RynoHawk

Welcome! The HWT can be lightly "scuffed up", but not dirty per se as would a Sand Trooper. The weathering I usually see is a cloudy dark grey or black color as opposed to the brownish dirty/sandy color used for the TD. See the CRL below for the official Legion description (for Level 2 certification) ; https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_hwt I would recommend if you haven't already to check out and register on the First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment (FISD) page for more reference and tips; https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/ Again, welcome and good luck!

Welcome!

Not in Knoxville but welcome! I too heard many more female stormtroopers in the latest movie than even in the previous two in the series which also had the occasional female stormtrooper. Either way, even before Episode 7 came out, the 501st has been open to females donning stormtrooper armor. I'm sure someone from the Knoxville area will pipe in and let you know where you can meet them, whether for coffee as you suggested or maybe a troop where you can see the armor up close.

Welcome! In the end it all comes down to what costume you want to do and what kind of budget you have to work with (as well as time to collect and put together all the resources for the costume). Generally there are enough troops to go around where all Vaders should get ample chance to troop. Stormtrooper is always great because there is no such thing as too many Stormtroopers.

Welcome! You should have no problem joining MSG if the majority of your troops will be in Chattanooga.

Welcome back!

Welcome and good luck on your Qui Gon build! You will gain additional access to our boards when you gain RL membership which is only slightly less than full 501st member access. We do actually use Facebook a lot as well, but anything important event wise would be posted on this forum as well.

We do like to eat! I'm not too familiar with restaurants in the Brentwood/Franklin area so I will let others chime in.

Picnics are fun, but it will probably be OMG hot in August.

Welcome! I agree with all Michael said. The black flight suit is the base piece for about five different costumes and is a great starter for the beginner trooper.

Welcome! Can't wait to see the finished product up close!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!