Baron

Very cool read, and I was mentioned in it to!!!!

Pictures say more than words dude!!! Let's see'em! Also, I did not use any sandpaper to weather mine at all. Depending on what method you are using, I don't see any reason to use sandpaper....

Sounds awesome Ricky! I am 5'7" and I had to trim my thighs A LOT!!! But as long as you can walk, that is what I think is most important. Although I think CRL wise, they may want to see more black in that area. But your kit looks awesome. I really do dig your weathering and the kit does seem to fit you well dude Awesome job!!!!

Looks awesome man! Great weathering!!!! Good luck!!! Your thighs appear to be a bit too long though. Might wanna try to drop them a bit or trim the tops down. You UK guys are a dirty bunch!!!! I love it!

Totally not frowned upon at all to just have a "basic" kit. It's good to have a variety

I have to admit, it is a little rougher than the one I got also. Most of it will be hidden once you paint, trim and put the ears on. I know a lot of guys like all the bumps, like the screen used ones had, but I would prefer it to be a little smoother. However, from 3-5 feet away, you wont even notice it

Yup, you got your work cut out for ya! At least the pre-trim is done. And you got boots to boot to! Nice!!! I have an ATA I am building for a lady friend now, and the writing on the sheets comes like that from Terrell. Again, guidelines.... Remember, read, take your time, read some more, take your time, and then...read some more!!!! God luck!!!!

Part of the problem with SWAT is that the armor, and sometimes helmets, change from scene to scene so it is kinda hard to set a "standard" Plus, depending on what version of the movie you have, some details get lost. Seems your letting yourself get a bit overwhelmed by SWAT! My advice: Pick your trooper, build it in that fashion best you can. You gotta have PO status first anyway. During that process, things will be pointed out to you that if you choose to go SWAT, this and that will have to be changed or added, or subtracted. I have seen it enough times in my fairly short time here. I had high hopes for SWAT, and I will do it someday, but right now, after getting through the sheer task of finishing the armor and making it to PO, I am gonna enjoy it a while, while I work on other armor for a few people I know before I tackle that "animal" Also, if you look at all the SWAT guys now, even if they are approved same trooper, there are differences. New things are seen all the time. It is impossible to replicate it exactly. They are just really close facsimilties to that trooper. Hard to nail down a single standard for that. You just have to meet the requirements as close as you can. Just look through some of the PENDING and DONE SWAT submissions..... With Centurion you are meeting a standard cause they are all the same. Weathering changes the WHOLE game!!!! Anyway, hope this helps.... Baron

SWAT really is a different animal. It's not so much that there is a grey area, but you really have to pay attention to the details of the trooper you are trying to emulate. Every person that goes for SWAT and gets cleared raises the bar a little bit more for the next guy. And with new details always being found, it does get a little harder everytime. Kudos to those that got for it! I had planned on it, but I am going to enjoy my PO status for a while as I am working on a few other sets of armor for some people. Good luck!!!

Yes we do. I will let you know

Hi, Chad, and welcome to the boards! I am in Long Beach. First thing I can suggest to read the build threads, and then read them some more! Also, look through the PENDING and DONE threads for Police Officer deployment, that will give you great insight as to what is required to getting going. Good luck!

I dream of naked women with Tupperware.....

Vince is right, You wanna go PO first, besides, you have to be deployed PO before submitting for SWAT. And you must have 501st approval before submitting for PO deployment. Although 501st deployment is rather easy, especially if you follow the build threads here, technically, it's a piece of cake. It's a process I would also like to point out, this is NOT FISD. Great build threads over there. That is where I started initally. But the vibe hereis......different.... Baron

Fist off, welcome to the forums! You will find nothing but kind and informed peeps here. We all know the challenges ahead. I have yet to find someone that was not helpful is some form or another. There are a lot less of us dirty guys so we gotta stick together right? I too had planned on going SWAT. I was building mine in the vein of Move Along. After getting my PO status, which honestly, if you follow any of the awesome build threads here, its not too difficult. It's all in the details. It's not that they re too tough on approvals, but like everything else in the legion, there are standards, and those standards change over time, all in the hopes of being as movie accurate as possible. Every time a guy get s SWAT, the bar is set a little higher. I am gonna enjoy my PO status for a little while, I am working on other projects to at the moment. I suggest starting here. everyone that has staus of PENDING and DONE is a great place to start... http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showforum=12 And above all, read, read, and then, well, read some more!!!! We are here to help. Good luck!!! Baron

Great weathering man, LOVIN that last pic to!!!! Good luck!

Looking good man! Good luck!

I actually got clothing dye and let it soak in a bucket over night. Nice and black, however, it does not dye the nylon thread very well at all so for that I used a sharpie

HI John, and welcome to the Forum! Absolutely that is a realistic goal. It all depends on your level of commitment to putting it together though. I think when I started mine, I worked on it for several hours most every night after work, plus most of the weekends and prolly spent 6-7 weeks to get it where it is now, PO Status. That time includes initial trimming of the armor, then fitting it to me and taking my time with it. Building the helmet, which is a whole different thing from building the armor in my opinion. Building the pack and then weathering it all at the end.....it is time consuming, but very do-able in the time frame you mentioned. There is SO much helpful info and people here it's not funny. I would highly suggest looking through the sections regarding submissions for Police Officer Deployment that will really give you an idea of what to do and NOT do. Good luck!!!! Baron

Thanks everyone! I will be out representing tomorrow night at the Dark Nest in Bellflower!!!!

Update: I am going to try to make a cast from my current mold that can be pulled with ABS or HIPS to make it lighter. It does not currently feel heavier on the pack, but every little bit counts. If anyone is watching, stay tuned......

Even though I agree with this, I wish I still had my FX armor, if only for historical purposes.....especially the helmet......

Thanks bro's! It has been a process for sure, but it is very satisfying now! Glad to be part of a special group here

Yay!!!!!!! I want to thank EVERYONE for the their encouraging words and advice. This is an unbelievably awesome community and I am proud to be a part of it! Move along....

I don't think I ever did this. Requesting Sand trooper access Gary Howe TD369 http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=250&costumeID=2

As everyone above as stated, pics without the pauldron and preferably without the arms to. Looks like you will need to tape the ab plate to yourself, then the kidney overlap that. That will show you where you need to trim. Did you build this from scratch or was it pre-trimmed? Did anyone help you, like a "spotter" or anything?