First Build In Progress- ODST Midna, ONI Operative.

[ODST Midna]

A lot of the inspiration for this build comes from DARE, in the ODST series, I wanted to make my own ONI operative in full ODST armor, one whose sole missions are kept off the records, working in complete secrecy for a select few higher-ups, maintaining the UNSC missteps along the way.

Midna is usually tasked with stopping future insurrections or data leaks, and assisting the occasional Spartan teams with package securement and intel missions, sometimes without the Spartans' full knowledge of his mission.

This will be my first-ever cosplay as well!

I started with the Recon helmet, files bought via Galactic Armory, printed on PLA with the Neptune 4 plus.

Approx. 50 hours to print.

Assembly isn't perfect; I misaligned the back plate ever so slightly, and one of the sides of the brim portion wouldn't seat fully, but this will easily be resolved once I begin the Bondo and sanding phase.

I also printed the XFTREC Flamingo and the BNR Farndale; the BNR will also cover a portion of the gap, helping hide the mistake.

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

Looking forward to sharing the progress in this thread with everyone, and hope to one day see some of you at conventions!

-ODST Midna

 

[billeybob250]

That print came out vert nice.

 

[ItsWonderWhyt]

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

I took a lot of inspiration from Dare as well. It’s a great look!

I actually first tried a football shield myself, seeing the shape echoed the opening of the recon helmet. It’s very thick and inflexible, you’ll have a hard time cutting it and making it fit nicely. Definitely recommend using a dremel and making a couple practice cuts.

An easy option is a tinted or clear visor like this:

Amazon.com

You can score and snap with an exacto knife into the perfect shape. You can also use window mirror tint and water to get a reflective surface.

I gave in and bought a reflective purple visor form Enforce props, but the welding visor (not truly dark enough for welding) are my go to for most helmets.

 

[ItsRaven]

That helmet looks great!
I'm working on a recon helmet and have no clue what to do for the visor too lol
Might have to just take your idea when you have a visor

 

[ODST Midna]

Some updates on the Midna project, Started the Bondo process for the helmet, and pretty much finished the painting concept.

Thigh left is printing after some learning curves with scaling, one full send default print to find out I'm too thick lol.

3 sizing rings later and I got a perfect fit!

I do have the left and right forearms printed, but I'm going to do a reprint and extend them by 3cm, the default does fit, but it's just a little short on the arm, leaving too much space between the bicep armor.

I also decided that the left arm will feature the reach Commando armor with data pad attached.

Estimated printing time for the entire project looks to be about 14-16 days on print time, 7-8000 grams of PLA filament via Elegoo.

The entire project I estimate will take 4 months to fully complete, as much as I'd love to have it done by Halloween, it's just unrealistic, and I'm not rushing this thing.

 

[Ulfhedinn073]

Ah, yes, I too was in the "Helmet first and full send the next print" gang. Really though - "learn by doing" can be a bit more time-consuming and costly, but who cares if you're enjoying the process? In printing, it's just filament, it's not super expensive as hobby materials go. As you state, don't rush, enjoy it. There will be a Halloween next year, and maybe a con before that.
For the forearm, I'd keep the shorter ones just in case. I went for a "silhouette correct" Mk V spartan, and I became instantly aware of how much clipping happens in-game where they can handwave things like armor self-collision. ODST's are better in that respect, and accuracy is to be prized, but don't throw them away until you move around in it first with the tighter tolerance.
Great so far, can't wait to see this progress!

 

[Driel71]

A lot of the inspiration for this build comes from DARE, in the ODST series, I wanted to make my own ONI operative in full ODST armor, one whose sole missions are kept off the records, working in complete secrecy for a select few higher-ups, maintaining the UNSC missteps along the way.

Midna is usually tasked with stopping future insurrections or data leaks, and assisting the occasional Spartan teams with package securement and intel missions, sometimes without the Spartans' full knowledge of his mission.

This will be my first-ever cosplay as well!

I started with the Recon helmet, files bought via Galactic Armory, printed on PLA with the Neptune 4 plus.

Approx. 50 hours to print.

Assembly isn't perfect; I misaligned the back plate ever so slightly, and one of the sides of the brim portion wouldn't seat fully, but this will easily be resolved once I begin the Bondo and sanding phase.

I also printed the XFTREC Flamingo and the BNR Farndale; the BNR will also cover a portion of the gap, helping hide the mistake.

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

Looking forward to sharing the progress in this thread with everyone, and hope to one day see some of you at conventions!

-ODST Midna

If you're looking for something easy to see through and the visor will have a smooth surface you might try a window tint used for cars. A friend of mine used it for their motorcycle helmet and it looked great. I have a slight bevel in my ODST visor so I couldn't use it on mine.

 

[ODST Midna]

Big milestone today!!

I got the helmet padding installed, base Coats and clear coats are on, this Recon helmet is fully wearable.

Next up attaching the accessories, detailing and weathering.

Used mirror window tint with a Hobart safety mask.

Approximately 20 hours of work to get it here, all in all I'm very pleased with the results!

 

[ODST Midna]

Here's a short video.

 

[ItsRaven]

Used mirror window tint with a Hobart safety mask.

Any chance you could send a link or anything to your visor material?
(No worries if not)

That looks awesome btw!

 

[ODST Midna]

Any chance you could send a link or anything to your visor material?
(No worries if not)

That looks awesome btw!

Hobart Face shield: Amazon.ca

Kespen, one way mirror tint gold: Amazon.ca

I'd maybe recommend trying a better window tint brand, I can't really recommend this one.

The adhesion isn't very great, and if you push the visor with your finger, it will push the window tint off the surface.

Alternatively, if you do get a cheaper one, secure the edges with electrical tape to stop that from happening!

 

[ODST Midna]

Here's some bonus photos of the interior padding with the visor temporarily fixed.

This will also give anyone an idea of what you can expect for visibility through that brands window tint, it's far darker indoors with warm lighting, so visibility isn't as great, but under fluorescent lighting it's manageable.

I'll later be lining the interior of the helmet with a soft velvet moisture wicking fabric to help with sweat.

 

[billeybob250]

Not gonna put a fan in it?

 

[ODST Midna]

Not gonna put a fan in it?

I will be, just ordered the fans, so waiting for them to arrive.

Someone on the Halo props build Facebook page also shared a file for a 3d printer mount for intake and exhaust.

Also going to add some small accent LED's, and a voice modifier so it sounds like radio chatter, once I figure out how to do that

 

[billeybob250]

I will be, just ordered the fans, so waiting for them to arrive.

Someone on the Halo props build Facebook page also shared a file for a 3d printer mount for intake and exhaust.

Also going to add some small accent LED's, and a voice modifier so it sounds like radio chatter, once I figure out how to do that

I just finished the electrical in my helmet (still need to mount my helmet speakers). but its 1 fan, 4 leds, and a shooting range headset all in my mk6 helmet

 

[Bargo]

Sounds familiar

But i have 2 Fans and after i took that pic i added a Bluetooth Mic in the front (speaker is an Aker under my chest)

 

[ODST Midna]

Sounds familiar

View attachment 366071

But i have 2 Fans and after i took that pic i added a Bluetooth Mic in the front (speaker is an Aker under my chest)

Oh that's a really clean build inside.

Definitely going to look into that speaker set-up!

 

[ODST Midna]

Weathering is complete, just waiting on the attachments to print, after that I'd say the exterior is complete.

Went with a very heavy weathering plan, Idea is the ONI operative was stationed on reach at the time of the invasion to monitor and report Spartan activity, He was crucial to gathering Intel on the battlefield, later being one of the lucky ones to make it off planet.

 

[Bargo]

nice Scorchmarks! can't wait to see the rest

 

[billeybob250]

How did you do those scorch marks? that's great.