Apologies for such a gap between posts. I kind of got focused on completing the next step before posting anything.
So right now I haven't adjusted the thigh pieces yet, I'm going to try a full wearing test to see how it all moves and holds together, which I'm actually rather nervous about, I'm hoping it doesn't fall to pieces or tear itself apart.
In the time since the last post I've been adding details to each piece, apart from the shoe covers as I'm not happy with the appearance/scale, and I haven't made the helmet yet, but the template is ready to assemble.
I actually bought some motorcross body armour as I thought it would make a suitable underlayer, with some slight alterations, or wearing a black top underneath...
So here are some progress pictures, first are the shin guards, before and after applying the additions
Then the knee covers, I'm still considering how to attach these in place. Maybe elastic around the knee joint and a piece attaching them to the shin guards so it's partially connected to stop them wandering.
I'm really pleased with how the thigh guards came out.
Here is the butt flap, and stomach plates(?). The plates are certainly more warped than I'd like and either need remaking, or heat gun shaping.
The arm guards, and pauldron pieces which will be glued together.
The jets, another piece I'm more happy with
The back of the chest armour, which really annoyingly, if you follow the 3d model exactly, the top and bottom pieces don't fit together smoothly. In the 3d model they merge through each other. I had to cut away and foam clay quite a bit to slot them together.
And how did I only notice towards the end there is a little pig face and snout
And finally the torso front.
And if you value clean foam work and tidy seams, no mess. Do not open the spoiler, it's just shows how messed up my technique is inside the chest piece.
All the details were either etched in using a cheap soldering iron, or assembled from craft foam, the finer details were stuck together with super glue before contact adhesive was used to attach them to the main pieces.
At this point I'm honestly afraid of hitting anything with a heat gun to seal the foam. The base pieces were done previously, but none of the new pieces. I know I need to do it before painting, but the worry is the unheated pieces will warp. Realistically it shouldn't, but paranoia at this stage.
Also before painting I have to go over each piece and apply some sealent to the gaps in the foam seam lines. I did buy a suitable product this time meant for exactly that, so hopefully everything will look a little smoother and tidier afterwards.
I would be interested to hear thoughts on applying some fibreglass/resin inside the body front & back, and possibly other pieces, for rigidity and durability.
Woo progress!