charlie

Wow, you've created a very nice pack! Most impressive! I really like the bottom shape of your gray bottles. The ones used on screen have a sharp angle at the bottom, just like the ones you've found Good job setting the angle for the radar dish! Your eye for detail really shines through in the pack you've built! Charlie

I knew the kidney plate notch thread was around here somewhere. So many words to read... Ultimately, the best thing to do is carefully examine the screen captures: https://starwarsscreencaps.com/star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-1977/28/ Charlie

Yup, that's Gordon Tarpley. He put it together on a whim with some inspiration from his wife way back in 2012. His thread on the RPF shows molds were made, but I don't think it ever went to production :-( https://www.therpf.com/f9/star-wars-christmas-story-crossover-leg-lamp-171297/ Charlie

It's a major award! Charlie

Your flexible PVC pipe reminded me of something... Thanks for the wiggle wiggle wiggle! Charlie

Here's the solution to your kidney / ab plate issue: Get your skinny bike riding butt to McDonalds and eat a bunch of Big Macs with extra special sauce! Don't forget to order super size fries too! Or, Find the midpoint of your sides, then mark the kidney plate with a pencil, or tape, and trim it halfway to the mark. Test the fit and make sure you haven't trimmed too much off. Trim until the kidney just meets the ab plate. Just like hair, it's easy to cut off plastic, but much harder to glue it back on. You'll want to do the same thing with the thighs. They are a much goofier shape, so you'll need to follow the original contour. You'll lose the return that pokes into your legs, unless you get a fancy sealing iron and bend it back in. Most folks don't worry about this, but since you're a Lancer Biker Scout, you may aspire to be SWAT here. https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?I=LXHZ17&P=0 The tops of the thighs are crazy. Definitely look at other SWAT applications to see how the halves do not line up. The outside left thigh is lower by 3/4" than the inside. The inside right thigh is also lower than the outside. It's madness I tell you! Check out Hausi's SWAT application. Lots of great photos and comparisons to screen captures, and he's got a similar physique as you: It looks like he trimmed the ab plate so the split is a little more toward his front than the exact middle of his sides. Also, there's something about a notch on the kidney plate visible just below the belt - other folks will need to chime in about that tiny detail... Good luck, and don't forget about those cheeseburgers! Charlie

It looks like there was a lot of scratching and stress on that section of the frame where it split. Is it hitting your backplate when you're trooping? Maybe add a layer of foam on the seed trays where they meet your back to help reduce the load on the frame. You should be able to fix the frame yourself, especially by adding a wooden dowel inside since that is a straight section of PVC. Slide the dowel down the PVC tube, then use some PVC cement to join the broken parts together. Squeeze them tight for about a minute, and that should fix it. I wouldn't bother adding the expanding foam. It won't increase the strength of the PVC pipes. Good luck, and let us know your results! Charlie

Wow, what a great way to heat up the PVC and avoid kinks! Thanks for sharing your experiment and thoroughly documenting the process with so many photos. The end product looks fantastic! Charlie