crashmann

Oh, that thing! Wow, very fancy! And I got a notification from Chrome that you had quoted me in your reply. We're just all high-tech now! Charlie

Great work Eric and the rest of the forum team! I'm not seeing any warnings from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer. One thing I saw missing is the "preview" button before submitting a message. I like to ensure my posts look right before committing. Thanks for all of your hard work! Charlie

Looking at the 501st Legion CRL, for Level 1 certification you are allowed to have a more "loose" interpretation for the backpack. http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TD_sandtrooper The model shows one of my vacuum formed faceplates and cistern valves (they were tremendously difficult to build!) Level 2 certification does not allow vacuum formed radio faceplates. For the MEPD Police Officer requirements, I don't see anything specific that it must be a Sonix style radio. And also this page: http://www.mepd.net/crl/ However, the most recent Police Officer applicants have the Sonix style radio on their backpack. Fortunately, the shapes of the faceplate are pretty simple to create a radio from scratch using either plastic or craft foam. Checkout this scratch built backpack thread, featuring a custom built radio: Charlie

You should get in touch with Damon in Garrison Tyranus, aka HappyTrooperDotCom, since he recently finished a custom backpack build. I'm just a little north of you in the Old Line Garrison in Maryland. Also, I might know someone who offers a complete sandtrooper backpack kit Shoot me a message if you're interested: crashmann@tk386.com Charlie

Oh yes, you most certainly need a backpack! If only there was someone on the boards who offered a backpack kit Some parts of the kit are a little different and improved. I'll send you a PM with the details. Good luck with your approval as a Sandtrooper! Charlie

I've got plenty of scrap smooth / smooth white ABS pieces leftover from the vacuum forming table. Send me a private message with your mailing address and we can work out the details. Thanks! Charlie

If you go to MXToolbox and run a blacklist check, you will see that MEPD.net has been put on a blacklist by FABELSOURCES: https://mxtoolbox.com/SuperTool.aspx?action=mx%3amepd.net&run=toolpage# It could be that the IP address 50.116.78.193 is part of a larger block that has been flagged for sending Spam. If you create an account on MXToolbox, you can see more details about why we were put the blacklist and how to get off: You'll need to click that last URL and request they remove our IP address from their blacklist. Good luck! Charlie

The cod piece is too narrow at the top and the shape doesn't spread wide enough to match up with the abdomen. Plus, it is definitely cut separate from the abdominal plate. That's why it's sticking out at a weird angle. I like that the armor is based on the original trilogy stormtroopers with just a few changes. The little details that are different from Sandtroopers will never be noticed by the regular citizens of the galaxy, but we'll know they are there! Charlie

Wow, thanks for sharing your buildup. I don't know how I missed this, but those were some really great ideas to get the screws into the bottle and mortar tube. I'll be adding this thread to the list of references I send out with my backpack kits I agree that the orange pauldron trooper does not have a hook on the inside of his right bicep in this scene. The bicep armor is actually sliding down his arm because of that! Keep up the great work with your outfit, and we'll see you deployed in no time! Charlie

Hah-hah, very nice! And Captain Phasma is looking Phabulous! Charlie

Hi Steven, you've made great progress on your new set of armor! One detail I noticed on your helmet frown is the gray paint is only supposed to be on the teeth. The gray does not extend past the teeth. There's even a little bit of white at the top and bottom of the teeth for the "move along trooper" Hopefully you can clean that up, or maybe you've already taken care of it. Keep up the great work! Charlie

I was checking out contour gauges on Amazon, and of course, reading the reviews to make sure I chose the best one. http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-6-Inch-Contour-Duplication/dp/B00004T7RA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350406770&sr=8-1&keywords=contour+gauge Once I read the following review, it went into the shopping cart! Amazon has deleted the review. Thank goodness I took a screenshot for posterity! Charlie

Wow, very nice work Damon, and thanks for documenting and sharing your progress along the way. This will help troopers that follow along after you! I'm looking forward to trooping with you, and perhaps we'll meet at the Washington Nationals baseball game Charlie

I've found the Rustoleum 242252 Lake Blue or 249066 Slate Blue are very close. They look blue in indoor light, then become more gray outdoors. Here's the Slate Blue: Regarding the number of cans to purchase, it depends on how heavy and thick you want to lay on the paint. I would think at least 2 cans of black and blue should work. Three if you really want to go all out Charlie

Hi Paul, in the olden days, you could qualify as a HWT trooper with a Sandtrooper backpack. Then Quartermaster came along and created a backpack based on the Battlefront videogame and set the standard very high. Here's some discussion about the HWT backpack versus sandtrooper backpack: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/31711-hwt-backpack-vs-sandtrooper-backpack/?hl=%2Bhwt+%2Bbackpack Check out the FISD forum for some of the build ups: Quartermaster (the first) http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/15118-hwt-backpack-v4-by-quartermaster/ UKSWrath (known for his very thorough build threads) http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/30034-hwt-backpack-build-part-1/ If you are truly going for HWT designation, then be sure to check out the sordid details in the 501st CRL: http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_hwt Or, you could have fun with us in the sandbox! Charlie

Hi Rich, Yes, I am still offering the Sandtrooper Backpack kits, however shipping to the UK can be rather expensive. I'll send you a message so we can work through the details Charlie

Although not mentioned in the CRL, hinges are encouraged! What's the point of lugging this big backpack around if you can't put stuff in it? The CRL doesn't go into how you close up the items in your backpack, as long as it doesn't deviate from the accepted reference material. For instance, I wouldn't recommend using gigantic 6" barn door hinges on the outside, but something small and inconspicuous would be perfect Many folks have used a variety of attachment mechanisms: velcro, fancy rare earth magnets, cabinet magnets, cabinet catches combined with hinges, zip ties, but NOT the force! That's for the bad guys! Charlie

You've got all the right parts and you're making very good progress. Keep up the great work trooper! Charlie

Hi Daniel, I pulled a bunch of seed trays last weekend, and would be happy to ship a set to you! I'll send you a message so we can work out the details. Thanks! Charlie

Excellent work Lee, you've even got the corner of the tape peeling up Charlie

Mike doesn't visit these parts very often, and his website has disappeared into the ether. Fortunately I saved a copy of his build tutorial here: http://tk386.com/sandtrooper_backpack/ It's been almost 10 years since I started working with Mike and Seth to create an accurate backpack kit! Thanks to the hard work of MEPD troopers, new information is always being discovered, and the kit has continued to evolve. Charlie

Wow, very nice work Constantin! Your attention to details and quest for accuracy are an inspiration for all Sandtroopers! Thanks for sharing your journey! Charlie

Don't forget about the OIL rectangle protruding on the backplate. That would definitely throw off the fit of any backpack. Based on previous photos showing the bottom of the frame extending out, I would think that is unique to the Karrimor design. Did Karrimor have other variations besides the TOTE-EM? Would the Prop Department actually bend the uprights to help the backpack fit closer to the back of the trooper? Charlie

I got your payment Holger and have a set ready to ship. One important detail, international shipping costs a bit more than domestic US shipping. I am happy to send trays around the world, just be sure to send me a message to get an exact price first. Thanks! Charlie

Beautiful! Your whole pack is coming together very nicely! Charlie