Figured I should probably do an update on the build. Fall months get busy at work so I didn't really have much energy to work on it throughout September. Really started to get to work when I went on vacation the first week of October however.
My main goal for vacation was just to get everything cut out, sanded, and start on assembly.
The kit came with divots specifically for one inch straps, but I hate the look of those nylock backstrap things. I ordered 1.75" strap from a military surplus store, and had to re-sculpt the back plate to take the larger straps.
Next up was getting parts primed, and settling on the color i wanted.
First up was Rustoleum Metallic Soft Iron, with Montana Gold Anthracite Grey
Rustoleum Metallic Gunmetal Grey, with Rustoleum Flat Black
Anthracite Grey and Flat Black
In the end, I went with the Metallic Gumetal Grey, Anthracite Grey, and Flat Black.
By this point, Halloween was fast approaching. I still had some detail painting left to do, but it was time to get started on the straps that hold everything together. The white strap I had ordered was dyed black, but ended up being too thick to really work with. I did use some later for decorative straps, but mostly used the green for the front and back plate, as well as some custom straps made from duck cloth.
Amazon sent the wrong D rings, but I didn't have time to exchange them. They will get replaced at a later date.
I also added this rubber weather stripping to parts that would be rubbing, or bumping together. It really gives the edges a finished look, and helps make the parts look thicker than they actually are. (This later fell off. I will have to find better glue.)
The kit came with EVA foam shoulderstraps that were meant to be glued to fabric, but that left the underside kind of messy, so instead we sewed actual covers for them.
The harness pattern from MCcall's M7176 was used to keep the shoulders on. It... Works, but leaves a lot to be desired. They tend to get twisted up, and it pulls them under the straps on the chest piece.
The torso is held together with rivets and and the custom straps I mentioned earlier. I altered it just a tad but for the most part its just as the directions say.
The boots are held on with covers that wrap around my legs, and velcro closed. The calves have straps riveted in, and the shins just stick on with a large strip of velcro. This method works, but could be better. I know they are supposed to have straps around the outside, but I didn't trust that to really hold it all together. I will add them at a later date.
Finished the helmet repaint, visor swap, and weathering (Except for paint chipping, to come at a later date due to lack of time) for the entire kit the night before halloween.
In all the excitement of the costume contest at work, and then the wedding that night, I didn't really get many pictures, but this is the kit as of now. I still need to finish the gauntlets, as I sacrificed them to save time. I feel like the kit can stand on its own without them. I also need to come up with some way to keep the straps up on the collar pieces instead of slipping down on to the shoulders.
