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[Arka]

I'm going to preface this with the fact that this is the first armored costume I've ever made. So we'll see how it goes. I am really excited though... I've always wanted a suit of Mandalorian armor. 

Now, I'm quite partial to the late Crusader era Mandalorians (though I admit, I'm basing it mostly on the Knights of the Old Republic comics). I've included a tentative design for my suit (without the helmet... one of the most important parts, I know, but I haven't come up with a design I like enough yet). I am also planning on having the box (tank I guess?) that the air hose from the helmet will attach to as a sort of backpack. I am also not sure about the chest plates...

The purple is also a bit... bright. I plan on it being quite a bit more muted than it is below.



Since this is my first time building armor, I do not expect it to be up to par with something that would meet all the standards for this organization, but I can try. Any suggestions for an easy to work with medium for a beginner? I have heard a lot about craft foam being deceptively good for this kind of thing... but that's just something I've heard.

Thoughts? Advice? And thanks for reading.

*Edit* Sorry, about the image break. I'm guessing twitpic doesn't like direct links. In case it breaks again: http://twitpic.com/8gp0u7

After further studying these boards, I'm beginning to realize I might actually be talking about Neo-Crusaders, when I'm saying Late Crusaders. Well. That's embarrassing. But for some reason the image I have in my head of Neo-Crusaders is very different from the KotOR comics... Or is there some overlap between the eras/movements?

Also changed the title of this post -- forgot to put in "WIP." I hope to start working on the armor sometime this week. Probably the shin plates since I am still waffling on the upper armor and helmet.

[Zophar Ptay]

Welcome to the addiction     Have a look through the region boards and find your home clan.  They will be the most help to you as you can meet in person and get help when you need it. 

I am also starting on a Late Crusader kit so I heartily approve of you choice.   but to say that your first kit will not be up to par is selling yourself short. Seugtai just finished her first kit, and set the bar above and beyond anything I've seen to date.    Have a look through WIP [Work in Progress] threads to see various techniques and how they work out, and find one you like.   Many people go with trashcan plastic for their first set as it is easy to work with and cheap.  Fiberglass over cardboard is also a common choice, and what Seugtai did for her kit.  Many females also find it easiest to make chest plates by chopping up a female mannequin if they want the anatomically-shaped chest plates.

I have seen some nice foam work done, but nothing made of foam is acceptable under the group's rules so I would avoid that if you are looking to eventually become an Official Member.

There are tons of reference pictures for you to look through for ideas, but if you have the KoTOR comics, then you are set there.  Other than that... find your home clan and ask TONS of questions    Oh, and have fun too... that's kind of important for a hobby.

[seugtai]

Yay! More Crusader gals! My second kit will be a Late Crusader as well, so I look forward to what you come up with. On that note, is there a picture with your post? As I'm not seeing anything? I don't want to start commenting before I know what direction your taking.

[Arka]

Don't know why the image broke... Fixed the URL. Sorry about that!

[Arka]

As for the materials, I wouldn't know how to make trashcan plastic not look like trashcan plastic, but I'm currently researching some how-to's.  As for fiberglass over cardboard... I don't even know how I would obtain some fiberglass. Again, I'm looking into this as well. Here is a link I'd found on how to make armor out of the craft foam I'd mentioned before. While I know it is not up to the group's rules, it might be a good first try just to get something that I can wear?

Any thoughts, reactions, or advice?

Oh and thank you Zophar Ptay and Seugtai for already responding.

[seugtai]

First off, I love your concept! Definitely Late Crusader there. Neo's are very uniform, as they all have the same style set-up with just a few colors to choose from.

You could also find out if you can get your hands on some sintra, I hear that it is quite easy to use. Just cut out your pieces, heat them up and shape.

[Arka]

Thanks! I'm glad you like the concept. I (obviously) thought it was Late Crusader, but then I kept seeing that the Mandalorians from KotOR were of the Neo-Crusader movement, so I got confused. I'm now looking into Sintra. It looks relatively simple to shape (dip in boiling water, shape, dip in cold water?). Thanks very much for the tip!

[Zophar Ptay]

Sintra, if course.  I knew I forgot something

I like the concept, and as Seugtai said it is definely late, not neo.  in fact, I don't think we have any finished neo kits in the club, but I may be mistaken

[seugtai]

in fact, I don't think we have any finished neo kits in the club, but I may be mistaken

Makris Brik has one that has been approved but, I believe he's the only one.

[Arka]

So I did a second design of the upper body armor, as well as a tentative design of the helmet...





As you can see from the faintly erased designs on the helmet, I kept trying to embellish it a little, but I didn't really like any of the additions.

What do y'all think about the new upper armor? Better or worse? Thanks in advance.

Oh, and I'm probably going to go with Sintra.  As soon as I can find a place that sells it...

[seugtai]

Yeah, I think I like the new torso armor better and the helmet in the second sketch. Your not changing the shoulders tho are you? I really dig the ones in the original sketch. Also do you plan on adding the, is it a leather mounting vest? with the new plate configuration?

[Arka]

I was debating about how much asymmetry I wanted in the shoulders. The first shoulders seemed a bit... flat to me.

There is going to be a vest of sorts. Still trying to decide how I'm going to mount the armor. It will either be attached directly to the vest or each piece will get it's own straps. I'm thinking attached to the vest though. No idea what the material of the vest will be. But unfortunately probably not real leather. I wasn't planning on it being any kind of leather or leather like material, though I could see what I can find... I kind of like the idea.

[Zophar Ptay]

That helm looks a lot like a design I discarded    I like it.  I'll point out that one advantage if the crusader eras is that we are not restricted to a "traditional" T visor.  You night think about a + or a TT, since you are allowed to.

Apologies Markis, I don't think I have come across that kit yet, I'll have to look out up when I get home.

Is your collar attached to the chest on the new design, or is that gap showing vest between them?  I like it either way, but think the one-piece would look great, personally.  Two-piece may give better mobility though. 

Ninja'd by seugtai, but I took all that time tapping that out on a moving bus so I am sending it anyway :-P

[Arka]

Wow, so many replies in rapid succession! 

I'll fool around with some additional helm designs, since I'm not particularly attached to the existing one.

The collar is not attached to the chest. It's a piece that I envisioned having a similar back piece that it is attached to though.

And you typed all that on a bus, Zophar?? That takes effort! Haha, thank you!

[Zophar Ptay]

I should have clarified, I rather like the second bucket idea.  I drew one up with the ridges like the one you have on the picture of your second draft torso and gave up on the ridges in the end as they didn't work with the rest of the concept.  I like the idea of them, but not so much on my current project.  Your bucket with all the erasing is pretty nice.  I think many Mandos will be jealous of the superwide visor on that one.

A mando who can actually SEE?

And I like the cheeks on the one that is pictured by itself also.  That whole helmet has a lot of character, I like it.  Sometimes it can be hard not to overcomplicate things while still looking unique and creative.  Also, the alternative visor suggestion is only that, a suggestion.  The Early- and Late-Crusader eras are the only two allowed to have the non-traditional shapes so it is something worth thinking about.  If you've had a peek at my WIP, you'll notice that in the end I went with a somewhat standard T variant anyway so take that suggestion for what it is worth   I really, really like the TT visors but for some reason every time I drew one it just looked horrible.  Perhaps I can figure one out for an upgrade down the line.

And yes, I'm home now, but that previous was on my phone while bus-surfing on the way home from work, standing room only.. one hovering near the rail and the other tapping away furiously at the screen   It makes the trip seem faster, if nothing else