rickyboyblue

I got my tunic/pants from Jim Tripon. If you're interested, I made available all the sources and vendors from where I got my parts from in this build thread: There are different methods to dye the plash, but in this build thread, I chronicled how I dyed my plash, how I weathered my soft goods. Thanks.

Do eeeet!

I second this. Reviewing where we’re at on this item, I think we can also move to close this item.

@Raider, none from me outside of the ledge detail discussed here, and I mentioned to you separately. This has got to be one of the most text-heavy bucket descriptions in the CRL world. I support the move to bucket (no pun intended) Level 2 items for this piece and move on to the next. Thanks.

Tactical vest. Yes. Specifically the "ribbed" shoulder straps...

@Gledde, I congratulate you on your approval. Glad to see another Muddie in the Legion!

Welcome to the SpecOps @jen0farc. Congrats on your two-version Muddies!

Awesome @Blackwatch! Essentially those were my Muddy concoction, in the following order: 1. Black - smears, and misting of spray paint, a bit heavy on the edges (gives that "singed" look) 2. Dark Brown - older mud 4. Light Grey - to evoke old, caked mud 3. Light Brown - light, on differrent spots, to connote fresh mud splatters I apply using combination of tip of a thick brush, and at least 2 different sponges. Both for hard armor and soft goods. Most Muddies I see apply "weathering" and "mud" with what looked like random hand smears. Does not come off as natural to me.

HI @jen0farc. At a glance, and initial impression, this is a good Mudtrooper profile. If I may suggest some areas of improvements aside from what's already been identified by @Raider and @Blackwatch: Poncho/plash -- might need another round of dye. Registers to me as a bit on the brown tone. Needs some weathering. Hose might be a tad too long. I can't fully determine though, until your mask is on. Right bicep armor -- Can you post a separate photo of that piece? From your pictures, it comes to me as too chalky-white, and not the logical weathering you'd get as a Mudtrooper. Belt buckle / Belt - same concern as your bicep armor. just looks like something white was just smeared all over it. Boots - needs more weathering. I'm a stickler for "logical weathering." Boots of the Muddies would be one of the dirtiest part of the costume. Weathering -- aside from your white smears, your pieces can benefit from added "colored dirt" -- some browns, a little bit of black. Don't be too heavy-handed though as I observe with most Mudtroopers. That's it for me as I look forward to having you among the roster of Muddies all over the galaxy!

MUD IMPROVEMENTS -- MUD MEDIC: I've been in possession of a spare bicep armor for a good number of months. This obviously was with the intention of making this into a Medic bicep. I used this same weekend to finally do it! As with most of my JIm kits, I start the armor prep by sanding the interior and applying Plasti Dip to temp down any loose fibers. This also gives the surface a nice rubbery feel. Proceeded with priming the armor piece... After priming, went and blasted it with white flat spray paint. E6'd the piece overnight. Following day, I taped the piece in preparation for spray painting the red and yellow markings.

MUD IMPROVEMENTS -- LOWER BELT: I lost one of my belt boxes during Celebration Chicago. It took awhile before I got my replacement box from Jim. And it took a loooonng while before I got the chance to work on the lower belt box. Weekend of August 24 was that window of opportunity for me, so here's my improved lower belt. First improvement was giving the webbing the zig-zag stitch treatment Proceeded to prime and paint the new box Comparing it to my original box. Noticing that my weathering for the boxes were just splatters of black acrylic paint, I went on to apply my mud details to make the boxes consistent with the rest of the armor. And to make sure I don't lose any boxes again (fixed the "hinges" on my long box as well)... Here's my improved lower belt rig. I like it.

Yes. Let’s review all available shots when the google drive is available. For consistency and accuracy. Thanks.

Congrats!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!! Now that the CRL has dropped, the journey for this 501st Legion character has begun. Any of the 13,299 active members worldwide who might have been building this character could have been model for this costume. My take on this character was deemed by the powers-that-be as deserving to be representative of its CRL. I'm humbled. It was my privilege. With this achievement, i feel honored to have represented my unit, the Golden Gate Garrison. I'm stoked that I'm now part of the awesome Spec Ops Detachment. I'm proud to also represent all the short troopers of the world -- short peeps can rock the Imperial runway too! Thanks to my Legion friends who helped me achieve the highest level my character could have achieve -- Darren, David, Sebastian, Jim. You guys were amazing! Now let's continue building, troopers. Let's unleash this character to the entire Legion, to the galaxy -- from Mimban and beyond!

THE FINAL STEP (They'll have us flying in no time)... Every Star Wars costume builder's journey ends with preparing and taking photos for their formal application. Every foolish Star Wars costume builder's journey ends with taking photos ahead of a CRL approval. With a wonderful build group, awesome counsel from a trusted few, and a belief in a well-researched and well-written proposed CRL, I went ahead full gear, and had my submission pictures taken. What's the worse thing that could happen, I make mods and take photos again. Suiting up Star Wars. That's what we like doing anyway. Here goes nothing!!!

Thanks. I have a garrisonmate who is a member of the Royal Manticoran Navy. Glad to have given you an idea for your suit.

You’re welcome, kapatid! Feel free to reach if you have questions. I’ll try help as much as I can.

PREPARING THE SUBMISSION PICTURES... With all parts done, the only thing to do is do a final fitting and take formal photos for submission to our GML. But that can only be done when this great detachment gives birth to a brand new CRL featuring an awesome costume. So in the meantime, this costume that I learned to quickly love stays inside its storage. The same one I used to transport it with me shy of 7,000 miles... This project's done. For now. I wish you good luck on yours...

THE COMPLETED E-10 (as of JAN 2019) With temporary black webbing strap

BLASTED! (Part 2: E10 Build) I rarely purchase 3d-printed stuff for my costumes. I'm just too scared to drop and wreck the items. Ooh, and the prospect of sanding is not a rosy thing for me. I know there are special paint and stuff that evens out the 3d print lines, and the acetone vapor technique and stuff. Too complicated for me or maybe I need research some more. The major 3d-printed item I own is the Bilaro Electro-Chain Whip aka the sword of my Pratetorian Guard. And it's had its fair share of breaking. My 3d-printed E10 from Inland Empire Armory is the other major 3d-printed weapon I own and I'm glad it is a dream of a kit to build and complete! And surprisingly, it only took me a fair amount of time to sand. (NOV 2018) Everything that you need to complete the kit is provided for, except for the required 1/2" PVC pipe that will practically run across the entire blaster. This is easily available from your favorite hardware store. I have some lying around my house, but they're the thinner ones. To give my blaster a bit of weight, I inserted a good amount of clay inside. This is a practice of mine when "converting" store-bought Star Wars blasters. The first order of business for me was prepping the main structure which was the main barrel. Sanding, primer, then first coats of the (NOV 2018) Next portion is putting the pieces together... (NOV 2018) Then blasting with the final coat colors that I chose for this build (NOV 2018). With JAFO's late November reveal of the correct torch used on the E10 came my early December delivery... (DEC 2018) In the absence of the correct buckles for the sling, I made use of spare buckles and d-rings, plus one of the shoulder straps of the Yugo belt. This was my temporary sling. While inaccurate, it looked actually cool, in my opinion (DEC 2018). I'm sure this is not canon. But I blasted the grip, end of the buttstock, and the front stock with Plasti-dip to give it a rubbery texture. I like it. (DEC 2018) Over the holidays, I was having a chat with Steven of Imperial Armor Co., seeing how he might still be able to improve on the kit. We agreed that there should be a light-up version for the taser attachment and the mag. He came through with a very quick mod and it arrived 'round second week of the first month. Now I'm so excited to work on this mod (JAN 2019)! Mid of January, and I can't stop proceeding assembling the upgrade kit from Inland Empire Armory. So I proceeded with sanding and primer... I finished the mag painting first in order to test the lighting that I planned. I wanted something un-complicated, self-contained, and will fit inside the mag. I settled for a cheap fairy lights from amazon, with a self-contained pack that includes an on/off switch powered by two CR2032 coin batteries. (JAN 2019) I have a red vinyl tube from Tap Plastic lying around the house. Cut a piece that fits the mag top window, flattened it with a heat gun. CA-glued it on the part and E6000'd it to the mag. I finagled the fairy lights inside, propped it with a small block of modeling clay (I use them to add a bit of weight). With the taser body painted and prepped, I installed the red film on the cover and installed the fairy lights inside. (JAN 2019) Since Inland Armory sent the kit with a working switch, I connected it to the fairy light's control box. (JAN 2019) Comparing the old box and the new... Here are the old taser "bayonet tips" I detached from my original taser box. Note the pegs I inserted at the end. This gives them a good support aside from CA glue. Drilled holes on the new taser box: At Inland Armory's advise, I ordered braided stainless steel sleeving from Amazon and used it to wrap the body of the taser tips, as seen in reference photos... (JAN 2019) I'll be doing a bit of weathering and touch paint. I know I'd return and properly install LEDs on the mag and the taser box. But here's my new upgraded and more screen-accurate E10. (JAN 2019)

BLASTED! (Part 1: E11-B) This character really packs. Got three blaster options! A quick one for me was transforming my TK's Hyperfirm E11 to an E11-B. It's as simple as installing an M300 (or a replica) to the side t-track and voila. Weapon #1!

THE COMPLETED POUCHES (as of JAN 2019)

NOT ALL CREATURES WITH POUCHES ARE MARSUPIALS... (Part 2: Soft Bandoleer) The Mud costume I reckon is quite a weighty one to wear. In this regard, the cloth bandoleer would be a welcome respite from the bulk the look of this character sports. (OCT 2018) I bought a small block of 23mm hard foam. I used it to stuff the bandoleer. Very lightweight ammo pouch we have here! After stuffing the bandoleer, I blasted it with black spray paint and proceeded with the subsequent weathering, MAD MUD MOD: RIGGING THE CLOTH BANDOLEER: (DEC 2018) If you’re tired of lugging around the heavier ammo pouch, switch to the lightweight cloth bandolier! Most will just tie em around the armor or whatnot, I approached it differently. Again I started with the massacre of a nice cloth bandolier. Cut the webbing short, installed velcro strips on both ends and the pairing strips on the armor. While it only stays in one place and in one configuration, it gives me that consistent look with pieces staying in ther proper spot. Easy on and off affair too.

NOT ALL CREATURES WITH POUCHES ARE MARSUPIALS... (Part 1: MP40 Ammo Pouch) The Muds have quite a good amount of little touches that enhance its looks (ie the scarf). Another nice thing that endeared me to the character was with slight changes in accessories, you can attain a different look. Want to be a medic? Change a bicep (which I've yet to order from Jim). Warm troop? Respirator off. Want to go incognito? Respirator on. Same goes with the pouches. Want to not be chest-bare? Grab either of the approved pouch accessories! It was a delight to actually receive an MP40 from Imperial Boots that is already weathered! (OCT 2018) All I had to do was do a number on this thing in order to affix it better to the armor in a way that it stays in place. I shared this as an MMM in the Facebook Group Page. Therefore... MAD MUD MOD: TAMING THE MP40 AMMO POUCH: (DEC 2018) Here’s how i tamed the ammo pouch. I like things to be easy and consistent during troops. I massacred the ammo pouch and installed snaps and a velcro strip so it attaches easily and snugly on the armor. It still maintains the look as prescribed in the draft CRL (“upper strap over the right shoulder...” “lower strap across the chest...”) Now my ammo pouch stays in place, it can be an easy snap on and off affair in case I want to just troop without it or switch to the cloth bandoleer.

THE COMPLETED SOFT PARTS (as of JAN 2019)