VC_Trooper Posted December 15, 2022 Share Posted December 15, 2022 Ever since I finished my Stunt TK kit I knew I wanted to build more armor. After multiple delays and bouncing between potential choices I settled on the Patrol Trooper. The moment I saw this armor I fell in love, meshing the original Stormtrooper design with Scout aspects gives this design the best of both worlds and feels a little like an HD version of a TK, easily recognizable as a Stormtrooper variant but hopefully with more mobility. After doing research reading all of the great build threads on here and with the limited options available I decided to go the 3D Printed route for this build using MrPoopie's files. I fully intend on building this to Level 2 requirements from the very beginning so any feedback or recommendations as I go will be greatly appreciated! I also like the organization on Ruthar's thread so I am going to use a similar approach here to make it easier to jump to specific parts of the build. Contents Soft Goods Jacket Accessories Baton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC_Trooper Posted December 15, 2022 Author Share Posted December 15, 2022 Jacket I decided to start with what I considered the hardest part of this build. With the lack of options for easily accessible patrol trooper jackets, I figured I'd learn how to make my own. I had zero experience sewing going into this but my wife had an old sewing machine sitting unused in the basement so I commandeered it in the name of the Empire and got to work teaching myself how to use it. My first challenge was figuring out how to create the ribbed sleeves. I tried a few different approaches before settling on a 2 way stretch faux vinyl and 1/4 fabric backed foam. You can see my test piece here: Once I was happy with the technique I bought a Long Sleeve Shirt pattern off of Etsy and began winging things. Using reference pictures and looking at photos of ArmoryShop's jacket I put together a template and got to work... I sewed the pattern using scrap fabric to test sizing and decided to shorten the sleeves by a couple of inches to ensure a good fit. Once the main panels were sewn together I added a cotton liner for comfort and warmth for the Colorado winters. My plan is to layer lightly under in summer and use thermals for the winter to hopefully remain somewhat comfortable while trooping. It will need some adjustments once the armor is complete and I can do proper fitting but I'm happy with the result so far My understanding is the Uniforms Wearhouse pants I've seen others use won't qualify for level 2 due to the pockets (please correct me if I'm wrong) so eventually I will plan on sewing my own pair of pants to level 2 requirements, but for now I want a break from the sewing machine... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aradun Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 Dude, for someone with no prior sewing experience you did a phenomenal job on this shirt. It looks professionally made. Looking forward to seeing how you tackle the pants. Well done. [mention]Hask [/mention] have you seen this yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerScout007 Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 Well done! That's beautiful. Yes, the jackets are a real pain due to ArmoryShop being out of the picture. @MrPoopie had to make his own as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPoopie Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 This looks amazing regardless of your sewing level. I do have one suggestion though. This jacket gets very hot especially when coupled with the polyester pants and all the armor. The only place that your body has to vent heat is from your head and that can be minimal due to the helmet and balaclava. If you can I would suggest working in a section on the chest and back that's made out of a lighter cotton or breathable material. You should have a decent amount of space to work with because really the only part of the main body that are visible is around the neck and under the arm near the armpit. Just suggestion but a helpful on when you're out trooping in this armor. Great job and I can't wait to see what else you come up with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPoopie Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 The Uniform Warehouse pants might be a little bit of work to get to lvl 2 due to the rear pockets. You would be able to sew up the side pockets but they aren't really visible once the belt in place, same goes for the belt loops. It's mostly a matter of the back pockets. They are a pretty simple pant design and with your jacket sewing skills you could probably tackle these as well. We have faith in you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hask Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 Thats Looking great well done, I would agree with Mr P that it can get quite hot in a Patrol Tooper but if you are not in a warm country it can be a blessing😁 as for the pants if you can do this for the jacket they should be a fly in the night. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC_Trooper Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Thanks for the kind words everyone On 12/16/2022 at 11:35 AM, MrPoopie said: This looks amazing regardless of your sewing level. I do have one suggestion though. This jacket gets very hot especially when coupled with the polyester pants and all the armor. The only place that your body has to vent heat is from your head and that can be minimal due to the helmet and balaclava. If you can I would suggest working in a section on the chest and back that's made out of a lighter cotton or breathable material. You should have a decent amount of space to work with because really the only part of the main body that are visible is around the neck and under the arm near the armpit. Just suggestion but a helpful on when you're out trooping in this armor. Great job and I can't wait to see what else you come up with. That's a really good point I hadn't considered... here in Denver the weather is currently really cold so I think I'll wait until the chest, back, and abs are done to see where the jacket will be visible and either modify this one to add cooling features, or keep this as-is for cold weather and make a summer/indoors version later... On 12/16/2022 at 11:42 AM, MrPoopie said: The Uniform Warehouse pants might be a little bit of work to get to lvl 2 due to the rear pockets. You would be able to sew up the side pockets but they aren't really visible once the belt in place, same goes for the belt loops. It's mostly a matter of the back pockets. They are a pretty simple pant design and with your jacket sewing skills you could probably tackle these as well. We have faith in you. That was my concern but I think you guys are right, the pants should be pretty simple to make from scratch. I'll work on those after I knock out some actual armor pieces... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC_Trooper Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Baton After the time spent working on the jacket I wanted to take a little break from sewing, while the printers are cranking away at armor pieces I felt the need to finish something smaller and quick to feel like I'm making progress. The baton pieces printed up quickly so I threw them together using PVC pipe for strength. After filling the print lines and priming I hit the grips with multiple coats of black PlastiDip to give it a nice rubbery look and feel. The metal was done with Silver Leaf Rub N' Buff. The pictures really don't do this justice as the metals do look like metal and the Rub N' Buff went on in a way that seems to have weathered it how I think these would have done. I'm pleased with how it's turned out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hask Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 Looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WenSparrow88 Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 That baton looks amazing for when mine finally gives up!! 🤣 This is all looking so so awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC_Trooper Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 Managed to knock out the small pouches a few days ago: Progress has slowed on the armor due to the cold weather... The extreme cold makes me wary of spraying in the garage so I'm focusing on smoothing as many parts as possible while I wait for the temps to come up so I can keep priming and painting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aradun Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Your work so far is excellent! I’m really looking forward to seeing your work on the armor parts once the weather breaks for you. I’m saving this thread should I ever decide to tackle this build myself. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPhreeze Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Awesome work so far! Especially the jacket is a beauty. Looking forward to see more of your work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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