A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

This section defines terms you may encounter while building your armor or browsing armor websites:

A

AA - Andrew Ainsworth. The original maker of the screen-used Stormtrooper helmets.

ABS - Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene. A lightweight, rigid thermoplastic used to form white armor.

ABS Sunblock - Another term for white armor.

AFX - See Armor FX.

Armor FX - Also referred to as "AFX," a supplier of white armor.

Aurabesh - Refers to the font used for Imperial writing. Click here to download Aurabesh. And speaking of fonts, how about downloading my own Star Wars font Trilogy?

B

Bodysuit - The tight-fitting black undersuit worn beneath white armor.

Bucket - Another term for the helmet.

C

C2 - Star Wars Celebration II in 2002. Second in a series of official Star Wars conventions. See Celebration.

C3 - Star Wars Celebration III in 2005. Third in a series of official Star Wars conventions. Here I am in the official 501st C3 group photo. See Celebration.

Canon - Refers to a the body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art. In the world of white armor, canon usually refers to anything that has appeared "on-screen" in the Star Wars films.

Cannon(s) - Another term for the bicep armor which is worn between the shoulder bell and the forearm armor.

Celebration (Star Wars Celebration) - Name of the largest official Star Wars conventions.

D

D*C - See Dragon*Con.

Dragon*Con - Large fandom event featuring costuming, science fiction, fantasy and horror, comics and art, games and computers, animation, science, music, television and films. Held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Also called DC. Click here for the event website.

Dome - Refers to the top of the helmet.

Drop Knee Plate - Refers to the angular knee-guard at the top of the left shin armor. Also see Sniper Plate.

DT - Refers to "Dirty Tom", TK-370.

E

EU - Acronym for Expanded Universe. See Expanded Universe.

Expanded Universe - Refers to anything Star Wars-related, but not actually seen in the films. Also called EU.

F

Fast Rivets - Rivets which can be installed without the use of a rivet gun. The male end is inserted through a pre-made hole and then the female end is placed on top and secured by hammering.

Fighting 501st Legion - The international group of Star Wars costumers based upon the fictional detachment of Stormtroopers dedicated to Darth Vader. Also known as "Vader's Fist."

Frown - Refers to the "mouth" on the trooper helmet.

FRS - Family Radio Service. This commonly refers to the small and relatively inexpensive two-way radio for the purposes of voice communication between members of a group. The accepted 501st frequency is Channel 5, Subchannel 1.

FX - Refers to Armor FX or Movie FX armor.

G

Galaxy Trading - Also known as "GT", a now-defunct supplier of white armor.

Garrison - A localized group of 501st members, usually organized by state or region. Click here for the official list of 501st Garrisons, Squads and Outposts.

Gerardo Follano - A now-defunct supplier of white armor. Follano armor is typically more expensive, but highly accurate.

GF - Refers to Gerardo Follano, a supplier of white armor.

Gino - A maker of highly-accurate Stormtrooper helmets.

GT - Refers to Galaxy Trading, a supplier of white armor.

Greeblies - Small bits and pieces of miscellaneous hardware that add detail to a model or prop.

H

Hook and Loop - Common name for Velcro.

I

J

K

L

Lycra - A brand name for spandex.

M

Mod - Modification.

Movie FX - Brand name for German-made white armor suits.

Mylar - Brand name for thin strong polyester chrome tape.

MWG - Midwest Garrison. A division of the 501st Legion.

N

Necronomicon - Annual convention in Tampa, FL. Also called "Necro."

NEG - New England Garrison. A division of the 501st Legion.

NER - Northeast Remnant . A division of the 501st Legion.

O

O2 Cannister - Refers to the cylinder on the back of the belt. Also referred to as the "Thermal Detonator."

P

Plastic Welder - An alternative to ABS Cement, this strong epoxy cures in 15 minutes. Great for the impatient armor-builder. Image here.

Plasti-Weld - See Plastic Welder.

Polystyrene - A rigid thermoplastic polymer that can be molded into objects. Also called styrene. Also, see ABS.

PVC - Polyvinyl chloride. A thermoplastic resin commonly used to create plastic pipes.

Q

R

RA - See Richie's Armor.

Rebel Legion - The costuming group dedicated to Rebel characters. Click here for the Rebel Legion website.

Replica Props Forum - One of the most prop-intensive message boards out there. You will be astounded by the knowledge of the board members. Click here to check it out.

Resin (Casting) - A method in which liquid resin is poured into a mold and allowed to cure, resulting in a detailed replica.

Richie's Armor - An excellent costuming source. Click here for the website.

Rivet(s) - A metal bolt or pin having a head on one end, inserted through aligned holes in the pieces to be joined and then hammered on the plain end so as to form a second head.

RL - See Rebel Legion.

RPF - See Replica Props Forum.

S

Sintra - Brand name for rigid PVC foam board. Sheets of this thin plastic can be boiled in hot water and shaped. Not recommended for high detail.

Sniper Plate - Refers to the angular knee-guard at the top of the left shin armor. Also see Drop Knee Plate.

Spandex - A synthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane, used in the manufacture of elastic clothing.

Static Box - Refers to any electronic device that simulates the "static burst" sound made when a Stormtrooper is speaking.

Styrene - Refers to polystyrene, a rigid thermoplastic polymer that can be molded into objects. See ABS.

T

TE - See TrooperExpert. .

Thermal Detonator - Refers to the cylinder on the back of the belt. Also referred to as the "O2 Cannister."

TK-421 - The Imperial Stormtrooper whose uniform Luke Skywalker "borrowed" aboard the Death Star in Episode V1: A New Hope.

TrooperExpert - Also known as TE. The producer of highly-accurate Stormtrooper armor.

U

Under Armour - Brand name for black bodysuits worn underneath white armor. Click here for their website.

V

Vacuforming - A technique of forming white armor (and other plastic shapes). A sheet of plastic is heated, then stretch-formed over the master pattern by the suction power of a vacuum.

Vader's Fist - Nickname for the 501st Legion. See Fighting 501st Legion.

W

White Armor - Refers specifically to standard Imperial Stormtrooper armor.

Wookiee Cantina - A supplier of white armor.

X

Y

Z