Sizing/Spacing and Rigging help - R1TK Build

[TummyIssues]

Hey all! I recently moved to SC from California and am Excited to one day join the ranks of the 501st in the Carolina Garrison.

I'm working through a Jim Tripon R1TK kit and am looking for advice as I get closer to the end primarily on spacing/rigging of the armor pieces. This is my first build and everything I've worked on so far was referencing other builds I've seen on Whitearmor - that said I know there is definitely areas I need to improve especially in rigging the armor. Posting some reference images to show you what I have so far. (Please excuse the right shoulder, it slouched right as we began taking pictures)

[TummyIssues]

Off the bat, I see the chestplate lists to the left and am having issues correcting that. I think It might be an issue with how I trimmed the black sideplates and have ordered replacements to rework them. Additionally the shins are giving me the most trouble. I'm finding that ho matter how I construct the shin, my leg/undersuit is popping out and it is breaking apart.

[TummyIssues]

Better view of the issue I'm running into with the shin armor. The boot is too thick for the armor to contain it. The top rests just under my kneecap and it's not super comfortable. Should the top be covering the kneecap?

[TK7892]

Hi and welcome! I am not a GML but maybe I can offer some help. Everything looks great to me, just a little more work to make it approvable. The calves are always the hardest part for me. I have thick calves and my shin pieces are usually very tight when I put them on. You can put shims in them, see here: https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/ ... -troopers/

In my opinion, it is more important to have the front connecting well than the back since that is what most people will notice first. You may want to use some superglue/plastic weld to fix the front of your shin pieces in place. Then use velcro on the back to secure it. I like these little velcro squares for use at the top, middle, and bottom of the seams, they are self adhesive and easier to connect/disconnect when using them. https://www.lowes.com/pd/VELCRO-12-Pack ... er/3020016

If you haven't already, check in with whitearmor.net, the stormtrooper detachment page for more how-to's and mentoring. Good luck!

[TK7892]

And I just thought of something else. You're going to want to put some elastic straps at the bottom of the shoulder bells on the inside so that the shoulder bells won't fall all over the place.

[TummyIssues]

Thank you, Logan! I appreciate your advice and response! I posted in WhiteArmor to see if anyone had experience with the kit - hopefully I'll get a bite soon haha. I think part of the issue is the material is different than most kits I've seen - instead of it being bendable plastic, it's super solid and non flexible resin/fiberglass mix. I've tried PC7'ing the front of the shins on the other leg but am noticing it's super hard to open the shin and cracks are beginning to form.

One more quick question for you - From your experience, should the shin armor cover your kneecap on both legs or rest below it? My kneecap seems to rest right above the shin armor and it's a little uncomfortable.

[TummyIssues]

Link to the WhiteArmor post in case anyone is interested in following - https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/ ... dvicehelp/

(Also does anyone know how to attach additional images/files to posts on WhiteArmor? Totally new to the forum/Tapatalk haha!)

[TummyIssues]

IMG_5327.jpg (821.32 KiB) Viewed 17422 times

Update on the shins - I ended up trying to create a 'clamshell' style system with velcro on one of the legs and it's super unreliable. I think I'm going to move forward with PC7-ing that shin (My left leg) like I did the other - at least I know it will stay shut that way!

How is the thigh armor looking in terms of placement so far? I'm thinking of trimming off a little more at the top to better match the armor used in Rogue One. Also going to put some foam inserts in the shins to keep tops from digging into my shins.

[TK7892]

From your experience, should the shin armor cover your kneecap on both legs or rest below it? My kneecap seems to rest right above the shin armor and it's a little uncomfortable.

On my TK armor the top of the shin rests just below the kneecap and the bottom of the thigh piece rests right above the kneecap. Stormtrooper armor is not built for comfort. My world changed when I went to TIE Pilot.