Kimelius

I found a pack "tote bag" in a camping store for AUD$12.00. Designed to encase the straps (and any external attachments) of rucksacks whilst on aircraft etc. I cut four slots in the back of the nylon to allow the fieldpack straps to be fed through and worn. Enough room for pack and T21 bfg, with a lockable zipper and window for 501st decal!

You may find that with trooping & storage, the weathering will work-in just fine. After all, its weathering right?!

Off-topic a touch... To stay "in character" on a troop, I encourage the use of roles instead of the term rank for example: Orange = patrol leader White = squad leader Black = troopers Luckily, most of our troopers have one of each colour and blaster so we can share and mix up the look of the "squad" if need be.

Nice work I think it prints out a lil smaller (on A4 paper) than intended. However, I think this will work in my favour as my fieldpack is now smaller and more proportionate to me. Now to make it into a faceplate and attach it to a hobby box for some sort of functionality Cheers!

Just a quick scan from the homepage... From the homepage at mepd.net: History button -> http://mepd.net/history/ From History page: Forum button -> http://www.sandtrooper.net/forum/ From Requirements page: Forum button -> http://www.sandtrooper.net/forum/ a ghost from forums past? Hope this helps!

If you experience the problem of sore shoulders while trooping, an on-the-spot remedy is to: a. feed one of the pauldron's pieces (the 1 with the male press snaps) under your pack's left shoulder strap then refasten the pauldron b. undo the velcro underarm strap on the rightside and feed through the packstraps before reattaching. This isnt a perfect solution, but with the help of a wrangler/handler/spotter, it will see you through to the end of the troop.

Perhaps a quick question, but no real quick answer. I don't recall an desert/arid climate specific clone. Though how much of the 'clone wars' lore/timeline will be revealed, remains to be seen.

Would the hook on the bicep possibly catch onto lower edges of the chest plate? Imagine not being able to raise your blaster from the ready position? Another reason the bad guys can't shoot straight?! Perhaps as the armour was revamped for the stormtroopers for the later Tantive IV/Death Star scenes, this detail was simplified? Come RoTJ - where the stunts are more difficult - the armour was further simplified to allow the greater movement required?

Sweet. Good to see some new interest in the various roles of the legion too! Let the games begin... P.s. cheers for sorting out the my 'pending request'

I think the patrol that checks the locked door (which C-3PO & R2 hide behind) ar all sporting E-11's. While a holster isn't canon as such, its certainly convenient when shaking hands or rattling collection cans. I like to suit up according to the profile of the event - for example, big crowds & lots of lil ones = no bfg or back pack (dont want to clock one due to increased turning circle)

Could this scrap of information be evidence of Palpatine's involvement in the command/control of 'Black Sun'? After all, he is the puppetmaster. With the growing mistrust between Dooku and Palpatine, Dooku is looking for any intel to use to gain the role of Dark Lord over his master.

Sorry, my initial post does read a lil confusing now that I've re-read it... After a general reminder to confirm details of the recent census, I had a look on the legion forum in the census 2008 section At the bottom of the profile, in the detachment section, is where I noticed that next to the MEPD was "pending" with the option to remove. Not sure if this helps make this clearer...?

According to my profile on the main forum, my application for joining the MEPD is still pending. Had this problem last year and wasn't eligible for detachment voting (though this no contest anyhow) Just wondering if this could be remedied before the Feb 2009 elections? Cheers - Kim

Armageddon Pop Culture Expo 2008 TAG-Vic Troop Summary: Locstat: Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank Victoria Australia TimeDate: 0900-1800hrs, Saturday & Sunday 1st & 2nd November 2008 Following an effortless team set-up of the combined 501st & Rebel Legions' stand and cantina booth, Saturday's start proved to be anti-climatic. Being Halloween and Melbourne Cup all rolled into one weekend meant the patronage slept in With overwhelming numbers, troopers were deployed at the doors in order to ensure peaceful transition from ticketing to entry queques. As if the mere prescence of moving plastic wasn't enough, next door was staging the annual motorcycle expo - though many riders need a sneaky look at what we we're up to! This is what they found: Coinciding with a fundraising raffle with many prizes supplied by Hasbro Australia, folks could have their picture inside the booth "smuggler style" against the misfortune freelancer... ...including busting the myths that the Rodian shot first: Over the weekend, funds raised for TLC4Kids totalled over $1,600.00! Despite the usual shenanigans that happen at these events, a successful outcome for all.

Perhaps a downloadable version of the blueprints could be pinned to the archives for those willing to tackle the project themselves? I know its a fairly successful option over at TDH forum. It may help with the overall workload of future production runs & shipping costs too. There is the risk that a commercial enterprise may lift these designs and use them on auction sites etc, but I think we could keep an eye out for something like that...

Nice work there Niko! [noticing trays in background] And those pack boxes look sweet too! Cheers!

At this stage, you've got enough on your plate! A 3rd a/o 4th run could be something to plan for in 2009 perhaps - one run per half of the year? At this stage, my interest is in upgrading my BLACK pauldron please. But closer to the date I may consider another... Thanks for keeping us in the loop on your personal situation - it'll save a lot of "if you do a 3rd run can I have 1?" pm's Cheers!

For the extended or walk-a-thon troops, I run a sternum strap under the chest plate. Counters any shoulder fatigue. If you're using the US military-type shoulder straps set (A.L.I.C.E LC-1 or LC-2 I think) all you need is 25mm nylon tape/webbing looped around each shoulder strap, with a 25mm quick release buckle. You may want to favour the buckle to one side of the chest plate so you can reach in and unclip as required.

Well now I know what all the fuss is about! This is certainly an evolution in prop/costume making.

I'm almost embarrassed to post my efforts, but here goes... ...put it down to recyling a broken hasbro E-11.

Perhaps... Cut three of the four black bordered sides of each grey vent section and support with finer mesh. Gives appearence that the 'vents' are closed, but allows some heat to escape and avoid condensation. "5 - 2 - 8 - chZZZZAAAAPPP"

Awesome - your shoulder bells & biceps run independant from your chest/back plates! I was wondering if that would work - something to reconsider... Thanks for the tip!

I suspect that the pouches would have come from a variety of sources/manufacturers as does most wartime equipment. After the costume dept sourced them, the pouches would've been modified so they would better resemble each other. Given that these pouches are close enought to the helmets to appear on screen during close ups. Oh, now I really have to find me some WS pouches

Lets not forget the trooper with no pack or pauldron (Docking Bay scenes)... ...I guess he didn't have time to get kitted up or pop into the quarter master's store to get his issue! He manages to lose his pouches as he hits the deck just before the the lead trooper with the T21 does Ok, back on track!

For me, the straps are hidden by: a. Pauldron on the right & overtop the strap b. Pouch attached on the left strap After experimenting with just straps alone, I went for a copy of the US ALICE harness and frame. Not quite right screen-wise, but with my back injury make the ride a lil more comfortable - especially on lenghty troops. BTW, I run a sternum strap under my chest plate. This stops the straps from pulling against your shoulders causing that "cutting in" pain. Cheers