Retrofire

Fellow modeler here. I use both acrylic and enamel base paints when I paint and weather. I would get a neutral piece of scrap plastic, like a spoon mentioned by Chopper, and I would do a color test of different types of paint. Testors gloss white may be a good stand in for the automotive white but keep in mind when you airbrush it you’ll have to thin it with an enamel based thinner. You can also “decant” some of that automotive white you used into a jar and let it sit for awhile to allow the propellants to offgas then use that as your base in your airbrush. Again, it’s really important to use a thinner that’s compatible with that type of paint or it can really harm more than help. Measure twice cut once also applies to painting, especially a nice bucket like that, so take your time and check your chemicals before shooting it. Also mask off the area really well to protect from overspray.

Outstanding work one and all! Another CRL to join the Pathfinders. Thank you to our LMO member for helping to make to go live! I hope you get well soon Rikki and thank you Kris for your support.

Did someone say....Lancer? I think that's great and please check out both of the threads that the DL mentioned. You got some excellent resources and a host of talented folks here that are happy and willing to help you in any way we can.

Dennis gave some sound advice so the best place to start would be to measure where your chin is, sans strap, with your bucket on. If it’s coming in below the bottom edge then see if you can adjust your helmet to sit further down on your head. Recommend not sitting the top of the helmet directly on the top of your head as that will get awfully uncomfortable over a long troop. I can say that after being accidentally “bonked” on the head a few times that you don’t want it sitting right on your skull.🤕 Looking at the pics it does seem as if your cup is a little oversized but because where it sits is based on where your chin sits the place to start is with that measurement. As Dennis mentioned it is optional so if you don’t like it you can do without.

Hey that’s all the stuff that makes a pretty good set of armor that much better. Keep up the great work! Let us know if your need any help with the rigging there’s some top shelf Shoretrooper armorers here about that would be happy to help should you need.

So great to see this moving along! Make sure you leave yourself some slack in the strapping for fitment once you get your armor. You’re going to have multiple layers to contend with so don’t short yourself. Keep up the great work and give us a shout of your need anything we’re here to help you be successful!

Well done Pathfinder! Welcome to the 501st!

Congrats Pathfinder! Welcome to the 501st!

It’s all good Mike and Dennis is right that if it is a bit tight you can always modify them to be a bit more comfy.

That's great to hear MIke. Did you order a size up on the Wampa's? They run a little small so we recommend you go a size up to be comfortable.

That’s awesome Mike! Looking forward to seeing your suit-up pics!

Just a quick note of warning John. Make sure to wipe/clean down your helmet with something like isopropyl alcohol or soap and water to remove any oil from your hands or debris. Also be sure to use the same manufacturer for the primer we've seen more than our fair share of paint issues when different primers are used with different paints.

You can reach out to http://www.kropserkel.com/imperial.htm or Studio Creations. SC is an excellent vendor and as Chopper mentioned you can purchase part a la carte.

Hey Manoah, so great to see you out trooping and I hope you’re having fun! Reviewing you pictures here against the Scoutopedia I would have to agree with @Chopper that your bund/cod would be difficult to approve in their current state. Would you be able to provide a photo of it under good lighting conditions from a few different angles so we could get a better look at it.

Congratulations Lancer! Appreciate your open mind and excellent work!

Well nothing wrong with a little rain but where's your brolly?

That's looking really good Arne! You can probably use an exacto chisel blade and gently clean up that excess E6000. Really clean build so far! I'd like to also mention how clean and organized your workbench is! I'm a firm believer in mise en place when it comes to my work area too👍

Just remember that less is more in this case. You can always remove extra material but adding it back is really difficult😉 Take your time and be patient.

I got a custom made bag from Sgt Carida on the 501st boards and I really like it. Here’s the 501st forum post: https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=85460&hilit=Helmet+bags and here are some examples of his bags: https://www.facebook.com/wallyscustomcreations/photos/

Congratulations Lancer!

I actually removed the original boot laces and replaced them with tennis shoe laces so they would sit flat and not impede the vinyl. Some folks also do away with the laces completely. I would recommend not lacing the boot all the way up as it makes it difficult to get your foot in your boot (at least it does for me).

You're doing great Dave and we're looking forward to seeing your pics!

Hi Dave! Apologies for the pause there. I got called into work on nights for awhile and I'm just getting back into the swing of things and getting my body clock readjusted to the sunlight. Ok your bund/belt positioning are still a bit low. Adding some velcro to the back of the bund and vest will help keep it from drooping on you as you dress and during your trooping activities. Chopper has marked your last photo in green about where the belt should be. Your bund should be sitting on top of where the belt should be re-positioned. [EDIT: The bottom of the pouches should be touching the top of the belt too! -- Mickey] We've zoomed in as close as we can with the images he provided and we can't see the bottom edge of your bund. So it's making hard to make a determination there. We'll need you to pull your belt/bund up and then please take the highest resolution photos you can of your front, right, left and back sides and link them via your Flikr account so we can zoom in. There's just this last bit before the finish line and you're right there after doing a great job!

Hey Kevin great to see you again brother! If you want we can take a look at your soft goods if you want to drop some pics and give you a read.

I’m sorry to hear that Lawrence but you’ve done a bang up job on them. Did you leave the laces in the boots? If so then you might get more room to get your tootsies in if you strip out the laces. I don’t use them in my boots.