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Step 1 Draw the
trooper:
We use cardstock which is about 3 times
as thick as normal paper. The troopers can be hand drawn although we use
a basic template that was created in Microsoft Word and is two-sided. One side
has the troopers outline, the other side has the troopers mission paper. This saves a tremendous amount of time in mass producing troopers.
Step 2 Color the
trooper:
Mission Control prefers to use colored
pencils and generally sticks to a military motif. Flight Operations prefers to mix
colored pencils with bright sparkly Gel Pens for a more flamboyant look.
Step 3
Cut out the trooper. Cut along the outside border of the trooper
taking care not to damage an arm or a leg.
Step 4 Apply the
Altitude Suit:
Clear packing tape is used to cover
the trooper on both sides, then it is pressed together to form a moisture resistant barrier to protect the trooper. The "Altitude Suit" Keeps the Trooper dry and maintains the integrity of the lettering on the mission paper
which is paramount to recoveries.
Step 5 Trim the
altitude suit:
Cut the tape around the border of the
trooper leaving about 1/8th to 3/16th of an inch along the edge.
Step 6
Attach to balloon:
Use a hole puncher to
make a hole between the troopers hands. Pull the knotted end of the balloon through
the hole. The trooper is ready for flight!
Photos from the "Trooper Factory"
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