Matty's ESB Display Build Thread

[Matty Matt]

Instead of making multiple threads I figured I'd just put everything I'm doing in this one. I think I've made enough progress to start posting some pics, so here we go!

The bucket is a fiberglass mystery helmet I bought back in....2005 I believe. Needless to say I put a ton of work into it before it was even ready to paint, including completely reshaping the horrible rangefinder ear cap. That thing was like a half inch thick. I remember I even had to fix the rounded cheek corners! This is the first thing I painted and what started me on this crazy path. I got the stalk from BKBT a long time ago.



The flightsuit is an older Bobamaker and the vest is an older style Cucblack. Can you tell I've been piecing this together for a while? In fact, most items are used because I'm trying to do this on a budget.



An excellent set of IOA armor right out of the box.



Studs made from computer keys. I've put threaded inserts in them and sanded down the scalloped tops so they're flat. I think they'll work for now.



A Batninja ammo belt. I got this secondhand and this is how it arrived...several of the pouches were coming apart.



A little glue and some paint on those shiny snaps. An awesome belt.



Many more updates to come. This will be a wearable costume but I'm really only making it as a display. The mannequin is also scratchbuilt to my size/build. I can post more info on that is anyone is interested.

[intwenothor]

I think your helmet looks great and I love the computer keys. That's brilliant!

[Matty Matt]

My scratchbuilt jetpack for anyone who hasn't seen the thread on it.

[Matty Matt]

I think your helmet looks great and I love the computer keys. That's brilliant!

Thanks! I'm really happy with how the helmet turned out. I painted it when ESB reference was a lot slimmer but I'm still happy with it. I wish I could take the credit for the keys but I'm just following in other's footsteps. Thanks again.

[chibi fett]

I still cannot believe that is a scratch built jetpack! Absolutely stunning piece there!! Looking forward on you completing this!

[Got2bfett]

Chibi Fett said it all that pack is awesome Bro! I have learned to look at things for parts in a different way thanks to this site and the people on it.Nice work so far , the bucket is impressive as well .

[RobaFett]

looking good! glad to see the pack finished and fitted.

[sleepalot]

Looks like its coming along nicely.

[clonecollector]

Looks great!

[CastleFett]

May I ask how you scratch build your jet pack. I'm also on a budget and time limit...trying to get done before I head to Florida in a month
All i got is a FP helmet and WoF trash can armor :/

[redkraytdragon]

Outstanding so far Matt. Looks like you're off to a running start and you're doing this on a budget?? I wouldn't have thought so if you hadn't mentioned it otherwise...really good work bro!

[Matty Matt]

May I ask how you scratch build your jet pack. I'm also on a budget and time limit...trying to get done before I head to Florida in a month
All i got is a FP helmet and WoF trash can armor :/

Here's the link to my build thread. It's not a tutorial but it shows the process. Good luck with your build.

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f20/w...jetpack-37303/

[Matty Matt]

Outstanding so far Matt. Looks like you're off to a running start and you're doing this on a budget?? I wouldn't have thought so if you hadn't mentioned it otherwise...really good work bro!

Thanks a lot. Having a nice set of armor is a big help.
And yeah, I'm on a serious budget. It's just now that things are starting to come together.
The armor was a huge purchase for me, but that took care of a lot of things I needed.

[Matty Matt]

Scored some Bobamaker pouches from a member here for $20. Someone had reversed one of the flaps for some reason...so I immediately cut it up and flipped it back around. You can still kind of see where the velcro was, but I think I can hide that with some more weathering.

[hellboy120]

Another great display! way better than ss lifesize statue IMO

[Matty Matt]

Thank you everyone for the compliments. It's always nice to get good feedback. I got a little work done on some of the armor. Cut out the display slots, sanded, primed. I thought long and hard about the different methods to attach it and finally settled on rare earth magnets for the ease. Plus it's really just for display, so I don't have to worry about them shifting or falling off, not that they would because the magnets are strong as hell.



What do you guys think? Look ok? The good thing about the magnets is that I can play around with the spacing and positioning of the pieces. I know the flak vest looks kind of lumpy and weird but I'll fix that later.

[Archaster777]

So far so good mate! I went with the magnet method too and I think it works great (plus it's a very forgiving method of attachment). I think you got alignment of the breastplate spot on!

One thing that is bugging me a bit is the helmets' yellow ear. That yellow just doesn't jive with me. I think it requires some weathering with that creamy sort of color that people use for that layer of corrosion in the shoulder pads. It will tone that yellow down and also make it look like it's faded with age.

Other than that though, the helmet looks great! Can't wait to see more.

[AdamFett]

Whats the ''mystery helmet''?..and where can i get one?

[Matty Matt]

So far so good mate! I went with the magnet method too and I think it works great (plus it's a very forgiving method of attachment). I think you got alignment of the breastplate spot on!

One thing that is bugging me a bit is the helmets' yellow ear. That yellow just doesn't jive with me. I think it requires some weathering with that creamy sort of color that people use for that layer of corrosion in the shoulder pads. It will tone that yellow down and also make it look like it's faded with age.

Other than that though, the helmet looks great! Can't wait to see more.

The ear color is Floquil Earth, but it looks real yellow in my basement. The lighting is terrible down there. I was going to add some brownish weathering to it anyway, so that may help. I agree with what you're saying. Thanks for the comments!

[Archaster777]

Whats the ''mystery helmet''?..and where can i get one?

A "mystery helmet" is a particular mold of a helmet who's history of how it came to be was previously unknown. If my Fett knowledge is right, it is a recast of a "lava" cast (another type of helmet) that was a recast of the original Pre-Production 2 Helmet. Common makers of this helmet were Sgt. Fang (I have one of his helmets myself) and Marrow Sun if I'm not mistaken. Sgt. Fang hasn't made them in a while and I'm not sure weather Marrow Sun does or not either so aside from ebay and when members here want to sell theirs in the Cargo Hold, I don't know for sure.

Hope this helps, and if my info on the helmet is incorrect, please feel free to correct me! I'm not perfect after all :P

[terryfett]

this is seriously looking awesome, brother! Great work!

[Matty Matt]

this is seriously looking awesome, brother! Great work!

Thanks for the contributions!

[Matty Matt]

Got the cod all prepped for paint. I had to get a little creative because of the way RKD makes his butt plate.





That's just some plastic bolted between the two halves. It seems to work pretty well!

[sausagemahoney]

love this thread, and since nobody else asked....how did you make your mannequin?
seriously though....great build sir

[redkraytdragon]

I really like what you did with the butt plate....yeah yeah I know I need to go back and resculpt that piece lol...'nother notch to add to my growing list hehe.
I love your collar/cod studs too, those look perfect! Would you mind sharing where you got them? The rest of the build looks great so far, keep up the good work bro.

[Matty Matt]

love this thread, and since nobody else asked....how did you make your mannequin?
seriously though....great build sir

The duct tape method my friend. Very simple:

Put on some old clothes you don't want anymore. The tighter the better.
Get someone (my wife in my case) to completely wrap you in duct tape from ankles to neck.
Be prepared to be made fun of and possibly have a panic attack.
Cut off the clothes with scissors in one big long cut (if possible).
Tape up the incision on your weird duct tape skin suit.
Fill the suit with expanding foam. I put 4 ft. wood dowels through the legs for support (they run from the ankles up into the body).

I used almost two rolls of tape. Home Depot sells decent size rolls for about $3. It's not the best but it doesn't matter. The most expensive part is the foam. I think I used about six cans at $5 a piece. There may be a cheaper alternative. Now, I know what people are thinking, "but you can just buy a store mannequin for about $100." That's true, but this thing is my exact build/size, and you can make it any pose you want very easily. It's very rigid and seems to be working fine. Time will tell how it holds up.

[Matty Matt]

I really like what you did with the butt plate....yeah yeah I know I need to go back and resculpt that piece lol...'nother notch to add to my growing list hehe.
I love your collar/cod studs too, those look perfect! Would you mind sharing where you got them? The rest of the build looks great so far, keep up the good work bro.

Thanks brother! The studs are just computer keys that I modded a little bit. I found that the number row looked the best so I went with that. Then I sanded down the tops and glued threaded inserts inside. There is one side that's kind of flat (not as sloped as the other three). This makes them somewhat less than perfect but I just turn that side to the back .

[Matty Matt]

Current progress. He's going to be armless for a little while longer.



And here's a thing of beauty...



SR kit with Woodman stock and Taco sling. The flash tube is just a $3 chrome pipe from Home Depot until I can get a Heiland. Still have to get a scope as well.
Let me just tell you, this kit is awesome. Very high quality. Hardly any thing to trim or fill. But anyone who's bought from SR already knows this.

[sausagemahoney]

Beauty build. How is your Jetpack attached? And how about the hip pouches?

[redkraytdragon]

Dang Matt! You are really doing this armor some justice. I love the way you have it all set up on the mannequin. Even in primer it looks good already. Can't wait to see your paint bro. Thanks for sharing this wip

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]

Thanks brother! The studs are just computer keys that I modded a little bit. I found that the number row looked the best so I went with that. Then I sanded down the tops and glued threaded inserts inside. There is one side that's kind of flat (not as sloped as the other three). This makes them somewhat less than perfect but I just turn that side to the back .

Awesome bro! Thanks for the tip! I may wind up using that method to give the keys to my machinist and have him make the same changes you did for the master. Great idea!

[Matty Matt]

Beauty build. How is your Jetpack attached? And how about the hip pouches?

I have a harness for the jet pack but I'm not using it. It was just too much trouble to have to keep feeding the straps through the vest and back armor...so my jetpack is just hanging on the back armor by two straps. I'll try to take some pics so you can see what I mean. The hip pouches are just tucked up under the ammo belt for now. I'm thinking about using some kind of hidden belt to hold them and the sidearm when I eventually get one.

Dang Matt! You are really doing this armor some justice. I love the way you have it all set up on the mannequin. Even in primer it looks good already. Can't wait to see your paint bro. Thanks for sharing this wip

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]



Awesome bro! Thanks for the tip! I may wind up using that method to give the keys to my machinist and have him make the same changes you did for the master. Great idea!

Glad you like it! Hoping to get some paint on that armor pretty soon.

[Matty Matt]

Well I got some paint on the shoulders. Thanks to Lucksy for the decal. Great stuff.





Here are the different layers of the right shoulder. Silver first (still masked), followed by a coat of bright yellow, then an orange/red glaze, then a dirty acrylic wash.



I think I'm pretty happy with them. I'll probably mess around with some more weathering and stuff as I progress.

[locitus]

Shoulders look great!

[sausagemahoney]

Awesome as always. Which yellows did you use?

[Matty Matt]

Shoulders look great!

Thanks!

Awesome as always. Which yellows did you use?

The yellow was American Accents Marigold. It's not too far off from Up Armor Yellow, but a little darker. But after dirtying everything up it all evens out anyway lol. I used it for both shoulders.

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]



My $20 boots that I got from Target a couple years ago. Once again, not perfect but easy to upgrade later. I still have to make the spikes.

[Archaster777]

For $20, you've made and excellent set of boots mate! once you put the toe spikes on and cover the tops with the ESB ankle ties, you're golden. Also love your layering technique; it looks natural!

really looking forward to seeing more!

[sausagemahoney]

boots look great. love love love this thread. think i am going to have to try the duct tape dummy myself later this week. you sir are an inspiration

[Matty Matt]

Thank you for the compliments guys. Here's a full length shot. The knees are just stuck on there. Haven't done any work on them yet.



Here were the boots when I started.



And here they are now. A little more weathered than before. Still have to make those spikes.

[sausagemahoney]

Boots are great. Love the duct tape dummy, I need to build one. I figured he would've needed a little help standing up but your pic would indicate otherwise. This is my fav build thread right now

[redkraytdragon]

Keep it going bro, I'm loving this thread. Your build is so nice and clean and well presented. Great job!

[Freeman]

So far so good Matty. Looks great.

[godaiking]

That's turning out to be an amazing build. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this thread.

[Matty Matt]

Thanks for all the support! Glad you guys are liking it.

Finally got around to scratch building some toe spikes for these boots.



Just have to weather them up a bit and I think they'll be good.

[Matty Matt]

Boots are great. Love the duct tape dummy, I need to build one. I figured he would've needed a little help standing up but your pic would indicate otherwise. This is my fav build thread right now

It will actually balance by itself for about ten seconds or so before it starts to fall forward. I figure it's only going to need minimal support to keep it upright, but since I was planning on building a base it's all good anyway. Thanks!

[DubFett]

incredible.

[sausagemahoney]

You just keep blowing my mind with this build. Can I trouble you for some explanation on your toe spikes? (which look amazing) started my duct tape dummy tonight, certainly an interesting experience. Always look forward to your updates good sir

[Matty Matt]

You just keep blowing my mind with this build. Can I trouble you for some explanation on your toe spikes? (which look amazing) started my duct tape dummy tonight, certainly an interesting experience. Always look forward to your updates good sir

I did the spikes by basically following Bobamaker's tutorial. I actually had everything I needed laying around so the total cost was nothing. Just a flat aluminum bar and some pens for the spikes. Took a little bit of work to bend the metal to conform to the boots. The soles were very rounded and not uniform at all.

I originally made the spikes a little too long. Nothing my dremel couldn't fix.



Here they are all weathered up. Just black and brown acrylic paints brushed on and then lightly sanded randomly.

[ABE]

excelente trabajo

[Jc27]

Do you have a thread on how you made the boots? Those look pretty good especially considering how much they cost you. I am hoping I find something similar cbecuase I am not looking forward to spending $100+ for boots that I won't wear a lot.

[Matty Matt]

Do you have a thread on how you made the boots? Those look pretty good especially considering how much they cost you. I am hoping I find something similar cbecuase I am not looking forward to spending $100+ for boots that I won't wear a lot.

Yeah, the boots I got at Target a couple of years ago. They were on clearance for about $20 and that's the only reason I got them. Similar ones pop up every now and then for good prices. For the ribbed details, I cut up a spare computer cable into a bunch of pieces and just glued them on with super glue. I guess pretty much any monitor or usb cable will do. Then I primed them with regular latex primer and painted them up black and gray. A little weathering and there you have it.

[Matty Matt]

What do you guys think of this? I don't know if I'm loving it. I figured the cod could be kind of my test piece to work out the kinks before moving on to the rest of the armor.

[sleepalot]

What do you guys think of this? I don't know if I'm loving it. I figured the cod could be kind of my test piece to work out the kinks before moving on to the rest of the armor.

I'd be satisfied if that was my work personally. It looks good, from what I can see in the pic.

[thebeans]

looks really great, very well painted.

[RafalFett]

Go for it! If the rest of the armor paint will look like this, then you will be 100% satisfied. Good job so far!

[redkraytdragon]

Looks really good to me as well, bro. Maybe do some weathering to it and see how you feel about it afterwards? You'd be surprised how the weathering might change your mind on it

[Fettered]

You are doing some very nice work Matt. I'm enjoying this thread

[Matty Matt]

Thanks for the input guys. I had a moment of doubt but now I know I'm on the right track. I actually picked up a different yellow that I think will work much better. I'm going to play around with a couple things before moving on. Especially the blending of the spruce green and hunt club green.

[sausagemahoney]

loving this build. i agree a little more weathering is needed, but that looks awesome so far. can't wait for more photos!!!!

[NoahFett]

This is awesome man! Keeps me inspired to work on mine. Would the duct tape idea work for making a mold? Like if you wanted to make your own armor?

[Matty Matt]

I haven't had a lot of time lately but here's some progress. Just have to do the silver damage and a little more weathering. The yellow should be minimized a little once the silver is on.

[Matty Matt]

The armor paint is almost done. A few finishing touches and I'll be movin' along. Hope you guys like it.

[RafalFett]

It looks... perfect! Love all the colors you used and all the scratches are the right size and in the right place. Keep up this great build and paint up!

[sausagemahoney]

looks amazing!!!!! so nice. did you use a liquid mask ? so glad for the update in these picture!!!

[Matty Matt]

It looks... perfect! Love all the colors you used and all the scratches are the right size and in the right place. Keep up this great build and paint up!

Thank you so much. Your templates were a huge help. I flipped back and forth between them and the reference photos to try to make it as accurate as I could.

looks amazing!!!!! so nice. did you use a liquid mask ? so glad for the update in these picture!!!

Thanks for the compliments. I really want to like the layering method, but I just can't get the level of detail I want using it, so I went back to all topical. I actually started by doing the silver and liquid mask but didn't like how it was turning out. Topical is just easier for me.

[COLOR="silver"]- - - Updated - - -[/COLOR]



He's going to look pretty cool holding a blaster. Lots more work to do.

[locitus]

Beautiful!

[Jc27]

This suit is coming along great. I hope when I get my BM armor that it will look this good. What did you use to wether the suit and vest?i saw the same boots at target and I think I am going to give them a try.

[hobbit057]

Your Boba is looking awesome! It's going to look very authentic when you finish!

[sausagemahoney]

i look at my suit, then look at yours. then i look back at my suit and i shake my head. bravo sir

[Verbal21]

He's going to look pretty cool holding a blaster. Lots more work to do.

I can already picture it. It's gonna be one hell of a display piece. Congrats

[hobbit057]

Wow! Thats nice, can't wait to see it come together!

[thebeans]

loving this build man! it's gona be so cool when finished.

[Matty Matt]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. I really appreciate them all.

This suit is coming along great. I hope when I get my BM armor that it will look this good. What did you use to wether the suit and vest?i saw the same boots at target and I think I am going to give them a try.

The flightsuit is weathered with a combo of spray paint and charcoal. Just lightly misted paint and ground up charcoal rubbed into it. If you spray the paint on lightly the fabric stays soft. I used a combo of flat black, gray primer, and a brown color. The vest is actually clean and I'll probably just leave it like that.

[Matty Matt]

Construction of the knees has begun. These are the RKD ones that come in a bunch of pieces so everything has to be assembled. All the trimming is done, just have to do some filling and sanding before paint.

[Nate]

this is an amazing display piece!!! i look foward to its completion.

[REDBOY3384]

Love this thread and build.

[redkraytdragon]

^^^^ What he said

[Matty Matt]

Thanks guys. Got the knees just about done. Just need some nice darts to finish them up.

[RafalFett]

The knees are looking good, but... there's no yellow damage on them. My first ESB armor templates were done the same way, but the updated template has the 'correct' colors (it has the same color combination as the right shoulder bell).

[Matty Matt]

The knees are looking good, but... there's no yellow damage on them. My first ESB armor templates were done the same way, but the updated template has the 'correct' colors (it has the same color combination as the right shoulder bell).

I definitely see lighter yellow on there. It's more subtle than I made it, but it's there.

[Matty Matt]

I've started assembling the blaster kit. This thing is really cool. All the Webley pieces are together and I'm just starting to work on the greeblies. Thank you to Stormrider and Darth Vorhees for hooking me up with the missing piece! Everything screws together except the hammer, I had to glue that in place.



I also just made some sling mounting hardware. $2.49 at the local hardware store for these hangers. Found them with the picture hanging stuff. Just cut off the extra bits on the side and add a new ring. They don't swivel, but I think they will work for me.





Also got my Woodman braids from Recon. With every addition it looks a little more complete!

[darth z]

That is a stunning ESB Fett you are making !!!!! Really nice

[Matty Matt]

That is a stunning ESB Fett you are making !!!!! Really nice

Thanks!!!

Here's another small update...I scratchbuilt a couple of the disc thingies. Very easy to do and costs next to nothing for anyone interested in upgrading from the pully. Just nylon washers with a little customization and a little guesswork.

[Matty Matt]

After losing my job a couple weeks ago putting more money into this thing is not a possibility at this time. I figured I could spruce up the chrome tube that I have instead of buying a Heiland like I planned.



A lot of work but I think it's coming out pretty nice. Still have to clean it up a little. I might just forget the Heiland since this has the MPP holes. We'll see how it looks when everything is together.

[thebeans]

Bad script on the job story Matty, great job on the tube. What tool did you use to take out these holes?, very neat.

[sausagemahoney]

flash tube looks amazing captain. sorry about the job loss. i will hire you to come and finish my suit for me

[Darth Voorhees]

Hey Matt...sucks about the job loss

Do you want a heiland flashtube? I have an extra.. its kinda a cross between the mpp and standard heiland. I'll give it to ya if ya want to try it out. If ya find what your using you like better no worries. Im just not gonna need it and its just sittin here. let me know if ya want it!

[Matty Matt]

Bad script on the job story Matty, great job on the tube. What tool did you use to take out these holes?, very neat.

I found an MPP template on here and drilled all the wholes with a power drill, then shaped the ovals with a bunch of metal files. It took a while to get all the wholes even and consistent, but I think it turned out quite nicely.

flash tube looks amazing captain. sorry about the job loss. i will hire you to come and finish my suit for me

Haha, judging by the time it's taking me to build mine we might all be dead before I get to yours.

Hey Matt...sucks about the job loss

Do you want a heiland flashtube? I have an extra.. its kinda a cross between the mpp and standard heiland. I'll give it to ya if ya want to try it out. If ya find what your using you like better no worries. Im just not gonna need it and its just sittin here. let me know if ya want it!

That is very generous Lou, very generous. Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I'll think about it and let you know. Thanks so much. What a great community we have here.

[Matty Matt]

Here's where I'm at with the weathering of the blaster. It's hard to get the subtle weathering to show up in pics but I think you can see a lot of it in this shot. Getting closer to the final assembly but still have the stock greeblies to work on. I want to beat up my stock but it looks so nice I don't know if I can bring myself to do it.

[Jc27]

This suit is looking great, I hope mine looks half as good.

[thebeans]

Matt you are quickly becoming one of the "greats" with this thread.

[sausagemahoney]

blaster looks amazing. still can't believe this will only be a display piece....i would go and get the groceries in this suit

[ICEmonkey]

Excellent build thread, love the work your doing

[monkey5150]

No wips in over a week.. I need my fix. Awesome WIP and I love the progress

[redkraytdragon]

Weathering looks awesome on that blaster Matt! Keep up the great work and post MOAR photos :P

[REDBOY3384]

Great build thread.

[Jc27]

Who made your flight suit and how did you weather it? Your suit is looking fantastic.

[SPY007]

agree, nice weathering on the flight suit. Excellent looking Fett.

[MandoMaker]

Excellent, so far.

[RafalFett]

Question:

Who made your flight suit and how did you weather it? Your suit is looking fantastic.

Answer:

The flightsuit is an older Bobamaker and the vest is an older style Cucblack. Can you tell I've been piecing this together for a while? In fact, most items are used because I'm trying to do this on a budget.

[Matty Matt]

Thanks guys. I almost have the blaster done, just some final assembly and detail stuff to do. I'll keep you guys updated as usual.





Now I guess I should make hands so my Fett can hold this thing. I should probably get some gloves too...