TheLoneRanger

Well, as much as I hate to say it, this project is indefinitely on hiatus. The sellers for my tunic and backplate/shins won't respond to my messages, and have left an extremely poor impression on me.

Just saw the CRL is live and you're the model, congrats! ??

Update: I have to reprint the goggles. I realized the corners weren't right at all, so good thing I caught that before I started working the goggles together. Aside that, not much else to report. Waiting for stuff to arrive and some moderate weathering.

I did paint them, and it looks great. I was annoyed about the lines at first, but then I realized they gave it a good 'worn' look.

Goggles finally printed! They need some sanding, so I'll get on that, and apply a coat of black primer.

I tried to join that group, but they never let me in. ?

Excellent. Do you also know where I can find the correct patches? I can't seem to find them in proper 3D vinyl.

@JAFO PlasticArmsDealer has this tunic available, I think it looks fantastic! How do you feel about it? Only thing it seems to be missing is the open space in the collar.

Wait until you see my Officer belt that I stole off my AT-ST driver costume. I think I did fantastic with that one. Got it to look like mud splattered on it and everything. Hang on, I'll get a picture ?

Belt boxes painted! They're not attached to the belt yet, turns out my belt is a bit short. I need to lengthen it. Also that little silver dot on the far left belt box is a chip in the paint, that is all. If need be, I'll cover it over with more paint. I do find it amusing I accidentally managed to chip a perfect circle in paint.

There we go. I'll leave them like this until it's time to paint and affix them in place.

Last belt box arrived today, thanks again to @Stormystormtrooper WEEKEND PROJEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECT! yes i'm excited. ❤️ Edit: the belt box is flipped upside down, my mistake. It won't be like that when I paint it up and attach it to the webbing.

The maker got back to me and told me how it works, so we're all good, I got it now. Thanks! Gonna paint these over the weekend when I have time. Really wishing I had my shins and back plate right now. ?

Well, my straps and buckles arrived! Although... the boot straps all have part of the strap molded right onto the buckle, and the shoulder buckles aren't functional at all, so no idea how I'm supposed to feed the straps through them when they're affixed in place. @JAFO Any input on this?

Perfect! ? Tomorrow I have to pick up my shoulder and boot straps from the post office, so stay tuned!

@JAFO Alright, repainted them to the best gold/yellow color I could find at my local shop. \ Thoughts? Too yellow? I do still have to weather them.

Gold? Alright! I was using this reference picture here. They looked red here, but now I see this picture here: D'oh. I'll repaint them when I have a free moment. ?

I finally got the armor painted. I started with a basic coat of black primer, and then went over it all with an olive drab color. I quite like how the end result came out! I'm still waiting for my tunic, back plate, shins, and shoulder/boot straps, along with the goggles and respirator. But we're getting close here! On another note, I'm not sure if any of you heard about Andrew McClary, AKA PasticArmsDealer. It's detailed out in this thread here, along with a coin/patch run to benefit him. http://forum.501stpathfinders.com/index.php?/topic/19816-patchcoin-run-to-benefit-andrew-mcclary/ Could we show some support for our fellow TX trooper?

That helps a ton, thanks! I'm also delighted that my Palatka came with the leather grommets.

The palatka arrived! Does anybody know how in the world I tie it together properly? The instructions are in Russian.... I think they're the instructions.

So I finished up the biceps today, following the good ol' TK method. I joined the two halves together with an interior strip of spare ABS as a 'reinforcement'. Then using the most wonderful magnets the world has to offer, I let the E6000 cement the two halves together over the inner strip. Though sometimes, when you can't find where you put the rest of your magnets, you have to use THE CLAMPS! After all the glue had dried, I then attached the cover strips to both sides. By this point, I'd found the rest of my magnets. Also, wipe off any excess glue. ? And there you have it! Two beauuuutifully assembled Mudtrooper biceps. They'll be ready for a base coat of black paint by tomorrow.

Happy to say my gloves just arrived! Highlander Spec Ops gloves.

I figured as such. I'm not following just the old CRL, I've been using images from various sources as well. Take the cardboard cutout too. Though that's the beauty of it, I'm learning from this! And if things change, then I can easily adapt to what the new references are as well. ? Super curious if the lower belt will end up being a required or an optional accessory though. Some of the troopers in the visual guide clearly don't have one..

The longbox, yes. Oddly the CRL research thread picture also only has five boxes. Luckily in this picture here, it can clearly be seen.