Spec Ops Newsletter

7/28/2019 Spec Ops Newsletter

1/24

In this issue:

JuneSpec Ops troopers!As your newly appointed Special

Operations Detachment Leader, I

wanted to take a moment to

thank everyone for participating

in the 2013 501st Legion Elections. We had a really good Spec Ops

representation in the election and appreciate the opportunity to serve as your new

DL. Special thanks to Izzi for his former DL leadership and to Darth Agnon

(Josh) for running in the election.

In this newsletter, we're going to provide you with some general updates on

things we've got going on, a variety of new merchandise runs, CRL updates, and

a few tips/tricks. We hope you enjoy it!

We have a lot of great things happening in the Spec Ops Detachment and some

new faces on the staff. I am very pleased to be working with some really talented

people. Here is the current Spec Ops Staff lineup:

Jim (Griffin-X) - Detachment Leader, DL

Steve (Darth Emphatic) - Executive Officer, XO

Izzi (Izzi) - Captain of the Guard 1, CotG

Luis (Crazas) - Captain of the Guard 2, CotG

Matt (ELP) - Merchandise Branding Officer, MBO

Rhea (Slave Rey-ah) - Detachment Editor and Chief, DEC

Ty (Fivezero) - Detachment Armourer, DA

Todd (Toddo) - Detachment Mentor, DM

Pete (mr0072003) - Detachment Tutorial Writer, DTW

Rob (Chef) - CRL Team Leader, CMD-CRL

Terry (Navajo Bro) - CRL Team, CRL-TX

Adam (Splattum) - CRL Team, CRL-TX

Shane (Trooper) - CRL Team, CRL-TX

continue topage 2

Greetings, from your leader

Statement from

our DL

1-2

A word from our

XO

2

Merch Update 3

Bios 4-16

CRL Update

17-

18

Tips & Tricks 19-21

Ask izzi 22-23

Wrap Up 24


2/24

General Spec Ops Statistics -

New Registrations:

Since March 1, 2013, we have had over75new registrations on the Spec Ops forum. Our board is very ac-tive and I am pleased to work with each of you on making this detachment one of the best in the Legion.Welcome to all the new troops!

New Topic Posts:

Since March 1, 2013, we have had over111new topic posts! That's some really good activity for our De-tachment. In the upcoming months, I anticipate this to increase even more as we continue to advertise andrecruit new members. Well done troops!

Web Server Traffic:

During the month of March 2013, we had over4,022unique visitors to the site with over125,295pages hit.

As our web server traffic increases, we have also experienced a few "sluggish" moments. I have beenworking with our hosting company and have taken steps to ensure our site remains online and responsive

with little to no downtime. We currently share a Virtual Private Server with several other detachments

(BSN, CTN, AC, etc.), but have now been separated from the "higher traffic" offenders. This should helpto keep us going with limited downtime and/or "sluggish" response times.

As always, if you experience a problem, let myself or Steve know and we'll get on it!

We all should commend the efforts of ourDetachment

Armorer as he looks to bring The Force Unleashed

Shadow Trooper and Evo Trooper to life. Bringing a brand new costume into being is not an easy task. Itoften requires a major investment of time and money in seeking out a maker for custom pieces or creatingitems entirely from scratch. The road can be paved with repeated failures and theperseveranceto continuecan be difficult to maintain. FiveZero (Ty), we appreciate the path you are paving for others and look for-

ward to the first time each one of these costumes brings a smile to a kid's face.

From Fiction to Reality A Debriefing from our XO


3/24

Merchandise Update And other cool stuff, from ELPCompleted:

Pin Run. 501 pins ordered and shipped out.

On-going:

Spec. Ops Tattoos using the Det. Crest forthe

design.

Next Up:

Customization shirts, but these will have a design thread

posted where the winning designer gets a free shirt.

These are similar to the ones from some of the Australian

Garrisons and the Sith LordDetachment.

Designthreadstarting on May 1st.

Future Plans:

Hopefully another holiday card and maybe a patch run.

The Badlands Garrison has

helped support, volunteer at,

and promote CCEE since it

started. We (Garrison mem-

bers) were asked to escort

guests. This year I'll be working with Ian McDiarmid ... The freaking Emperor of

the known universe! Basically I'm his handler making sure he appears where he should, when he should, etc.

Ian is a fantastic person ... probably one of the most eloquent, respectful and personable people I've ever had the

pleasure of meeting.

While walking through a crowd:

Random Con goer: "We Love you Chancellor!"

Mr. McDiarmid under his breath, in the Emporer voice: "That's Emperor if you don't mind. Matthew, have him

destroyed."

The Emperor was rather taken aback by the plaque, as it was totally un-expected and gave us all a heartfelt thank you.


4/24

Staff BiosI asked you guys to write your Bio on the 1st time you trooped as a member of Spec Ops. Some

are short and sweet, some are heart-felt, and some.. well.. youll see. ENJOY!

I joined the Legion around 2.5 years ago and my

first costume was the TX-Shadow Stormtrooper.My first troop was with the Corpus Christi Caller

Times and did a TV newscast/advertisement foran upcoming Realms-CON event. It was a blast!

Since joining the Legion and the Spec Ops De-tachment, I have served as the Spec Ops Web-

master and now Detachment Leader. I am an ac-tive member of the Star Garrison here in the

North Texas squad, as well as a member of thePathfinders, FISD, and Jolly Roger SquadronDetachments.

I currently have a TX-Shadow Stormtrooper, TB

-Biker Scout, TK-Stormtrooper, a TS-Tie Pilotand I'm actively working on a TX-Shadow

Scout.

DLDL -- Jim Griffin: TXJim Griffin: TX --84558455


5/24

I joined the 501st in the summer of 2009, after ayear-long hiatus from working on my armor dueto unemployment. The first troop I participatedin following my approval was the Long BeachComic Con in 2009. As a brand new con, its first

year allowed me to interact with other troopers ina more intimate setting. The troop was a blast,

but also a learning experience.

After that first troop, I took so many notes home

with me on modifications that I needed to maketo my Shadow Stormtrooper and that has been

the case for every troop since. I rather enjoy the

ever-improving aspect of armor building.

I have served as the Spec Ops Webmaster andcontinue to serve as Executive Officer. In addi-

tion to the Spec Ops detachment, I am also amember of the Imperial Officers Corp. and Impe-rial Gunnery Corp.

XOXO -- Steve Leahy: TXSteve Leahy: TX -- 57555755


6/24

izzi was inducted into the Legion in 2008, after saving a herd of rabid Snartharian Bantha from evil VoidianBunny Walkers. He was immediately upgraded from TK status straight into TX as Blackhole Trooper TX -4994, due to the fact the Emperor's favorite house pet is the Snartharian Bantha.

Later, TX-4994 literally slept his way to the top. During a raid on a rebel base, he failed to set his alarm andslept through the entire ordeal. It turned out that the entire thing was anambush and his squad was wiped out during his snooze. Apparentlyinformation was leaked from Vader to the rebels, because he was jeal-

ous of their chrome lenses and teeth. If Vader couldn't have niftychrome lenses and teeth, no one else in the Empire could either. Beingthe only one left (and not knowing how to pilot the drop ship) izzisnuck into the rebel base and overloaded their power generator by un-

plugging it from the surge protector and directly in to the wall socket.

The resulting explosion not only wiped out the rebel scum, but due to astrange gravity capacitor fluctuation also splattered him with gold paint

in a neat stripe pattern.

Three weeks later izzi was picked up by passing imperial forces, though

he had gone feral from the madness of having to hunt the largest animalon that planet, known as the Mormon cricket, for food.

After his rehabilitation back into imperial society, he was granted anaudience with the Emperor who commended him on his taste in style

and then asked what he would like to call the new armor classification. izzi replied, "Yo, hoodie head, I'measy." So the Emperor called it Novatrooper armor since it was born in an explosion and sent TX-4994 im-

mediately to peel potatoes for his lack of respect. From the dungeons of the mess hall, izzi has often pretend-ed to be someone of importance and has often impersonated 501st command staff.

If he is found please give him back his vegetable peeler and send him immediately back to the kitchen. The

Emperor wants his stew.

(I did not alter his story AT ALL. Not kidding, lol.) ~Rhea

COTGCOTG -- Michael Keener: TXMichael Keener: TX -- 49944994


7/24

I started as member of the Costa Rica SW fan Club because there was no 501st in my area. Mexico Garrison

was closest unit at that time, so costumes were not top quality around here. I had the opportunity back in

2006 to see the SWW parade. With my jaw dropped down, I saw all the Legion members marching and they

looked so cool! I decided that I wanted a cos-

tume like those.

I started to look over the net for the 501st site and

I found out that charity was one of the main goals

of the group. At that time, I decided that I wanted

not only to have a costume, but to join the club.

I love Stormtroopers, but I was looking for some-

thing with a little more attitude. I went back to

my old comic collections and choose the Black-

hole (I wasn't aware of the Crimson Empire se-ries yet). Then I logged into the forum and start-

ed asking questions, lots of questions, about how

to put it all together.

People from Spec Ops helped me a lot and I built

my armor in no time. Once I started I did not

stop until fully finished. I then took the photos to send it to the LMO.

Here comes the hard part: there was no unit here so no one checked it and I waited for a long time (from Oc-

tober until February) for an answer. I finally joined the Legion and founded the Costa Rica Outpost on

March 2007. My first troop was shortly after being approved at a small local convention. Since then I have

been COG and DL. I have trooped as a TX at many local events and did some international traveling with

my armor. I attended CV and CIV as member of the EU panel and SWW, since the TX are allowed to

march. Spec Ops is my home, you guys are my family. (Did I mention that my wife is TX too?)

COTGCOTG -- Luis Carazo: TXLuis Carazo: TX -- 37583758


8/24

Almost exactly 3 years ago, my wife got her TK as a birthday present from me when she turned XXX (age

removed as "loose lips sink ships ... or get knifed in their sleep") It's not that I knew she'd love a TK cos-

tume, more that I knew she wouldn't troop alone so that would mean she would insist I get a kit of my own

(my plan all along ) From very early on I knew I wasgoing to be a member of the dark side, no Rebel she-

nanigans for me.

My first con was a small get-together event with the

rest of the squad - about 8 troopers in total. We've seen

a lot of growth up here in the last 3 years.

I saw Star Wars in 1978, and thought the Stormtroop-

ers were all robots, due in no small part to how thetroopers seemed to fall down unnaturally. Now I un-

derstand that those actors were acting their butts off.

It's tough to move in these things, never mind fall

gracefully!

A bit of non-SW: I've worked with a lot of people

over my many careers: in Mining, Healthcare, Hospi-

tality, Print, Bartending and window washing. And

after a year off I'm looking forward to putting that ca-

cophony of experience, mixed with a real enjoyment of

trooping, back to work for the detachment.

MBOMBO -- Matt Mills: TXMatt Mills: TX -- 55755575


9/24

My first troop, as my TX, was for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Science Fiction Fantasy concert at IPFW. It was also

my birthday! I wasnt officially official because they hadnt approved me yet, but it was close enough. My TKID

is comprised of my birth year (1978) and the age I turned when I became a member of the 501 st (33 years old), thus

born TX-7833.

I grew up in a small town where I was an oddball

because of my love for Star Wars and video games. I

was made fun of a lot and teased. I kept a lot of my

geekery to myself, until my mid 20s. Once I moved

away from my hometown, I let the nerd flag fly!

Nowadays, those that tease me are just as hip as I

am.

I joined the 501st and the Rebel Legion within a cou-

ple weeks of each other. I was the 1st female TX and

only registered Slave Leia in the state of Indiana. If

Im wrong, Im sure someone will correct me, lol. I

finally feel accepted somewhere, since joining the

ranks of my brethren and sisteren (not a real word).

Lets see, what else about me.. Im HUGE into The

Legend of Zelda and pretty much anything old skool Nintendo. Aside from Star Wars costuming, I cosplay other

characters too. I have ventured into Cyber Punk, Super Mario, a Gothic Nurse and a Nazi Spy (Diesel Punk) cos-

tumes.. Costume for Halloween this year: the Bride of Frankenstein! Im also probably THE BIGGEST Dave Dor-

man fan in the known universe.

Who wants to read the Bio that Izzi created for me?

https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQ

DECDEC -- Rhea Cutler: TXRhea Cutler: TX --78337833
https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQhttps://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQhttps://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQhttps://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQhttps://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQhttp://c/Users/Shipping/Desktop/Dropbox.lnk


10/24

I joined the 501st Legion in March 2011 with my Novatrooper Elite. This was shortly followed by the first

Novatrooper Medic in the Legion!

My first troop was Free Comic Book Day at the Vault of Midnight here in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was abeautiful day with some very helpful troopers that

helped show me how to troop. People loved the

black and gold of my Novatrooper and I was

hooked. My next troop was a couple weeks later at

Motor City Comic Con. People were lining up just

to get a picture with me, but would often ignore the

crowd of Stormtroopers next to me. I knew then I

would probably never make a TK and that Spec Ops

was my home.

I originally was going to make a Sandtrooper, but

izzi had just gotten the Nova approved and I imme-

diately fell in love with it. I looked around the Spec

Ops site for awhile and soon stumbled upon the list

of unapproved troopers that no one had built yet.

Thus my free time would change forever. Looking

at that unapproved list showed me my true purpose

in Spec Ops: Get every single one of them approved

someday. Thus I started with my first build, the

Phase II Darktrooper. I ended up not sending it in

for approval (too rough), but did learn some valua-ble skills and techniques to help scratch build armor.

And just a couple months later, I emerged victorious in getting the EVO Trooper approved with its custom

helmet, chest box, shoulders and knee plates. The EVO further built upon the skills I learned from the Dark-

trooper. Now I've got a pretty standard way to use pepakura more effectively for armor building.

I've got plans to get at least FOUR new troopers added to Spec Ops this summer. I hope to inspire my fellow

troopers by showing them that they too can achieve the impossible of building these same troopers.

DADA -- Ty Graham: TXTy Graham: TX --50365036


11/24

I joined the Legion in

February of 2012. I did

my first troop solo atTukwila Elementary in

Washington State.I manage a Barnes and

Noble store and during our2011 Holiday book drive,we collected 1100 new

books for the children ofTukwila Elementary,

which has over 50% freeand reduced lunch.I presented the books at a

school assembly as TheBooktrooper. That year I

assembled a number ofcostumes including:

Shadow Stormtrooper,Nova Trooper, Nova Elite,Shadow Scout,

Sandtrooper, Snowtrooper,TIE Reserve, Imperial

Bridge Crew, ScanningCrew, TIE Pilot, AT-STDriver, ANH Stormtrooper, Incinerator Trooper,

Utapau Shadow Clone, Royal Guard, and Imperial

Gunner, and Navy

Trooper. So far this year I

have completed ImperialStaff Officer and Tusken

Raider with a couple morein the works.

I am on the command staffof the Galactic Academy

as Membership Officer,and I love making kids

happy when theircostumes are approved. Ihold costume honors such

as Mos Eisley PoliceOfficer, EIB and Cen-

turion. In addition to thatI'm currently GML/GWL

for Garrison Titan andproud to be Costume

Mentor for Special Ops!

DMDM -- Todd MaxfieldTodd Maxfield -- Matsumoto:Matsumoto:

TXTX -- 66476647


12/24

My buddy showed me a photo of our other friend wearing his new Weathered Shadow Trooper armor for Halloween.

We had to have one too, (its like making a custom Action figure, except its you) so we jumped on it and got our kit.

After months of researching and reading HowTos, I was able to get my suit finished, submitted and approved. I can-

not tell you the feeling of accomplishment you get, when you read that letter stating that you have been accepted. It

makes all the long nights and

hours worth it.

I am a proud member of the

501 legion as Shadow Storm

Trooper. I am also a part of

the Southern California Garri-

son, as well as a Staff Member

of the 501 Spec Ops

Boards. Yes, this rookie was

honored to be asked to be partof the Staff as the DTW

(Detachment Tutorial Writer).

I was asked because during

my months leading to me

building my armor, I would

post how I would accomplish

parts of my suit that may have

not been discussed in the level

of detail that I needed on the boards for me to follow. I was hoping to help other n00bs like me out, and was rewarded

by being part of the staff; a true honor and confirms that you dont need to be vet to contribute, anyone can! Being part

of the 501st and building my armor has opened the door to a whole new world of fun.

My first troop was the Muscle Walk in Irvin CA, Mar 2 nd. Here is a pic of the group there. (Im the lil Shadow Troop-

er)

What other Customes I have in mind? I have just finished my GhostBusters outfit and Proton Pack and Scout or Robin

is on my to do list. Being part of the 501st and building my armor has opened the door to a whole new world of fun.

DTWDTW -- Pete Vellos: TXPete Vellos: TX -- 7137971379


13/24

I joined the 501st back in 2008, with the bog standard Stormtrooper, whilst I was in the process of con-

structing my favourite costume, the Biker Scout.

With my mad obsession of everything Scout based and seeing Weir in the comics, I soon embarked upon

the Storm Commando and my Spec Ops fate was

sealed.

I can't remember where my first Spec Ops troop was,

but it was likely to be a big one. I only bring them out

at major troops! With all the complications of getting

the Commando cleared at the time, it was a natural

progression to find something else Scout based that

was going to be diabolically difficult to get cleared....

Hence the Snow Scout. I currently have a TK (sees

very little use any more), the obligatory Biker Scout, aStorm Commando and the Snow Scout.

I am the Chief Armourer for the UK Garrison and or-

ganise all the chaps to make sure costume submissions

are up to scratch. I am also an active member of the

Pathfinders over on BSN, and have been given the

honour of running the CRL Team over here on Spec

Ops.

I like to make my own stuff and prefer to do 'off the

wall' stuff and push boundaries. A notable rogue, I

can always be relied upon to eat your food and drink your beer!

Whats next?? Forest Trooper and Swampy are in the mix!

CMDCMD -- CRLCRL -- Rob Palethorpe:Rob Palethorpe:

TXTX -- 39553955


14/24

I joined the Legion in 2006. I had always been a huge Star Wars fan and loved to make costumes, but didn't have any

real skill. I had gone to Wizard World Philly and Celebration III and ran into guys wearing "real" Star Wars costumes.

I was hesitant to even ask for a picture because I didn't really even know who they were.

Over the next few years, I started researching Stormtrooper

costumes on the internet and ultimately found out about the

Legion. I eventually figured out how to join, after getting my

TK my first troop was NYCC 2007. I had an absolute

BLAST, and when I finally met the guys and learned first

hand all about the Legion and making costumes I was

hooked.

I almost immediately bought some more kits, both a black

Biker Scout and a regular one. I worked on them learning

costume building skills and the difference between finished

and raw kits, and eventually completed them both. I was su-per excited as the Shadow Scout was the first time I really

built anything from scratch, and although it was a little rough

at points it came out nice. I debuted it at NYCC 2008, along

with my wife (girlfriend at the time) who also was hooked

after our first con. She now has her own Leia and also three

more costumes, including formal membership in the Legion.

As time passed I became more and more involved with my

Garrison; helping out in event coordination, then acting as

XO and ultimately as CO, my second year. I enjoy the hobby

and trooping more and more each day, and have accumulated several costumes over the years - but the Special Ops

Detachment has always been my favorite and the one I most frequent. Although the Shadow Scout was my only

"official" Detachment costume, I created and shared my "Ashtrooper" (all black Snowie) and my Snow Scout. As a

note, after all the hard work by the leaders of this Detachment, the Snow Scout became an officially recognized cos-

tume last year and I had the honor of being the first approved one.

This led to my being asked to help out on the CRL team, and I am honored to be among the staff and promise to do my

best to make this Detachment the best in the Legion! Troop on.

CRL TeamCRL Team -- Terry Browning: TXTerry Browning: TX -- 88698869


15/24

Technically this is a staff bio for the 2013 term, but I hardly consider myself staff. I reserve that title for

better people. Ive been in the 501st since April 2010 and a member of Spec Ops since that following July.

You can credit Izzi (or blame him, depending on you point of view) for getting me involved with you guys.

The opportunity to own the Magmatrooper, I cur-

rently troop in, quite literally fell in to my lap. I

took it and I havent looked back since. I have a TK

in perpetual stages of construction, but my skill (or

lack thereof) leads me to believe it will stay there in

perpetuity.

Im probably un-healthily proud of my status as one

of only 8 Magmatroopers on the Legion roster. (I

have no idea how active the others are) Im glad to

see its popularity growing. If it ever becomes a fad,

Ill be able to say that I was a Magma before Mag-

mas were considered cool.

I served as the MBO last year during 2012 and if Im

being honest and I was grading myself, Id go with

about a C. I learned some stuff, but Id rather leave

that in more capable hands. I look forward to seeing

where the Detachment goes with the new group.

CRL TeamCRL Team -- Adam Cannon: TXAdam Cannon: TX -- 29432943


16/24

I live in Adelaide Australia and a member of the Southern Dewback Squad, which is a part of the Terror

Australia Garrison. I am also a member of the Ryloth Base. I joined the 501st back in May 2010, with a

standard TK, which was the first costume I ever built. I made a few minor errors on the build, but managed

to get it all together and approved within 4

weeks of the brown box arriving on the

door step. I then ventured into the animat-

ed world and built a Commander Gree. It

was the first ever animated Gree built in

Australia. I eventually sold that to a fellow

trooper to help him out and become an ac-

tive Trooper. With the Sale of the Gree, I

purchased my SDS Shadow Trooper. That

would have to be the favourite of all mycostumes I currently have or have had in

the past.

Next costume to build after that was my

Shadow Scout. It is currently having up-

grades for the Specialist program and once

that is completed, I hope to do the same

with my Shadow Trooper. I then acquired

my EP III Commander Cody, which is also

one of my favourite costumes to wear. Currently my TD has been approved at 501st level, but I am also

upgrading this to Police officer status.

Other costumes I would like to build: Tie Pilot, Nova Trooper, Snow Trooper.

My first troop as a TX was The Worlds Greatest Shave on a 35 degree day, outside in the sun.

CRL TeamCRL Team -- Shane Norris: TXShane Norris: TX -- 77537753


17/24

Coming in from the Cold:A Snow Scout 's Journey

It all started

back in about2009/2010

when a randompicture of aspeeder bike

zipping acrossHoth showed

up. Feeling alittle dejectedwith the sunny

climes of Endor,it was time to

get in the thickof it.

The Snow Scout was a logical choice for me,since I had done my Biker Scout. I'd just com-

pleted the Storm Commando and was lookingfor the next thing to keep me going.

The debate started like an Ion Cannon goingoff, people were well excited about it and opin-ions raged.The image was fuzzy, there was a lot of specu-lation and a lot was open to interpretation.

The other Detachments were not really up forembracing the challenge, but Spec Ops in true

style, grabbed this by its frosty balls and wentwild. With detailed breakdowns of the sketch,overlays of armour types, scaled figures built..the works, a few of us decided to actually gofor it and make it. We knew it was going to be

a bit off the wall, but we hit a real wall with

the Legion when they deemed that the refer-ence wasn't sufficient enough for it to pass Ap-

proval.And that was it Dead in the water.

But maybe not... This is Spec Ops after all, andwe do the impossible.Bro carried on with his, I dutifully chippedaway at making my bucks for the bits I needed

(I don't like to buy things!) and I knew it wasgoing to be a real back-burner project. Just as a

cool curio project for my own amusement.And so it all went into the shadows. We ticked

along nicely between the two of us.Bro got there first and it looked awesome.

Then the Spec Ops machine went into over-drive! Josh took it upon himself to do some

very "Black Ops" work and contacted JamieSnell, the LFL artist, to see if we could getsome artwork made up for it.A lot of work went on behind closed doors, alot of set-backs and an even larger amount of

perseverance then ensued. Sure enough, theimpossible was achieved.Jamie penned enough artwork from Bro's cos-

tume for the Trading Card series that made theLegion sit up and take notice.

When we had the potential 'green light' fromCommand, that was it... Time to ramp up the

continue topage 18


18/24

timescale.

I'd got most of the parts... they just needed put-ting together. I got it all sorted, and then the

battle with my GML started. He was just asmuch in the dark about it as the rest of theworld and a lot of arguing was needed. He

couldn't get his head around the fact that refer-ences had been made from a costume already

made.

Eventuallythat battle waswon....

It was present-

ed to the Le-gion.

We scored amajor victory!We had been

organised, myown costume

was identicalto Bro's, and

identical to the references. So it was accepted.We'd done it!! A new costume approvedthrough the Legion.

The precedent has been set.So what does this mean for all you lot?

Well, there's another cool costume on the ros-

ter for you all to do.

But more importantly, it shows that with a bitof will and determination you can put together

those odd ball costumes and stand a chance ofgetting it approved.We're all behind you and Spec Ops will fight

in your corner tooth and nail to get it through.

WHAT'S NEXT?

We've got the Swampy and the Forest Trooper

from Star Wars Galaxies, with what we thinkis enough reference material to get approved

through the Legion.

So what are you apes waiting for, get building!

Chef TX-3955

Coming in from the Cold:A Snow Scout 's Journey


19/24

An Introduction to PepakuraArmor Building by TX-5036

Pepakura is a great and potentially inexpensive way to scratch build armor. It is a program that allows you to take any

3D model and be able to recreate in real life out of paper (preferably 110 lb. cardstock for armor though). The program

takes all of the polygons in the model and "unfolds" the model onto a flat surface that can be printed out. You then take

the printed out sheets and cut out all the shapes for the model. Using all those pieces you can now begin assembling

them together to make the 3d model that previously only existed on your computer.

Basic Pepakura construction involves using cardstock to assemble your model. You take your assembled cardstock and

reinforce it by using fiberglass resin, but not actual fiberglass though. The resin will soak into the cardstock giving you a

nice solid piece to work on when cured. Then the tedious task of applying layer after layer of bondo begins, sanding in

between each layer. Most 3D models have edges and points where the polygons in the model meet. You sand and apply

bondo to smooth out these edges and create a nice smooth surface. You can have a higher number of polygons in your

model to begin with but this usual means more difficult construction with the initial paper model. Basically, you keep

bondoing and sanding and bondoing and sanding until you have a smooth surface.

Another way to use Pepakura is to use EVA foam (craft foam) as the base material instead of cardstock. Foam is moreflexible than cardstock and can be heated to hold its shape as well. What I try to do when I'm doing a foam build is to

arrange the pieces in the program to be larger strips to help with assembly. Construction goes in a similar manner with

cardstock but you can usually get a smoother surface to work with since the foam will flex a bit effectively eliminating

those hard edges mentioned above. In the end, you have to seal the foam with either spray rubber (for a final finish) or

even use two-part urethane resin for a more solid surface. Then you can apply some bondo for further refinement of the

surface. Foam building is a very quick way to get a nice smooth surface. However you will usually have problems with

durability as with the basic method, bondo is relatively inflexible and usually won't stand up to repeated abuse without

cracking. Good for initial prototypes but not for regular trooping. continue topage 20


20/24

Continue topage 21

One final use of Pepakura is to use the unfolded pieces as templates to cut out plastic sheets. It is helpful to have the

pieces in the same larger/stripped configuration as foam building to minimize those edges. Instead of gluing the plastic

pieces together you simply tape them, but make sure your seams are watertight (you'll pour liquid resin in it eventually).

However you end up using the completed model as a sort of mold to apply two-part urethane resin in. Just brush or pour

the mixed resin on the inside of the plastic model. Eventually after multiple layers of resin, you will have a solid piece

of armor. Peel the plastic off and there's your piece of armor! There will still be sanding necessary to remove any imper-

fections/edges in the armor. Usually you won't have to use much bondo if your piece of armor has enough resin applied.The final piece is much more resilient and stronger than other Pepakura methods, but the urethane resin can cost a good

chunk of change if you do a whole suit of armor.

Pieces laid out for assembly

Assembled foam helmet

(note how smooth the surface is)



21/24

Foam Pepakura (with little work done) vs. Traditional Pepakura (old and falling apart)

No matter what method of Pepakura you use, it is a great way to scratch build armor or anything else you want. You can

quickly and often cheaply create armor. As long as you have a 3D model to use and import to the Pepakura program you

can create anything. Now get out there and start making some armor!!

Plastic cutouts taped together Resin chest plate with a small amount of sanding



22/24


23/24

Mondan1873

"If you could koo koo kachoo could they catch

you?"

Let's go back to the meaning of the term "Koo

Koo Kachoo," probably most often heard in theSimon and Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson."

"Just the Robinsons' affair. / Most of all,you've got to hide it / from the kids / Coo cooca-choo, Mrs. Robinson..." Pretty much spells

out what's going on here. What most don'tknow is that Koo Koo Kachoo (Coo coo ca-

choo) actually comes from thetermCuckold(An English derivative of theFrench termcuccault). It was created in refer-ence to the Cuckoo bird who's females wouldoccasionally lay eggs in another's nest insteadof raising their young themselves. It's interest-ing that a cuckold is actually a reference to a

man with an adulterous wife, and another wayof mocking him or calling him foolish for al-lowing it to happen. Seeing how I don't have awife and am not a wife myself, I can't be acuckold or go out and "Koo Koo Kachoo,"so

they have no reason to catch me. But if Icould... MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ask izzi:An Ego t is t s Answers to L i fe and Armor

Chef Asks:

"What is the etiquette when dealing with your

hoards of over amorous fans whilst in uniform?"

Carry extra armor bits so you can merely hand

them out instead of having them ripped off you.

"How do you mask the smell of cheese?

Find an over amorous fan that smells good and

stick close to him/her.

Trooper Asks:

"I would like to be granted access to the set of

your movie and have a small part, or as an extra,or small roll, or danish please.:Walks to the door with a sinister laugh and

leaves: moahahahahaaaa.Luv you man"

Here, have an armor bit before you rip it off me.

If you have a question for Ask izzi, go to:

http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2195-ask-izzi-an-egotists-answers-to-life-in-armor/
http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2195-ask-izzi-an-egotists-answers-to-life-in-armor/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2195-ask-izzi-an-egotists-answers-to-life-in-armor/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2195-ask-izzi-an-egotists-answers-to-life-in-armor/


24/24

Hope you guys enjoyed the 1st Spec Ops Quarterly for 2013!

Next release dates are: September 1st and December 1st.

Want to see something specific in the next Newslestter? Post here:

http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191 -welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/

to be

concluded>
http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/http://forum.501stspecopsdet.net/index.php?/topic/2191-welcome-to-the-newsletter-forum/

Documents

Spec Ops Newsletter