RS Props ANH Stormtrooper replica suit - a WIP thread

[R2Dan]

Hey guys!

As some of you already know, I just spent a few days in Manchester. While it was mainly a sightseeing trip for the missus, I really had only one reason to go there... the Star Trek art exhibition at Generation Popart! They had huge paintings of Kirk and Spock and all that

... oh yeah... I also got to hold a few old pieces of plastic from some old sci-fi flick. :confused

Seriously, meeting up with both Rob and Simon, seeing the real armour up close and geeking out wearing the original helmet was simply EPIC! Thanks to both of you for inviting me to come and see it all and have some good fun forming the suit.

I promised to put up a build thread, so this will be it. I haven't done much on the kit yet, just trimmed out some of the parts (with scissors!), I will take pics of the parts once I'm done trimming. For now Rob and Si put up a pic of the suit we pulled on their Facebook page:

It is a mix of 1mm and 1.5mm PVC. I was set on ABS, but when I got there and saw the PVC stuff in "action" I was blown away. This stuff is CRAZY flexible. I'll try and take a video and show it off to you guys soon

And this is how it travelled back to Germany

(Seemed weird to take a big brown box with you as your luggage, but there was no problem at all getting this on the plane):

I'm planning to put up loads of pics as the build progresses, so keep your eyes peeled! Keep in mind that some parts are still in prototype stage and are not the finished article. The guys promised me to send some replacements once all the little problems have been sorted out.

 

[geordietrooper]

i've got my eyes peeled dan now wheres the pics :love

 

[gizmo]

Beautiful Dan. The boys are sorting me out as we speak. I had a very specific set I wanted and they've bent over backwards to please me.They really are a great pair of guys and it's great to have them in the prop community. I look forward to watching this.


Ben

 

[R2Dan]

I'll have new progress pics up later today! I have all the armour parts trimmed out and have almost finished the helmet.

I'm off to Switzerland this weekend, but for next week I'm planning to assemble the arms and legs. Can't do the torso yet as I' m waiting for some new replacement parts from the guys.

 

[OdiWan72]

Nice one Dan!!!

...we still have our "two-people-prop-gathering" to plan, which was originally scheduled for august, remember ?

Markus

 

[ObiHahn]

Just now saw this thread, bro. Ha, I see some RS Props team trooping in the future!

 

[Keith]

I'm looking forward to this.
I need to get me a set of this armour.

Keith.

 

[TigerStoneFX]

Fine looking set of armor there! Cant wait to see it all put together.

Nat.

 

[Skywalker79]

Pics, Pics, Pics......please ^^

 

[R2Dan]

Okay guys - I've been slacking away long enough now. Here's where I'm at: I'm done trimming all the armour, I have assembled the helmet and almost finished painting it and today I assembled all the leg armour.

To start this off, here's pics of the helmet:

It obviously started with trimming out all the details.

The teeth were tough at first, as the PVC is so flexible it was a little tricky to cut them out, but once I got used to it, it was all fine (did a second faceplate for a friend already ).

Assembly followed:

And then paint:

Details:

I'm currently waiting for tubestripe stencils to arrive to finish this one off, I'll post more pics when it's all done.

I haven't had a chance to take pics of the leg parts yet, so that will follow tomorrow - promised!
Also, Rob and Si said they'd be sending out my replacements tomorrow for the not-quite-finished torso parts I took with me, so expect more soon

And here's something for you to drool over. I posted it on Facebook a while back, but figured it would be great for you guys to see as well:
Flex that chest! Showing off the PVC

 

[R2Dan]

Here's a pic of the leg testfit. Sorry my camera is dying I think, the pics get worse every day.

 

[geordietrooper]

great job on the lid dan & the legs look like a perfect fit :thumbsup

 

[Bobby Fett UK]

Looking great buddy.

Also, look out for another one of those brown boxes

 

[Skywalker79]

Sorry my camera is dying I think, the pics get worse every day.

Then at least you can see the crumbs on the floor not as sharp :lol

 

[ShowMe482]

Great work! I hope to do one myself soon.

 

[Tk460]

Looks awesome!! My order has been placed. Hurry up DHL!

 

[R2Dan]

Then at least you can see the crumbs on the floor not as sharp :lol

Hey, that's what my room ALWAYS looks like... It's a bit like snow on Christmas!

 

[Bobtherocker]

Well I for one am super excited. Been following your adventures on the RSprops facebook page. I went for the ABS myself. I'm pretty much going for a super accurate static display piece so durability isnt an issue.
Funnily enough i have a box waiting at the local post office.
I wonder....?

Those thigh pieces look nice and long. How tall are you Dan?

I look forward to following your progress

 

[R2Dan]

I totally understand your decision! I'll get another suit for the mannequin in ABS later on, but this in PVC is simply the ultimate trooping gear.

I'm 5'8", or 1,73m, the legs fit pretty much like the ones from TM (my old armour)
which looks like this all finished up:

 

[R2Dan]

Got the tubestripe stencils in today, I can call the helmet done for now.

I will weather it up a little and probably add fake "paint chips" to it with a little khaki coloured paint, but that will follow once I have the rest of the armour assembled.