Stormtrooper Armor & the 501st

[Artshot]

Afternoon All
After trawling around the internet and picking up lots of information, mostly conflicting, I thought I would visit what I consider one of the best sources of information on such things.

I have long wanted a full set of Stormtrooper armor, preferably of the New Hope design, mainly because I remember the image of Stormtroopers from this movie with a fondness, even the "head bumping" moment

I am nowhere near skilled enough to attempt a build of the armor, minor tweaks and fixes, I think I could handle, but the whole thing, no chance.

So here's my question, are there any recommendations out there for armor suppliers ?, please bear in mind I am UK based and would like to avoid being gouged by UK customs.

Oh and I would also at some point like to apply for membership to the 501st, so armor of a suitable standard would be preffered, after many years of chatting to members at San Diego Comic Con and being told "you should get involved", I think it's about time I was.

Looking forward to any & all replies.

Art

 

[Andrewhitc]

Check RS prop armor it is UK based builders one of most accurate build. Proudly use Brian Muir knowledge.

 

[Andrewhitc]

And I'm not recommend to use Jedi robe or SDS armor.

 

[jkno]

RS Prop Masters

 

[Bonded Hawk]

Look around whitearmor.net
It's a good place to go if you want to eventually get 501st approval

 

[Gattaca]

Visit the main 501st Legion web site and select " find troopers near you". It will put you through to the 501st Garrison in your area, join that forum and ask your questions there. If you want armor to join the 501st, then ask the 501st, we are here to help you.
Good luck
Gattaca.
501st member since June 2011.

 

[Snowtrooper]

RS PropMaster, especially since your in the UK. I've bought two ST helmets and a full set of armor from them. They do a great job assembling everything if you want and you can select what you want the armor made of(I'd recommend PVC). I've dealt with them on several projects and never been disappointed.

 

[Artshot]

Thanks to all for the advice.

I have to admit I did initially look at Jedi Robe, however I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", so I kept looking, I had a look at RS Propmaster and there armor's just stood out from the crowd, yup, I think I have a winner for my pennies.......lots and lots of pennies, just hope I am not a little...erm "big boned" for a stormtrooper

I have however made a small step in the right direction and invested in a DoopyDoo E-11 Blaster

Art

 

[SuperFLY]

The UK Garrison ? Index page

is probably your best bet. they're the uk version of the 501st.

you can get the basic kits, they'll be able to advise but there will be work involved in making it accurate. not as simple as just ordering it and slapping it on

a friend of mine is a trooper, he loves it. im working on a revan costume myself.. few bits and pieces to do but i'm getting there with it

 

[Cadeus]

Thanks to all for the advice.

I have to admit I did initially look at Jedi Robe, however I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", so I kept looking, I had a look at RS Propmaster and there armor's just stood out from the crowd, yup, I think I have a winner for my pennies.......lots and lots of pennies, just hope I am not a little...erm "big boned" for a stormtrooper

I have however made a small step in the right direction and invested in a DoopyDoo E-11 Blaster

Art

Where the #@# did you find a Doopy Doo?!? I thought he quit making kits! :/ I have an ATA kit coming in October and was planning to have to build a real E-11 from scratch. I would love to get a Doopy.

 

[hansolo2504]

doopydoos still trade on ebay and their website

 

[SmilesLikeJoker]

If it's Stormtrooper armor, there is no greater collection of information that what is at the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment also know as FISD. Just google 501st white armor. Anything you would need to know is located there. Armor is the biggest piece, but not the only piece you need to look at. Research, research, and research....

Make sure you read the CRL (Costume Reference Library). It tells you what should be what in order to get approved. You also need to get in touch with the local Garrison in your area. Your local GML (Garrison Membership Liason) is the approval authority for the 501st.

I can vouch for RS Props because that's what I wear myself. It's top notch, but also top costing lol. The most referenced thread on FISD is information on types of armor. It's in the Recruit/Getting Started section.

Good luck!
TK-56537

 

[Artshot]

I ordered my E-11 from Ebay, from DoopyDoo
While I am waiting for it to turn up I have been scouring the internet for reference of past builds, I am also going to compile a folder of reference photos to see how close I can get it to actual prop blasters, at the moment I plan on replacing any screws and bolts, sourcing a good spring and possibly swapping out the barrel, although I will wait and see how feasible the last part is

I will probably custom build a stand and design a plaque using sketchup.

If not for pesky San Diego Comic Con, I would have had my order in for armor by now.........damn that Comic Con

Art

 

[funkster]

The guys on the UKG (UK Garrison) are very friendly and helpful

Bottom line though, don't buy from Jedi-Robe / Stormtrooper Shop


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cavx]

I've only been a member of the 501st since May this year. For bit over a year prior I was a cadet and simply wrangled. My suggestion (once signed up) would be to attend an armour party. This way you can get a "hands on" feel to not only the plastic parts, but get to see what the guys do for the webbing and other bits that complete a costume like a TK. There is allot that goes into these to make them wearable. I helped my wife compete hers and whilst cutting plastic was fun, the most challenging aspect was making a wearable web rig to allow her to actually move in it.

At this time, my only approved 501st costume is an Imperial Crewman (my 501st ID is 31138) and by both wrangling at troops and attending armour parties, I have learned how different costumes work and go together. When you throw some series coin at a costume like a TK, the last thing you want to happen to it is have someone break a part like a shoulder strap because they did not know how to attach the shoulder bells without bending the plastic too far.

I do want a TK of my own at some point but the soft armour was more affordable and is easy to wear and allows me to still wrangle for the other guys in my local Garrison.

 

[Gattaca]

I agree with cavx, I can not imagine buying an assembled set of armor and expecting it to fit you. I've owned my armor for 3 years and I still tweak it now and then to make it comfortable to wear. There are many different ways to connect the parts together and seeing a costume prior to buying would be valuable. So like cavx says, contact your local garrison and meet them. If there are no armor parties in the near future, I'm sure they would be happy to talk to you personally at an event and show you the ropes. We all know someone that has jumped the gun and bought a costume that did not work or something, and it's heartbreaking to see the excitement turn into sorrow. So take your time, meet the guys and gals of the 501st, do your research and you will be happy with the results. Once you get your armor and you attend events, you will not believe how exciting it is to have people react to you like your a movie star. It's a rush!
As for your E-11, here's a link to check out:
403 Forbidden

If the link does not work visit First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment and find "Pandatrooper PVC pipe blaster build" in the 'weapons locker' under 'general weapons discussion'.



The only change I would make (which I did for mine) is try to find the PVC pipe (the tutorial uses ABS because he could not find any PVC) look for 1 1/4" IPS SDR 26 PVC pipe. That is if you do the pipe build. Pandatrooper is my squad leader and knows his stuff. I used his tutorial to build mine.

 

[Gattaca]

sorry, I double posted and deleted.

 

[Wingman]

You should just build it yourself. I'm in the same boat as you but after doing tons of research on the white armor forum, I feel confident enough to build one, there's tons of reference and help on that website, and there's probably 501st guys near you that are more than happy to lend a hand. I went to a comic con panel by the 501st about star wars costuming, and they said they themselves were scared of doing the build because of their lack of skills, but they got through it and they all had great looking armour.

Good luck