pandatrooper

Looks like a vintage Don Post. Cool as a collectible but probably not troopable or accurate. http://www.starwarshelmets.com/Don_Post_Stormtrooper_helmets.htm

I collect and customize some of the Sideshow 12" figures and I have 6 of the TD's so that one day I can create the full detachment of TDs sent for the droids. This 1:6 scale dewback has been in the works for years and I'm happy to see they replicated the ORIGINAL dewback and not the SE one. Just a very short preview... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSt0u_m2hs4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Someone from Garrison Titan?

Congratulations!!

My thinking is that whatever brand motorcycle chest protectors the orange ones are, maybe they had a round sticker there. They removed the sticker but the glue residue was still there and the dirt settled in the circle shape.

TD yoda!! the templates are in the first post (a few sentences / paragraphs in).

If you polish it too much, the weathering won't adhere as nicely IMO. Just weather it as is.

Just spread the glue about 3/8" from the edge. It will ooze up to the edge but should stay under the con panel.

I sand the entire tube, and the underside of the com panel, then wash and dry everything. Then i place com panel on the tube in position, trace and outline. Then use masking tape to mask a rectangle about 1/4" smaller than the pencil line. Then I paint the mortar tube satin black. When its dry peel the tape off, and glue the panel on with E6000 on both sides and let it tack up, then join and clamp. Its always better to have plastic on plastic contact. Never glue to paint.

You can use water and a rag to clean off the weathering. Any stubborn bits of acrylic paint can be removed with a little rubbing alcohol and a rag. It won't harm the ABS at all. The ATA plastic is very durable.

No need to paint it. ATA ABS is a great color. Its an off white, but not pinkish like some other ABS plastics.

The sandstorm was in return of the Jedi. After Luke saves Han, Leia and Chewie from Jabba's barge, they head back to their ships to escape (Falcone and X-wing) when they encounter a sandstorm.

Why you...! I am going to be leaving burning paper bag of Bantha poodoo on your porch.

I personally think this is far too small of a detail to make it a requirement for SWAT status. We need to have this detail, yet we let all these other "bigger" details slip? - some troopers still use overlap construction instead of cover strips - most armor other than TM do not have thigh top notches - most armor other than TM do not have the small circle on the ab rectangle, or the 2 prongs under the 3 button strip - we still allow PVC pipe frames, that do not have the bend curved cross bar - I have seen many troopers use seed trays of the wrong size / proportions - wipes bottles vary in size greatly compared to screen used The list goes on. Also, if the TD has 3 mag pouches on the belt, often times the pouch cover the belt armor so you can't see it anyways.

Looking great so far, keep up the good work! Its always cool to see someone follow the plans and adapt their build. I agree with Nick, try different approaches to the painting. I just happened to have gunmetal paint, decided to try it and I liked it. I wanted more of a "cast iron" type look as many of the Lewis guns I have seen had that look. But use whatever you have access to. The worst that can happen is you don't like the finish - you can always paint it again. In fact the layering will make it look even more worn and used! Don't forget to paint the silver paint chips and oily runs to add history to it!

I think "back in the day", people would scratch build their own (using burger stackers, pvc pipe, shop vac parts, etc. ) but they weren't as accurate as the vac formed kits from Crashmann or other builders, or the actual modern day replacement cistern from Gordonator, etc. Not to discourage you at all, but for less money and time, it might be easier to buy one of the kits or the Gordonator cistern.

Just to be clear: don't confuse Efx Collectibles (licensed props, collectibles) with FX (the older style fan sculpted armor kits that preceded most of the tour suit / Rotj suits we have today).

You can probably google pics of the MRCE or Master Replicas helmet. Its essentially the same one. Efx bought out the other company.

I rivetted my shoulder pouch to a 1.5" nylon strap, then used snaps to attach it to the backpack shoulder strap.

Glad to see it arrived safely. Make sure to draw some guide lines and make some accurate and straight cuts for a clean build! If you need some help drawing the guide lines, let me know. I fully expect an MEPD deployment application from this, nothing less. Btw: Yves is in my squad.

I would suggest removing the lower return edge on the shins around the ankles. It will fit much better this way. I would also remove some dirt from the high spots on the helmet. I like the grungy look, but just take a little off the high spots. I see you have a pack but are missing a few pieces? Are you planning to add them?

I was featured a couple weeks ago to design a shirt for Hamburger Disco, a local clothing line. There was a launch party that myself and another TD attended (for fun, non official appearance), where they sold some shirts to support Tsunami relief. Now that the launch is complete, my shirt is now available for purchase online! Photo Credit //Mark "Majomo" Montgomery Check out my rollerskating disco robot! The shirt is available in a mens (black) and women's slim fit (light blue) Mens http://hamburgerdisco.com/store/men/guys-terry-chui-black/ Womens http://hamburgerdisco.com/store/all-products/girls-terry/ Enjoy!

Congratulations. Nice to see you have improved on your first build.

Yes, the packs were slightly less weathered than the armor in the films.

Hey David. I found a thread that I started last year that might useful. I was trying to take the same approach as you, sort of "what did they actually use on set?" approach. I actually tested some plastic using a mixture of oil, dirt and sand. This helped me in developing my weathering approach. http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=7274