marktoots

I've been offline for a few days for some RnR with the family but that hasn't stopped me analysing all the photos that I have got my hands on And, guess what!?! There is an extra pouch on the DT belt that I hadn't seen previously and for which there is no quality image in the reference photos! Can anyone help? Here is a very grainy shot of it: It looks to be black leather but I really can't tell from this photo! Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

So we still haven't found the strapping material! I had been wondering whether there was evidence of material/mould reuse on the DT in the hope that it may give a lead on the source of the straps, and.... I found some, although I am not saying that this has anything to do with the straps! Thanks to the fantastically high res images provided by Chris there is evidence of the same source material being used on the TD and the abdominal plate. I have cropped the photos and circled the areas that I think indicate this! The notches look to be at similar spacings and the overall dimensions of the ribs seem to be the same, at least by eye! I haven't got my ruler out yet but I do wonder whether the straps have been cut from this to!?! Anyway take a look and tell me what you think? I hope I am not seeing things that aren't there! :/ TD: Abdominal Plate: Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

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Oh, and I am excited about these too! Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Awesome! Gonna be needing some imperial credits I think Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Can't wait to see the first cast Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

I love it Will the headlamp be cast in such a way that a lens and working lamp can be fitted? Also what is the max head circumference that you expect to be able to accommodate? Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

I was convinced that the belt is made from a fine ribbed rubber safety floor mat but was struggling to confirm it as I initially couldn't find any dimensions for the profile. The belt has 28 ribs across its width and scaling from the my buckle dimensions made the total width about 80mm (not the 100mm I first thought!) I have ordered several samples of flooring in order to confirm my theory but they haven't arrived yet! Anyway, a search today gave me the evidence I was looking for. While scaling the side boxes I noticed the profile of the ribs is triangular with curved channels between them so I went on the hunt again for a flooring that matched and found one! The lower picture shows both the profile of the belt (above the belt box) and the top screenshot shows the profile and dimensions of the matting. They look like they match! Furthermore, the spacing of the ribs is a perfect match to the calculated spacing from my belt buckle measurements This has now lead me to believe that the shoulder straps may be from a rubber flooring material to!

Someone on the R1 Troopers fb page made a possible id: Just waiting for confirmation against estimated sizes and further details on supplier, etc. He's in Virginia so made someone else State side can help? I just hope if it is right that I can find it in the UK!? Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

I've been looking at the shoulder straps on the DT and can't help thinking that they are made from some sort of rubber timing/drive belt. In the image below I have circled an area where it looks like the raised blocks are linked by a mesh type material and the attached to a second strip of material (possible curved plastic) to strengthen the whole thing. What are others thoughts and has anyone got any ideas where it is from? Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

The parts that I have were removed from decommissioned ejector seat and parachute harnesses. I work for a company who has a team that maintains these systems and they had these awaiting disposal. Lucky I guess! Maybe worth trying military surplus stores. Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Got my hands on another part of the armour strapping system today. Sadly just the one but because of its weight and the fact the one on the armour is non - functional I am going to cast it. Should have the D-Ring that is fitted to the shoulder buckle on Wednesday. Sadly I am away this weekend but next week I'm going to prepare the moulds and maybe do a casting! Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

The Shore Trooper thread has links to two suppliers in the US who are opening pre - orders for gloves soon. Endorfinder seems to be the cheaper at $55. Hope they ship to the UK!? Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

And mine Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Steve Could you pin the reference photo and crl threads to the top of the forum? Thanks Mark

As you may have seen from my build thread I have dimensioned the buckle, and am currently discussing it's manufacture with a member of my garrison. With the hi res images available from "themaninthesuitcase" and the physical shoulder buckle I believe that I have got the measurements pretty accurate. The problem is the thickness of the buckle. I have estimated that it is 6mm thick, and we believe that it has been constructed by layering 2-3 aluminium plates. However, when you look at some of the promo shots the buckle looks to be thinner than 6mm. The photo below is the only one from my reference shots at Celebration that gives an indication of the thickness of the buckle. I have cropped the original Hi Res image and included it below. The buckle looks to be quite thick and I can't help thinking that I can see seam lines down the side of the buckle suggesting the layered construction. In order to see it you'll have to zoom the page rather than the photo, for some reason the image does not degrade so much if you zoom the whole page! Assuming I am correct about the seam lines then I think that it is made up from 2-3 separate layers of aluminium (so it could be as much as 6mm thick assuming they used 2mm plate). Does anyone else have an opinion on this and/or better pictures of the buckle? Thanks

That is a very clear photo The guy I'm talking to about making them is looking at building them up from layers of 2mm aluminium. Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Oh, sorry! Lol. Yeah I agree. It is definitely aluminium. The only thing I wasn't sure of was the coin slots and whether they had rounded ends or square? I went for square. Have got someone looking at machining some at the moment Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

I initially thought that you may be right but wouldn't that make them too heavy!? I was planning on vac forming them from black abs and then weathering them Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

We have taken this thread a little off topic so I'll steer it back on track by adding a link to my photobucket folder containing my reference shots: http://s1144.photobucket.com/user/marktoots/library/Rogue%20One%20Death%20Trooper/Reference%20Pictures Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

I picked up a pair of Dr Martin Mayer Style boots which are very similar. In fact initially I, and some on RPF, thought were the base boot. I tend to agree with you now but as the top of the boot is hidden by the shin armour I think I will stick with the Mayer ones. Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

As I mentioned I have used the shoulder buckle to scale and dimension the belt buckle. I have also used the buckle dimensions to calculate the size of the belt pouches which I am going to make from a dyed heavy weave cotton. Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Update on the shoulder buckle. I have seen the real buckle and compared it to that used on the Death Trooper. The one on the costume is considerable chunkier than the real thing. Also the photo taken at Celebration shows infilled areas that just do not exist on the real thing. As a result I believe that the shoulder buckle/d-ring combination was cast as a single piece. Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Before I get bogged down with jobs around the house I thought I would make a start on this costume. Clearance from the missus has yet to be obtained but I may just tell her when it's finished. It's not much but this is what I have got so far: New pair of Dr Martin's Mayer Boots which are very similar to, if not, the base boot for the Death Trooper. A mate of mine identified part of the shoulder strap buckle. The shoulder strap buckle is in fact this part with a d-ring attached. Once I have got my hands on the d-ring I am considering casting the assembled shoulder strap buckle as a single piece. I have also managed to determine the dimensions of the Vader like belt buckle, and am currently in discussions about getting one made out of brushed aluminium. I also have loads of heavy weave cotton fabric left over from when I made my Scout Trooper pouches. So I intend on dyeing a load black, creating a pattern for the belt pouches and making a set up. I am waiting to hear whether I have got my hands on a SE-14R kit (the sidearm). If I have then I will make the necessary modes to ensure that it matches the one on the Death Trooper manaquin at Celebration. Thats's it for now but I'll post pictures and further updates as and when I have them.

I've also made a start on this although you have progressed it further. So far I have the base boots on order, part of the shoulder buckling system and have a possible source for the Vader style belt buckle. To fill in a couple of blanks on your list I can tell you that: the sidearm is an SE-14R Light Repeating Blaster; the belt is very similar to the FOTK but by my estimates (based on scaling from the photos) is approx 80mm wide. I suspect that it has been cut from a fine ribbed rubber anti-slip floor matting Good luck with your build. 07/20/2016 - Edited belt width estimate as I reviewed my belt buckle sizing based on the new photos here.