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[kayelbe]

Hi all!  Been kicking around the idea of a Mando costume for about a year now.  Got my feet wet in the 501st Legion as a Sandtrooper, and I've got a Biker Scout in progress, so what's another costume?

I've been piecing the stuff together for a while, but nothing really built yet.  My son is also wanting to get involved as well, and has already purchased a resin helmet.  He's still trying to figure out a theme and color scheme.  I on the other hand, already have some progress in that area.

This character is more along the lines of a bounty hunter than a mercenary/soldier.  As I look at it, the easiest way to describe him is a combination of Boussh and Boba Fett.  Going for Modern, Light armor.  Since I live in Arizona, naturally a desert theme dominates the color choices.  Not sure if I will eventually go Desert Ops, but may get some ideas from the upcoming TFA film to flesh that part out even more.

Below are the MandoMaker sketches. 





The colors were hard to coordinate, but the flight suit and gloves are a coyote tan; the Helmet colors are Copper, Dark Red, and Black; the vest will be a Dark Brown fabric that has almost a leather look to it.  A "Boba Cape" will be made from a fabric that almost looks like a Dark Brown suede.

The Armor Plates will be Copper.  I have kicked around the idea of the same Dark Red as the helmet for the shoulders and knees.  The gauntlets will be Dark Red, regardless.  I just like the color for chunky metal stuff.

I found a pretty neat base and some other stuff I will use for a backpack.  Similar to the one in the "I hate..." tutorial.  Not sure of the color on that piece, though.



Any suggestions?

[Siddek Preed]

Looks good to me. I was just wondering if a dark blue visor instead of red would work better since you have red surrounding the visor. Blue is already on the helmet design anyway and will compliment the tan.

[kayelbe]

Oops, that was supposed to be black, not blue on the cheeks.  I was thinking about blue on the visor, like you said there's already red there.  Going to try the mirrored tint tutorial.


On another note, does the verification before posting thing go away?  Do I have to get OM first?  Thanks for reading!

[Siddek Preed]

It seemed to be there on my first handful of posts and then disappeared.

[Siddek Preed]

And I actually liked the blue. I think it would work well with the copper plates and tan softs. With a dark blue visor and a blue girth belt, it would look good.

I like the idea of a mirrored visor, though... very swish.

[Russiya]

First off welcome to the world of the mercs and great to see your from AZ if you haven't already make sure to introduce yourself  to the Shonare Vhekadla clan . For your vest I would recomend leather or canvas/duck cloth definetly nothing to light because it will be holding the bulk of your kit so it should stay nice and sturdy

[kayelbe]

I introduced myself about a year ago, and then disappeared.  Well, I still was lurking, but trooping with DSG and other stuff put the Mando build on hold.

The idea with the vest is to layer the fabric.  The outer fabric is kind of light, but the inner layer will be heavier, and I'll put some batting in between to give it an overall thicker look.  I never considered the weight of the armor dragging it down.  If it doesn't work, I guess I'll go a different route.

[kayelbe]

Okay, after reading the replies, I have another possible color scheme.  I had mistakenly picked blue for the cheeks instead of black on my original concept sketch.  I got to thinking, since I'm already using Arizona as a desert theme inspiration, why not go full AZ and use the state's flag colors?  I already wanted copper and the red.  I have to work in yellow somehow....




So, here's my new concept.  Still not sure if I want the yellow knees (but I do love me some Boba Fett).  I do like the yellow shoulders with the Mytho skull in red.

[Havelock]

I was really digging your first color scheme, but the second one is even better.  And yeah, the verification thing goes away after awhile.  Or immediately if you donate some money.  As little as $0.50.  heh  I think this kit will be pretty awesome, and it's fantastic that your son is into this as well. 

I'll be watching to see how your progress goes.   

[kayelbe]

Yeah, I just figured out the verification thing goes away after 5 posts.  Guess they wanna make sure I'm not promoting working from home on my computer for $97K/year or whatever  

The version of MandoMaker I used doesn't allow for many colors.  I don't like the newer one, though, because I can't remember the code for the color I just picked!  The yellow will be more Boba Fett than Tweety Bird, and the reds will be more of a maroon than on the AZ Flag.

[Tal Kote]

We are going to have a lot of Desert-themed mandos here in AZ. I'm going to be feeling a little left out with the build I am pursuing (not deserty LOL!)

However, I do like your idea of utilizing our state flag for your colors. Never seen that before. It is actually really unique to go about. Red, yellow, and blue.... NICE! I hope to see more of your kit soon as it comes together. Good luck vod. I'm watching with interest

[kayelbe]

Yeah, I kind of noticed the recent trend...
It's just that I wanted something more...rugged and outback looking.  I've always been more of a fan of Tatooine than Coruscant, I guess.

[kayelbe]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead!

I've been staring at my unfinished helmet for like 5 years now and decided now's a good time to dust everything off.

I've got a new scheme in mind:


Going away from the desert-y flag-inspired version of before.  I found some new inspiration.  This guy's still a bounty hunter, but the possibility of future Brigade membership isn't as appealing so I mixed up the colors a bit.

I've got an ESB EE-3 in the works, based off HappyTrooper's tutorial.  A buddy of mine 3D printed the greeblies.  Pics of that later.

More to come, I hope!

[kayelbe]

Aargh!

Analysis Paralysis is taking over once again!

I'm at a dead stop simply because I can't decide on a scheme.  I want the scheme locked down so I can order a vest.  To me it seems that's the first step because ya need the vest to lay the plate templates--no vest, no armor!

Here's two more color schemes I have kicked around.  I haven't quite gotten over the coyote flight suit (and the desert theme it came out of):





The reds will be "Claret Wine"
Yellows will be "Summer Squash"
and if used, the green will be similar to an olive drab.

I may even still work in a spot of copper (maybe the chest diamond?)

Armor components (shins, etc) are not finalized, either.  I am leaning on at least shins and boot armor, but haven't decided if I'll add the thighs just yet.

[Jaa'lir Corvus]

Here's two more color schemes I have kicked around.  I haven't quite gotten over the coyote flight suit (and the desert theme it came out of):



I may even still work in a spot of copper (maybe the chest diamond?)

I really like this scheme, it's a nicely unified palette and more harmonious than with the white flightsuit.

A suggestion for including copper (and for the AZ inspiration): perhaps on the chest plates, have copper stripes/rays coming out from the diamond like on the flag?