It's started. Bought some used, older Spat armour from Scott (Falken108). Came with breast and back plates, shoulders, neck piece, ab pad, and both legs. He also gave me one of his Gerber MK II casts...very well done. Thanks Scott! I'll be making my own leather sheath for it, as per the movie. The armour will be getting sanded, and re-painted to more of an SA look. I'll do my best to match up the paints. It also needs a bit of TLC...I'm going to mod the shoulders with the elastic strapping (it's an old set that doesn't have it), and needs a few other repairs.

So far I have some multi-cam BDU's...modern style. I'm not going to change them much since I'll probably end up getting the Polish dessie cam, if not some SA BDU's from Spat or Aaron (I think it's Aaron). I also have panama soled jungle boots, and that one CDN '82 pattern C9 pouch to use.

On order, I have a khaki coloured M1937 belt, as well as an LC-2 pistol belt. From SPAT, I have on order a Spulse MK III, a set of 4 M41a grenades, some back brackets for the armour, and some OD grenade straps I'll swap out for the current black ones. I've also ordered the name tape and UACM tape in the USCM font, and Dom is going to be doing another run of UACM patches which I'm in for. Oh and I ordered a PFC rank (green on gold).

Eventually I'll buy a helmet, possibly a motion tracker, definately a welder, and either a VP-70 or an airsoft Remmington 870 to mod into a sawed off.

So yeah...here are some pics of what I have so far. PLEASE comment...I could use all of your advice being new, and have been very appreciative of it so far.

Thanks!!!

See below for my armour pics and pulse rifle. Here are a few other threads covering some bits and pieces I've made.
Making Grenades using pvc pipe: http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12895


Temporarily using a stool and a 5 gallon water bucket for an armour stand lol


Trying so hard to look badass! (The airsoft M-16 is going to be my guinea pig for painting the Spulse, and the helmet was my uncle's from Viet Nam).


At this point I realized trying to look badass was pointless...so I tried smiling.


Then, like my 1812 kit which requires you to wear a neck stock, I noticed my f**k'n double chin! I HATE IT! So I started to goof around...and have a chat with my 1812 uniform/kit stand.


And one last smile for the camera...

Totally weird to see Scott's armour in someone else's house... but, there you have it.

It'll be easier once it's painted.

At first glance I actually didn't realize you were wearing a Nam helmet- I thought it was an USCM M10!

Off to a great start!


Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

So I keep forgetting to look at your Aliens stuff in the photos 'cause I'm so distracted by all the other cool things you've got. Damn dude!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Looking good bro!

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Jeffrey Hughes "Huggies"
Corporal, USCM
UD-4 "Cheyenne" Pilot
Dropship Argonne

lol...thanks guys.

Yeah Retro...that is what happens when you reenact in 3 different time periods...!

Hey Kevin, I'm not far from you...I'm just in Smithville...!

I agree, got some really awesome things in those pictures of yours, as a sword collector, i can appreciate having steel on the walls!

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Pt. Rob Sabol
USCM, Connecticut Colony
"The Few and the proud, all two of us"
A03/TQ0.0.82153E1

I'm working my way through re-painting the armour...I hope to have the bulk of it painted by Tuesday evening or so.

After a light sanding, and a coat of primer, I did two coats of silver.




From there, I used Krylon ultra matte camo (OD) in a spray can. I was surprised at how well this stuff goes on.




Then using the Tamiya paints, I started to paint on the Dessert Yellow by hand. Two coats did it. I used the screen shots of the armour for reference.




Then onto the DK green...




Next will be dark brown, and finally the light grey. Then weathering, then clear coat.

And finally the modifications to the armour (strapping, back brackets etc).

Looking great!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Do you think I made the camo stripes too thick/big? I can always cut into them with the other colours to reduce their size...

It looks fine to me right now. Did you tape off all the webbing and buckles, or just paint over them? If you over painted, how does it look like the webbing is handling the paint?

Charlie

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

I kind of did both Charlie...on the parts where the webbing was exposed and was painted, it seems to have bonded not too bad. I think since it will be limited in it's movement, it may just stick ok.

lookin great. i did the same when i got my armor. but looking damn good.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

I'm guessing you painted the side clips and webbing on the chest and taped everything else?

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

Just did the same . Looks great mate !

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Cpl Matthew Rendar. M56 smart gun operator. 2nd bat 7th colonial marines "Rendars Raiders "

Yeah...it was hard to get the tape to stick to a small area of strapping, plus the wider webbing straps were bigger than my roll of tape. I think i was just being lazy. But I dont mind tbe idea of varied coloured strapping.

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

I now have the Dk Brown painted, two coats on all parts. Just started the light grey. The light grey really brings it all together I noticed. Going to experiment with mixing water and black acryllic paint as a wash on the neck piece before I weather it. Then I may try sealing it in satin clear coat, though I am not sure if I'll do the clear coat or not. Probably won't.

The dark brown definitely makes a difference. Can't wait to see the grey. Keep up the good work!

Charlie

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

I have almost all of the light grey on...I'll post some pics of that (since I forgot) tommorow. I already started on weathering the pieces.

For a wash, I just went to the dollar store, bought a bottle of craft black acryllic paint, and added water to it. About 1 part paint to 2 parts water. Spread it on with a brush, then wiped the whole thing down with a sponge. Turned out well...muted the bright sand and grey, and darkened the rest of it. I'm happy with it. The leg on the left hasn't been washed yet.

Don't paint the M16! That would break my heart!

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BANNED USER

Lol...i am only painting the "metal" parts silver then Nato black over that....then I will weather it. Needs to look real for my Nam impression.

Its just a cheap plastic airsoft rifle.

armor is looking great. cant want to see the whole thing done with scratches and all.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

Two tips on weathering that have served me well: get a spray bottle with water. Mist the armor so it has droplets on it. Hit it with a black spray and tan spray paint. Give it a few seconds and then wipe off. It wil give you a spotty, dirty look. Alternately, use a sponge to apply the ink wash. Don't know if its something you would be interested in trying but that's how I weathered the mando.

Charlie

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

Yeah, I used a sponge with mine Charlie, but with a "wiping" motion. Is that what you did, or did you daub it?