Hausi

Allright folks, here´s an update: probably because of the extensive paintjob I have given this rubber blaster, the T-tracks - which are part of the mold so it´s all one piece - became tacky and seem to "melt", so for all of you getting one of these bad boys, consider thoroughly if you want to paint it. I decided to cut them off and replace them with some black plastic tracks, so I cut them off using my trusty exacto blade... aaaand cut myself. put a band aid on it and continued: As you can see, I have decided to go for the "Move along"-layout of tracks (above the rubber bapty you can see my SWAT-level DD Bapty with the same tracks-layout) and drilled holes accordingly. I then used some black plastic T-tracks from Super6 Props, cut them to shape and used my heatgun to bend them. Here´s what the original screen-used prop looks like: And here is what my finished blaster looks like (the Sheartech blaster is the one at the bottom, DD at the top) And finally a pic showing it with some other project I´m working on atm. Oh yeah, and I can definitely say that I prefer working on Sandtrooper lids...

That's one proud new Sandtrooperlooks great!

Quite interesting to see how those RS parts look from up close. Frame looks great, very accurate to the original. If you are already improving a lot of it, consider adding some feet to the radio as well, just as the original Sonix has them. On the original Karrimor frames, those red support straps are mounted the other way around, meaning that the actual strap is facing the carrier's back. You're doing a great job, the pack will look amazing when you have finished working on it.

Hey Björn, so this is your first review, let´s see if it will also be your last. Welcome again and thank you for your interest in becoming an MEPD-deployed officer. Thanks for providing all these high quality pics of your gear and taking the time to write such a nice application. Let´s get things started: Application Review: Part 1 Name: Björn Dapper Legion ID: TD-82112 Forum Name: doubledx Garrison: German Garrison Helmet a. Green lenses: check b. Paint color of traps / tears: check c. Correct number of teeth: check d. Mic tips: check e. Vocoder color: check f. Tube stripes: check g. Rank bar on ears: check h. Brow: check i. Side screws (ears): check j. Weathering: check *additional comments* Gorgeous helmet, knowing that this was not an HDPE helmet from the beginning, you´ve done an excellent job in emulating those paintchips with the HDPE khaki showing underneath. RESULT ON HELMET Checked & Cleared Armor details a. elastic straps shoulders: check b. neck seal: check c. black undersuit: check d. shoulder bells: check e. biceps: check f. forearms: check g. pauldron: check h. chest / back plate: check i. kidney / butt plate: check j. ab plate / side rivets / cod: check k. strapping system: check l. thighs: check m. shins / calves: check n. sniper plate: check o. boots: check p. gloves: check q. hand plates / guards: check r. ammo belt (waist): check s. ammo belt (right knee): check t. canvas belt: check u. pouches: check v. weathering: check *additional comments* Your armor fits and suits you well and I really like the subtle weathering. RESULT ON ARMOR Checked & Cleared Backpack a. details: check b. weathering: check *additional comments* Man I just love backpacks, especially such nice ones as yours. And you´ve built it all by yourself which is even a greater achievement. RESULT ON BACKPACK Checked & Cleared Weapon: Tunisian Bapty E-11 a. details: check b. weathering: check *additional comments* Nothing beats a well-worn, slightly rusty Bapty Blaster, great paintjob. RESULT ON WEAPON Checked & Cleared There you go, Björn, your first and final review (except you decide to go for SWAT… which I know you will). Your gear looks great and you are a worthy addition to the ranks of the MEPD´s finest, be proud of yourself! You have successfully followed the guidelines in regards to the MEPD CRL and have met all requirements. As I know that certain aspects of this build have given you a headache, I think that you can enjoy your success even more now, you have earned it my friend. Please send the pic you want to use to Luis (Sandman Tigui) and we'll get you squared away. We will have your updated information uploaded into the MEPD system very soon. In the meantime you will have to serve the rest of the Rancor Hunters some blue milk in the Cantina… although I´d rather have a beer. Congratulations on becoming a Deployed Officer of the MEPD! Cheers mate! Hausi - MEPD Deployment Officer

Welcome Jens, great patrol trooper. This trooper somehow always makes me think of the series CHiPs.

Hi Björn, thank you for your interest in becoming part of the MEPD's finest. You've done an outstanding job in building and weathering all your gear, your armor looks great and really suits you well and your application is tidy, very well done mate. I will be taking care of your review and will give your application a close inspection. Cheers mate

@Mython, @lordabell, @21718, @ShoretrooperMike, @doubledx, access granted, welcome Troopers.

You did a great job, suits you very well and I like the weathering.

Wow, that's some heavy weathering. Is there a crust of salt on it? Personally I think it's a little too much. Doesn't RS also offer the Tunisian Bapty version with their commissions?

@CrookKnight, hey mate, could you please chime in and shed some light on what's going on? That would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Arne, I would have to talk to Thomas and see what he thinks about the RS greyish blue colour. I think it's acceptable. As always this is dependent on lighting conditions. So no need to repaint everything right now. Still goodbto have the RAL 7031, might come in handy, if your stuff needs repainting after troops. Then you can still repaint all those parts. But if you are planning to change the lower bottle anyway, you may repaint the other parts to have them colour-matching. Cheers mate, you're doing a great job.

Hey mate, that pack looks pretty good already, seems like RS have seriously improved their packs. I really like that they have even added the red canvas back support straps.. with the white shoelaces, what a nice addition! Is that frame made of aluminium? The bottom bend in the frame looks about right, I am afraid you will have to get used to the bottle scratching your butt same on my pack with a real Karrimor. I am still not completely happy with that colour though... seems a wee bit too bluish.

No worries mate, I reckon you are from the States, so which state are you from? Find out what your local 501st garrison is and get on their forum/website, there you should find a description how it works, normally you'll take picture and send them attached to an email to the given email address. At least that the way it works in Germany. Then you will have to wait and see if they are happy with your gear or if they want you to make adjustments. Also be sure to have read the 501st costume reference library / CRL for this costume: https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TD_sandtrooper

You're welcome Cesar Just get your armor ready for 501st basic approval, which should be a walk in the park for you as your gear already looks great, you don't even need a pack or blaster for that as these are just optional accessories. While waiting for your clearance, you can already start gathering part for the pack. That's at least the way I did it. Cheers mate

Sure mate, you're lucky as this thread has just recently been completed :

Hi Cesar, thank you for the kind words. I am happy you like it and it's always cool to inspire someone. And by the way, my weathering is also mainly based on black washes, only at the end, I give it a wash with Vallejo Model Color "Earth". I would suggest you start a thread and post your questions here http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?/forum/46-the-hurt-locker/ and my fellow Sandies and I will always be happy to help you out. I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

Hi mate and welcome to the dirty side of the Empire. I'm pretty sure your kit will look even better as soon as it's been dirtied up. But what was that about having servants carrying your stuff around for you? A Sandtrooper's most characteristic part of equipment is the backpack and we carry it with pride.

Hi Cesar and welcome to the sand pit. Great to see your excitement about sandtroopers, you are right, we are the coolest. Your armor looks great and I also dig the weathering. Aiming for SWAT can be quite challenging, even more so if your desired trooper is the infamous Move Along Captain. Have a look at this application thread (it's actually my own application) to see some of the characteristic details of this specific trooper: Also have a look at the threads of our latest Officers who have successfully completed their application: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?/forum/12-mepd-police-officer-program/ Have fun browsing the forum, there's heaps of information here.

I know what you are talking about.

I like what you did with that helmet. Nice work on the alignment. Very subtle and natural. Your version looks more like the cleaned up helmet that we know from starwarshelmets.com. I think during filming the helmet was more heavily weathered.

Nice work, weathering looks very natural. Let's see some more pics of it.

You can find all these measurements on Tony's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288161561700394/permalink/288163771700173/ Just scroll down a little bit and have a closer look at his post "my sonix". Cheers mate

Hi mate and welcome to the MEPD, your armor seems to be a set of FX (which is quite rare and rising in value if unaltered) or Shepperton, these types of armor use the so called overlap method to join the halves of the thighs (probably other parts as arms and shins as well). This is approvable at basic 501st level but for level 2/Police Officer, you would have to change it to the butt-joint and coverstrip method (the thighs for example would be completely glued together and there wouldn't be any opening remaining) , as it was used with the screen-used sandtrooper suits. Now you could of course adjust your armor which would be quite a lot of work or you could try to sell it and get some more screen-accurate armor. This being said, you can use your existing armor for basic level approval, just contact your local garrison's gmo to ask for the requirements. As for your question, I have bought white ABS sheets from Amazon, just be sure not to buy acrylic capped sheets as those tend to be more prone to cracking. Cheers mate

I'm not so sure if you will be happy with the quality, it seems to be molded and cast as one piece, hence some missing details, e.g. the scoperail, the front sight. In addition the triggerguard is like a mixture of regular E-11 and Tunisian Bapty E-11. I would recommend going for other makers products, like Imperial Warfighters or Sheartech (you can find both on FB). Those are way more accurate.

Weathering looks much better now in my opinion as it is a little more subtle. Making ABS Sludge is easy enough, just cut some ABS left-overs into little pieces put it in a jar and pour acetone over it so it's completely covered, then just give it some time and a little stir every now and then. After two days you should be fine putting it on. Don't put on too thick of a coat at once but just a thin coat and then the next day add the next coat. After sanding it down you might still want to paint it. Use some plastic primer first and then spray paint it with ral 9016,at least that the colour I always use here in Germany.