My Kal Skirata - Finished 2010, 1st 501st Approved & Merc Approved

Coming along very nicely! I've made or helped make kits of all the Null boys in beskar'gam. Be nice to have a Kal'buir runniung around out there!

The Hasbro figure of Mij Gilamar was originally supposed to be Kal but the character name was changed after Karen Traviss stated it was clearly too young to be Skirata. It would offer at least a good direction to follow on soft good colors etc.

Instead, the figure was named after her friend Jim. Also, there were some discrepancies in that the figure was a Fett repaint. Karen Traviss never intended Kal to have a Jet Pack or straight Fett repaint gauntlets (although she never specified what is on his gauntlets so let your imagination go!) The only thing we know is that his gauntlets have a housing for his 3 sided knife. Also, in Order 66, Kal is attacked by a Jedi and struck on the back of the neck. The lightsaber was deflected by his collar armor. Karen's inspiration for collar armor came from meeting Ray Ramirez/Ram Zerimar at Celebration IV. Here is a pic of Ram with is collar armor:


I costume as A'den Skirata and plan to stay that way unless Karen so changes his look as to not fall in line with my armor design. I used to costume as Jaing (Jaing was retired after Karen signed my helmet at SDCC 08 "Dear Jaing, Kaminoans make great gloves! Karen Traviss") and all of kids and my brother costume or have costumed as the other Nulls. One of the things I incorporated with all the Nulls Mandalorian armors was to have them wear a piece of Kal's armor. So they are obviously post Kal's death. For my A'den costume, I wear Kal's collar armor that deflected the Jedi's attempt to kill him. I followed Ray/Ram's design and applied it to my armor. It has sand gold plates on a flat leather "collar". Here's a pic:


I only show that as an example to detail for your character build if you'd like to use it. We get alot of questions at Mercs and a couple other site's I visit about the collar armor and what it looks like. Since Karen's inspiration for it and the Verpine rifle came from Ray/Ram's kit, I like to show his and mine to show people how they "should" look from teh author's original inspiration, then I show mine as a how easy it is to do.

Great start, good color match. Can't wait to see the progress.

I see you're a TK and building this as a second set. It's not 501st approved however, we'd love to have you as a member with the Mando Mercs with that kit if you'd like dual citizenship.

Thanks. I may try and build that neck armor you had made. I was going to do some kind of neck armor but now I know what it kinda will look like. Thanks.

As for the gauntlets, I was going to use a Fett right and a Fett left but on the left I was going to take of the side section and replace it with a houseing for the 3 sided knife.

Yep, I am 501st. Have a TK, Officer, Nihilus and working on a Jodo kast right now for my BH number. I will for sure join the Mercs once I am done. I am signed up on the site but do not post much. I just read stuff on there.

thanks for the help.

I like the more red color you've used for the face plate. I've seen plates done from black to a sandy bronze, but I think your color choice really breaks up the tans and browns that this armor consists of.

I'd love to see a Kal done finally. There's been ALOT Of attempts but they seem to all fall off.

Good looking start! Dont think ive ever seen a "finished" kal costume...looking forward to watching this progress...

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

I like the more red color you've used for the face plate. I've seen plates done from black to a sandy bronze, but I think your color choice really breaks up the tans and browns that this armor consists of.

I'd love to see a Kal done finally. There's been ALOT Of attempts but they seem to all fall off.

Thanks, I used a colonial red, same color a friend of mine used for his Jaster costume. The book said something about the face area around the T-vis that it was Crimson and had mandalorian markings on one side. Since Karren has not said what those were or looked like. That is the one part I am not doing for now. It can be filled in as soon as more is known.

I do plan to finish this one. I have seen the others you spoke of, I had gone to them to see how they had done there's and they always seemed to have died out. I will do my best to take pics and keep TDH updated.


Thanks,
Rob

Dude awesome start! I think I might do one down the line!

being only 5'6 . and always "to short for a stormtrooper" I found a costume that I my size. Kal is talked about being almost a head shorter then the clones. + we have 2 delta squad guys here in Michigan now and a few more wanting to do Omega. So I will fit right it. can't let them have all the fun .


Got the Shins, thighs, chest diamond and Back plate in the back yard right now with the primer on. going to wet sand Saturday and then put on the aluminum under coat.

Well. Got primer on the ear caps and boot armor. The shins, thighs and back plate have the aluminum under coat on and I have masked off with tooth paster where some weathering and chipped paint will be. Saturday I will put down the first 2 coats of the sand color and the use the gold rush over that on sunday. I will have more pics up of what I did today some time saturday.

Got a bit more done this weekend.

Have the aluminum under coat on and now weathering has been marked off with tooth paste.




Shins, thighs and chest Diamond has been painted with the sand color and then a lite coat of the gold rush color spray paint. Sanded, black washed and clear coated. The back plate is done too. I just did not take pics. It is in the garage right now waiting to be sanded.






Now I am left with....

- Ear caps and lens to the bucket.
- Knees
- Cod
- Flight suit and vest.
- Final paint on the boot armor

wow nver thought to use m-4 mag pouches hm.......... new belt idea's
looks great love the lid

looking great!

Looking really good!!!

Do you have a backplate?

Originally Posted by A'den Kyramud

Looking really good!!!

Do you have a backplate?

Ya. It was out in the back yard at the time of the pics. I just did not feel like going up stairs again to get it it is all good to go now. I just need to add snaps and velcro to most of the armor .

Ear caps are done, range finder is done. I just need to add the caps on the range finder side of the bucket. I will be doing that today after work and after I pick my son up from school.

Armor wise....I just need the knees and cod. But sice I always frak up on the cod armor I try, I am getting one vac formed. Should have it in 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by TK2280

Armor wise....I just need the knees and cod. But sice I always frak up on the cod armor I try, I am getting one vac formed. Should have it in 2 weeks.

Yeah, the cod is a pain to make...

again, awesome work vod!

Nice and dirty! Good work.

Bucket is now done. have the Knife as well now



Also have the neck armor made up as well.

Looking good. I cant wait to see this finished. Keep up the good work

Tracyn

Great work ner'vod!

Best Kal'buir I've seen yet! Kandosii! Keep up the good work.

Im planning a similar colour scheme for my custom, it's encouraging to se how good it "could look".

Nice Plates! and nice color man. Im going for a wind burnt desert
nomad sort of look for my wifes and my mandos so Ill definately
take many more loos at your colors and weathering. Nice job
for sure.
Mike

Wow, that looks really good. Can't wait to see it completed.

thats coming out great!!

That does look really good so far. Count me among those eagerly awaiting finished pics!

I am definitely looking forward to seeing this one done Kal'buir. I am a huge fan of the Republic Commandos!

The claw marks are great, I am doing something similar to mine.

Not much of an update but here is the westar I will use for the costume.


Going to have a holster on my right leg like Jango has. Just for the 1 westar. The cell phone sux at pics but this is what I did.......
Painted the barrel section aluminum and then weather'd it up. The handle looks darker then it is. I went with a wood colored brown then weather'd it up as well.

I used a brown/wood look for the grip cause when I think of Kal (traditional mando, strong mando values and a bit older in yrs) I think of a gun slinger from the wild west. So I made the blaster kinda like how a 6 shooter would look. I thought maken it look a bit more dated would fit the character pretty well.

Next up will be working on the gauntlets and mod'n the left one to hold the 3 sided knife.

Are you planing to build a custom Verp for Kal? Ram Zerimar/Ray Ramirez built the archtype for verps, it's what Kren Traviss used as her inspiration for the gun. Of course, Kal's is custom so I'm sure it's not the exact same as Ram's but, Ram's would give a good foundation for the direction to go. Several members at Mercs have built them as well basically use plywood and PVC pipe.

Originally Posted by A'den Skirata

Are you planing to build a custom Verp for Kal? Ram Zerimar/Ray Ramirez built the archtype for verps, it's what Kren Traviss used as her inspiration for the gun. Of course, Kal's is custom so I'm sure it's not the exact same as Ram's but, Ram's would give a good foundation for the direction to go. Several members at Mercs have built them as well basically use plywood and PVC pipe.

was going to work on that soon. I have to still do the knees and cod as far as armor goes. just dyed all the leather for the ammo belts 30min ago. Have charcol grey material on order and brown fake leather for the vest too. So I hope by the time thats in that all the armor will be done. have a set of ABS gauntlets that should be at my house soon. So I have quite a bit of work left but should be good to go in a month or so.

lovin the color of the armor.....

...the color is bone,,,,(american psycho)

I really like the neck armor thing! Great work so far!

Bit more work done. Have the Knees and cod all trimed and took some pics. Just got done prime'n them. Will wait till Tuesday night till I put on the 1st Aluminum coat and then mark off the weatherd areas.





Also finished up the Ammo belt as well.




Still have the Gauntlets to trim. and then Mod the left one to house the 3 sided knife. Hope to start trimming the gauntlets out Thursday and maybe start the soft parts.

Cr@ptastic cell phone cam sux!!! washes out the sand gold color. But you guys should get the idea of what it looks like.

looking awesome....

looks great man! can't wait to see it all together!

Just a wee bit more work has been done.

Armor all added to the vest:



Left Gauntlet is about 80% done. Just need to add in the electronics for the flame thower and stick it in place and buy or make a rocket.



The Right one is about 90% done. Just need to add the 3 sided knife and its holder to it and then I am good to go for that.
Hope to have the Flight suit ready as well.

Upper Armor/Vest TEST FITTING: (USED MY JODO KAST FLIGHT SUIT)






Still need to finish the Gauntlets, Make Girth Belt and finish The Kal Flight Suit. Then add the armor and this project is done!!

Looks very good mate!!! Nice placement on the plates; good spacing!!!

That's looking really good man, can't wait to see it complete!

Looking great!

Thanks guys

Looking way better than what you showed me from the phone; probably cuz there not the size of a nickel and I can see the detail better. Anyway did you ever get the switch working on the gauntlet or did you just end up taking it back? The Jango's coming along now; started painting the westars, got armor and ammo belt from seeker I'll be picking up at WW, and the holsters of course with guns. Definitely going to need some help with the shins and thighs if your still down. can do it sometime in the future over at wags.

Few more Updates:

Right Gauntlet - Cut in half and cut down the whip cord section to hold the 3 sided knife.



Left Gauntlet - Just need the rocket for it, then good to go. Added the lower section to the flame thrower as well (Lower section not added at time of this pic)



Verp -

Very nice and Woodchuck makes a pretty Verp! Coming along nicely ner'vod.

I don't even know who Kal is but I don't care, that is a great looking set of armour! The clawed bucket looks super too. I would say that you've done such an extensive job distressing the helmet that the chest plates look a little too pristine in comparison, though they are weathered nicely. It might be an idea to put a few more dings and scratches in. I don't know about accuracy with this character, so maybe the poor guy just gets thumped in the head a lot!

scratches maybe, dings never! kal'buir wears proper beskar plates. beskar doesn't dent.

Then how did Bob'a beskar get all those "dings" as you call them LOL! I am just joshing you LOL!

Aside from that I have to say I am most impressed with the work you have put into this costume. It is well fitting and I am enjoying the armored neck peace that you have along with the helmet. Looks like someone ran into an ewok LOL!

not to go off topic but, boba wore durasteel armor, not beskar. at kleast not until the legacy of the force novels.

Originally Posted by A'den Skirata

not to go off topic but, boba wore durasteel armor, not beskar. at kleast not until the legacy of the force novels.

A'den is right. Why though, is anyones guess....

Eh.....I am not one of those hard core Boba fans; but I do enjoy the armor he wears and how he acts when it comes to bounty's. You got a point there LOL!

Have got a we bit more done. Here are some pics with the Thighs and cod just added. Going to get the straps to hold the shins on tonight.

Really good paint job! Nice!

Great job mate! LOVE that verp!

:O

Lovely job on the armor and as others have said "love the Verp"

D

Done with V1.0 !!!!!

w00t! Nicely done.

Very nice, work of art fer sure.

that turned out gorgeous and as canonly accurate as i can imagine from the writingsand very few references i've seen. i have no doubt that within a day or two you will be an official member at the mmcc!

i really think you should email copies of this to karen traviss. i know she'd appreciate it! if you don't have her email, pm me at mercs and i'll pass it along.

good luck with gettung your bh# for this set. while i have no pull with the 501st, let me know if there's anything i can do to help, be it with reference material or a letter of recommendation, i'm the po at mercs equal to the 501st's lml.

great work buir! welcome to the aliit!

Originally Posted by A'den Skirata

that turned out gorgeous and as canonly accurate as i can imagine from the writingsand very few references i've seen. i have no doubt that within a day or two you will be an official member at the mmcc!

i really think you should email copies of this to karen traviss. i know she'd appreciate it! if you don't have her email, pm me at mercs and i'll pass it along.

good luck with gettung your bh# for this set. while i have no pull with the 501st, let me know if there's anything i can do to help, be it with reference material or a letter of recommendation, i'm the po at mercs equal to the 501st's lml.

great work buir! welcome to the aliit!

I sent her an email from time to time with my updates. She has helped a bit as well. I use the email off her web site.

any help with refs would be great.

thanks,
Rob

what do you have currently and what more are they saying they need?

i know we have the books, there's the star wars minatures game figure and card and i believe jamie snell may have done an lfl commisioned piece of artwork as well.

Originally Posted by A'den Skirata

what do you have currently and what more are they saying they need?

i know we have the books, there's the star wars minatures game figure and card and i believe jamie snell may have done an lfl commisioned piece of artwork as well.

if you could find that art work that may be the final thing I need.

I posted in the legion forums all the book descrips, minature (even though not named kal) the hasbro toy that would have been kal if it looked older. The Star Wars insider pic from "Odds" and a few Tom hodges works. His stuff is not LFL , but he works for them, and my reason was "if he gets told by LFL to draw Kal, odds are it will look the same way as he always has drawn them"

But if you could find that pic, that would be GREAT!!

Thanks

Looks awesome mate! That is a well done set of 'gam!!!

Good luck on the BH#


A'den

It looks very similar to this pic ive found. The only things i could suggest is tighten everything up a bit. And maybe add more of a gap between the chest armor so it doesnt look so cluttered and trim the thighs a bit more.

great work! You definately have an eye for detail

very nice, build. I have to agree that some things over all just need to be tightened up. It could just be that you put it on to take the pics real quick. But I think it looks awesome.

Revolver, thanks for posting up the picture of the Vao too. I have been working on that suit for some time and wasn't sure on some things. But I know what I need to do now

I love the Bucket. It does look like the pic Revolver posted.

love the armor man very cool

I love the rifle. It's probably the best homemade/ scratchbuild blaster I've seen in awhile. The Bipod is a nice touch too. You are definately talented!

Originally Posted by Little Fett

I love the rifle. It's probably the best homemade/ scratchbuild blaster I've seen in awhile. The Bipod is a nice touch too. You are definately talented!

it's one of woodchuck's verpine rifles. i have one as well. wookchuck is the man! he makes a mean dc-17, dc-15 and westar m5 amoung other things.

Great looking Kal. I getting my credits built up to start my own Skirata costume.

What color did you use for the sand? I've been looking, and can't find the right color.

Christopher

Those are old pics. The helmet had to be redone to match the ref photos. I am and was the first ever to be approved by the 501st back in May 2010

color had to be mixed, sand and gold rush then air brushed

Out of curiousity, why do so many people use the grey flight suit?

Because that is what he has on in the star wars insider mag. Also fir all the approved images that the 501uses. All thosr approved images are based off my costume. I had help from KT in how and what to use. I was the first to be approved for 501st membership and as far as I know. Still the only one. Kinda cool to see that every costume out there that uses the lfl images of Kal, is building my costume.

Originally Posted by TK2280

Because that is what he has on in the star wars insider mag. Also fir all the approved images that the 501uses. All thosr approved images are based off my costume. I had help from KT in how and what to use. I was the first to be approved for 501st membership and as far as I know. Still the only one. Kinda cool to see that every costume out there that uses the lfl images of Kal, is building my costume.

First let me say, the armor looks great. Next, I understand the SW Insider showed Kal Skirata in a grey flightsuit, as well as resembling Ed Harris. I just never pictured him that way. Maybe I will have to read the books again, see what I get for a second impression.

The SW insider was a short story KT wrote she approved the art, then the toy was made that came with the RC pack. That was grey also, would have been kal, but she said he looked to young. Then I started my build with Her help. she helped me with look and parts. And when I was done she said " that is how I envisioned him" so I guess when the lady who created the character tells you that, and helped along he way. It is how ot should look. + every lfl approved image since the SW insider mag used me as the reference, it is safe to say that I got it right.

First Post Updated with My ref info. Also here is the back pack build pics

Very sharp, vod.

Is it possible that the back pack could have been a republic commado pack? It looks very close to that

that... is so cool!

Wow, it's nice to see Kal'buir "in the flesh"! Great job!