Hey Marines,

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the help, info, and advice they've given so far, as well as for the warm welcome I've gotten since Tentacle Chris showed me this site

Here's my status thus far:

Smartgun: thanks to everyone's help pointing me in the right direction, I've got all the parts I need either sourced, on their way, or in my hot little hands. Matsuo's gonna be getting a fat check from me soon for most of what I'm still waiting on, hehe.

Outfit: I'm holding off on BDUs until MAA comes out with his 3rd pattern, which should be soon, and I'll be ordering one of Matsuo's kits for the lamp. I'm also toying with the idea of ordering SpatCave leg armor (I'm going more for the "squared away" Tech Manual smartgunner look rather than Drake and Vazquez's "I don't give a good goddamn about the uniform regs" look). Still deciding on what to do for my cover - err, my hat for you non-military folks And I finally found a correct flak vest in my size that wasn't priced at $500, too, and it'll be on its way to me Wednesday. The headset is going to be harder. Jesse tells me he has a kit for that nearly complete, but DZC filming has understandably suspended work on all his other projects. No ETA on the kit, but my fingers are crossed. Jesse's a busy busy man.

Vest and Arm: Here's where it gets tricky. After seeing his finished product, I bought the same plans Andy used to make his vest - thanks again, Andy, seeing your vest really gave me that much needed dose of "Hey, maybe I CAN do this!" However, Jesse's told me he has a kit in development using measurements from the real deal. I spent the last four years fixing Navy helicopters and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty, but I have limited access to machining tools and I know that a kit based on Jesse's vest would be far superior to anything I could make from scratch. As of right now I'm holding out in hopes that Jesse's kit will be ready before DragonCon and concentrating what I can work on in the meantime, but I'm open to suggestions.

So. There's where I sit at the moment. Hell, I even have a challenge coin on the way, I think I got Dom's last one. My big question for you veteran Space Jarheads is, HAVE I MISSED ANYTHING SO FAR? xD Any and all advice for a first-timer setting up his rig is more than welcome.
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

You can never have enough kit, pal... Check out my pics and see what I mean... www.pbase.com/sharpuscm
<span style="color:lime;]Cpl. Dom "SharP" Beaudoin - USCM Service Number Registrar
A10/TQ1.0.92147E1
<span style="color:yellow;]Need a USCM service number assigned to you? E-mail me at [url=mailto:cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com]cplbeaudoin@hotmail.com[/url]
<span style="color:red;font-size:large;]The USCM Challenge Coin! Get yours <span style="color:blue;font-size:large;]here<span style="color:red;font-size:large;]!

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/68371348/original.jpg[/img]

Hehe, I hear you... if I had the cash I'd have every bit of kit that's out there to have, but I'm just a college student fresh out of the Navy. Just trying to get one costume ready in time for DragonCon, and do it right
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

Bro, you're well on your way don't shed any tears about that. Looking forward to having you with us at the ole Dragon:D
Chris

<span style="color:orange;font-size:large;]"Long live the fighters!"

Depends on what you mean by "superior."

Jesse's rig is more accurate than the MK1 Codycam, but Cody's rig functions more like a real steadicam, so it may help reduce the weight of carrying the MG42.

I know Jesse engineered some sort of spring system into his arm, but I don't recall the actual mechanics of the thing.

Either way, you could go the Codycam route and mod it by adding cosmetic details to get closer to the MK3 Steadicam look.

Russ

The latest word I got from Jesse when I asked him about his kits was that he's got the springs balanced out perfectly for the weight of his M56... and even if his is heavier or lighter than mine, getting the tension right is as simple as putting different springs in.

TBH, it is just a costume after all, so I'm more concerned about the way the vest looks anyway If need be I could even make the arm myself using the Codycam plans, and use Jesse's kit for the vest. It all depends on whether or not he has time to finish it before August ^_^
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USAEdited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=outcry27>outcry27[/url] at: 3/21/07 10:24 pm

I originaly made the complete MKI rig,to be used as a steadicam.So when i decided to do a USCM cossie ,smartgunner seemed the logical choice seeing as i had a rig ready made.Then i decided i wanted the rig to be more authentic so ordered his latest plans.
At first i made the rear mount vest(for practicle reasons,it gives better support).Now the original steadicam vest was front mount so made the front mount vest in cody's MKI plans which is pretty close really.Then after looking at the new plans for the arm i used the measurements for the new arm bones which narrowed the arm considerably.I had to modify the springs and where they attatched ,then simply made some covers out of sheet ally,looks far more authentic.And does take the weight of the SG(though the front springs could do with being slightly stronger).

Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."

I might have over looked this. Did you get a smartgun battery or belt tool? Anyone still make dog tags? Jason

HEY- thanks for reminding me about the battery. I saw one on eBay, held off until I was sure I was doing the costume... ^_^

cplbeaudoin does dogtags but they're on "hiatus" at the moment. he told me he'd let me know when he was able to take orders for them again.
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

Just so you know, the marines where the battery (minus the phono plugs) on their belts, so if you pick one up with a few mods you can use it for either costume.

yeah - belt tool has the squeeze handle still in place, right? I've seen a couple of those around too.

scifimodels.com also has a nice looking hand welder prop, I saw. they're on sale right now actually, if anyone wanted to pick one up.
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

I had another question for the general public... does anyone know if there are found parts and etc for the smartgunner headset? Is this something I could make myself, rather than wait for a kit that may or may not be available in time for DC? I thought I remember someone saying they were mostly scratch-made but I can't remember for sure.

Any info appreciated.
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

Some parts were custom made others were existing...

Existing parts:

-Megatron G1 Laser Cannon
-Beyerdynamic HM560 Headset (incl. M560 Mic)
-Vivitar 2500 Flash
-Olympus T28 Twin Flash unit (only one flash needed)
-Neutrix plug

Custom made:

-Eye piece (looks like half a telephone)
-Camera (a little smaller than the usual camera)
-A few small mini parts + assembling job

eeyeah, sounds like kit is the way to go o.O thanks for the info
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USA

Megatron G1 Laser Cannon! Might as make the thing out of Bald Eagle heads and faberge eggs:lol:

That's just one tough piece to find all by it's lonesome.
Chris

<span style="color:orange;font-size:large;]"Long live the fighters!"

Not really.


Feebay. Search "Megatron parts"

It actually is the scope part. (fat end + mid section)

That's one of the easier parts...

Progress update...

My old man has a source for raw aluminum for me and he's got the materials for my stabilizer arm on order. Working on finding someone who has a chopsaw (for the steel angle pieces) and a drill press I can make use of and I'll have the arm done in short order.

Matsuo's still working on the rest of the M-56 conversion parts, although he has a few of them done. The whole shebang should be done before too much longer, hopefully. On top of that, I've gone ahead and emailed him about ordering a shoulder lamp kit while I still can.

I have the flak vest, all the patches I need, a generic military issue sidearm holster, a pentax lens for my headset, and several of the original parts to be used with my smartgun. My twill 2PATs will be on their way to someone in the UK very soon, and I'll be receiving a set of ripstops from Steve (with the right sizing ) in exchange.

What I still need sources for, now, are the headset and the steadicam harness, both of which will hopefully be kits from Jesse if he can finish them in time. I do have the Codycam plans to make a vest if I need to, but I've had no luck finding any other source for the headset. I also need a 8mm MG42 ammo feed tray. There's some sources out there but if anyone knows where I can get one for less than fifty bucks, much obliged.

Sooooo, there's where I stand! As always, if anyone finds a source for any of the things I'm still looking for - ESPECIALLY the smartgunner headset or even just parts for it - I'll love you forever if you tip me off
<span style="font-family:courier;]PFC Sean "Romeo" Maio
A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Orlando, FL, USAEdited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=outcry27>outcry27[/url] at: 5/12/07 7:36 pm