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[Tenebris]

Hi, Ive been putting off doing my WIP as I'm really bad with technology.

 I'm from Brighton in the UK and I have two small people. One of whom has complex special needs/austism......one of my reasons for wanting to join the mercs is to  raise awareness for children's charities and bring some joy to kids.

I starting costuming last year, but it's the first time I've done anything with thermoplastics on this scale, so its daunting, but I'm enjoying learning....I also have medical conditions so I've been designing my kit with this in mind, while (desperately trying) to keep to the CRL's.....So my design keeps changing/evolving as it's built. I'm hoping to eventually join brigades.

My conditions mean I cant always stand straight, my joints dislocate and I can faint if I overheat/can move so there may be small differences in my kit and helmet due to vision problems.

My other half is hawkwolf who has just become an OM.





The main focus of my kit is the paint, I'm (hopefully) going for a fade effect. As I may not always be able to wear my helmet I'm creating an under helmet look. my character is half echani, which also ties in with the light armour.

[Ashen Kelborn]

Nice colour blend, can't wait to see how this turns out  8)

[Tenebris]

So I started off on the dummy, I'd already helped with my other halfs plates so started with the mens templates as I wanted a more sutble shape......I REALLY wanted a pauldren, but it just restricts my movement too much.





So I darted the templates, then moved the collar up and adjusted the spacing. I still couldn't move enough (my shoulder could out or their sockets a little when I reach forwards and I struggle with breathing if im constricted).
So I widened the diamond and divided the chest into 3 for better movement.



Its not the plates that are wonky its me

[Tenebris]

Ahh how the camera loves me!

[Tenebris]

3 part backplate for movement

But when I arched back it hurt the base of my back, so altered to 2 plates. Once painted the backplate will be cut straight down the outer lines into 3 pieces to allow more movement. so there will be a central spine and two shoulder sections.

[Tenebris]

I wanted to go for wide shoulders partly as I was morning my pauldron  , but also it doesn't affect my shoulders so much













Then I had to trim front and back plates and re-heat the backplate to get them to fit and meet.

[Hik'aari]

Loving the progress so far Reading this made it dawn on me that I haven't seen anything from your kit beyond the concept

Keep up the good work. That back plate is going to look very unique

[Tenebris]

Thanks Nip nip and ashen, I do really love my backplate Its my favourite bit of my kit so far.

Having made Hawkwolfs vest and deciding that flak vests are not my friend I made 3!!!!!!!!! before I was happy.


I realised that while I can move a dart, I had no idea how to create one out of nothing, so I did a FBA (that's a full bust adjustment) If you are really busty, look it up as a conversion from a male vest pattern that way may work for you.


I went with a further modification of this one, tapering off the darts to nothing, reducing the length and taking some out of the armhole (so I can move).




I cant have pressure on my hips so couldn't wear an extra belt for my kama. My first attempt was to put leather straps on it to attatch to my ammo belt, but it didn't sit how I wanted it to. so I went with a Velcro wrap round.

I couldn't find a kama pattern so if anyone is interested...........
I measured the point round my hips from where I wanted it to start and finish. took this measurement and drew a straight horizontal line, then I measured how long I wanted it to be and added that measurement by drawing two vertical lines, then another horizontal to make a box, then I just folded it in half drew my shape, added seam allowance and wrap round tabs and cut it on the fold.






So I have nystagmous (shakey eyes, and I get double vision if I have objects too close to my eyes)....out of the millon different ways I thought up to combat this with the helmet...This was what I went with.

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

I'm REALLY loving your progress so far!  Love the colors and the fading effect is insane!!  All of your plates are super cool and unique. Sizing and spacing also look great.  The mod to the visor of the helmet is great, very reminiscent of the Juggernaut helmet.  I just can't say enough good things here...  Keep up the good work!!

[Kryamla Redalur]

You're off to a great start! I love your shoulder and back plates! Can't wait to see more

[Blackdugal]

Everything is looking great.  I love the way you've been able to modify the plates to fit your medical issues. 

With your overheating issues check out this video of Adam Savage from Mythbusters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxRoK5LZa_A

Go to the 2:15 minute mark and see the coolant backpack he created.  I don't know how much it weighs but the idea could help keeping you cool on the warm or hot days you troop.

[Kavryn Falco]

Those plates are gonna look awesome with that paint work!

As for the medical side of things, the Mercs do make allowances for medical reasons.  You look like you've got a pretty good handle on the mods you need so you can troop comfortably, but if you ever run up against an issue you're not sure how to solve, send the App Team a pm and I'm sure they'll be able to work something out with you

[Tenebris]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement.

Blackdugal, thanks for the info...I really wanted a jetpack but I think it will affect my vertigo too much because of the weight distribution  .  Also I'm wanting to (eventually) go for brigades and do acquisition specialist....so need to keep it quite streamlined (I think ). Also to fit in with the echani character, they had really light armour. I am now wondering if I could attatch a fan to a melee weapon......

Kavryn Thanks, I'll remember that.


I'm really hoping The paint fade works, originally I wanted metallic, but the paint reacting with the other paint just wont allow for that.....Its all a bit of trial and error.

Had a bit of a trim, please note : sash has no fastening yet, which it will to lie flat. Plates are straight its me its me! Ive not got loads of pouches as will need space for back gun holster and brigade pouches for lock picking etc. Oh and excuse joggers....I was doing a tgrial of top of kit.

[Kitala-Enby]

Wow this is some quality work vod. Look forward to seeing more. if you need any help feel free to ask xx

[Kara Kelborn]

Looks good, can't wait to see it painted