Aesmodan

I've sent for approval! Cheers and thanks to all that helped out in this WIP thread! @RAIDER @IcyTrooper @Chaos @Blackwatch @Dropkick

Update! The finish line is in sight -- I'm finalizing the bucket and will then be ready for approval pics. I hope my first troop in General Weir will be comic cons occurring here between 3rd week of August and second week of September. I've printed and painted the DLT-20a for Weir, and a DLT-19x for the future approval of the Shadow Scout. Every good general needs his optics, so there's a SpecOps-themed macrobinocular as well! I also just finished printing an E-11. Just a word the Weir CRL appears to link an ANH Stunt TK version of the E-11: Whereas in timeline and reference pics, the E-11 Weir is using is ROTJ with the flat front (posting this as I printed both types and may think about a way to make this modular so the barrel can be switched out): I hope to post for member access soon, I need some merch! Cheers, -T

Never tried warming the cans, but will try that right away... I'm anxious to get approved! Thanks for that!

@IcyTrooper @Dropkick Everything is good to go for my Weir save.... the bucket paint. I've been playing with this on and off for the last three months! It's still cold with high humidity here in Ottawa, and I am still seeing orange peeling. Any advice on this? (Just wait for hotter weather? I don't have a heated place to paint indoors...)

ha ha Awesome. Did we all appreciate this special context? We all know that one lunatic that never wants to wear the helmet! 🤦‍♂️ Oh wait, they are all lunatics... armoured, no brain buckets.

@IcyTrooper I ordered a silver lens from TrooperBay at the same time (for the Shadow Scout), and had tried putting that in behind...It improves things, but is perhaps too dark. Ordered several pairs of cheap red and mirrored lens ski goggles that are flexible, we'll see how that works out... Completed the bondo, put on two coats of primer... and then the bondo raised in 3 small and 1 large chip and flaked off (at really weird places on the top and back ridge of the crown, where I haven't worked for days...) It's been -20 to -24ish C here and I have an uninsulated garage, so I imagine that was temperature flux (wet sanding indoors and then painting it outdoors too quickly... (?) I think I didn't sand enough of the shiny layer off the helmet around the trapezoids on the back, as the primer dried but left a weird lightning bolts / 'crows' feet' pattern... sanded it off and will move to acetone/bondo paint, I think.

All pieces complete save the bucket, and submitted to my GML! 5th application of bondo on the helm, will be the last one, I think... Meanwhile, there's this: Where do purge troopers etc. get a mirrored red lens? (not seeing other sources on our forums...) This is the lens from TrooperBay, and I like the colour, but as you notice with the paint can behind it, you can see right through it... Might try repurposing the lens in a set of red mirrored ski goggles... Cheers!

@RAIDER thank you bud. I hadn't attached it and won't. Earlier in the thread we were unclear whether it referred to the greeblie, or the "thin line decal" that passes over the tank. (I accidently broke my tank greeblie and would have had to print a new one, so this is good news!)

@RAIDER Sorry bud… what I mean is that I don’t know what the “tank topper” is…

@RAIDER Haven't driven those knee rivets yet, no worries and will do! (Sorry -- by tank topper do we mean the thin line decal that passes over the tank? Or the greeblie that sits on the top and should be riveted in as well?)

Biceps ready and modular! (velcro on T-bits to make red/black swapable): Forearms strapped up with velcro on each side of elastic as well, will place a piece on the flightsuit to anchor them. Belt rivets and velcro in:

Bandolier a bit fiddlie to mount, but I've established the way it will work: (Thermal det is done and on the side there). Velcro added to the back breastplate's base, and the cummerbund just below the forward plate to hold the 2" webbing. Added more black to the bandolier to make it look weathered/battle-damaged on the lower, plain boxes there but I'm not sure I like it and will probably re-paint them. Velcro added (hidden) to the front and back of the small rectangular box below the box with the backwards "L" to keep the crossed bandoliers in place -- works well. I tried suiting up and this layout is solid and it won't rattle around. The bandolier boxes have all been backed with thick red felt. Need to bring in the flight suit (black Red Cap) so it's less baggy before I start on the suede saddle -- this guidance from PFs is great: https://forum.501stpathfinders.com/topic/19259-undersuit-mods/

Hello @Blackwatch! Ah, I see -- probably does indeed refer to that black line decal that passes over the tank. I'm not sorry then I won't have to place that! I would put a zip tie anchor on both sides of both knees, rivet them in, and then pass the 0.5" elastic through the anchors (I did this with my shoulder bells, without the rivets). (Rivets are not placed yet, posted here with the idea first, the pin is just sitting in the hole for now).

Advice needed! @Chaos @Dropkick @RAIDER Second attempt at rivet in the bottom of the back tank. It’s creates a bit of a divot in the plastic... a passable job? (First time using a rivet gun). (All rivets to be painted over with black nail polish bought from the dollar store). Also, if I understand the reference, the CRL for Specialist says not to put on the top tank greeblie? https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TX_general_weir (Model pics have the greeblie on). For the knee armour, do we care if the elastic is riveted in? I've done all the strapping as double sided velcro, mainly so they're always adjustable, but also so the straps are always replaceable (only the belt strap has been glued). Thinking about riveting a zip tie anchor in instead, through which the 0.5" elastic will pass, for these reasons. (While the shoulder bell doesn't involve a rivet, I've installed it with zip anchors for its 0.5" elastic already). Cheers mates

Had a first suit up today! Update / ideas / to do: 1. Just did bondo, drying on helmet - added liquid fibreglass resin to bondo mud for smoother finish and strength (adds some weight…) 2. Ordered lenses from Trooper Bay (tried automotive vinyl had lying around, looks bad) 3. Add elastic thumb loops / stirrups to sleeves and pant legs? 4. Placed 1” velcro under the lower part of the breastplate attached to cummerbund to keep the breastplate in place -- works great 5. Might install a pocket on chest of flak vest to be hidden by breastplate to hold wallet during troops 6. Glued magnets into the boot holster to keep the holdout blaster in place 7. Added 2” velcro to the top of fabric covering where the breastplates come together -- Weir’s bandolier will anchor there 8. Placed 2” velcro at lower part of breastplate to attach the lower part of Weir’s bandolier 12. Will back the bandolier with red felt; add some red velcro to mid boxes to keep them crossed and fixed in place 13. Might try lining the lower part of knee armour with EVA foam to reduce the armour bite and help them stick out 14. Need to install the suede saddle/buttflap 15. Sewed in 2” velcro at rear of cummerbund for de/attaching codspiece 16. Line the lower part of arm armour pieces with black felt to prevent scratching from overlaps 17. Added about a foot of red paracord to boot heel loops to help ‘shoehorn’ the boots on during troops, might add grommets to the boot tongues with more paracord (easy to hide inside boots) 18. Black chin cup, black steel brackets (presume chin cup attached to visor bolts?) and slick red strapping acquired to add to inside helmet Handy to refer back to, documenting thoughts in the event this helps someone with a Shadow / Weir in the future!