Eisch Isopter Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) Hello, I am recording my TD build here for both critiques and aid of future Troopers. For background, I am in California, USA, using a TD kit from Imperial Surplus(US company). Goal is to build the TD from the informant scene in ANH. He is the captain with the T-21(Lewis gun). I have purchased two Spanish pouches and the corresponding pauldron from Trooper Bay(US company). My current timeline is initial submission by Halloween or prior to end of the year 2026. Below are images from trimming the biceps, face plate, and right forearm. I haven’t begin sizing yet. Biceps https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#0nWfz43 https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#81gPPE4 Face plate https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#UDWYUsw Right forearm https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#e6Mm6sM https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#DrbUWcx https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#vDkIR1Q https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#yYxhQCR I also have the helmet dome and left forearm trimmed, but no photos yet. I am planning to hand paint all details of the kit before weathering, which leads me to the following: The CRL states a medium blue for the strips on the faceplate. Below is a medium blue I got from my local hobby shop. https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#GdV29Fh https://imgur.com/gallery/zmxxp5X#T9Ot5E3 I’ve read on the White Armor forum that a French Blue gloss from Humbrol is preferred? I wanted to double check before applying it to the mask. Edited February 27 by Eisch Isopter Photo link correction Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 Also, if you have tips for showing the photo rather than the link, I’d greatly appreciate it. Quote
Vf2112 Posted February 28 Posted February 28 YES welcome great start, love watching builds transpire. I think the links for pics is the easiest these days unless you want to pay a decent host . Someone might jump in and let us both know if theres a good free on these days all the ones I used to use are gone. Will be following this , one good luck trooper 1 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 Thanks for the support. Next part I worked on was the helmet. The teeth(3 on each side) and eyes were sanded out. Found it easier to sand these areas from the inside instead of cutting them out(from the RS Props tutorial on YouTube). From the pictures below, you can see that the rubber brow is installed and the back/dome has been riveted to the faceplate. https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#sz2wJUa https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#3iiLgrz https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#VonwtVV https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#OPhjH9H The gaps on the tubes were frustrating me. Since this is my first helmet build, I thought I had done something wrong. Fortunately, I talked to some trooper in the Dad Batch(YouTube) and found out that I had follow the process right. For PERSONAL PREFERENCE, I decided to add a second rivet to minimize the tube gap. https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#A2NMcZa Unfortunately, the second rivet on the right side popped out. I attempted to fix it with a larger rivet, but that popped out too. After stepping away from it, since it was frustrating me, I decided to use industrial glue to close the gaps further. https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#E7IVLkH https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#bx0NYKx https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#j0jkPOR https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#zrvJ5ky These results I am happy with. The ear caps are now cut and need further trimming/sanding before I install them. With that, I have the biceps, forearms, cover strips for the forearms, ear caps and helmet cut. https://imgur.com/gallery/nZcYPN3#sm5tKIm Quote
Vf2112 Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Damn you've done heaps very nice, can you fill/smooth out those tear traps ? never seen that on armor before. 1 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 I don’t know about that. Imperial surplus uses a lineage helmet mold. It’s the MTK. Here is the link https://imperialsurplus.com/product/mtk-stormtrooper-helmet/ I talked to Kevin (business owner) and he said the tear came out like that because he is using a different plastic to capture more of the details in the face. But I do agree with you that the bump in the tear is a first I have seen. Quote
Volksjager Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Very nice progress so far! Love seeing people's build threads, something that doesn't get posted up as much as they used to. Everything is looking good so far and glad you overcame the tearing issue. Looking forward to the next update. The medium blue you posted above, I would be cautious using this shade for the tube stripes, as it looks a little to Grey Blue to my eye. I would go with the French Blue for the stripes, which is what I used. You want a bright, rich Blue, but stay away from navy Blue or anything too dark Just regarding posting picture pictures, they can be posted to the thread. You just need to click on the "Other Media" button at the bottom right of this reply box, then click insert image from URL, then add the address link for the image that the image posting website gives you, then click ok. I don't use Imgur, and the addresses you provided above don't work for this method. If you can, Imgur should be able to give you a link that ends in .jpg (or similar) for each picture; it should work for you then. I use Flickr and don't have too many issues (sorry for inserting a pic into your thread, just demonstrating) 2 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 4 Author Posted March 4 Thank you Vincent and Jason for the advice! Concerning the paint, I agree that the medium blue from Tamiya was not appropriate. I found a site that compares and rates hobby paints by shade comparison. I found comparable blue and grey from Tamiya and a black from Testors enamel. The site is as follows: https://www.modelshade.com/paint-conversion-chart/humbrol/85 I will have pictures of the paints and application to the helmet soon. Currently, I’m wrestling with trimming my ear caps to fit flush to my helmet. 2 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 4 Author Posted March 4 This week, I am working on finishing the helmet. The below pictures are the grey areas of the helmet I have completed. I had stickers from TrooperBay that were cut and used as templates for these areas. https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#EZQnZ2L https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#fWNYcih https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#AVXd4uH https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#UABjIhl https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#qpIROg9 https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#6BvqhjG I also have stickers for the tubes that I will cut and use as a template as well. Here are the paints I am using for the helmet. https://imgur.com/gallery/0Ly6kFv#JDSkmri Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 4 Posted March 4 Your helmet assembly's good and brow, top traps look good maybe a little dark, your bottom traps need work those grooves need to be filled to be flat and paint should fill the trap to the edges same as top ones Are you going to be applying for mepd approved or just Garrison approval? Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 5 Author Posted March 5 Thanks for direction on painting, Vincent. I will be sure to add more grey before outlining in black. And yes, I am shooting for MEPD and Garrison approval. I do have some confusion on the tears/traps. I’ve researched and saw that the original costumes had imperfections (or dimples) in those areas due to the plastic pulling and warping. Is it considered not screen accurate to have those? I ask just because I’m confused and want to make sure I can get approval for my costume. Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 5 Posted March 5 Imperfections and warping is common in places but that's a oval shape cast into the tear for some reason You may get away with it in garrison!? But would definitely have to cover up for mepd unfortunately 1 Quote
Volksjager Posted March 5 Posted March 5 Yes, Vincent is correct here. Because those depressions look like straight lines in the middle of the tears/traps, it throws off the look of them, as they should be flat. Best to do the work and smooth them out now rather than down the line when going for basic or L2 approval. Remember, the CRL is your go-to, but look at both the text and the pictures for reference, as that's what your GML will use when approving your suit. If your ultimate aim is also to go for Police Officer or SWAT clearance, consider those extra little upgrades now to make life easier in the future. 1 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 5 Author Posted March 5 Hello Vincent and Jason, Thank you for clarifying the matter of costume approval for MEPD (especially officer and Swat status). I reached out to the vendor about this issue, as a courtesy, since they are a large supplier for armor in the US. The following is a summary of what they provided, and I would like your take on the matter: The supplier commented that his pulls are from the Dan Laws helmet. Just like the RS helmets, it has the same pill shapes and were cast from the original. Below are the photos he provided of the RS. https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#YibujXS https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#xiDcdiy https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#5hdWUkW https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#jYX7m78 As a first time builder for a TK/TD, I am confused and still trying to shoot for accuracy. Thank you for your time in helping to clear this confusion up for me. Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 5 Posted March 5 I sir am wrong You are correct I've used the david feilth helmet pic so many times and this never stood out to me It is filled with a lot of paint and less obvious though but stil . Hers some pics with tips for your paint (sadly including pic I've used a million times and not noticed the oval shape lol) https://1drv.ms/f/c/E9691DD4B7387089/IgD49UbnNquQS4keJyIu94fiAd0BLFGi1uW7BE2fwXNbN_U My apologies for that Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 5 Author Posted March 5 Thank you, Vincent, for being gracious and taking the time to address my inquiry. I applied the prior painting advice for the traps and have the results below. I took natural light photos in the afternoon to also see if the tubes are too dark or not. https://imgur.com/gallery/GXTTYl1#BW7ptL4 https://imgur.com/gallery/GXTTYl1#60x0LIx https://imgur.com/gallery/GXTTYl1#7p780Oi https://imgur.com/gallery/GXTTYl1#mtWAcsl https://imgur.com/gallery/GXTTYl1#UJi3OhK To be frank, I am unsure if it is too dark or not. What is the consensus if it were being judged for approval? Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Traps look great now mate Your going to outline the rear traps yeah? I feel the stripes are a bit to dark I'll send pics of my RS which was fully made by them and signed by Anthony Forrest I won it on here yrs ago https://1drv.ms/f/c/E9691DD4B7387089/IgCye0Nn0_DVS4q7pt-Gw_vGAf__1POxsmvm8ECga0zmOrI This is with no light curtains closed 1 Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 6 Posted March 6 I know it's a pain but I'd redo them they're pretty rough shape as well . You may get away with all sorts of things for your garrison approval but we probably wouldn't pass them here unfortunately I would suggest taping them out or if you have the template put that on, but dont fill the space, just use a thin paintbrush and paint one line in each space as close to the size of the stripe spaces in template as possible while trying not to touch template or tape. 1 Quote
Volksjager Posted March 6 Posted March 6 11 hours ago, Eisch Isopter said: Hello Vincent and Jason, Thank you for clarifying the matter of costume approval for MEPD (especially officer and Swat status). I reached out to the vendor about this issue, as a courtesy, since they are a large supplier for armor in the US. The following is a summary of what they provided, and I would like your take on the matter: The supplier commented that his pulls are from the Dan Laws helmet. Just like the RS helmets, it has the same pill shapes and were cast from the original. Below are the photos he provided of the RS. https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#YibujXS https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#xiDcdiy https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#5hdWUkW https://imgur.com/gallery/mdMCBYQ#jYX7m78 As a first time builder for a TK/TD, I am confused and still trying to shoot for accuracy. Thank you for your time in helping to clear this confusion up for me. Like Vincent, I also stand corrected. I hadn't noticed them either, so thanks for providing that information, so we all can learn from it Again, as Vincent has mentioned, the tube stripes are a little on the dark side, so going back over them to lighten the colour slightly and neaten them up will do wonders. 2 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted March 6 Author Posted March 6 Definitely going to outline the rear traps. I see now that the tube stripes are lighter than what I currently have. Will look around my shops to see if they have the Humbrol blue before heading to Amazon. Again, thank you gents for taking the time to advise my build in these early stages. I appreciate it. 1 Quote
Vf2112 Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Your more than welcome Love to see pics of whole armor front, back , both sides arms up. No weapon Think your pretty good though 2 Quote
Eisch Isopter Posted Tuesday at 09:56 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 09:56 PM More progress on the helmet. Was able to get my hands on Humbrol French Blue and removes/repainted the tube strips on the left side. Used a stencil for the strips. https://imgur.com/gallery/cRaOFOJ#59eHy3b https://imgur.com/gallery/cRaOFOJ#0sSNHiA https://imgur.com/gallery/cRaOFOJ#4vOjXU2 https://imgur.com/gallery/cRaOFOJ#1ykYi5y My biggest concern, right now, is the neck hole and bottom of the chin. Wondering if I should add some material at the base of the ears and extent the chin back a little farther. https://imgur.com/gallery/cRaOFOJ#pYLbJtz Other than that, I’m feeling good about the helmet. Just needs a few more details. After that, it’s back to the legs and torso armor build. Quote
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