Looking through the brigades pages and I know it isn't required, but I figured an idea of his particular purpose would help decide on designs. That said, I think I'm aiming for [or at least keeping in mind] the Mobile Engineers, specifically a Communications specialist I'm thinking.
Some points that I am pondering at the moment:
Name: Always my hardest part when making a character. I'm horrible at coming up with names. That said, my current line of thought is to slightly modify the name of an ancestor of mine and go with Zophar Hawkins, or some variant thereof if that is not swarzy enough. I'm not too big on the canon outside what has been on the big screen so some help Mandalorianizing the name would be appreciated.
Loadout: I am thinking lightly armed; perhaps a matched pair of light blaster pistols in thigh rides, a melee weapon [or five] plus some electronics/communications tools
Helm: I am thinking late crusader era which I understand gives me quite a bit of leeway with the helm design. I am thinking of incorporating an asymmetric canister design as mentioned above and an integrated helmet light. No RF for me. There is a pic in the early crusader reference image boards of a Mando riding some green beastie. This Mando has breathing canisters integrated into a helmet which is very clearly based on a samurai's kabuto style helmet. This goes rather well with some of the ideas that I have rolling around in my head, so I may design the bucket on the concept of making a sleeker kabuto deisgn. Also toying with the idea of a horsehair braid or ribbon or something hanging loose from the top rear of the helmet if that is acceptable under late crusader CRLs. I've noticed it in some early crusader images and one kit i particular but not sure it it follows into later era.
Plates: I'd love to do a single-piece chest plate with separate kidney plates, two or three separated gut plates and a hard cod. The initial concept was for an articulated armadillo down the spine and a cape off one shoulder but if I go with the comm pack mentioned below, I'll have to rework that idea. I was thinking that I like the look/idea of a single high shoulder/back-of-the-neck piece to keep his head from getting whipped around, similar to a modern [American-]football lineman might wear but that strikes me more as a heavy fighter kind of thing than a comm guy so I'm not sure where I stand on that now. Also, a friend mentioned that it was a very Space Marine concept and I can't get that out of my head now.
Limbs: Left gaunt will be a comm system with a display. I have high hopes for this part of the kit in particular. Right gaunt I haven't decided; perhaps a bunch of circuit-board and electronic greebles to go with the comm motif, or a very small weapon like a dart gun I guess... maybe. Lower body armour not required for this era, but I am thinking a simple shins/knee one-piece which hinges onto spats perhaps. Who knows, maybe once I get in the swing of things I'll add some thigh pieces, or perhaps integrate the thigh holsters into plates rather than strapping them on directly over the flight suit. We'll see.
Soft goods: A thigh-ride on each side for a light pistol, as he is a light fighter at best I am liking the option for a sash rather than the ubiquitous ammo-out-the-shebs belt. Maybe a waist sash and a part-ammo-part-tools-bandolier. I don't know if they are legit in-universe items but I have a very nice leather day sporran I'd love to work into the kit in some way. If I give up the cape I may go with a kama attached to the ankles as I have seen in a couple threads on here.
Jetpack: NONE! I'll be joining MAJIC as soon as they'll have me
Back: I was planning to forgo the backpack in favour of a cape over one shoulder [gladiator style] with an articulated armadillo but with the comm specialist motif in mind, I may leave the cape/'dillo for a future build and go with a comm-pack based off vietnam-era GI radio packs but far slimmer and more swarzy, maybe basing the pack off a modern motorcycle hardshell backpack like the
[Megalopolis Executive] but of my own fabrication; naturally I'm not paying that much for a pack to cut up.
So [if anyone is still reading this] naturally any and all suggestions are not only welcome, they would be greatly appreciated. I like to have a basic idea of what the goal is before I start really getting into the visual design of things, but so many great sources if inspiration on here have left me with tons of ideas floating about. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head.
