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Second Opinions on my choice of Armor
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5661		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  PvtSmitty [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:34 am ]
Post subject:  Second Opinions on my choice of Armor
Ive searched and it looks like Im making a sound decision, but just want to get the final ok from you guys.

I am 5'10" 145# Slender build (no duh right)

I might be getting a decent deal on the armor pieces from Westerfield Studios. I did some searching here and even tho it doesnt appear to be the preferred choice (Spat or TE) I haven't read any negatives.

So what do you guys think?

thanks in advance!
Author:  Eagleskull [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Get Mr. Spats armor, best purchase i made.
Author:  PvtSmitty [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:44 am ]
Post subject: 
thats what I have heard, but I like the idea of building it myself which was a big turn off for me with the Spat armor as it comes already assembled, gotta admit tho, that Spat armor looks phenominal.
Author:  Harry Harris [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've never seen the Westerfield Studios armour, actually I've never heard of them in terms of USCM gear. Is their armour a recast of the Dietrich set that was made available after Alien War closed?

If there are any photos of it that you can point us curious folks to that would be helpful in deciding for you.

Right now I'd say Spat all the way, and having it pre built is going to save you a lot of hassle and will save you potentially having to ask a hundred and one questions about assembling it too! ;)

Harry
Author:  Dropshipbob [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've never heard of Westerfield either. I too would go with Spat. If you talk to him, you *might* be able to get him to send you raw pulls of his armor. Heck, it's less work for him that way, no trimming, no painting, just vac and throw in a box!

I know there's more to it than that, but really, if he doesn't have to trim or paint, I'd think he'd be agreeable to that.
Author:  FIDO [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
read his faq (very funny)
he wont do that :wink:
Author:  SSgt Burton [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yeah it has to do with preventing anyone from recasting his armour.


Westerfield Studios had a booth at Dragon Con last year. They didn't have a full set of armour, but had a helmet on display.

Let's just say it did not look impressive at all. The earpiece/boommike looked very wrong. I wish I could be more descriptive other than saying the whole thing looked "off".

Here is a pic from their website- it's rather large so I've made it a link:

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/ ... 5_27360532

Kevin
Author:  punkmarine [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
http://www.westerfieldstudios.com/uscmarmor.html :?

Yep I'd definitely go with Spats, and especially while the sale is on.
Author:  Harry Harris [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Here is a pic from their website- it's rather large so I've made it a link:

Ewwwwwww!! That's horrible. The detail, or what's left of it is somewhat 'dull'.

Harry
Author:  The_BDK [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
I thought someone on here had a set of their armor at one time?


Spats go for Spats.
Author:  PvtSmitty [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yeah I read Spat's FAQ and I was pretty sure the reason behind it was to prevent recasting. Which really sucks for us hobbyists that like to build stuff. I think my only other alternative for building my own would be GoldenArmor, but I have read enuff about that guy to send me running in the opposite direction.

What do you guys think about this:
Go with the Westerfield body armor and get a good looking bucket from Spat (possibly unpainted)

Unless you guys know of somewhere else to get it in raw kit form.

My big thing is removing the personal building element of the armor takes away about 90 percent of the fun...and pride for that matter.

That second pic of the Westerfield finished armor does look pretty crappy.
Author:  punkmarine [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Personally I think painting/decorating/customising your armour is more fun. :D

I mean if that kit is already cut (as it looks in the pics) then all you will be doing is pop-riveting straps and buckles to fit it all together.
Hardly building it, and to be honest not that much fun to me. :wink:
Author:  PvtSmitty [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
I saw some pics of the kit I was planning on getting and it will require trimming. The Shoulder straps and shoulder bells and flaps are all on one buck for each shoulder. It appears tho that the kit may be missing the helmet lobster tail and One of the knee pads. The helmet is plastic anyway and I like the idea of a real M1 bucket. It adds to the "realism"

Image
Author:  joeranger [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
I built mine for the same reason. The fun part for me is in building it. I had an advantage in that my cousin was in a body cast for a year. So I started our with a basic shell that was cushioned, form fitting ABS plastic. The other pieces are cut from a garbage can.
I will eventually buy Spats shoulder bells, legs, and lobster plates.
Actually, I built all of my stuff first, but now I am slowly replacing items with Screen accurate versions.

I agree with the fun part being the painting and personalizing.
Author:  Spectre [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Comparison of various areas of the armor (especially the shoulders) it appears to be lacking a lot of the indentation and anglization present in the screen used armor.

The official armor has a large number of depressions and grooves in it, while that seems to have a more "glossed over" look
Author:  skapunkninja [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
I had a set of westerfield armour, and its really not that good. Terrible detailing, and just looks cheap next to other sets. i tried alot of things to make it better, but its just impossible.
Do yourself a favour, and get a set from Spat
Author:  Ttaskmaster [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
+1 for Spatman!!

The Westie armour looks all blurred, like someone's done a smudge job in Photoshop on it.

Yeurgh indeed!!
Author:  Adonis [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
I know Westerfield Studios... they're down here in Florida in the Tampa (Largo) area. Visited their store/workshop a few times.

Not too fond of their kits honestly. As great as the guys are, I wouldn't buy it in a million years. If someone gave me a set... I would mess with it, but purchase no.

If you want to make your own, try your hand at a metal set of armor.
Author:  Hollis DZC [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have a set of Westerfield armor. I wore at DCon 06. Suffice to say, I was not happy with it. VERRRRY thin. Shoulder armor moves when it's windy. :roll:

Not happy with it.

Not happy with it

Not happy with it.

Period.
Author:  Muad'Dib [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
What can I say that hasn't already been said?

Save yourself the problems. For the fun of it do plenty
of detailing, painting, graffiti, plus you have to put together all the extras.

I even painted the ALTOIDS tin.
There are a lot of extras to make it your own.

Buy from Spat, life is too short for regrets...
Author:  Russ Krook III [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Not trying to diss Westerfield, but weren't they formerly known as "Steel Dream Studios" who were in turn operated (or at least helped...) by "RCRobert" who was banned from the RPF for recasting?

If so, I did own a set of the shin guards and I found out later they were a High Impact recast.

Russ
Author:  Cpl Potter [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:31 am ]
Post subject: 
its all been said already i met rob at dcon and, his stuff is flimsy , nice guy , and all but still , there is all kinds of customizing to do with any armor ,paint / lamp , but the bottom line is you are gonna do what you want regardless .if 100 bucks is all you can afford for armor do it , at least its a start , but if you want a superior set of armor , at a price that lets be honest he can't bemaking much money on . get spats . its a purchase that you won't be dissapointed in .
Author:  Scapey [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:06 am ]
Post subject: 
LOL
I knew that Spat wouldn't sell infinished armopur, so asked on the RPF about this guy for you.
So far, I've been told he's a decent seller, but no real comments on the armour.

I think the rest of this thread sums up your best option : Go Spat!

Remember, Spat armour still needs a lot of work to get screen accurate, as he doesn't do SA paintjobs as a matter of course.
( That's not a slight against it at all! I and the wife own a set each, and love it ! )
Author:  PvtSmitty [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:44 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm definitely gonna listen to you guys in this matter and pass on the Westerfield armor. Thanks for everyones input. Prolly just saved me $100 and a few migraines.

Is there anybody out there that offers it in kit form other than GoldenArmor or Westerfield?
Author:  SgtTony [ Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Russ Krook III wrote:
Not trying to diss Westerfield, but weren't they formerly known as "Steel Dream Studios" who were in turn operated (or at least helped...) by "RCRobert" who was banned from the RPF for recasting?

If so, I did own a set of the shin guards and I found out later they were a High Impact recast.

Russ


Russ, you're half right as far as I know.
Westerfield is/was Steel Dreams, but RCRobert was based out of CO while Westerfield/SDS is out of Florida.
I could be wrong....but thats what I recall.

Rex had a set from SDS, I recall seeing it at D*Con a few years back and not to say bad things about it.....but the guy he bought it off joked with me that it used to be his set and.....well what he said is not the kind of things you say to another member of the same group...let alone while the guy you sold it to is about 10 ft away.

If you're strapped for cash and desperate for armor.....then its an option. But you can get a set of MAA armor (I think and build it up yourself and it will last you longer and stand up to more).
If you don't want to build then Spat's is the best choice as it comes ready to wear right out of the box (plus Spat is a member here and stands behind his work).
GoldenArmor - one simple word...AVOID!!!

Just remember that you get what you pay for.
The cheaper it is....the least amount of time it will last and punishment it will take.
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