FISD June 2010 Newsletter

June 2010 FISD Newsletter

Greetings Troops!

It's hard to believe that in barely two months DragonCon and Celebration V will occur, leaving not that much time to get armor in to shape and buy those last patches or coins for trades/jackets. In preparation for "Con Season", FISD staff has been hard at work this past month: t-shirt runs, two new blaster sections on the Academy, putting the finishing touches on trading card designs and also a 12" color patch that will go on sale soon.

We've also welcomed 9 new Expert Infantryman to our ranks and are making good progress on the CRL's (a big thanks to the Combat Photographers). Did you also know...

1. That the Incinerator Trooper is the only costume we have left that does not have an EIB recipient? There's a great conversation going on about the details at http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11489, including a great idea on how to make an accurate pauldron.
2. We're now at 121 Expert Infantrymen, only 35 more to go to catch MEPD. Can we do it troopers? Yes we can! Many of you are just a mod or two away, so get your kit in gear today and let's show the Empire how great the stormtrooper costume really is. And, only 25 Gold EIB-only coins left in stock, after which there will be none until the next coin run.
3. What the heck is ATA, AM, TM, and RT? Why they are various makes of stormtrooper armor. If you're unsure of the latest info on makes and their comparisons, a quick check on FISD can keep you up to date and informed (http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11538).
4. There was some concern about FISD Service Medals being awarded both for staff service as well as outstanding contributions to FISD by the general membership. As such, I've split the award: the FISD Service Award being for service on staff and the FISD Achievement Award for a singular or repeated contribution to FISD. N'ol was even kind enough to help do the render from my design concept:
   
   
   While it may seem a trivial point, I believe that people should be recognized for outstanding contributions to our community. It's the least we can do as a thank-you for making FISD truly a place of troopers helping troopers.
   
   
5. There is also an open poll for detachment members on whether to dis-allow the E-11 as being an acceptable weapon for Expert Infantry status for the Heavy Weapons Trooper at http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11496. If you are a detachment member, please share your voice!

With the year being nearly half over and much of the staff's focus already set on the CRL's and Academy, I'd like to ask you - the members of FISD - what you think we should be working as well, or any questions/concerns you have about the detachment and where we're going. I'd love to hear from you.

With unquestioned loyalty,

Daetrin
TK-8020

Repair and Refit

Every month in the FISD newsletter, we will feature tutorial and tip threads that we feel troopers should be aware of because of their uniqueness, excellence, and relevance.

The featured tutorials for May are:

How To Make Your Own Boots Written by firebladejedi Written by our own firebladejedi, this How-To gives some great ideas on boots, a topic we are all interested in.

How To Make a Holster Written by riveting Even if you aren't interested in making a holster, this thread offers a lot of useful information, particularly in the areas of dimensions and technique.

From the XO's Desk

Behind the scenes at the FISD

Many people wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the FISD, so I'll try to give a peak at what goes on behind closed doors.

The Imperial Propaganda Machine has been jumping lately. For anyone who does not know, the Imperial Propaganda Machine (IPM) is the graphics, photo shop, and anything else visual team that has been a huge help to the FISD since it started a couple months ago. It's been busy lately getting the last couple images done for the ANH stunt/base CRL entry done, and as soon as that is done the ANH hero, and ESB CRL images are waiting. Hat's off to Jesse TK-4702 for getting the FISD trading card project back on track. He has been able to put our ideas into images with lightning speed and we are almost done tweaking with the best looking trading card in the galaxy. Keep you eyes open for a sneak peek soon.

The FISD Staff area has been quiet this spring and summer as most of the ongoing projects are in the IMP area. There has been the usual staff member chit chat and Legion gossip. The biggest topics have been future merchandise runs, forum bugs like the recent run of double posts that are happening, and service award talk. There have also been a number of topics about monthly newsletters ;) .

Other than that it's been quiet for the FISD admins since the website launched and the forum upgrade. Of course we are always looking to add content to the website, and link to the best of the best on the FISD forums so if you know of a thread you think ought to be featured on the website give us a shout.

With Unquestioned Loyalty,

Terrell (TK-1787)

Imperial Security Report

Double Posts
I've noticed quite a few double posts lately, in fact deleting double posts seems to be the moderator action I have to take most often. I myself have noticed that new posts (and especially new topics) can be very slow to load, noticeably slower than last year when we were on the old software. However, I ask that before you assume your post failed to load and hit the "post" button again, give it a minute. If it's still going, open another tab or session and check to see if your post loaded before you repost.

For Sale & Merch Policies / WTB Threads
If you haven't noticed yet, the rules for buying and selling merchandise now appear prominently at the top of every thread in the "For Sale or Trade – Personal Items" and "Ongoing Sales & Project Orders" forums. They also appear at the top of the "501st Only For Sale & Trade" and "Detachment Merch" sections for those who have access. Note that the rules are somwhat different between them, so please pay attention and if you are a seller, be sure to place your thread in the correct section. Along those lines, there have been a rash of Want to Buy Armor/Helmet threads over the past couple of months. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that WTB Armor & Helmet threads are expressly prohibited. Obviously we have multiple TK armor vendors here – IMO the best you'll find anywhere on the internet. However, the FISD is not an armor Craigslist, so please don't treat is as such. I know most of you who have been here a while are mindful of this, but fo r those of you who are new , please "Read and Heed."

With Unquestioned Loyalty,

Brian (tkrestonva)
TK-2918

For Imperial Eyes Only

Intelligence officer reporting for duty!
This month has been packed with local Garrison duties and lots of activity on FISD!

Most recently, I've been updating the E-11 blaster pages on the FISD academy site. They are still in progress and will continue to be updated. Check out some of the content here:
http://www.whitearmor.net/home/tutorials/blaster-tutorials/e-11-sterling.html
http://www.whitearmor.net/home/tutorials/blaster-tutorials/e-11-sterling/hasbro-blasters.html

I've also created a PVC E-11 kit tutorial, and a T-21 light repeating blaster scratch build tutorial

PVC E-11 Pipe kit : http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11326

T-21 blaster : http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11017

I'm currently working on some of the TK armor sections, most recently the legs (thighs and shins) for the FISD Academy site. These articles will be completed before months end.

Tips of the Month:

Comparison of 2 different types of paint used on helmets. Good resource for those deciding on types / brands of paint.
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=10881&st=0&p=136274&hl=spray%20paint&fromsearch=1&#entry136274

Good thread on harnesses, and reference pictures
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11266

Mark / Firebladejedi with an ingenious way to close the back of the shin armor!
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=7123&st=40

I have no idea how I missed this thread by Stukatrooper "Professor Peter the Stormtrooper Doctor" on how to combine the ROM / FX into 1 unit with an external switch. Cool idea and finished with the great detail and style that Peter is known for!
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=10152

Sonnenschein / Karin has a great tutorial here for Latex handplates you can make yourself!
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=10235

Personally, I've pretty much finished my AM ANH build. I'm quite pleased with it and it's held up to trooping very well! My hope was that I could take armor that didn't have any screen lineage but still make it look well finished, and sized for a slimmer build. The build thread is here:

http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=10434

I've organized a good number of local troops for the Outer Rim Squad / Badlands Garrison in the past 5 weeks, with trooping almost every weekend! It started off with Free comic book day on May 1st, then a troop to promote a private screening / fundraiser for the ESB Make a Wish foundation, then a troop to promote for Star Wars in Concert, and most recently a troop for the Relay for Life (cancer research)! It's been a blast, and it was great to test out my AM build.

June will be a busy month as I complete my E-11 pipe kit, T-21 blaster and start a new project!

Stay sharp, Troopers!

Terry / Pandatrooper
FISD Intelligence Officer

Imperial Commissary

Greetings all! There are now more opportunities to show your pride in FISD, or even just add to your collections.

Currently Shipping The initial FISD 2010 t-shirt run was so successful a make-up run was done and new shirts should be shipping soon. FISD full color decals and EIB decals are now available for ordering, as are EIB gold coins (only 25 left!). Please see the Detachment Merch Forum for all the latest goods available.

Coming in the next few weeks The FISD trading card design is almost complete and an ordering thread should appear soon. Also available will be FISD patches, EIB rocker patches, and also beret flashes. Just the thing to spruce up that legion jacket or other clothing in time for summer trooping. And if that's not enough, a 12" color patch is currently being worked on and should be available soon as well.

It's looking to be a good summer of solid trooping for our members, and we're here to help you with all your merch needs.

With Unquestioned Loyalty,

Wyatt (TK-4205)

Crosshairs

Crosshairs will (again) be back next month, but to do that, I need help from you! This thread http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11297 is where you should post people that you feel should be featured in the newsletter...ignore the "June nominations open" part. You can also message me directly with either suggestions or offers for articles.

Thanks!

Dan

From the Communications Officer

I am encouraged again to see the FISD membership growing and working together, and it has been a pleasure to watch areas like the Imperial Propaganda Machine and the Academy take off. We are getting into one of the busy parts of the year, with DragonCon and Celebration coming up, and I expect that we'll continue to add new members, and have existing troopers looking to upgrade their equipment, both of which will lead to more action on this board. Some people may not appreciate this, but if you have browsed around some of the other 501st boards, we are, by far, the most active board, and when you ask a question here, it gets answered...fast! Good job, and keep trooping.

With unquestioned loyalty,

Daniel "Debater2nd"
TK-2618
FISD Communications Officer

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