Greetings, from your leader

Spec 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

June
In this issue:
Statement from our DL A word from our XO
1-2

Merch Update Bios CRL Update Tips & Tricks Ask izzi Wrap Up

3 4-16 17-18 19-21 22-23 24

continue to page 2

General Spec Ops Statistics New Registrations: Since March 1, 2013, we have had over 75 new registrations on the Spec Ops forum. Our board is very active 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 over 111 new topic posts! That's some really good activity for our Detachment. In the upcoming months, I anticipate this to increase even more as we continue to advertise and recruit new members. Well done troops! Web Server Traffic: During the month of March 2013, we had over 4,022 unique visitors to the site with over 125,295 pages hit. As our web server traffic increases, we have also experienced a few "sluggish" moments. I have been working 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 help to 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!

From Fiction to Reality A Debriefing from our XO

We all should commend the efforts of our Detachment 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. It often requires a major investment of time and money in seeking out a maker for custom pieces or creating items entirely from scratch. The road can be paved with repeated failures and the perseverance to continue can be difficult to maintain. FiveZero (Ty), we appreciate the path you are paving for others and look forward to the first time each one of these costumes brings a smile to a kid's face.

Merchandise Update And other cool stuff, from ELP

Completed: Pin Run. 501 pins ordered and shipped out. On-going: Spec. Ops Tattoos using the Det. Crest for the 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 Lord Detachment. Design thread starting 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 members) 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.

Staff Bios
I 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!

DL - Jim Griffin: TX - 8455

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 for an upcoming Realms-CON event. It was a blast! Since joining the Legion and the Spec Ops Detachment, I have served as the Spec Ops Webmaster and now Detachment Leader. I am an active member of the Star Garrison here in the North Texas squad, as well as a member of the Pathfinders, FISD, and Jolly Roger Squadron Detachments. I currently have a TX-Shadow Stormtrooper, TB -Biker Scout, TK-Stormtrooper, a TS-Tie Pilot and I'm actively working on a TX-Shadow Scout.

XO - Steve Leahy: TX - 5755

I joined the 501st in the summer of 2009, after a year-long hiatus from working on my armor due to unemployment. The first troop I participated in following my approval was the Long Beach Comic Con in 2009. As a brand new con, its first year allowed me to interact with other troopers in a 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 make to 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 and continue to serve as Executive Officer. In addition to the Spec Ops detachment, I am also a member of the Imperial Officers Corp. and Imperial Gunnery Corp.

COTG - Michael Keener: TX - 4994

izzi was inducted into the Legion in 2008, after saving a herd of rabid Snartharian Bantha from evil Voidian Bunny Walkers. He was immediately upgraded from TK status straight into TX as Blackhole Trooper TX4994, 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 and slept through the entire ordeal. It turned out that the entire thing was an ambush and his squad was wiped out during his snooze. Apparently information was leaked from Vader to the rebels, because he was jealous of their chrome lenses and teeth. If Vader couldn't have nifty chrome lenses and teeth, no one else in the Empire could either. Being the only one left (and not knowing how to pilot the drop ship) izzi snuck into the rebel base and overloaded their power generator by unplugging 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 a strange 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 animal on that planet, known as the Mormon cricket, for food. After his rehabilitation back into imperial society, he was granted an audience 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'm easy." So the Emperor called it Novatrooper armor since it was born in an explosion and sent TX-4994 immediately to peel potatoes for his lack of respect. From the dungeons of the mess hall, izzi has often pretended 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

COTG - Luis Carazo: TX - 3758

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 costume 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 something with a little more attitude. I went back to my old comic collections and choose the Blackhole (I wasn't aware of the Crimson Empire series yet). Then I logged into the forum and started 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 October 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?)

MBO - Matt Mills: TX - 5575

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 costume, 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 was going to be a member of the dark side, no Rebel shenanigans 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 Stormtroopers were all robots, due in no small part to how the troopers seemed to fall down unnaturally. Now I understand 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, Hospitality, Print, Bartending and window washing. And after a year off I'm looking forward to putting that cacophony of experience, mixed with a real enjoyment of trooping, back to work for the detachment.

DEC - Rhea Cutler: TX - 7833

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 couple 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) costumes.. Costume for Halloween this year: the Bride of Frankenstein! Im also probably THE BIGGEST Dave Dorman fan in the known universe. Who wants to read the Bio that Izzi created for me? https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=-W9rl59rAp1x2p8tJVeZjQ

DA - Ty Graham: TX - 5036
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 a beautiful 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 immediately 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 valuable 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 Darktrooper. 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.

DM - Todd Maxfield - Matsumoto: TX - 6647

I joined the Legion in February of 2012. I did my first troop solo at Tukwila Elementary in Washington State. I manage a Barnes and Noble store and during our 2011 Holiday book drive, we collected 1100 new books for the children of Tukwila Elementary, which has over 50% free and reduced lunch. I presented the books at a school assembly as The Booktrooper. That year I assembled a number of costumes including: Shadow Stormtrooper, Nova Trooper, Nova Elite, Shadow Scout, Sandtrooper, Snowtrooper, TIE Reserve, Imperial Bridge Crew, Scanning Crew, TIE Pilot, AT-ST Driver, ANH Stormtrooper, Incinerator Trooper, Utapau Shadow Clone, Royal Guard, and Imperial Gunner, and Navy Trooper. So far this year I have completed Imperial Staff Officer and Tusken Raider with a couple more in the works. I am on the command staff of the Galactic Academy as Membership Officer, and I love making kids happy when their costumes are approved. I hold costume honors such as Mos Eisley Police Officer, EIB and Centurion. In addition to that I'm currently GML/GWL for Garrison Titan and proud to be Costume Mentor for Special Ops!

DTW - Pete Vellos: TX - 71379

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 cannot 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 Garrison, as well as a Staff Member of the 501 Spec Ops Boards. Yes, this rookie was honored to be asked to be part of 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 Trooper) 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.

CMD - CRL - Rob Palethorpe: TX - 3955

I joined the 501st back in 2008, with the bog standard Stormtrooper, whilst I was in the process of constructing 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, a Storm Commando and the Snow Scout. I am the Chief Armourer for the UK Garrison and organise 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!

CRL Team - Terry Browning: TX - 8869

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 super 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 costume 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 Team - Adam Cannon: TX - 2943

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 currently 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 Magmas 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 Team - Shane Norris: TX - 7753

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 animated 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 active Trooper. With the Sale of the Gree, I purchased my SDS Shadow Trooper. That would have to be the favourite of all my costumes I currently have or have had in the past. Next costume to build after that was my Shadow Scout. It is currently having upgrades 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.

Coming in from the Cold:

A Snow Scout's Journey
It all started back in about 2009/2010 when a random picture of a speeder bike zipping across Hoth showed up. Feeling a little dejected with the sunny climes of Endor, it was time to get in the thick of it. The Snow Scout was a logical choice for me, since I had done my Biker Scout. I'd just completed the Storm Commando and was looking for the next thing to keep me going. The debate started like an Ion Cannon going off, people were well excited about it and opinions raged. The image was fuzzy, there was a lot of speculation and a lot was open to interpretation. The other Detachments were not really up for embracing the challenge, but Spec Ops in true style, grabbed this by its frosty balls and went wild. With detailed breakdowns of the sketch, overlays of armour types, scaled figures built.. the works, a few of us decided to actually go for 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 reference wasn't sufficient enough for it to pass Approval. And that was it Dead in the water. But maybe not... This is Spec Ops after all, and we do the impossible. Bro carried on with his, I dutifully chipped away at making my bucks for the bits I needed (I don't like to buy things!) and I knew it was going 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 overdrive! Josh took it upon himself to do some very "Black Ops" work and contacted Jamie Snell, the LFL artist, to see if we could get some artwork made up for it. A lot of work went on behind closed doors, a lot of set-backs and an even larger amount of perseverance then ensued. Sure enough, the impossible was achieved. Jamie penned enough artwork from Bro's costume for the Trading Card series that made the Legion sit up and take notice. When we had the potential 'green light' from Command, that was it... Time to ramp up the continue to page 18

Coming in from the Cold:

A Snow Scout's Journey
timescale. I'd got most of the parts... they just needed putting together. I got it all sorted, and then the battle with my GML started. He was just as much in the dark about it as the rest of the world and a lot of arguing was needed. He couldn't get his head around the fact that references had been made from a costume already made. Eventually that battle was won.... It was presented to the Legion. We scored a major victory! We had been organised, my own costume was identical to Bro's, and identical to the references. So it was accepted. We'd done it!! A new costume approved through the Legion. The precedent has been set. So what does this mean for all you lot? Well, there's another cool costume on the roster for you all to do. But more importantly, it shows that with a bit of will and determination you can put together those odd ball costumes and stand a chance of getting 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 think is enough reference material to get approved through the Legion. So what are you apes waiting for, get building! Chef TX-3955

An Introduction to Pepakura
Armor 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 more flexible 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 to page 20

An Introduction to Pepakura
Armor Building
by TX-5036

Pieces laid out for assembly

Assembled foam helmet (note how smooth the surface is)

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 imperfections/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.

Continue to page 21

An Introduction to Pepakura
Armor Building
by TX-5036

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

Ask izzi:
An Egotists Answers to Life and Armor
Darthmrl Asks: How do I keep from getting pinched" by my upper bicep armor on my shadow scout? Tried loosening the strap but still pinches." Quite simply Mearl, it's high time you pinched it back. Once it realizes you're ready to retaliate, it'll think twice before giving you any more trouble. " If you're traveling at the speed of light and turn on your headlights, what happens?" You crash. Splattum Asks: Why is 'Splizzi's' no longer open?" " Utah chat room liquor laws. We couldn't secure a license so everyone left for a chat room to go where they could buy a beer. ELP Asks: " Being from a location that get's both rather warm and rather cold do you have any advise for troopers when preparing for a warm or cold troop in terms of: under cloths, hydration, keeping cool (or warm) while trooping, etc." Awesome question! First off, whether you're in the heat or in the cold, hydrate! More so in the heat. It helps to wear a two piece Under Armour Heatgear suit for ease of releasing excess hydration. If possible I'd leave the sides of my armor open in order to catch a breeze and keep cool. In the cold, you could double up on everything: Socks and more socks, gloves with heating pads, thermals under your undersuit. I never want to freeze during a winter parade again. Again, hydrate so you can keep your body temperature regulated and don't faint. Which brings me to the "Endor Ewok Hunt" campaign. It's been decided that Spec Ops should go to Endor and do our white Biker Scout brethren a favor. There we will hunt the furry creatures that are the bane of the Empire's existence and after we shall have a giant Ewok meat BBQ and have all the furs you need to keep warm in colder environments! RSVP with me before all spots are sold out!

Master Tej Asks: " If you burp, fart, and sneeze at the same time, will you die?" Of embarrassment, yes.

continue to page 23

Ask izzi:
An Egotists Answers to Life 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. 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 the Simon and Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson." "Just the Robinsons' affair. / Most of all, you've got to hide it / from the kids / Coo coo ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson..." Pretty much spells out what's going on here. What most don't know is that Koo Koo Kachoo (Coo coo cachoo) actually comes from the term Cuckold (An English derivative of the French term cuccault). It was created in reference to the Cuckoo bird who's females would occasionally lay eggs in another's nest instead of raising their young themselves. It's interesting that a cuckold is actually a reference to a man with an adulterous wife, and another way of mocking him or calling him foolish for allowing it to happen. Seeing how I don't have a wife and am not a wife myself, I can't be a cuckold or go out and "Koo Koo Kachoo," so they have no reason to catch me. But if I could... MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

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/

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/

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