Joining the 501st. Anyone already trooping? (Major Star Wars geek content)

I'm doing it. I am leveling up on Geek/Nerdom and joining the 501st Legion. If you haven't heard of them, these guys/girls make screen-accurate costumes and do charity work and event appearances. You've probably seen photos even if you aren't that familiar with the awesomeness of Star Wars...

The costumes are NOT cheap, and from what I understand it takes ~$1k to have one completely complete and authentic. Also you order basic pieces, they take awhile, then modify to suit your needs. (See what I did there?)  I've always wanted a "real" stormtrooper costume, and learned about this group a few years ago at my first comic expo. When I learned about the charity work they do, the deal was sealed.

Curious if anyone here is already a member?  Bought this helmet from a local member with an extra, already ordered the electronics that go inside to sound authentic.  Armor purchase within a week or two...

Wouldn't it have been amazing if the original movie had been released on May 4th?

Ball out brother.  Ball out. 

An old friend is. (She's not old--our friendship is.) You can see some pics here.

My wife and kids have costumes and troop with the 501st and the Mercs.

The_Jed said:

My wife and kids have costumes and troop with the 501st and the Mercs.

Thanks for the batsignal, love. 

I'm OM with the MMCC and kept a semi-active build thread here for a while, I don't have the bookmark for it anymore, though .I'm also the Vice Principal of the Deathstar School of the Galactic Academy, which means my kids are the ones that hate kitting up, because they do it a few times a week. If you have any questions about the build process, feel free to hit me up.

Woefully ignored kit IG can be found here

Found it Mando build thread

In reply to RozCougarMorbidcamp :

Cool.  Hoping to buy the armor next week from the same guy that did the helmet.  RWA Creations in the UK, seems to be oe of the preferred suppliers.  (I wish your thread didn't have dead photos, guessing Photobucket.)

I think I still have a mandalorean mercs pamphlet in my car from last year’s Salt City CC. I’ve been planning a red squad uniform for a while now. I need to get around to it. 

Not sure how relevant, but my wife knows a bunch of the local Mandos and I think they meet in the Springdale area on Wednesdays?

I don't know if he's in the 501st, but I work with an engineer who does this at that level.

We were in a meeting and the project owner asked him if he'd suit up for their annual outreach / fundraiser day.  He said it depended on who else was available.  Apparently, one guy in a stormtrooper suit is a target to be picked on... but 3 or 4 guys wearing the armor and doing drills and stuff attracts a lot of positive attention.

Have fun with it!

wae said:

Not sure how relevant, but my wife knows a bunch of the local Mandos and I think they meet in the Springdale area on Wednesdays?

Yup.  People steered me to an Ohio Garrison Facebook group, full of locals and information.  There’s a weekly group down in Cincy that I’ll probably hit a few times, if I can get the dog taken care of.  Hoping to find some in the Dayton area.

Jerry said:

In reply to RozCougarMorbidcamp :

Cool.  Hoping to buy the armor next week from the same guy that did the helmet.  RWA Creations in the UK, seems to be oe of the preferred suppliers.  (I wish your thread didn't have dead photos, guessing Photobucket.)

Photo bucket and Facebook. But my build album is public on Facebook Mando build, and if you click around a bit, we generally have a photographer along at events, and those are all public, too .

I've heard good things about RWA, and the turnaround is better than others (anovos). Someday I'll build a TB, but that's after the racecar is finished and the Mando is upgraded. I bought a 3d printer for upgrades

Jerry said:

The costumes are NOT cheap, and from what I understand it takes ~$1k to have one completely complete and authentic. Also you order basic pieces, they take awhile, then modify to suit your needs. (See what I did there?)  I've always wanted a "real" stormtrooper costume, and learned about this group a few years ago at my first comic expo.

You're a little short to be a stormtrooper.

(I'm sorry but LINES MUST BE SAID)

In reply to Knurled. :

I made a 1:1 Han in Carbonite that I used as a coat rack in my old office and I made a few lightsabers and have other props.  I like that sort of stuff, but never went full nerd.  I only dress up when I take the kids trick or treating, but that's usually as Indiana Jones (I have the Staff of Ra headpiece), Magnum PI (I have the shirt, hat, and moustache), or the man with one red shoe (really easy costume).