Retrofire

I took the TD tube color up with my GML and a detachment armorer. My GML said that it was acceptable for basic approval since the "grey" mentioned in the CRL doesn't have any sort of specific color attached to it such as "slate or gull" so as long as it is in the "grey tone it's acceptable. Talking with the Det armorer he mentioned that the color should match the snout and front armor rectangle. While it's acceptable for basic approval my desire is to run for Lancer once I'm approved so I'm defaulting to the detachment armorer's ruling. I've disassembled my TD and have painted the tube medium grey to match my DVH snout greeblie and front armor rectangle. Lesson learned. When in doubt ask the detachment armorer's that's what they're there for. Many thanks to Khazara (Todd) for making me think about this enough to ask questions in order get it right. I'll ride your wing anytime brother .

Depends if it closes off your neck so it cannot be seen underneath your bucket. The Pathfinder undersuit of choice is the RedKap as it is easily modifiable for the addition of the thigh straps, riding patches, and mudflap. This suit has the right collar and with the addition of a small strap in the front closes of your neck very nicely. You can find them on Amazon.

Gabe made my flight suit and vest and I'm really happy with them. Just make sure you get a tape and take the time to get your measurements right for the sheet he's going to send you.

How'd you know I was working on a scout?

Mickey, or those of us who do not have Pathfinder access we are unable to see the application.

Thanks again Todd for the input and you're right on target with the CRL reference. I guess that's why I was in a bit of a quandary over this. It's the battle over trying to be screen accurate while meeting the CRL requirements. I've posted my question to our garrison GML as well as our garrison Pathfinders. I certainly do not have any issues with disassembling my TD and making it spec if that's what need to be done. This is the kind of discussion I really appreciate and thanks for taking the time to make me stop and think of how to make my build better. This is why this site is the best place to be in the 501st.

You're fine Gavin. You'll get more replies if you post this in the armor area. The best place to start is over in the Armor forum that's where you can get a good read on the different types out there. Another area in the Biker Scout HQ where this post is. You can look through the build threads there and see some of the different types in assembly. It's a great place to learn too!

You have seven posts so you should be able to see the Trade Forum now. Here are some threads you might be interested in for buckets (helmets) and I think they talk a little about armor as well: http://forum.bikersc...opic=14263&st=0 and http://forum.bikersc...showtopic=14591

Welcome to the BSN forest Marc! This is a great place with tons of knowledgeable folks. If there is anything we can do to help please let us know. Great to have you!

If you have access to a Kmart the boots I used the Texas Steer Men's KMAX2 5-inch Wheat Suede work boot. They run about $20US they have a solid color sole and are easy to mod for Lancer. Just remove the upper grommets and mod the soles with the notch cuts. I modified a pair for my build.

Sure, stroll on over to the Trade Forum and PM Spike. Here's the thread: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=13442

Thanks Andry! I'll modify my box straps a bit more and get them pulled up as you recommended. Just so I'm clear they should only be 1.5" (3.8cm) to 2" (5cm) from the belt? I've been fighting my bund and I like your idea of adding Velcro to the vest and bund so I'll get on to that. Just when you thought you were done with sewing...... I also think that I need to pull my belt down in the back to make is as even as the front. Thanks Todd! I'm a little confused on the TD tube as I felt that this color was closer to the ROTJ scouts. Looking at screen grabs and the Scout parts thread it seems that the TD tube is closer to light grey/off white than the grey called out in the CRL. Here's what I was using as my reference: I want my Scoutfit to get as close as screen as possible so I'm at a bit of quandary with the TD. Do your think this is something I should bring up to the detachment armorer? That's a good point about the balaclava. I got an UA and it can be made full face just by pulling it down below my chin. I figured my bucket would be confining enough without the balaclava covering my mouth and nose. I'm really appreciating the input as I want this to be as nice as I can make it. Keep the comments coming!

Round 2 of the pre-pre approval pictures with the fixes in place. Don't be nice...I'm a Pathfinder Recruit I can take it Front: Left Side: Rear: Right Side: And crazy six year old son side:

Does anyone want to post their LW bucket? I'll take it if you do. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Hmmmmm....I have a feeling that there are going to be some KS buckets on the Trade Forum soon

Brian that is one sweet pair of boots Brother! They look just great and that's a great trick with the paper towel. I also like the fact that you're using Ewok hide for your flight suit that's the Pathfinder way !

Thanks very much for input so far. I've started a series of tweaks to tighten up my armor while I await my helmet form Spike. I'm shooting for Lancer so I want to be as close to that level as I can get. I know I'll have to redo my pouches before I put in but hopefully that's all I'll have to do. Here's what I've tweaked so far: 1.) I did some surgery on my cod. I cut out a piece of plastic from the back of one of those three gallon water containers that you can get at any mega-mart and trimmed in in the shape of my cod. I then cut an opening in the backside of the cod below the "chevron" using an x-acto knife and inserted the plastic form over the batting inside. Since I couldn't sew it closed I use a thin length of adhesive Velcro hook stuck it to the inside of one side and then pulled the other over to meet the incision and stuck it on. I did a test fit and voila no cod crinkles. 2.) I noticed from the picture that I didn't finish all the heel cuts in my right boot (duh) so that's been rectified and the boot is complete. 3.) I've sewed 1.5" elastic into the leg hems of my flight suit. Now when I put on my boots it pulls the legs tight and gets rid of the bunching I had before at the top of my boots. Looks much better IMO. 4.) I made the mistake of forgetting to size my 0.5" elastic for my knees before attaching it to the armor. It's just way too uncomfortable which is not the best for long troops so I've trimmed the elastic back and re-sewed a longer length of elastic just so it's snug. Make sure when you size your elastic for your armor bits that you wear your flightsuit or something akin to it so you size correctly don't make the knuckleheaded mistake I did . 5.) I attached my TD clips that I got from Chef. I just need to paint the screwheads black. From the back: and from the front: Thank again for all the input it's really appreciated. I really want this build to look the best it can be so keep those comments coming! Once I get some more free time (hopefully tomorrow) I'll post up some more pre-pre approval photos.

Ditto what Tim said about going for Lancer out of the gate. It makes it SO much easier to build to Lancer spec rather than trying to modify after.

I have foam in mine to keep the shape. Others have built their own rigid boxes that not only keep the shape but make the pouches usable. For example I think Stasz uses his for his mic setup.

HI Sal! Yeah there are some many build threads that sometimes it's hard to select just one. Most of us go with Pandatrooper's thread as he has excellent build techniques and is also an accomplished TK/TD builder. It's pinned here: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=9781. I've worked in my build thread to follow along with his with some variation. My build thread is here if you are interested: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=14946 I think it's great that you are shooting for Lancer and I am as well. Here's the requirements for your armor to meet Lancer status: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=12081 My advice is to read through the threads and build up your confidence and just go for it! You're never alone here when you're building so feel free to jump on and ask questions or for clarifications. I guarantee they'll be someone who will get back to you to give you a hand. I hope this helped a little and best of luck to you with your build!

There's a guy in my Garrison that makes bunds. I can check with him if you would like just shoot me a PM if you're interested. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Pictures are a hard read since they don't always give a representation of true color but they look a little too light to me. A little more reddish brown than black. Maybe you could dye them in black to darken them up a bit? One idea I've seen other use is that they use snaps to attach the mudflap so they can remove it if they need to wash the suit. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Does anyone make those thigh armor pieces? I know it's not in the CRL but I would like to find a set of those.

Hi James, Per the CRL the rivet is only required for level 2 approval but most scouts put it in to provide additional support and to pull the tank tighter to the back armor. Here's the CRL thread: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=9898 Look forward to seeing some pics of your build. Best to you!

That's for sure! Now I walk by my armor and can help but smile. I want to wear it around the house. I want to take out the garbage with it on and wave at my neighbors. I want to buy a Z-74 speeder bike........ I've raised up the drop boxes and I'll be reposting another front shot soon. I'm going to wear my balaclava this time to hide my grin .