Anovos Stormtrooper.... thoughts?

[kman]

can youl ink me to the instructions I don't want any dead friends. Once you kill one friend it's hard for the others to trust you.

I'm more a fan of winging it, but perhaps why that unmarked van full of men in dark suits has been following me a lot lately...

Just google "duct tape dummy" and you'll find tons of tutorials, but here's one I just found that seems to his the high points:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Duct-Tape-Dummy-1/?ALLSTEPS

 

[kman]

I went back through the kit to make sure there were no cracks or spiderwebs and noticed the shoulder bells looked rather narrow; almost ROTJ style. Any one else notice this?

Yes, a couple of people have mentioned it. But they're also really easy to warm up and flare out a smidge after everything else is done, if needed. That should be all that's needed. Even a hot water dip would assist with this.

 

[TXarmory]

I have to say I never understood trooping. I wore my Darth Vader Costume for about 5 minutes one time and that was enough for me.

After trying to build this Stormtrooper costume today I understand it even less.

Seriously, what is up with this armor. Why does anyone stay in one of these things for more than a few minutes????????????????????? . Tom

When we display the X-34 Landspeeder at cons and events, we always have at least one Stormtrooper in armor the whole time. 9am till 7pm most days. About 2-1/2 hours is the most any of us can tolerate being in armor and performing. It's fun, but a lot of work staying in character, strapped inside a rigid lobstershell. You definitely can't sit down. The best we've found is half sitting on a bar stool to take a little load off of your feet. But mostly it's the standing, with good posture holding your shoulders back, that takes it's toll. It's a young man's game, and I prefer when my son and his teenage buddies are on duty working the shows, so that I don't have to take a turn in armor. But I still enjoy strapping it on now and then and interacting with the crowds and kids. Oh, and chicks love Stormtroopers...

 

[Tom1971]

Wont people miss him. and what about the smell after a few weeks?

lol

 

[Reelo]

My son also approves my investment:



Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Treadwell]

My TK will be in the box for quite some time, until I get around to making room to display it. I'm paying attention to the mannequin talk, and what looks like the good ones are over half as much as the armor itself. Sigh.

Still, if they're poseable, perhaps that will avoid the "Hot Topic window" look I've seen in a lot of TK (and other) displays. The poses on these things...

 

[cboath]

bought this on amazon hope its better Male Mannequin, Flexible Posable Bendable Full-size Soft -Black, by TK Products, Great for Costumes

Got mine direct from the makers. Wound up being 40-45 cheaper that way and I got it overnight to boot (in fairness, it shipped from about 8 hours from here). voicebooster is the main site.

Seems to be a pretty solid mannequin, mounts pretty solidly as well. Seems to pose petty well - we'll see when it's done though.

At 160, i wouldn't really call it pricey. Been searching mannequins for years and bendable ones have always been a lot more than that - like 400+. If you want cheaper, you could always go the pvc, insulation, and duct tape method.

 

[Sewbacca]

It's been fun and frustrating but can't wait to finish this project. Tired of smelling E6000 and plastic all over the place. Props to all the armor builders out there. Time and patience is key.

 

[spacebob]

That looks fantastic though Sewbacca.
Did some trimming to the eyes, the teeth, the left ear, the back of the head opening and also scraped off some of the paint to a more normal look.

It's a shame though the eyes are now empire sized on a anh bucket.

 

[JawaFong]

Sewbacca, that looks like a really well put together armor!

 

[Sewbacca]

That looks fantastic though @Sewbacca.
Did some trimming to the eyes, the teeth, the left ear, the back of the head opening and also scraped off some of the paint to a more normal look.

Trimming the eyes and taking some paint off the teeth is what I did as well. Good job on the helmet it looks great. The all mods really help the helmet look that much better.

Sewbacca, that looks like a really well put together armor!

Thanks JF, just followed the instructions. Some tweaks are needed, hopefully I'll have the energy getting
around to them when I finally finish.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

spacebob, I've seen your avatar in the past and thought "hey, cool", but seeing it so much in this thread, I just have to comment -- I adore your "Phase III" helmet.

--Jonah

 

[spacebob]

Thanks Jonah,
There's a big picture of it in my albums

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

At the risk of derailing this thread for another post, did you scratchbuild it, or was it a kit from somewhere? I've been toying with the idea ever since The Force Unleashed came out to do a proper evolution lineup, from Phase I Clone Trooper through to Legacy (and now First Order). If that was a scratchbuild or one-off conversion on your part, I'd love to know what you used to work with.

--Jonah

 

[Tom1971]

When I was in the Army we did 3 to 5 second rushes. Anyone who served in any combat MOS knows what I am talking about. Basically it's a way to get across an open field while under fire or potential fire. It really won't keep you from getting shot, unless the bad guys are Stormtroopers, but it will make it a little harder for them to shoot you.

So you are on the ground in all your gear including those darn bulky canteens. This was back in 89 and 90. So you hop up, take a few running steps and get down. Roll over, which is where the canteens really hurt along with all the other crap you are wearing, take a look through your rifle sights and then hop up and do it again.

It's called a 3 to 5 second rush but really start to finish is 1-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I am down.

After five to ten of these things you will be so tired and miserable you won't care and say screw it. I-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I don't care and start running or walking across the open area.

Why the story Tom? Glad you asked.

If I was in one of these Stormtrooper Armor get ups in the Empire, after about 15 minutes I would walk right up to Vader and slap him upside his head. I would make fun of his asthmatic breathing and tell him he looks like a recycled garbage can. Go ahead and force choke me,...I don't care. The old wrinkly guy can use his blue lighting on me as well. Get on with it.



Okay this was not fun but I am done cutting out the major parts and even tough he is stuck together with duck and masking tape he looks awesome.

I think it will be a lot more fun from here on out but cutting all this stuff sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cyberpyrot]

When I was in the Army we did 3 to 5 second rushes. Anyone who served in any combat MOS knows what I am talking about. Basically it's a way to get across an open field while under fire or potential fire. It really won't keep you from getting shot, unless the bad guys are Stormtroopers, but it will make it a little harder for them to shoot you.

So you are on the ground in all your gear including those darn bulky canteens. This was back in 89 and 90. So you hop up, take a few running steps and get down. Roll over, which is where the canteens really hurt along with all the other crap you are wearing, take a look through your rifle sights and then hop up and do it again.

It's called a 3 to 5 second rush but really start to finish is 1-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I am down.

After five to ten of these things you will be so tired and miserable you won't care and say screw it. I-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I don't care and start running or walking across the open area.

Why the story Tom? Glad you asked.

If I was in one of these Stormtrooper Armor get ups in the Empire, after about 15 minutes I would walk right up to Vader and slap him upside his head. I would make fun of his asthmatic breathing and tell him he looks like a recycled garbage can. Go ahead and force choke me,...I don't care. The old wrinkly guy can use his blue lighting on me as well. Get on with it.



Okay this was not fun but I am done cutting out the major parts and even tough he is stuck together with duck and masking tape he looks awesome.

I think it will be a lot more fun from here on out but cutting all this stuff sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 042.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 035.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 038.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 033.jpg

wooo hoooo congrats I cant see it now photobucket at work is blocked but I can imagine the pure awesome.

 

[spacebob]

So good to see these starting to come together @Tom1971
Thought I’d add another couple of pics I took today.

To answer your question Jonah, the lid in my avatar and the arc trooper in my album are both made from two really odd, very warped fiberglass ep3 helmets that were kicking around on fleabay about five years ago...... And a lot of filler.

 

[TK7713Gra30]

When I was in the Army we did 3 to 5 second rushes. Anyone who served in any combat MOS knows what I am talking about. Basically it's a way to get across an open field while under fire or potential fire. It really won't keep you from getting shot, unless the bad guys are Stormtroopers, but it will make it a little harder for them to shoot you.

So you are on the ground in all your gear including those darn bulky canteens. This was back in 89 and 90. So you hop up, take a few running steps and get down. Roll over, which is where the canteens really hurt along with all the other crap you are wearing, take a look through your rifle sights and then hop up and do it again.

It's called a 3 to 5 second rush but really start to finish is 1-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I am down.

After five to ten of these things you will be so tired and miserable you won't care and say screw it. I-I am up, 2-I am seen, 3-I don't care and start running or walking across the open area.

Why the story Tom? Glad you asked.

If I was in one of these Stormtrooper Armor get ups in the Empire, after about 15 minutes I would walk right up to Vader and slap him upside his head. I would make fun of his asthmatic breathing and tell him he looks like a recycled garbage can. Go ahead and force choke me,...I don't care. The old wrinkly guy can use his blue lighting on me as well. Get on with it.



Okay this was not fun but I am done cutting out the major parts and even tough he is stuck together with duck and masking tape he looks awesome.

I think it will be a lot more fun from here on out but cutting all this stuff sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 042.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 035.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 038.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h136/jameth1971/jameth1971118/Horse Lesson 033.jpg

He looks good but if you don't mind me being constructive, the thighs and calves look a bit too wide. Part of that will be as its on a fibreglass mannequin and there is no give on the muscles, mannequins usually have over developed physique compared to a normal guy dressed as a trooper. You can also improve it my making sure the area for the cover strips is only as wide as a cover strip. You can trim that down and although I haven't gone through my anovos set properly, in the past I have lost plastic at the rear to bring the parts in, it gives a more slender look or otherwise the armour looks a bit dumpy. The rear areas are covered in the cover strip after trimming. Hope that helps a little

 

[droid747]

These are looking good. Heck of a deal if you got in on the tier 1 pricing.

 

[Tom1971]

He looks good but if you don't mind me being constructive, the thighs and calves look a bit too wide. Part of that will be as its on a fibreglass mannequin and there is no give on the muscles, mannequins usually have over developed physique compared to a normal guy dressed as a trooper. You can also improve it my making sure the area for the cover strips is only as wide as a cover strip. You can trim that down and although I haven't gone through my anovos set properly, in the past I have lost plastic at the rear to bring the parts in, it gives a more slender look or otherwise the armour looks a bit dumpy. The rear areas are covered in the cover strip after trimming. Hope that helps a little

I just trimmed them along the cut lines and slapped them on with masking tape. Lots to do on trimming, gluing, etc. I just wanted to see it all together. A lot to do on the mannequin, etc.

The right calf is open in the back as I need to do a hole for the Mannequin stand, etc.

Thank you for the strip width tip. I did not know that.

So much still to do.

Thanks

Tom

- - - Updated - - -

So good to see these starting to come together @Tom1971
Thought I’d add another couple of pics I took today.
View attachment 590200 View attachment 590201
To answer your question Jonah, the lid in my avatar and the arc trooper in my album are both made from two really odd, very warped fiberglass ep3 helmets that were kicking around on fleabay about five years ago...... And a lot of filler.

This looks awesome. Hoping mine looks as good when I am done.


Tom