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[Kade Tal'Vor]

Hi all, I'm a 501st member and am just starting on this build, will be going for approval through the 501st and Mercs and thought I should put up a build thread here so I can get some feedback from the Mando experts

I'm building a Deathwatch Grunt from Season 5 of The Clone Wars. Season 4 & 5 diversified the generic season 2 grunt into 4 varieties - Infantry, Grapple, Torch and the one I will be doing, Airborne. (there were also a couple of Lieutenant versions and of course the Nite Owls as well)

Here's a few screenshots of the Airborne.

[Kade Tal'Vor]

I purchased a Deathwatch armour kit from a supplier on the Bounty Hunters Guild detachment and it arrived the other day



Some of the parts for the costume aren't being made though so I've got to make them myself, such as the handplates with the dart housings and the rockets and console on the right gauntlet.

I decided to make a start on the handplates the other day.

Drew out the handplate as a template on cardboard.



Then decided that I had been a little conservative on the size, attempt #2



Comparison



Grabbed a spare piece of PVC left over from a previous project, heated and flattened out with the help of a piece of board and a random canister for a weight.





Then using the template drew the shape onto the PVC and cut out three copies.



Then glued all three together.



Then left overnight and proceeded to do much sanding and filing the following afternoon.



I got to this stage and decided that while it was taking shape (ish) I wasn't completely happy with the dimensions. It wasn't a complete failure but it was just not quite right and I decided to go back to the drawing board.

Version #3

[Kade Tal'Vor]

The darts for the handplates arrived this morning before I got started, yay



Which did lead to a slight revision of the template as they were just a touch shorter than I had thought. (version #3.1)

Time for some more cutting and heating of PVC, I kept a little curve this time.



Taking a different approach this time.







Time for a nice hot cup of tea while the glue dried and then a third plate added top the top, used a thinner piece of pvc this time due to the size of the darts.



And then some filing/sanding.



The darts are just sitting there for now and need to have holes drilled for them but that will be later on after painting. The small "arms from the centre plate are there to act as guides for me when I fill in the spaces. Going for the build up approach as opposed to the shape down approach I tried yesterday. But it was getting late so I'm leaving the filling for tomorrow. Much happier with this result than yesterdays

[Lem'zig Dee]

Look's like you are off to a great start! 

[Kelan Ord]

Solid, solid start!!

I'll be watching this thread with interest!

[Naglium]

Love the work on the handplates!  Keep up the good work!

[Niabi]

Very Nice work Vod Looks like you know what you are doing and i suspect that you have........ the Knack     

I await more updates

[Ronin Tavic]

redoing the handplates was a good call. it's one of those little tweaks that'll make a big difference. looks real nice

[Pointoforigin]

Yeah this guy knows what he's doing scratch building

Good work sir, I might make myself some similar handplates *strokes beard*

[Kade Tal'Vor]

Thanks Vode

I scratch built a T-21 blaster rifle but this is my first attempt on armour components so hopefully it will all work out.

I will have some more pics soon hopefully.

[Calder Varad]

Just... Wow. Such detail, if those hand plates are any indication, I think Niabi is right. You've got the knack.

[Kade Tal'Vor]

Just... Wow. Such detail, if those hand plates are any indication, I think Niabi is right. You've got the knack.

Thank you lets just hope I can keep it going.

Here's the result of this afternoon's work.

Filled, filed and sanded. Details added.





The darts aren't permanently fixed as yet as they need to be removed before painting and it could do with a little more fine sanding but overall, I'm happy enough with this that I'm making a start on its twin 

[Straka Zulu]

I think I know what my kit is missing... 8)
Looking good, vod!

[Niabi]

that is just looking so cool

[Dar'manda]

I'm a little Jealous of how awesome these are.