ROTJ Cape Information

Migrate from As You Wish · May 8, 2002

those silver cubes look a hell of a lot like what i'm typing on right now....those might have come off and old Tandy keyboard or something...i know i've got about 4 of those keyboards from when my father put in a new computer system at it office and the keys look identical to those studs.

Migrate from As You Wish · Jul 2, 2002

ROTJ Cape

Originally posted by Lynn TXP 0369:

I'm not sure if this was covered or talked about in the RPF thread or not..... I think I remember you guys talking about other things for the ROTJ cape and I can't remember if this one came up or not.

But I heard the ROTJ cape was made from a half a army canvas duffle bag.
I did this with mine and got fantasic results using it, and it only cost $24 for the cost of the bag and I splt it with Blufive, so it cost us $12 each...
Lynn

Migrate from As You Wish · Jul 2, 2002

True Cape Source

Originally posted by Braks Buddy:

I am not the first to come up with this but I want to verify and confirm that the CORRECT source for the preproduction/RotJ cape is a US Military shelter half (pup tent). You can use a duffle bag but the material is VERY different... Here is a short description of the shelter half:

------------------------------------------------------------
The shelter half tent is made of water-repellent, mildew-resistant cotton and rayon duck and has triangle-shaped flaps at both ends. It is issued with five tent pins, a guy line, and a three-section tent pole. The shelter half, when joined to another by snap fasteners, forms a shelter for two men. It is ventilated by opening one or both ends. The shelter half may be used by itself as a fly for shade and shelter. This tent is usually sold as half of a tent, it takes two half tents to make a complete tent. Each man carries one half of the tent. Dimensions are 7 feet x 5 feet.
------------------------------------------------------------

Only ONE cape can be made per shelter half unless you are willing to do additional sewing. I will try to put up a diagram showing EXACTLY how the shelter half should be cut to get Fett's correct cape size and shape.

These shelter halves are readily available in new and used form from MANY online sources for less than $20 per half.
Here are links to two online stores that currently supply shelter halves. They are also readily available on eBay.

www.campsurplus.com/cgi-bin/perlshop.pl?ACTION=thispage&thispage=tents.html&ORDER_ID=883696511

www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/colemans.storefront/en/catalog/1063

EDIT: One interesting thing to note. The MotM and AoSW, UK capes although both RotJ are turned exactly opposite of one another. There are two lines of stitching the divide the cape. One is wide while the other is narrow. One the MotM suit the wide band is at the top while the AoSW, UK cape has the narrow band at the top. This also means the stitching and seams on the AoSW, UK cape is inside out... Of course this could simply be a mistake made by the museum employees...

http://pub82.ezboard.com/basyouwish><img

Restless soul, enjoy your youth - Eddie Vedder

Migrate from As You Wish · Jul 2, 2002

Originally posted by Braks Buddy:

I can almost guarentee you the gromet is NOT on the original. You can see multiple holes and tears in that area of BOTH the MoM and AoSW capes where the shoulder bolt attaches. I added it to keep my cape from haing the same problem. Once you make a hole in the fabric and don't protect it, it will widen and rip VERY easily, then your cape will fall off! How embarassing!!!

http://pub82.ezboard.com/basyouwish><img

Restless soul, enjoy your youth - Eddie Vedder

bfett81 · Jul 24, 2002

Any suggestions other than taking an exacto to it?

I tried sticking the end in the blender...didn't work too well. My dog won't even rip it up.

I have some shotguns in the closet but I don't think I'm planning any hunting trips in the near future. And isn't it illegal to fire one within city limits?

a · Jul 24, 2002

an exacto would leave the cuts looking too clean and perfect and non-tattered. if i was you, i would take some rough sandpaper and rough up the fabric in a few spots. you could also mist black and brown spray paint on if from 2-3 feet away.

fettcicle · Jul 24, 2002

A wire brush bit on the end of a drill works well, I have also used a propane torch to add "Blaster" holes, gives that burnt edge look.

DL44 Blaster · Jul 25, 2002

If you have an ESB cape the best way is to spray paint "fog" it alot,and rip holes,and then open them up by hand.The ends will fray the more you mess with it.Rub in on concrete to give it some more texture too.

If you're doing ROTJ,you can do all the above,but forget about the spray paint part because it's already dark green.

Steve

phantomfett · Jul 25, 2002

I washed my cape several times to increase the tear effects. Another thing I did was I tied it up in my parent's backyard. The combination of wind and sun damage added a truly natural weathering effect. Plus if I wash it now, the weathering can't be undone by the washing machine.

Dark1 · Jul 27, 2002

How about using some sort of acid on the edges of the cloth?
I know if you get battery acid on your cloths it will leave a tattered worn looking hole

just a thought

Spidey2222 · Jul 27, 2002

Dark1 wrote:How about using some sort of acid on the edges of the cloth?
I know if you get battery acid on your cloths it will leave a tattered worn looking hole just a thought

I learned that the hard way with a leather jacket I had in my trunk next to a car battery. Ok, I know that was stupid, but I was in high school at the time. Man, I miss that jacket.

Seven · Aug 9, 2002

In making my cape I had cut holes in it randomly and tore slits in it. The best way to make stains was to drip some cooking oil onto it. Then I washed it and the cuts frayed very nicely. Plus you can always use sandpaper to ruff it up and some watered down bleach to fade it a bit. Just some ideas.

mykull · Aug 14, 2002

Just wondering what the total and final dimesions of the cap are??

W X H ???

or whatever measurments are used to convert it...lol.

Spidey2222 · Aug 14, 2002

Have you checked out Brak's Cape Tutorial?

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/bbt/rotj_cape.htm

TK826 · Dec 16, 2002

I know many believe the cape is made from a
half shelter/ pup tent.
But, when researching Fett's drab cape, I found this pic of the army tent:

http://www.armygear.net/store/assets/product_images/0250.jpg

Take a look at the two seams.
One where the triangle flap is sewn to the large rectangle.
The other being the main visible seam. They appear to be very close together.
Also, take a look at the row of snaps, along the top.
The 2nd (visible) seam falls short of the snap, second from right.
It would appear, that if you drew the imaginary rectangle where the cape would be cut from, the seams are so close together that they would have to be either both in the middle, or both to one side.

Now, take a look at the diagram, from TDH rotj cape tutorial:

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/bbt/Images/RotJ_Cape/Shelter_Half.jpg

This diagram has been drawn with the tent seams far apart,
(as the cape would have).
It shows the visible seam falling well past the 3rd snap.
It appears as though the seams on the actual tent, would not
correspond with a Fett cape.
Has anyone used & cut a real half shelter, for use as a cape?
Do the seams fall in the correct locations?

BobaFettish · Dec 16, 2002

Here are the pictures TK826 is referring to:

I'm on the look out for one of these myself. As Brak's noted in his tutorial, "Not all military shelter halves have correct stitching! Only about 1 in 10 shelter halves is correct." For this very reason, I am not going to risk buying one of these tents online. Instead, I am going to hit all of the military surplus stores I can until I find the right one. If anybody here finds a DEFINITE source for these, please let me know.

Delta13 · Dec 17, 2002

My shelter half's 'middle' seam was not as wide as the one in the diagram, which is like the reference CD photos of the ROTJ cape. I suspect that would be the OLDEST style.
Both the seams on my half were the same 'normal' double seam width, just like on a pair of Levis. I got my half from a surplus type store. It was old and used with holes, so I got just the half I needed and it only cost $8-. Better deal than the new complete shelters, like in the photo here. It appears this photo shows a later generation shelter than mine even. I would now guess that there are at least three variations of these shelters. (I spent many nights while in Ft. Benning in these things, but I can't remember any usable details, as that was back in the late 80's).
If I made another, I'd find an old used one like I did. I'd also cut it an inch or two wider...beyond the seems, because I had trouble making solid seems around the edges AND keeping it the desired width. Mine is about that much narrow, but looks pretty close.
I also suspect that the photo may show one side of the half, while the diagram may show the other, which may be made different. Perhaps someone who bought both sides could shed some light.
Fear not the shelter-half, but choose wisely!

Art Andrews · Dec 29, 2002

After having bought almost 40 tent halves, I can tell you it id extremely difficult to find ones with the correct seam. First off, it appears that the hlaves were manufactured by more than one company although I can't find a lot of company ID on the halves. Second, there seams to be a number of standard patterns (one is the wide, one is the narrow and one is somewhere in between) but I have also come across a handful that are just completely different from any other. As Boba Fettish said, you absolutely can NOT blindly buy one of these online and expect it to be the right thing and from experience, I can tell you most companies that sell them are not interested in trying to pick out a specific one for you with a specific stiching if they even ever understand what you are talking about. You best bet is to hit the army navy surplus stores... If I can be of any more help, please let me know.

Jedi Bob · Feb 25, 2003

I was watching ROTJ last night and noticed something that I had slipped by me for so long. When Boba reacts to the threat of the thermal detonator, his cape is on his right side. Later on the skiff, it is on the left. I also never noticed that when R2 leaved the sail barge to go to the top deck to launch Luke's saber, Boba suspiciously turns and watches R2 leave. It almost seemed like he knew something was up.

I don't know if these were discussed here or not in the past. If so, just delete.

Thanks!

Halo 1 · Feb 25, 2003

Actually, the cape switch scene was a total mirrior image. Check out his RF and the Blaster that's now in his left hand and helm side...

Stay safe.

Tim.

ROTJ Cape Information

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