Thanks nick-a-tron

So had an idea for a display stand for the helmet. Since the camera is functional, why not have something to view it on? The answer is a mini monitor situated under the helmet. My plan is to have it operate in two modes, live feed, and display.

When the helmet is resting on its post it plays Aliens in a loop, when the helmet is removed from the post it switches to live feed for the helm cam.

Not intirely sure how I'm going to do that, but with today's technology, there are several options.


Talking of tech, I was sorting out some electronic items I got given a while back, didn't bother checking too hard as its very old stuff (late 70s early/mid 80s) and I play with surface mount componants a lot.

One odd item that caught my eye (most was home mafe stuff and unmarked so not sure what they used to do) had this nice all metal phono jack attached to it, and the wire (though grey), is a very close guage to the ones in my referance pics.


I dremeled the shaft off and re-bored the centre hole to fit the boom arm



Its not that accurate, but I think it completes the overall look better.

Great idea with the jack, looks great!
I might do the same thing

If you do go ahead with the display, you could paint it up to look like a big motion tracker screen.

Keep it up mate!

_________________
AKA: Simon

Thanks, I'm honoured

Hmm, big MT screen, not a bad idea that, or a sulaco console maybe.

One more detail cleared, I can prime this piece now.

Or an APC Commando Center
Great progress!

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

Thanks 577_ops


Liking the suggestions guys, will see what happens.

As a surer way of fixing the wired end onto the boom arm, I drilled a small hole through the threaded shank base and the tube and cleaned up the threads. I'm then going to pin it with a very snug fitting nail to hold it in place.


I also took full advantage of the great weather we are suddenly having and got busy with my spray cans


Ran out of white primer



Gloss black, and then chrome for this piece, the lobe, and lobster plates


Once the chrome is dry, I paint the flecks, chips and scratches with dayglow pink latex (I just chose a colour I'd never paint on my props ).

A hairdryer speeds things up no end, so the whole process won't take too long. I'll then paint the camo on everything but stop just short of washes/inks/weathering. At this point I'm going remove most of the latex chips and scratches from under the camo paint layers to reveal the chrome, though I think I'll leave one or two latex scratches/chips for after final washes and/or inks to make them look like they got made in a more recent skirmish.

Bit more done

Quick question for you marines. What do you use to line the lobe plates with?

Olive green yoga mat. You can get them with the square pattern.

Thanks nick-a-tron, I'll check some out.

I think I've got a section of mat left big enough for the thinner plate left over from my build, Nick sent me it so it's the right stuff.
Give me a pm if you want it buddy

_________________
AKA: Simon

That's awesome, thanks. PM inbound

I think I have just come across a batch of the re-released brown bess for sale (186 matt brown bess), but not sure if its worth it if the colour is off too much. I'm under the impression that this paint is also hard to come by, but wanted to know if there were closer alternatives, or if I should snap them up.

Got your PM mate, I'll send it off next week for you

Is the paint you've found Humbrol?

_________________
AKA: Simon

Thanks man, very much appreciated

As to the paint, it is indeed Humbrol, and advertised as #187 brown bess.

Ooo good find
Might be worth buying the lot and flog em on here perhaps.

_________________
AKA: Simon

I think it might just be the wording they used, I found a lot of humbrol #186 matt brown for sale around.

Here's a screen grab with the colour/shade in question.

Nice weather has brought the spray cans out again

First the lens


Silvered the helmet parts


Found the helm cam greeblies, stuck em on and gave it some primer

Lobster plates and ear hinge got the treatment this morning, silver goes on in 48hrs.

Hi guys


Not much progress, mostly deciding on various details while I wait for the rest of the paint to arrive. One such detial is olive drab, I didn't think was so hard to decide which brand to go with, the colours seem to vary quite a bit.

I'm using Frost's helmet as my main reference for this build and want to recreate the colour of the helm cam (I'm assuming it's BB). I figured I would start with OD and see if I could get close to it using coloured washes, but each brand of OD (if the the vendors colour charts are accurate) would need a different wash combination to get it right.

Here's a comparison chart I made


So in the name of science (and the fact it's the last payday before I have to hand it over) I bought all four, and a variety of washes to go with. Once they all arrive I'll do a real comparison and wash test.

Well, the lobster plates are prepped and ready, and I'm painting on the latex chips n scratches later this evening

The Tamiya paints arrived today, but didn't get a chance to do a colour test so will find some time tomorrow.

I ended up re-silvering the helmet however as I made the mistake of clear coating it. As sure as nails aint breakfast, the chrome went dull as soon as the clear coat touched it :/

The good news is, the ultra smooth nature of the top coat means the chrome came out way better than with thh black gloss coats


Probably would have been better to clear coat the gloss black, then spray the chrome for the best results, but it's good enough for me as is.

Just waiting for the last of the colours to arrive, and then I'm going to attempt the frog and leaf camo (or as close an approximation as I can manage), then its onto the personal touches.

Made a quick free hand scetch of the frog and leaf camo pattern tonight, I want to get a feel for the shapes and how they interact before drawng on the helmet. I'll probably keep drawing them until they look half respectible :p


More torrow

Forgive me if I have it wrong, but isn't that more based on the USCM BDU (and helmet cover) camo pattern?

The USCM armour camo is a lot simpler IMO, and obviously different.

Anyway great job so far.

Martin

_________________
Martin 'Victim' Victory
A86/TQ3.4.49421E3
UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. Freebooters


you can't take the PUNK outa Spunkmeyer