Mithras

Just want to double check here. According to the way I read the CRLs, a Shadow Scout bucket may be black or dark grey and, may be built either WITH decals, or without. Is that correct? Further, it appears that the helmet bolts are gloss black, like the rest of the helmet. Is this also correct? Thanks! -Alex

Has there been any movement on the CRL? I ask because I've got the parts sitting here, and I really can't continue with the kit until the final details are resolved. It's not the end of the world if this is going to be a while; I have enough here that I can easily switch gears and build a Shadow Scout. Thanks for any info you can share! -M.

Thanks, Griffin:) I have noticed a couple other details, and I think I've come to a conclusion about a couple of changes. First, it appears to me that there are no helmet bolts with either Scout. Secondarily, I'm beginning to think that the raised cod area, at least in the WEG version, is an artists rendering of the standard scout cod, in white. What do you think? I'm guessing this based upon the image from the databank. -Alex

Hello, all. Just something I've been thinking a lot about lately during my free time. Take it or leave it:) This is essentially Izzi's original draft from 2010, updated with some of the more recent data we have from the WOC version of the armor, etc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aquatic Assault Trooper (Sea Trooper) ARMOR (All hard armor may be white gloss, semi-gloss, or weathered. Equipment worn in undersea environments does not often remain showroom quality; weathering is highly encouraged but not required.) Chest Plate: Standard Biker Scout style chest plate Back Plate: Standard Biker Scout style back without tank. Tank is replaced by the Air Tanks described below. No flashing lights or LEDs are acceptable anywhere on the costume. ** Air Tanks: Consist of rectangular enclosure with two air canisters mounted on top. A control pad, depicted as having at least one small rectangular screen and two knobs, is mounted between the two canisters, slightly overlapping them. Shoulder Bells: Standard Biker Scout style. Bicep Armor: Standard Biker Scout Style. Must have Black T-Bits. Elbow Armor: Standard Biker Scout Style. Forearm Armor: Required if worn with WOC version of the Seatrooper. Should not be used otherwise. These are TK style bracers, white in color. Handplates: Required if worn with the WOC version of the Seatrooper. Should not be used otherwise. These are TK style handplates, worn over plain black, compression style gloves. Belt: Biker Scout style belt with four pouches and thigh boxes. No thermal detonator is worn. If wearing the WOC style Seatrooper armor, drop boxes are NOT permitted. Cod and Butt Plate: This is a plain white cod and butt piece, similar to that worn by TKs. However, a raised ridge runs from about the center of the cod plate between the legs to about the center of the butt plate. Knee Armor: These are Biker Scout style knees. They are white in color. Greaves: These are worn on the shins. If building a WEG style Seatrooper, the shins should be built to match the detailed visual references available. If worn with the WOC style Seatrooper, TK style greaves should be worn. NO KNEE PLATES are worn with the TK style greaves. HELMET Modified Scout Helmet: Helmet may be white gloss, semi-gloss, or weathered. Weathering is encouraged, but not required. - Two ribbed hoses run from each side of the snout to the respective air tanks on their sides. - The snout is built as standard Biker Scout snout if building the WEG version; the WOC version is plain, with no greeblies or details. - Ears are plated over and closed. - Dome may have a raised dome with a "sensor array" resembling the WEG reference pictures, but ONLY if building the WEG version of the armor. - There are no decals or markings on the helmet of any kind. - If using the Don Post/Rubies helmet, the following modifications must also be made: ** Remove the logo on the back neck ** Repaint bucket if not white. ** Replace lens ** Slim facemask if it's flared ** Replace bolts on visor/bucket ** Replace aerator SOFT GOODS - Undersuit: One or two piece compression style body suit. May be a dive suit, UnderArmour or similar style and material. - Gloves: tight fitting, non-ornamental gloves that match the material of the body suit. - Cummerbund: Plain white tight fitting material resembling the armor, without any ribbing or ornamental stiching that covers the abdomen. REQUIRED for the WOC version of the Seatrooper; optional for the WEG version. FOOTWEAR - Fins: White fins modified to resemble the visual references. White or black dive boots may be worn instead, but fins must be carried or attached to the shins or belt of the armor. WEAPON (Optional) - E-11 - Scout Blaster - E-11/Speargun Hybrid: built to resemble visual references ... Again, just my thoughts. -M.

Duly noted, Chef. My armor arrived today. After inspection, I do not think that the Thermal Detonator is convertible in its current form to the version used in the animated armor. This is rather an important point, I think, because nobody is currently manufacturing that style of detonator. I have been looking at it very closely, and I believe that it is , for all intents and purposes, a much simplified "pixelated" version of the screen used detonator. This is a significant issue because, while I agree that the holster and tank topper are omissions that could validly be modeled, I'm just not sure about the requirement for an animated style detonator. It really seems an omission of detail/oversimplification (like the rubies style fishhook) rather than something intended to look distinctively different. My argument, for what it's worth, would be for allowing the screen used detonator or, alternatively, no detonator at all. Any thoughts on this? Because the CRLs are still in flux with this, and because some of the parts (for example, appropriately sized forest green web tape and velcro) are quite hard to come by, I'm going to be putting this project on hold until more information is available, unfortunately. I don't want to get halfway through the build only to discover that the Thermal Detonator has to be completely rebuilt, etc. I'm sure you understand. I'll keep watching the forums and will start work as soon as I can, but at the moment, there's just not enough to go on. -Alex

Sounds good. Did you reach a decision on the Thermal? As per Blue/Grey, do you mean to suggest either/or, or a mix of the two?

The version I build will, I think, depend upon the kit I receive; in particular, the Thermal Detonator. If it appears to be modifiable into the animated version, then my intention is to build the animated style. However, if I cannot realistically mod the TD with the materials I have available, I'll build realistic as a secondary option. Couple questions if I may. Assume for a moment an animated build. 1. Tank topper or no? 2. Rubies style fishhook or standard? I am inclined toward thinking that there should be no tank topper, but I am of the opinion (for what it's worth) that the Rubies style decal is a mistake. I could be persuaded otherwise, but would value your thoughts, troopers. One other question that arises. Have a look at those blue helmet bolts. Is it just me, or do they appear to be distressed/weathered to show traces of grey? M. Couple more questions if I may

Chef - Thanks for the answer. I was thinking along the same lines, but wanted to hear the opinions of someone in the know. In all likelyhood, given that the CRL has been "in progress" for some time, and given that Galaxies style Thermals simply don't exist at the moment, I would likely be going with the Movie version. Hopefully it would be approvable in that style. -Alex

Hello, everyone - I apologize for starting a new topic, but I wanted to keep the other thread clear for discussion of the reference photos I posted. I have ordered my armor, and will be receiving it in a couple of weeks if all goes according to plan. I will need to build and paint it, of course. Because of some of the questions raised by some of the new info I've found, though, I want to clarify a few points before I build, so as to ensure approval . I'm sure I'll think of other questions, but here are a few that are immediately coming to mind, partly because I'm back to working on my helmet. - Should my helmet bolts be grey, as per normal, or blue, as in the images? - I have placed the digital style logo on the left temple of the helmet; should I also place another on the right or would one be sufficient? - I assume that the Thermal Detonator would be done in the style as recommended in the CRL, or should I modify it as per the images from SWG? This appears to be the "standard" for all thermal detonators in the SWG, and I'd argue it could be done in this, or movie style, but I'm open to the detachment's views on this. - The boots: should they include the 'dogbone' piece, or should they be done in 'animated' (ie: SWG) style, with no dogbone? Thanks in advance for your assistance, Alex

I'd argue that we probably wouldn't need the bolts, but that they could be an option. Oddly, years ago, when we were creating the SWC over on Prodigy (ok... maybe more than a few years ago), we had a few Seatrooper roleplayers, one suggestion was that there would be no bolts, since the helmet would have to be an entirely sealed environment. We sort of went with that, since the entire thing seems to be completely enclosed and temperature controlled. I'm not sure about that shroud. I look at it different times, and at some points, it looks very much like a standard Scout bucket to me; other times I agree, it's almost angled. But again, that might be a useful option to have, since such modifications might prove difficult but would not necessarily be absolutely required by the costume, particularly if one goes with the slightly more recent WOC interpretation. Of course then, it would appear that the snout is completely enclosed. No snout greeblies, just a solid enclosed rebreathing apparatus. One other, point on the subject: I'd argue that the greaves shown in the WEG images are not consistent with those shown in the WOC D20 images and, consequently, could be "options" compared to the simpler greaves shown in the WOC interpretation. That could make the costume more approachable and more troopable for some. It might be worth allowing either option in a CRL. "For a WEG: Imperial Sourcebook style look, use this option; for a D20 Star Wars option, use the following." The two should probably not be mixed. (Ie: If you're going to go the D20 route, then go whole hog: plain white cumberbund/pressure vest, enclosed snout, simplified greaves). As Boudicca mentioned earlier, we've had to do this in the Gunner detachment, because of the variants that appear in so many screen shots and canonical materials. It's allowed for a screen/canon accurate costume that is quite accessible without absolutely necessitating the home casting/sculpting of particularly difficult or impossible pieces of kit.

The point is that -I have- done the research. I've been trying to get some sort of response to that research, but Chef here is the only one who's even bothered to read my post in full and to say he thinks I've found something worth researching. I have had plenty of patience with this, but this was several hours worth of work and investigation for a costume that was supposedly poorly documented and in need of new sources. I've even seen officers of this detachment post elsewhere that the CRL's like it were "unfinishable" because the sources were no longer available. I believe I've proven that wrong. Heck, I've even offered to do the photos for the CRL. It's very frustrating to see so many orphaned "almosrt CRLs" (case in point: the Seatrooper) because people simply lost interest. Kids love these costumes, as do fans. They are unusual, and they are dynamic. And what is more, since most children of this generation recognize Star Wars from two sources: video games and the Prequels, they will be appreciated if they are reproduced. One might even say they are "rock stars" at the events they attend. (I've seen whole crowds completely ignore a beautiful Fett just to have a look at a Storm Commando, for example.) I'm simply trying to contribute some of my own skills and resources to make these costumes easier to build and more accessible. I'd be happy to do this (and to do the same with others), but a little bit of moral support would certainly go a long way. Chef - Thanks for the moral support. Much appreciated. Thanks for understanding where my frustration comes from. Means a lot, actually. And that is , as I've told you before, a mean looking Storm Commando. (Or are we still calling these guys "Shadow Scouts?" I'm a WEG gamer from back in the day. They'll always be Storm Commandoes to me:) ) -Alex

Owing to a complete lack of response, I hedged my bets and placed the insignia on the left right. Given the apparent lack of interest, however, I am unsure whether I'll be continuing the build or research at this point.

For purposes of application, then, should the fish hook be on the right side as Chef has observed, or on the right? Thank you again for the help, folks. I have studied those source materials pretty closely, but Im sure you can appreciate how difficult it is to discern certain details. Incidentally, I'm happy to submit shots of my gear for the CRL, once they are properly done, if that would help. Alex

Thanks for the heads up; easy fixes. Not sure about the fishook, but I've never seen the other style in anything but grey, and Im not seeing the style used in galaxies, if indeed there is one. Sort of guessed, as that is the style usually offered on decal sheets for the Shadow Scout. I'm happy to change them, let me know. Painting the other style black wouldn't be too hard. Alex

Hello, all - Here's v2 of the Swamp Trooper helmet. Weathering made more natural looking,decals applied, greeblies and visor lens installed. Hope you like it. I'm quite pleased with the result. Not perfect, but given the heavy use such an item would see, I think it fits the bill. A little dark around here, so I used the flash - as such, the green appears slightly brighter than it does in person, and there is a bit of glare. Apologies for that. The helmet lens is green, as per the CRL. Front: http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc178/Mithras77/IMG_0098.jpg Rear: http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc178/Mithras77/IMG_0100.jpg Left Profile: http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc178/Mithras77/IMG_0097.jpg Right Profile: http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc178/Mithras77/IMG_0099.jpg

Thanks for the feedback, Izzi. Definitely going to re-do the weathering. -Alex

Hello, everyone. Perhaps a little background is in order. Briefly, Boudicca and I had talked about doing a TX program at some point, and I had been looking at several options, since none of my costumes are "armored" at the moment. Boudicca had intended to do a TB first, but given the recent bizzarre chain of events in the TB detachment, she found herself less than enthusiastic about continuing down that road until leadership and policies change... and in possession of a rough cut KS kit. She gave it to me, and suggested that it might be a good opportunity to try my hand at beginning a Swamp Trooper, something I'd been weighing on and off for a long time. At any rate, it's already been documented here that this kit was a disaster, and that the quality of the kits in general is becoming worse and worse. The plastic was poorly cast - too thin in many key areas, with considerable divots and gaps and very easy tearing; the color of white ABS provided for the kit was actually two-tone (the visor was one color, the main body of the helmet another); the greeblies needed replacement with more accurate parts, etc. To top it all off, there were no instructions provided, and the online tutorial for the helmet is -average- at best (and that, excuse my bluntness, is to put it politely.) Unfortunately, it's currently the only game in time for anyone with a medium to large head. The new SC kits which I had pinned my own hopes on have too small a dome to be worn by someone with a noggin such as my own, and the Lonewolf kits are still some way off. Anyway, after a great deal of struggling with this, I have managed to cobble something together that actually seems more and more to look like the genuine article. At this stage, after much shimming, sanding, bondo, painting, sanding, and repainting, following by the latex weathering method to reveal portions of the white armor beneath, I -think- I have something that is approaching usable. I'd be very grateful for your thoughts - please, be kind if you can help it, because this is the first piece helmet I've had to completely build up from scratch (though having to rebuild my Gunner bucket came close, at least the pieces had already been trimmed by the previous owner.) The paint color is the closest I could find to an accurate shade; the recommended shade often quoted here is unfortunately no longer manufactured by Krylon. The undercoat is a standard Gloss White Rustoleum, since the original ABS had to be completely repainted after sanding and gluing, and of course due to the non-uniform color of the white cap. There are some areas I'd like to touch up (there is a small amount of bondo visible in the right earwell which needs a spot of white or green paint, for example), but I am generally happy with the result. Still needs that small touchup, perhaps a polish, decals, snout greeblies and a visor. In short: what do you think. Is this troopable, or have I done all I can with this, and should I chuck it/keep it as a trophy of war instead? Front View: Rear View: Left Side Profile: Right Side Profile: -Alex

Received. Thanks, Joshua. -Alex

Hello, everyone - I've been looking at doing some TX stuff for a while now, and would like to make it one of my first armor builds - my other costumes are helmet and jumpsuit type costumes or face characters with little to no armor. However, I'm curious about the status of the Shadow Scout helmet situation. When last I investigated (earlier this year ) the situation was that nobody was currently offering the Shadow Scout helmet as a kit or complete item - the only options were to wait or to paint a white bucket in the appropriate color. I am told that the two most prominent makers of the helmet are both "retooling" their helmet designs, and have been doing so for the last several months. Has the situation changed? Are there any current sources for the helmet? Thanks for your time, in any event, Mithras IG/IN 4768