This Month in Fibreglass: Military special

As we all know, Star Wars is real and this months' this month, is feeling the force. Not only dog uniforms but also a look into empire created special composites. So, check out how the Stormtroopers do it, while we hold tight to the bandwagon we just jumped onto.

Lord Vader Opens New Dog Unit

Dogs....Why do they always look like their owners?

I say! Our brave boys got a special treat this month, his Highness Lord Vader called in to visit the troops at a new canine unit and doesn't this new four legged soldier look ready for action. Our new trainee has some serious bite and will jolly well make those Rebels think twice if they want to take on the glorious empire, good show lads! Darth looks super pleased with events and is giving two thumbs up to these plucky fellows.

This is not the dog you are looking for.

Say hello to Penny, a Doberman who loves to dress up. Here she is in a foam/fibreglass trooper outfit
to join her owner at charity events. To find out more and see even more pictures of maximum cuteness, click here.

Fictional Fibreglass

Multi-Frequency Targeting and Acquisition System (MFTAS) for close range barn doors

The empire are kind to their staff, look at the workwear provided! This must go way beyond minimum guidelines from the health and safety inspector, and I have found out some plastic facts about these cool battle uniforms. According to Wookiepeedia, they are made from a Plastoid Composite Armor and can partially deflect or disperse energy from low, medium, and high-energy blaster bolts. I am in Geek heaven and giggling like a girl. Keep checking in to see if we can source Plastoid Composite, so far no luck.

Comparing the old and new Stormtrooper armour

 Back to real life though and this wired.co.uk article has an interview with Michael Kaplan, costume designer. He compares the construction methods of both the old armour and the new designs created for Star Wars VII.
 "The original stormtroopers were vacuum-formed," says Kaplan. "That process required a much thinner plastic to be heated and molded. These are much harder [cast in polyurethane], so they don't crack. They're much tougher materials, plus they have more flexibility."