Great Lakes Garrison & Base

I just ordered an OT TIE helmet from WTF, which will be the base of a correct TIE outfit. I have a Marco TIE helmet and armor that will probably never pass muster, but I would like to get it looking the best it can get (though my former students loved it) before I sell it to purchase the approvable outfit. Met some of you in it at the Grand Rapids Comic Con, and was gratified to have you approve of--my belt! Have a couple questions: 1 What is the diameter of the silver male snap at the bottom of the chest box? 2. What is the diameter of the white and red greeblies on the top right of the chest box? Does anyone have a length of the correct hoses I could purchase? The ones that came with the armor are so stiff they push the helmet up!

Really tried contacting the 501st Legion TIE detachment, joined the forum and can't make any sense of it! Would appreciate meeting and corresponding GLG OT TIE costumers. Thanks in advance!!!!!

Hi Skywise, and welcome!

Whereabouts are you in MI? We have a few pilots running around the mitten.

The JRS forum is fairly quiet - I understand the frustration you may have experienced there. I have an ANH TI myself. I'd be happy to take some measurements for you in the morning. My armor/chest box is WTF, and he includes those bits, but I opted for some laser cut acrylic pieces from a different vendor. Cleaner edges, thinner, just looked better overall. The knurled knob and the jack (what I think you mean by male snap) are available in machined aluminum and are very reasonably priced for how good they look, but there are also cast and 3D printed version's out there.

On eBay, search for Russian gas mask hoses. These are rubber, very flexible, and really look great. Length can be cut to your build/height. I'd guess my hoses are in the neighborhood of 16" but again, I'll measure in the a.m.

If you like, shoot me some pictures of what you have. I can let you know if it's able to make the grade or what it would need. trooper60609@gmail.com

Good luck with your build! I'm happy to help however I can.

-John

Thanks, John. I'm a retired teacher in Kalamazoo. My brother lives in Bay City. There were a lot of problems with the Marco TIE: No gears or horizontal white line on chest box, white and red greeblies on top of chest box were actual knobs for the cheep sound effects, Helmet missing "earwell" and the three raised dot details on ear box, Top of mohawk is a separate piece screwed on, etc.

Here's some pics for you: Gas mask hose canister attachment is epoxied to the inside of the helmet.
Russian gas mask hose. I was right! Almost exactly 16"
Knurled knob, approx 1" dia
Phone jack, approx 1/2" where it's flush with the chest box
Red and white buttons, approx 5/8".

Keep in mind, the CRLs don't go into this level of specificity and ultimately the parts should be well proportioned to your particular chest box.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a million! Gives me a few things to work on. Going to GR on Tuesday to get leather for several accessories, upgrades and repairs.

Just got the Russian gas mask hoses today! No more stiff hoses pushing the front of my helmet up! Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking, since I have a new TIE helmet coming from WTF, why not turn my old one into an AT-AT driver? Just a thought.

Have you joined the 501st JRS Social Group on Facebook yet?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391106727874835/

I have been a member of the JRS for as long as I have the 50st, and I find it an awesome place for information.