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Hermanator

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  1. I'm working on my first TD, but I'm planning to go screen accurate from the beginning. I'm spending a lot of time nitpicking photos and videos, so I can hopefully help here. I chose the Alley Check trooper because he appears to be the same as the Cantina and Docking Bay troopers, but with an E-11 instead of the big guns. He has the same brow (raised and flat), the thick dirt under his right eye, the skull-like weathering and some light scratch-like weathering on his chest, and the longer frown on his right side than his left (joker grin). He has the same backpack and handguards as the Cantina / Docking Bay troopers too. He just swapped out his gun and pouches. I took several Blu Ray Screen Captures and posted them here (click image Link and then click image @ Photobucket for full resolution): From the hours I've spent focusing on the Orange Pauldron troopers in the videos, the blu ray captures, and behind the scenes, I have concluded that the armor and helmets are the same for: 1) Cantina Squad Leader = Docking Bay Squad Leader (with T-21) = Alley Check Squad Leader 2) Move Along Trooper = Falcon Take-off Trooper I've focused a lot on the Alley Check, Cantina, and Docking Bay Squad Leaders because they are my favorite, and I plan on building my armor/helmet after them as precisely as I can. I'm still undecided on what other parts the Desert squad leader plays.
  2. This sucks that this is down. My work blocks the website, and I don't have any spare time at home to sit at the computer. So the phone is the only way I can view these, and Tapatalk is the most efficient way to keep up with things. Hope this is resolved soon.
  3. Sorry for any confusion. I was originally going TK, then decided to go TD thanks to yalls advice
  4. Whoa, muchas gracias Juan! That's extremely helpful!! Thank you!! i don't have lots of time to stroll these boards cuz my work computer blocks this site, the tapatalk app doesn't work, and very busy at home. So these concise experienced posts help a whole lot and help get me pointed in the right direction. Thanks!
  5. Thanks Adam! I will have to check out the weathering tips from Panda. I am experienced using Spray paint weathering, sanding and scraping paint, and using my own acrylic SAND WASH in a spray bottle. The latter is one of my favorites for general sandy dusty look, but it doesnt leave a gritty dirt look. Honestly, I dont know how movie TDs ended up so brown, gritty, and muddy in areas. I live by the beach, and sand doesnt behave that way with or without water lol. So they must play in mud, and then in sand. :-) Anyway, back on topic.. i just held my buddys DLT 19 made of PVC and wood.. WOW that is lightweight It was easily less than 5 lb, probably more like two or three. It was like carrying a wooden broom, but longer.. Super long lol. I think I will end up with some sort of wood, plastic, and pvc build... Possibly some aluminum, for my big blaster. Would love a rubber one with aluminum tube inside for electronics like RS is making for E11s. Im currently converting an E-11 from a deactivated sterling. Weighs about 7 lb.. Not bad to carry without armor. Everyone says its too heavy to troop with because of the armor irritating you. I will certainly try it first though. i like having some heft to my blasters.. But those big ones need to be light lol.
  6. I am building a new TD with the SWAT status as my primary goal, and my secondary goal is to have interchangeable pieces to look like various other non-SWAT troopers. I am currently undecided on the specific character I am following, but I know that I want either an orange or white trooper1 pauldron (unless someone has a better one, his is best I have seen). I am still looking thru the photos on this site and watching the movie scenes on replay (boring lol). I am going with an RS props fully loaded kit that I will assemble using the accurate strapping method. Unsure of PVC or ABS yet. They both flex a lot, abs can be repaired smoother and is more offwhite, pvc is supposably more durable.. but I have seen mixed reviews on this. Also note that I will be trooping outdoors in the sunshine state. I am open to any and all suggestions based on your experiences. :-) I guess my biggest questions are: Who makes great quality pouches (saw the two in ongoing sales)? Who makes great quality BIG guns, are they hollow for electronics and how much do they weigh? What methods of weathering have achieved the best accuracy? What has been the best backpack strapping system for you? i want padded, but hidden, straps. Thinking the straps off a padded rifle sling would be nice, but pricey. Which big blasters are the hardest to troop with. some look more awkward to carry than others. Advice on things other than whats mentioned?
  7. There is actually a very informative thread comparing AP/ATA, RS, and TM at whitearmor.net in the Hard Armor section towards the top. I cannot answer your questions on assembly, troing, etc, but I can help you understand the differences. AP/ATA stands Out to me, but I pick up on details like that more easily now. Average joe on the street isnt going to pay attention, unless maybe you are side by side with another. However I notice a few things: narrow torso and body armor, smaller shoulders, both leaving more black on the suit. The helmet is a little taller and skinnier looking too. The detail lines arent as sharp as with TM and RS, especially TM. TM looks production line quality, and it looks fantastic for the idealized trooper. It is a fantastic looki g kit that holds together well, according to reports. I was initially going this route with my ESB and then TD, until someone pointed out a few differences between TM and on screen pics. I think his armor suit (not including the helmet) looks the best and fits the body best. The helmet is my second favorite, and its my favorite idealized one. Since I am now going TD, I decided the bumpiness and wonkiness of an original cast is fitting. I have decided to go with RS props, which i consider to be the wonky equivalent to the idealized TM. The primary differences I see in these two armors are the shins and the Helmet. The shins on TM are very shapely and curved to fit. The RS shins are sort of bulkier like the thighs, which doesnt bother me personally. If you fit the shins correctly, they can look more fitting. The helmet won me over from TM to RS, after speaking wit two guys who have owned both. Thru a side by side comparison, you see the RS has a slightly larger, screen accurate look, mainly in the side profile. The face has less of an angle, skinnier tubes at the bottom, and the chin comes down lower. This is accurate to ANH. RS offers PVC and ABS. I am still deciding on this. PVC is whiter, ABS is more off white. Both are very flexible, but PVC may be more prone to breaking on falls. The jury is still out. Both TM and RS make very high quality kits for two different troopers, idealized and wonky. You cant go wrong with either for sure. TM recommends ATA for those who cannot afford his, and it is the most widely used armor, so its certainly not a bad choice.
  8. Alright, that's what I wanted to hear. They look fantastic!!
  9. I decided to build a TK and get a backpack. The "dirty boy" backpack looks like an accurate, good, lightweight, modular backpack. What are my other options on lightweight, accurate backpacks? Is dirty boy the de facto standard of pre-built packs? Can I go wrong by getting one, if I want to go SWAT? Obviously, I need the right pack for the right character.
  10. Ahh ok. So no preferences between swat and po for official LFL events?
  11. That helps a lot and confirms what I thought. If a SWAT trooper changes accessories for a troop, he would be considered a police officer (assuming meeting all specs)for that troop.right? How does your approval level (swat, p.o.) Affect your trooping in events? Does SWAT allow you to do some things that a p.o. Couldn't? I live near Disney world and wanted to do SWW btw.
  12. I have decided to make a TD, and I'd like to make sure I have the right expectations from the beginning. I understand that SWAT level TD's need to have "the right amount of weathering". Do the TD's need to have weathering in the same spots as the exact trooper being replicated, or does it just need to have a similar level of weathering? I ask because I would like to make one TD that can be converted between multiple TD's. i.e. weather it once, and switch out blasters, pouches, backpacks, etc. to achieve different looks. Is this possible to do on the SWAT level, or is the weathering requirement too specific to allow for one kit to be eligible for two different characters? If the weathering is too specific at SWAT level, would I be able to do this at Police Officer level at least? Thank you!!
  13. Wow thank you guys!! doesn't sound too bad all. may end up making one afterall
  14. I'm thinking of starting a TD build because they look awesome. Always admired the sandtroopers. As I'm considering making the costume, I'm questioning how restrictive and uncomfortable the Pauldron gets on the neck & shoulder. How restrictive is it on your arm and head movements, versus the regular TK? I would likely use a midweight leather pauldron with elastic. Do you sometimes just want to take it off, or is it not even noticeable on top of the rest of the armor? It appears that the pauldron attaches under the armpit and around the neckseal. Does it attach to the armor as well? Does it get hotter than just wearing the normal TK garb? I live in FL, so this is always a factor. This makes a big difference on whether I build a TD or not, as I will not wear as much it if it's much more restrictive than the regular TK. Thank you all!
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