Here's how the shins currently look. The center channel is exactly 9.5" long, so the entire shin is about 10" from top to bottom. I could probably stand to concave the bottom sides (on the shorter sides) a tad, however, I'd rather they err on the wide side in order to accomodate wider or larger shins/calves, and so they don't look too tight on flightsuit legs.
The center channel should be slightly concave, if you catch what I mean. Like it should be "bowing" inward if that makes any sense. I also think the center channel is a little too wide at the top, making it taper a little too much.
Concave added, and bottoms of the outsides pulled in a tad.
Yesterday at the shop, we actually AutoCad'd the center channel at 9.5" and the front view of the entire shin from one of the Paris ref. pics, and printed out templates that were used to cut out the channels. We then did some overlay comparisons, and the center channel was pretty close. The only areas that were off a little where the sides, but after comparing side shots decided it might have been due to camara angle. I could trim off a little from the sides if people thought they were too wide...but once it's gone, it's gone!
Cruzer, do you just want me to get you a card for my bank account? I've sent you more money than the IRS and I don't think it's gonna end any time soon. They look awesome and I can't wait to get a set!
Thanks guys. I may tape off about a quarter of an inch off the sides just to see how they'd look trimmed. Other than that I think I'm done with the shins.
Here's the boot armor. It's shaped to what I feel is very close in shape and size to those seen in some of the ref. pics like those below.
For now, this is all the work I can do on the leg armor project due to having to get the last gauntlet orders out. However, I have plans to start on the thighs and knees immediately after.
I appreciate any suggestions you have on making the pieces more accurate.
I'm not sure. Because the items are molded at the shop, I have to work around their schedule. All I can do is get everything ready for molding asap so this project can move as quickly as possible.
ahahah...ok, I'll put that combo away for future use.
I'll be molding the shin and boot armors this weekend if I'm at the shop again.
As for the knees, I'm undecided about what width would be best: 4.75", 5", or more? Once I know what width to go, the rest will fall into place. Oh, and we have decided to do molds for both fiberglass and Hyper-Firm rubber for the knees.