Hoda's Lt. Janek Sunber Build

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

Alright folks, here we go! Since I already have the Imperial Army Trooper and Imperial Army Engineer approved, I might as well continue down the route with other Imperial Army units  (Sapper to come, hopefully soon!)

Similar to my other builds, I will create below a parts list. I have followed along the current CRL proposal and the discussions, and will for sure have some questions / clarifications along the way. For future reference, I am following along to the proposal dated 5/9/2020. There are some CRL texts below that did not make it to the front page of the CRL discussion page (happened and agreed to in the discussions that followed), in which case, I have used the text in the discussion (I think I have the most updated texts here ... maybe?)

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

Parts List (so far):

• Hat: Self-made
• Green Imperial Jumpsuit: Modded from Elbeco Transcon (similar to the IAT suit)
• Imperial Army Patch: From Endor Finders
• Imperial Rank Bar: Etsy - BaileyBuildsDesigns
• Gloves: eBay
• Web Harness: Self-made with parts from Strapworks, same as IAT
• Belt: eBay
• Belt Pouches: eBay
• Boots: eBay (Denver Hayes Men's Midland Side Zip Winter Boot), same as IAT
• Comlink: Shapeways (Matt Nelson's files)
• Electrobinoculars: Shapeways (Matt Nelson's files)
• SE-14: Existing collection
• Holster: DarmansProps commission 

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Hat, Olive

For 501st approval:

Fabric is a medium weight suiting material of olive green.
Base of the hat is conical, with a crown about 4" (101.6 mm) tall.
Front and rear flaps overlap on the sides and are about 4" (101.6 mm) high.
Front bill extends 3" down, decorated with (5) (6) or (7) concentric stitches.
Imperial Code Disk positioned in the center of the front vertical flap.

For level two certification (if applicable):

Code Disk has a notch detail on the outermost disk.

I started with the hat. This was actually the most painful part of the build. I had originally an olive-drab hat from my line officer build, but the color did not match up at all.

So I decided to build one myself. I have never made a hat like this before (I suck at following patterns), but was able to get another Elbeco suit cheap, broke it down for parts (I used up almost the entirety of both pant legs), got some parts from JOANN, and off we go. I find it funny that my first officer hat build is for SpecOps, and not IOC!

I had only the non-notched version of the Imperial Disc on-hand, and will be upgrading it to the notched version shortly.

I used this pattern https://cyberseams.com/sewing/clothes/star-wars-imperial-officer-hat-pattern/ and followed along Hawk's video, and voila! 

Photos

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Green Imperial Jumpsuit

For 501st approval:

One piece olive green coverall / jumpsuit with a front invisible zipper and mandarin collar.
Each shoulder has an Imperial Army patch that sits about 1 inch below the shoulder seam
Below the patch on each arm there is a small pocket with the rectangular flap closure that ends just above the elbow.
2 large chest pockets.
There are no leg pockets below the knees.
2 large cargo pockets sit on the outside of the legs from around mid-thigh extending to around the bottom of the knee, with a rectangular flap covering the top.

For level 2 certification (if applicable)

Mandarin collar is closed by a chevron shaped strap across the neck.
Collar is closed by a rectangular piece of velcro. Stitching is visible from the exterior.

Having modded the IAT flightsuit, this wasn't terrible. I removed the epaulettes, repaired the shoulder, converted them to collar strap, and sewed on the patches. That's when I realized I forgot the small pockets right underneath the patches! Sigh, I then had to rip the patches back out, adjust, and then made new pockets (using extra fabric from the pant legs).

Updates to the CRL text?

• Should we just match this to the IAT CRL for level 2? 

 

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Imperial Army Patch

For 501st approval:

A shield shaped patch.
The patch has an Imperial cog symbol approximately 2.75 to 3 inches in diameter.
The background of the patch has a more narrow shield shaped design on top of a box colored a darker shade of green.

I got the patch from Endor Finders this time. Here it is - https://www.endorfinders.com/shop/imperial-army-patch

This is a photo from the work in progress!

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Imperial Rank Bar

Rank consists of colored plastic tiles mounted on a metallic finish square
Rank bar corners are hard angle or slightly rounded.
The rank of Lieutenant (2 red tiles on top of 2 blue tiles) is the only acceptable rank.

This was easy since I had it on hand. I got mine from https://www.etsy.com/shop/BaileyBuildsDesigns

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Gloves

For 501st approval:

Black, wrist length gloves constructed of a non-textured leather or leather-like material.
Enclosed fingers.
No buckles, straps, etc.
May have three stitched lines or square padding on the back of the hand.

For level 2 certification (if applicable)

No buckles, straps, etc.
Must have square padding on back of hand.

I have these gloves from the IAT build - the 3 stitched lines is the pair I got to Specialist with, the other one is what I was going to use originally. I will get another pair of the gloves like the ones for the Imperial Army Sapper and paint that green for level 2. 

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Web Harness

For 501st approval:

Olive green colored, double strap "H" harness which travels from the lower back, and up over the shoulders.
Harness is made of 2 inch Olive green nylon webbing.
The harness system attaches to the belt.
Visible snap-hook style fasteners that attach to belt eyelets are acceptable.
Tri-glides may be present on front or back of suspenders.
Back of suspenders may be permanently fastened to belt, but not required.
Left suspender has a comlink clip/holster.
Right suspender has a vanity pouch attached.

For level 2 certification (if applicable)

The main body of harness fasteners are discreetly hidden behind the belt, or it is directly mounted to belt
Harness is fitted to the wearer and no tri-glides are present.
Comlink is present.

This was easy. Took the same harness from the IAT build. I do not plan on making any modifications to hold the comlink since I wanted to have the harness be interchangeable (I will be using magnets to attach the comlink). I will talk about the pouches in the section below. 

Updates to the CRL text?

• Do we need to call out what kind of pouch sits on the harness on the right side? 

 

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Belt

For 501st approval:

Belt is a 2.25" wide nylon military style quick release web belt.
Belt is olive green in color.
Belt has grommets that run along both the top and bottom of its length.
For level two certification (if applicable):

Belt buckle is olive green in color.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Belt Pouches

For 501st approval:

Belt pouches are olive green in color and should be made of nylon or similar material.
2 rectangular pouches with a top flap, and strap from top to bottom securing it shut, sit to the right of the belt buckle where the harness meets the belt.
A gas-mask style pouch sits on the right of the above pouches.
A tactical triple AK magazine PALS belt pouch should be on the rear of the belt.
An electrobinoculars pouch sits on the left of the belt buckle where the harness meets the belt.
2 rectangular pouches with a top flap, and strap from top to bottom securing it shut, sit to the left of the electrobinoculars pouch.

For level 2 certification (if applicable)

Electrobinoculars are present

Getting to the right set of pouches are a bit tricky. I used the list from @pm07as a starting point and gathered the pouches. Some I repurposed from the IAT.

It's a bit tricky following the recommendations as is, since the belt might be overloaded with too many pouches! I made compromises to the left side of the belt ... can someone point me to Sunber's left side for reference to see what he actually had? Most images I have seen of Sunber is from the right or the back. 

From left to right in the images below - 

• Condor Binocular Pouch https://www.extremetronics.com/condor-binocular-pouch-od-green/
• Condor MA 15 Grenade Pouch https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-MA15-Tactical-MOLLE-PALS-Modular-Single-Frag-Grenade-Multi-Purpose-Pouch/113715097653 (x2)
• Condor MA 33 Triple Mag Pouch https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=CONDOR+MA33+olive
• Condor MA 2 Dump Pouch https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-MA2-Tactical-Hunting-MILSIM-MOLLE-PALS-Elastic-Slit-Ammo-Dump-Pouch/113716672367
• Holster (see next section)
• Condor 191044 Small Utility Pouch https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-191044-Small-Tactical-MOLLE-Mounted-Utility-Pouch/164291891952 (x2)

Here's what I ended up doing (for now). I will mod the dump pouch with two snaps (similar to what I did for the Engineer). 

Updates to the CRL text?

• This line from the proposed text - is there reference to reflect the requirement for the rectangular pouches for the left side of the belt? I can swap the MA 15 pouches out with more utility pouches (the 191044), but I think the belt would look pretty bulky.  2 rectangular pouches with a top flap, and strap from top to bottom securing it shut, sit to the left of the electrobinoculars pouch.
• For level 2, should the line A gas-mask style pouch sits on the right of the above pouches. be updated to A gas-mask style pouch sits on the right of the above pouches, with a visible double snap closure or appear to have such.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

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Boots

For 501st approval:

Mid- Calf high black or olive green leather or leather like material.
Jackboot or "Commuter" type boot required. 
Free of laces, decorative stitching, buckles on the instep or any other embellishments.
Zippers on the inside of the boot are acceptable, so long as they are concealed.
If the zipper is not covered by vinyl/ leather, it is painted to match the boot.
If jackboot is used, trouser leg shall be "bloused" down over boot shaft to show no more than 9" (23cm) of the boot.  "Commuter" boot is already the correct height. 
Tread on the soles and heel are acceptable. 
Weathering on boots is acceptable. 

For level 2 certification (if applicable)

"Commuter" style boot 8-9" (20-23cm) in height.
Calf high boots such as  "kersey" style are not acceptable.

This was easy, took the boots from the IAT and called it a day

[IcyTrooper[CMD-DL]]

Very nice to see this! We still have the CRL open for editing before final draft. I pinged @RAIDER about this post so we can see how we could move forward with the CRL text again.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

Alright, now let's talk optional accessories. Lt. Janek Sunber will need to go into battle, after all!

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Comlink

For 501st approval:

Imperial Style Comlink to be worn in the comlink clip on the left suspender.

These are from Matt Nelson's files, which are so awesome. I painted them green. To hold the comlink, I will be using magnets (I have glued magnets to the back of the holder), and will be using that to place on the harness. If I find it moving around too much, I suppose I will just build a new harness and rivet the holder onto the harness.

Updates to the CRL text?

Imperial Style Comlink to be worn in the comlink clip on the left suspender. >> An Olive Green Imperial Style Comlink to be worn in the comlink clip on the left suspender.

 

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Electro-binoculars

For 501st approval:

Scratch built or high end prop replica.

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SE-14 Blaster Pistol

For 501st approval:

Scratch built or high end prop replica.

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Holster

For 501st approval:

Retention style open back holster made to fit the SE-14 Blaster Pistol. A strap goes across the top to hold the blaster in place.
Holster is worn on the right side so it hangs below all belt pouches and after the MA47 double handcuff MOLLE PALS belt pouches

Feast your eyes on this beauty, brought to you by Darman's Props! Bobby has been my go-to person for holsters since day one, and I sent him images of Sunber's holsters to be replicated. Here it is! He even included a leg strap for good measure (which I took off for now, but will probably be super useful during troops).

Updates to the CRL text?

• This line is probably a bit outdated from before when the text referenced the double handcuff pouches - Holster is worn on the right side so it hangs below all belt pouches and after the MA47 double handcuff MOLLE PALS belt pouches. Maybe update it to something like this? Holster is worn on the right side so it hangs below all belt pouches and after the 191044 utility pouches.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

11 minutes ago, IcyTrooper said:

Very nice to see this! We still have the CRL open for editing before final draft. I pinged @RAIDER about this post so we can see how we could move forward with the RL text again.

I figured might as well! I was chatting with @Blackwatcha while back who mentioned it would be nice to have this CRL completed. I had some time on my hand, so here I am! I will also go bump the CRL thread with comments. 

[Blackwatch[CMD-DCA]]

Eric I posted answers to the CRL proposal questions in the proposal topic.  I would much rather keep those discussions there, in one place, than on a WIP because going back and forth with multiple input is too much to track.   I will be creating a new updated post soon, maybe tonight, with the updated and proposed text. 

 

Regarding bulk--those few pouches on me would look weird. I need a lot of pouches to fill out of all my belt.  BUT, to my knowledge theres no left side view, and in the end, we are talking about a total of about 6 pouches on the belt.  Looking at the pouches on your belt, I would think you could ditch the left side PALS cuff pouches.   The two pouches you have on the right sure seem awfully big, compared to our ref images

Can they be trimmed down? they look too tall. 

I like this holster, a lot. Looks great and fits the description I wrote in the proposal.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

4 minutes ago, Blackwatch said:

Eric I posted answers to the CRL proposal questions in the proposal topic.  I would much rather keep those discussions there, in one place, than on a WIP because going back and forth with multiple input is too much to track.   I will be creating a new updated post soon, maybe tonight, with the updated and proposed text.

Yes sir! I didn't want to derail the conversation so took some of the info here and posted it there (which you responded to). We can keep this thread the WIP and updates I make based on the CRL text as it evolves.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

I had some time this week to make some more changes to the suit to be closer to the CRL currently being finalized. 

First up, pocket flaps! I have made new pocket flaps that are rectangular (took more from the pants / sacrificial flight suit). I did this to all 4 of the front pockets (two chest, two leg).

I then updated the collar a bit. The current discussion for Sunber's collar pretty much breaks down to - how is the collar made? Is there a visible method of closure (like a snap, or stitches implying a Velcro closure), or is it "seamless", as in there's no visible way of how it closes?

Well, since I already made a collar that has a snap attached, I decided to make another collar that is more "seamless". Either way the discussion shakes out, I would have both collars ready to go.

So off we go! More fabric from the sacrificial suit! I removed the current collar I made (the collar made from the epaulette + the snap), used it to chalk and outline against the fabric (to get the same angle). I made two pieces of identical collar fabric, so I can make one with the loop attached, and one without. I then sew the two together to create a "seamless" look, while still having the velcro closure.

Gotta clean up the seams a bit, but voila!

More to come ... think I need to add some snaps onto the pouches. Will wait to see how the CRL discussion shakes out there before continuing.

[IcyTrooper[CMD-DL]]

Very nice! We should be able to have a direction for it in finalized form this evening.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

Gloves, revisited! 

I got a pair of the Rothco Full-Finger Rappelling Gloves and removed the pads from the fingers. I then hit it with some of the Montana olive green paint.

The lighting always make these things look so funky, but in person it looks great and matches well w/ the other olive green items!

[IcyTrooper[CMD-DL]]

Very nice!! I can tell that green is super close!

[Blackwatch[CMD-DCA]]

Eric thats what I used on my Sapper, Neal found those gloves and they fit the bill. 

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

Just now, Blackwatch said:

Eric thats what I used on my Sapper, Neal found those gloves and they fit the bill. 

I know! YOU guys led the way, I am just following along

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

As the CRL gets refined, so does Eric's build!

Today - I modified the harness to belt attachment. I have removed the snap-hook fastener, as well as the tri-glides, to better match the visual for Sunber in the comics. 

Instead of attaching the harness directly to the belt though, I wanted to give myself some flexibility. So instead, I created a loop at the ends of the harness and sewed them around the belt. This way there are some flexibility in the positioning of the straps, and placement of the pouches.

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

And ... new belt! 

Per the CRL discussion, we realized the Sunber's belt is actually a bit different than the IAT in that he's got a regular buckle vs. the quick release buckles we see in the IA troops. So, new belt!

I have also updated the pouches per the CRL discussions. I haven't decided which two pouch I would use on the left side (next to the binocular pouch). See the sets of pouches here - 

Lastly, I added the snaps to the back gas mask pouch.

[IcyTrooper[CMD-DL]]

I like it!

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

I had a chance to take some photos as Sunber yesterday, with edits made to the parts according to the CRL discussions. 

First time suiting up, check it out! Gonna need to get some Sunber action poses for the next suit-up!

[Hoda[CMD-DCA]]

And now ladies and gentlemen ... for your enjoyment!

[Melnik]

3 hours ago, Hoda said:

And now ladies and gentlemen ... for your enjoyment!

This picset is pure flex... ??