A little bit more than a year ago, I decided to start building a second kit. My first idea was another modern kit, with a more ''foresty vibe'' to it. In the end, I decided against it, seeing as how it would just be the same kit I have, but in green. So why not raise the bar, let's build a new kit, entirely from scratch, top to bottom. And just to add to the challenge, let's make it in one of the more "challenging" era's, the Late Crusader Era.
so, first of all, the inspiration I used was my then current character in SWTOR, my bounty hunter.
Biggest hurdle would be the helmet, I never scratchbuild a single helmet, let alone one that looks like it doesn't have a single straight line in it. But for now, the helmet could wait.
First I made a belt, seeing as how I would connect the torso and the legs with the belt, it seemed like a logical step
After this came the torso. I made some quick templates, checked that all the sizes were correct, and broke out the box cutter. This was the result after my first evening.
Second evening, making good progress. Also made a codpiece, which I tossed out later.
First test fit went ok.
Because it's kinda hard to make a backplate without help, and there were no APs coming in the near future, I started on the jetpack. The basic shape was quickly drawn out, out came the box cutter again, and I got myself a big box of sintra.
Next up, details, all the details... Had a lot of fun with this.
A couple weeks later, went to an AP, got some help with my backplate, which got me the following
Ok, basic torso done. Let's build everything around it and toss it on a mannequin.
Next up, details, details and more details. Oh yeah, and some shoulders and bicep plates as well while we're at it.
At this point I felt confident enough to build the helmet. Unfortunately, I got a little caught up in the moment, and barely took any pictures of the build itself. Made the whole thing in under a week.
rough draft
first test fit with the visor
adding the first "tooth"
and the second one, along with some more details
Primed it, bondoed it, primed it, bondo again. Most people here will know the pain. She's huge, like, really huge. Compared to my old helmet, it's massive.
Then again, I have a massive head, so yeah, it still barely fits me.
At this point, we we're somewhere in september, weather was getting cool enough again to paint. Seeing as how a bare sintra kit isn't approvable..., I broke out the airbrush. First a test piece, took one of the shoulder plates.
Wasn't very happy, so redid it in white, added a blue stripe and some dirt to it, looked much better.
Both shoulders done
Did the rest of the torso afterwards, now we're getting somewhere. I love it when you start seeing actual progress, getting closer to that finish line.
Next up, the helmet. She came out beautiful, if I say so myself.
Her home for the time being
Currently I'm priming and painting the leg parts, but that's an update for another time. Probably next week or so.
