STACK New Zealand December Issue 69

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How many 501st Garrisons are
there in Australia, and which one
do you belong to?
Nationally we consist of four
Garrisons. There is the Redback
Garrison serving Queensland,
Southern Dewback Garrison in SA,
Southern Cross Garrison operates
throughout New South Wales/ACT,
and Terror Australis Garrison takes
care of WA, Tassie, Victoria, and if
need be, Northern Territory. I troop
under Terror Australis in the Knightfall
Squad.
What’s the approximate
membership nationally?
There are 406 active Legionnaires
within Australia, of approx. 8,100
auxiliaries worldwide.
How long have you been a member?
I’m what’s known as a “shiny” as my armour
is still quite glossy. With a smidge over two
years in the Legion, I’ve completed 45 troops.
Did your costume initially pass inspection,
or did you have to modify it to meet 501st
standards?
As we advise any potential recruit, research
is key in getting any costume up to scratch. My
first build took three months to complete, and
with the eight weeks waiting for the plastic to
be vacuformed and shipped from overseas,
I spent my evenings trawling the forums
and viewing screenshots of A New
Hope. Upon receiving the plastics, I was
measuring repeatedly and test fitting
many times; with such diligence, my
costume was cleared first attempt.
What’s the current going rate
for a Stormtrooper uniform?
Unfortunately, being
down in Australia we have
to deal with overheads like
a fluctuating US dollar and
intl shipping. Between
plastic, soft parts, boots,
blaster and tools/paints, my
costume was around $1,700.
How comfortable is the uniform, and are
bathroom breaks a challenge?
At first it was pretty uncomfortable, but the
more one troops, the more we articulate limbs
and increase functionality. I can now run, sit,
fall and pick myself up with ease… as for the
bathroom thing, it requires nearly undressing
completely, unless you can work things around a
two-piece undersuit.
How frequently do 501st appearances/
events/opportunities arise?
We get requests on a regular basis for troops;
we have scheduled visits to the Royal Children’s
Hospital every three months. There are quite a
few events that we repeat annually, and with
the lead-up to the new movie, our requests
have surged with the film's popularity. The
501st is always receptive to engagement,
best accessible via an event request on
What kind of events have
you attended – local and/or
international?
Any events where
I can troop alongside
my friends and fellow
legionnaires are always
the best. Additionally, I’m
a fan of the international
convention circuit. Earlier
this year I flew out to
Anaheim for Star Wars Celebration VII, and just
recently in LA for Stan Lee’s Comikaze. My aim
is to get to San Diego Comic-Con next year.
Through the Legion, I have forged friendships
globally.
What’s been the most memorable/rewarding
experience to date for you as a 501st
trooper?
Most memorable moment was meeting the
father of a small girl who was going through
chemotherapy, out and about one day, who was
telling us about the struggles the family had
been going through seeing their daughter fight
cancer, and how our visit to the Starlight room
had for a brief moment allowed her to forget
about the chemo and just enjoy a tea party with
a Stormtrooper.
How many First Order Stormtroopers have
joined the ranks of the 501st?
I know that there have been nearly 200 suits
of armour stamped, I don’t know the actual
approved numbers. However, I see friends
on Facebook posting their approvals, so I can
assure you the number is greater than four.
Do you see your ranks swelling following
The Force Awakens?
Even in the build up to the new trilogy, fan
interest has led to a steady stream of fresh
recruits, and I can see this figure growing much
further.
If you spot a Stormtrooper, Snowtrooper or CloneTrooper at a public event
(that doesn't involve cosplay), it's a safe bet they're members of the 501st
Legion, the global StarWars costuming club and a force in charity work,
whose numbers now rank in the thousands. STACK caught up with Melbourne
member Adam Ingeme.
visit Q&A
22 DECEMBER 2015
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