Worth it?

[Grimez]

Alright, so I recently turned 18 and am currently being evaluated for 501st approval. I first started the process in March of last year with the thought "If i'm going to put this much money into something - it's going to be the character I love." So I made a TK, and don't get me wrong; stormtroopers are by far my favorite character out of anything really. And while I love the look of my TK, it's just horribly inconvienent. There are so many armor parts so I have to do a lot of adjusting, the thigh pieces don't fit right and the ab plate sags so walking is a pain, and I can barely see anything out of the helmet. The biker scout seems like the perfect substitute (Snowtrooper Commander is up there too but that is more winter only and is harder to source). The visor is bigger, so there is more visibility, and there is way less armor so the mobility problem is fixed tenfold as well. And the biker scout is just as recognizable as stormtroopers. Biker scouts are basically just recon stormtroopers so I think the fit works (though downsizing to the little holdout blaster will be sad). What do you all think? Does the hassle of finding a way out of TK and switching to TB sound like a good idea to you? Right now I think it sounds like the perfect solution.

 

Also, here's a picture of my TK if you're interested:

 

PS: I just noticed there is a roach on my right thigh. I heard a flying bug slam into the side of my helmet when I was wearing it too.

[Quinxx44]

Sounds like you need to just work on your strapping

[theisaac]

Honestly, you'll wear what you love. If you love a TK, hit up FISD and they can help you fix your strapping so it fits you better. Any costume that doesn't fit well will make it a hassle to wear - even a Scout.

 

That being said, I started with a TK and hated wearing it too. So I made a Tie Fighter because it was opposite of the frustrations I had with my TK. I loved it and still do.

 

Then I tried on a TB helmet and realized I could see everything and it was fun to wear. The Scout is the perfect mix of stormtrooper and the ability to sit down in costume. I love the look of a Scout so it was perfect once I realized I could pull it off.

 

I wrestled my whole life and lifted weights so being 6 foot and 240 lbs I always feel like a linebacker in armor and I never really "fit" the Star Wars mould. Once I got over trying to look like what I saw in the movie and accepted that I can wear armor if I make the adjustments needed for the suit to fit me.

 

Long story short -

• You can make any costume fit you so it feels somewhat natural.
  
• The biker scout by design is more mobile and agile than a TK.
  
• It's comfy and you can see the world without obstruction in the helmet.
  
• You'll love what you wear if you love the character.
  

[Grimez]

Good points Isaac. I guess I'll just have to see if I can have someone fit the armor to me more to make it bareable and if not then I'll see about making a scout. I like scouts too and I feel like it would grow on me even more if I wore one. Being able to move and see are really big pluses for me though. I can't really do either in a TK. The actors in the movies must have been gods to do what they did in the armor.

[Quinxx44]

For your strapping, how do you have it all set? I can send you some pictures of what I do that really help keeps everything stationary if you like

[Grimez]

The strap for the left side of my chestplate snapped, and the chest and backplates can be positioned weird. Also, I didn't want to take them back out but the thighs are held up by an elastic girdle. Nothing else is in them.

[Quinxx44]

Huh. Seems like you're doing all the same strapping techniques... For your thighs do you have them held up with a belt and straps underneath your armor? That REALLY helps.

 

Other than that, maybe try to tighten up your strapping so it fits tighter. I would also sew Velcro to your undersuit and on your armor. That absolutely helps, and every TB I know does it