*** Lightsaber will not be used in this kit, it is now gong to be a beskad instead:
http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=70071.0 ***
Ok, there is a first time for everything...here goes. First off, as this is my first kit, I am pretty sure I will be purchasing most of my armor pre-made, unless I can't find what I am looking for. I will revel in the assembly and of curse paint/weathering in it's stead.
These are the plans I've laid down and commuted to for my Mando, Epyon Ca'tra. If anyone is a Gundam (Wing) fan, the first name comes from that show, though I really dug it not just for the awesome mobile suit who bears the name, but for what it (arguably) means: Next. Seemed a fitting statement for a no-frills Mando. He is what I would consider a medium armor class, and works within the mid-range, meaning his primary weapon can be used for snipering if need be, but prefers the action close. He uses something akin to a blaster rifle like the ones used on the Battle of Endor (wish me luck in trying to make this beast), possibly a small side arm, and a lightsaber from one of his most prized Jedi kills.
So, my idea started out something like this, with a silver/black/chrome finish on the armor in mind. Still a little favorable of it:
But in the image it smacks of Jango muchly (not a bad thing, mind you, just not what I was shooting for).
So...
As far as colors go, I was mulling around the webz, and felt a connection with a nice luster in a copper/bronze, with an all black under armor (vest, flight suit). I whipped this up, though I am trying to figure out what color I want the visor, but am pretty sure I want it to be either reflective colored, or just midnight black. (yeah I know it's two lengths f loin cloth, but the layered effect actually struck me as cool) Now, imagine the below in a dull but still shiny copper/bronze...kinda like what the Steampunk kids are using nowadays:
Ok, so I am set on that as a base color. SO, I go into the nuances. Like I said, I wanted him to have a lightsaber, but the twist is that Epyon is left handed, like me, and has his set-ups different. At first, I really wanted (still kinda do) to use a nice rig like Rahm Kota's where he had his lightsaber on his back:
...but after a while I felt that the strap across the front would deter from the design of the chest plate, a signature of Mandalorian armor. I dunno, might fab one up to test out, see if it works. I feel its a good idea, but I also want to show off that Mando-chest, lol.
And with that, I began brainstorming an idea to still have the lightsaber on the back, but mounted with nothing strapping across the front. I decided that I could make a kydex sheath for it, and then rivet it directly to the back armor plate, at an angle, for optimum access. Having that idea out of the way, I went on to figure out what kind of helm I wanted. I really dug the Deathwatch style, like A LOT. Still do. When perusing the sale threads, I came across Saz's offerings, and stopped on the Nite Owl helm. It was then that I decided that since I liked that style a bunch as well, and Saz's helm looked so damn rad, that it was given a green light. Placed myself on the waiting list for one already (thanks Saz!) Stil looking around for what type (construction) armor I'd like, but am heavily leaning on the metal variety. Though I will most likely utilize a composite for the back panel, so that the front will not ride up from a heavy metal (!) back plate. As for the gauntlets, I am leaning to a no-frills clamshell, but the more I see gauntlets with gadgets and ordinance on them, the more I dig 'em. Oh well, more to ponder.
Having this all in mind, I had to get it onto paper, and after a quick drawing sesh with my daughter (I drew this, she drew Finn from Adventure Time), I came up with the following. Again, try to imagine it in a nice copper/bronze color, akin to this:
Ok, keep that in mind, and lookie here:
I am pretty settled on this concept. Tinkering with the colors, I had come to the realization that they are all quite earthy, and reflective of where I am from (Arizona) with the coppers and the desert tans. Totally an unconscious choice but incredibly fitting because I have thrown my lot in with the Dune Sea mercs. In the pick you can see the design I have in mind for the kydex ls back sheath, and am open to opinions and criticism, as I am with all aspects of this kit.
More on the details, I am wanting to do armored hands as well, to the fingers, something akin to this:
And on to the part that is giving me much grief...the boots. I am wanting an enclosed boot if I can pull it off, or something that has plates in front on the shins, as well as the back along the calf. Thinking of designs like this:
Jadd's shins:
Something like the Jin-Roh shins without that Germanic wing:
Clone Trooper style:
Or even blasphemy from the Jedi in something like this:
Malgus's would be ideal as well:
Anyways, I am sure I will get the most hangups on this area of the kit for sure, so, again, I am open to suggestions.
The kit itself won't be overly flashy, s that is Epyon's style, subtlety and humbleness, at once with pride and confidence. Perhaps a walking contradiction, but he pulls it off ^__^
A question about the shoulder cape and loin cloths: what fabric do you guys recommend for something weighty that I can cut into and distress, that would hang nice and not look janky? I was looking around and saw some folks achieved this with spandex blends, like swimsuit material. Not sure, I mean this is going to be my first time at this, so I have no base with which to go off of.
Appreciate you all taking the time to check my planning stages out, and would further welcome ideas and such. Thank you.
