My New Style Mando Armour

Well Collectormania 11 was the first test ground for this outfit, and from that after having the outfit on all day you tend to know what works and just what don't work. I found the metal chest plate the held the Armour that was fixed to it via magnets did not work. A few posts back that was replaced with a new vest, a black more fitting one. The Armour is now held on via valcro.. I have also replaced the thigh Armour and the shin Armour for a more comfortable set... I will update with some pics in a short while...

On the day of Collectormania 11, before I had even got to the event. I though my own fault damaged one of my shin Armour plates. It was my own fault so all I could do was continue. Later that same day some person walked into me...... (Note 6 foot 2 inch chap in camo, in bright lighted area) and this person still could not see me. Anyhow, this person bumped into my right gauntlet with some force. She caught it in the right place to knock off my resin hose attachments, which hit the floor.... you could say I that under my breath and inside my Helmet a few blue words were muttered... Not even a sorry was made.... but I have fixed them so that will not happen again.

Then after the event was over and we made our way back to the car to get the Armour off.... yep I broke another part of my Armour. Like a fool I took all the Armour off but forgot to take my shoulder bells off. Getting into the car my left bell thought it would become part of the car roof... "Snap"..

Well after all has been said and done that day it did however work out to be great day. And all the damaged Armour has been fixed...

I have now dropped the thigh and the shin Armour for a new set. I have found that working on my Judge Valcar outfit that the leg armour used on that outfit is very comfortable and strong... so I bought another set and have Camo'ed it up. So I can use it with my Sniper Mando.

Here is a pic of how the Thigh Armour looks now.....

And here is how the Shins now look......

Man, I've got to say that the whole costume concept you have is not only unique, but it makes sense. If I were a Mandolorian in a wooded environment, you bet I'd have camo, particularly if I were a sniper. What does KOTE expect from a custom Mando? Just Jango Fetts with diffferent paint schemes? Jeez Louise! The greatest appeal about doing a custom is that you're not replicating something down to the nth degree. If you want to do that, be a Clone Trooper or a Storm Trooper. Where's the room for individuality in this?

One thing I'll give every custom and every scratchbuilder, you didn't just go out and drop a bunch of cash and BUY your way into a costume! Anybody who works their tail off shaping plastic and metal deserves some credit. I think your costume rocks! I'm working on my scratchbuilt Bob Fett now and I'm not building any of the screen-used blasters, I'm making a custom blaster carbine. Sorry if it's not "approved" by someone else, it's what I like. I don't like any of the screen blasters Fett had.

I'm not planning on joining the 501st or anything, I just want to build a Fett costume that is fairly accurate, but mainly one that I like. I've talked to Star Wars fans who know the films well and who know Boba Fett, but had no idea there were different costumes, blasters and jet packs.

You stick by your guns Val, and make a custom that YOU like.

One final thought, I've seen the thread about the scratchbuilt cardboard helmet here by Honus and I'd rather own that than some POS Dan Post!

First time I've seen this post, and my gosh, I am impressed!! You did a helluva job! I really enjoyed your creativity! The camo looks great!

Sorry about the not being accepted, but keep on troopin' in this outfit!! It's awesome!!

A couple suggestions if I may?

I really like your weathering, what I try to do, is weather the helmet w/ scratches, rubs, etc. as if it's been tossed casually into a bulkhead compartment. Little nicks and the like.

On the camo, a different color of "dirt" and grime weathered in it. As a sniper, you're going to be crawling alot, up and down, perhaps more extreme weathering on your knees and shins.

Shoulders- you've had to tuck in close to rocks for cover, a bit more off-colored overall grime, different colors of metal showing, some metal wear is more recent than others.

Your black vest, I really like the look of it better than the brown, but it needs some weathering too. You might try misting it w/ dark grey spray paint, and a couple lighter shades as well.

Another good weathering technigue is earthtone chalks. Shave them into powder, apply w/ your finger until you get the look you like, then hit it w/ a matte sealer.


I really like your armor concept, a bit more "aging weather" to enhance the veteran mando sniper and it would rock even harder than it does!!

What about some kill marks? Perhaps on the rifle, or left shoulder armor?

An outstanding outfit!! I want to see more of it!!

-Rex

Originally Posted by Southern hunter

What does KOTE expect from a custom Mando? Just Jango Fetts with diffferent paint schemes? Jeez Louise! The greatest appeal about doing a custom is that you're not replicating something down to the nth degree. If you want to do that, be a Clone Trooper or a Storm Trooper. Where's the room for individuality in this?

As KOTE's representitive on TDH I'd like to point out that KOTE has a growing number of Mando's of all shapes and sizes and the desicion not to admit Valcar's Mandalorian at this stage was nothing personal. There were a number of issues that Valcar was advised to rectify before resubmitting.
The Knights Of The Empire's costume standards are the same as those of the 501st, high. There is nothing stoping Darth Valcar from resubmitting his costume for clearance once the issues in question have been rectified, infact I for one would love for him to do so.

If Valcar chooses (as he has already stated) not to resubmit or make any of the recommended adjustments then that is his choice, and I respect that, it's his costume and that's fine.

I would like to request that this thread does not degenerate into a "bash KOTE for having high standards" thread.

There was nothing that I took personal by KOTE. I have moved on from the action taken. Yes I am making changes to this outfit as stated by me a few posts ago. This outfit will not pass the KOTE's high standards, because there are aspects of my Armour I am not changing, others yes I'm working on them.

And this is not a "bash KOTE" thread. Nor shall it be. Other members comments are there own.

Like I said before, I am making changes to this outfit as I find them needed. And nothing will stop me trooping in it were every I go. It would have been nice to become a member of something other than a forum. But like you said there are standards. Ok this outfit was just a bit too far outta the box for some, but the outcome has been what I wanted and have achived im making this outfit....

How can you rate a custom mandalorian costume?

I could understand it if Valcar's costume was a trashcan with a T-Visor in it. However, his armor is what I would think to be fairly high quality. Just because it doesn't fit into someone's "vision" of how they feel mandalorian armor should look doesn't really give them the right to judge a CUSTOM costume.

I definitely mean NO disrespect to any other costuming groups out there, but I believe this is a very valid question for people trying to judge anyone's imagination if the outcome is above average.

I firmly believe that situations like this are what cause people to become bitter at clubs, then bitter people become vocal people and we have threads that degenerate quickly.

There is a difference between quality and standards. If your imposting standards then your telling your potential members "Hey, we only want members who will have armor that looks like this." If your worried about quality then your telling your membership "Hey, if your armor looks believable (within Star Wars) and you have toiled at it long and hard, then you deserve a home for it.

There is no final judge on custom mandalorian armor except the community to which it's presented.

After a little bit of work I hope to have made my pistol less contemporary, and a more Star Warsy. I still have more work to do on this, but it's getting there...... here is how it's looking at this time, I have Greeblied it up soom......

Looks pretty good.

mmmmmmmmm not very mandaloriany but still very cool

Wow cool I like it.

Oh dear... After reading the e-mail that Valcar recieved from Kote, all i can say is their Mando expert has some MAJOR researching to do.

A good start would be to look up the meaning of the word CUSTOM, and forget Boba & Jango Fett, there are more mandos than those two.

Originally Posted by MiniMandalorFett#1

Wow cool I like it.

Thanks MiniMandalorFett, I have done more work to the pistol. And I have given it a few coats of black primer... All I need to do now is do the finishing touchs to the sidearm. Here is how it looks now....

Originally Posted by Shadow UK

Oh dear... After reading the e-mail that Valcar recieved from Kote, all i can say is their Mando expert has some MAJOR researching to do.

A good start would be to look up the meaning of the word CUSTOM, and forget Boba & Jango Fett, there are more mandos than those two.

I agree there are more than just Boba and Jango... BUT they have never been seen in a Star Wars Movie, And that's the problem. If your not Jango or Boba... or someone that's featured in a Comic, or Game, or anything like that then you are more then likely to be turned down.

I just hope that the New TV Show that is being made will feature more Mandos..... so at least the scope can be widened on outfit designs.

Anyhow...... Life goes on.

Been a great day outside today, the sun was out the air was fresh.... a good time to do some more work on my projects... so I have done some more work on the Sniper Pistol re-vamp.... here is the progress pics so far....

Originally Posted by Shadow UK

Oh dear... After reading the e-mail that Valcar recieved from Kote, all i can say is their Mando expert has some MAJOR researching to do.

A good start would be to look up the meaning of the word CUSTOM, and forget Boba & Jango Fett, there are more mandos than those two.

Without Boba and Jango Fett, there wouldnt be a huge mando culture there is today.

I can understand where you are coming from with the word custom, but those are the rules, and there is not much anyone can do, etc.

I like the pistol too.

Originally Posted by The Clayster

Without Boba and Jango Fett, there wouldnt be a huge mando culture there is today.

LOL well it's all the Big Man's fault after all for not introducing more Mando's into the on screen Star Wars world...... but we love it all the same......

Originally Posted by Darth Valcar

LOL well it's all the Big Man's fault after all for not introducing more Mando's into the on screen Star Wars world...... but we love it all the same......

Considering Mandos didn't come around until 15 years after ESB was released... I think all the credit would go to EU and the life and T-Visor of Boba Fett.

Well here is the changed Sniper outift, I have made a lot of changes to this outfit, and it works a lot better now... hope you like it.... the only thing i forgot to add was my side arm, it just stopped raining so it was a mad dash to get the pics before it started raining again... doh.

Enjoy............

Awesome! That's pretty hot man, honestly you've given this suit some really nice upgrades.

You need to send me a new action pose so I can update you =D

Well Darth I have to say I have enjoied reading up on your build.
What a treat and motivator it has been.You desreve a ton of credit for all the hard work you did on a ORGINAL look.
I love you decsion to change up the Mando armor look.,how refreshing.
I dont understand myself why a costuming club like KOTE would say that you armor is not good enough for a custom club.I grantee the public at a costuming event woul dlove to see how orginal your armor looks instead of the same ole Jango and Boba.
Dont get me wrong,those two characters,especially Boba,is why we dream what we dream.
From someone that does not own any armor but plan on building my own design of how I feel my Mandolorian character MIGHT look like,Thank you.
To all the experts that nick pick the trueness of your armor and character please remember that IMGINATION and Creativity is why we spend a huge part of our life to creating a character in a world that isnt real.

I have one question...What is this Snipers name?
AWESOME job sir

Lopero
Fellow Mandolorian across the pond

wow...well said lopero...hey valcar has a fan lollololol....seriously though your right in everything you say...and yeah the kote need to do some serious research lol

oh yeah...the armour looks awsome aswell valcar lol...cant wait for cm 12!

Originally Posted by LOPERO

I dont understand myself why a costuming club like KOTE would say that you armor is not good enough for a custom club.I grantee the public at a costuming event woul dlove to see how orginal your armor looks instead of the same ole Jango and Boba.

KOTE is not a custom club but a Star Wars Costuming Club in the same mold as the 501st. Our standards are the same as the 501st and include E.U. costumes as well. As to putting standards and restrictions on what is and is not acceptable for KOTE Mando's we have worked hard to ensure that all Mando's that troop with KOTE look like they could've been in the films, and are not considered a lauging stock. Without standards you could see budget Mando's with bad fitting costumes and hidious paint schemes and that would be considered a joke. If you do not agree with our standards then don't attempt to get your mando cleared to troop. If you do put your Mando forward to be cleared and it is rejected, then the reasons why and advice on what needs to be done for it to be cleared will be sent to you in the spirit of friendship. It's then upto you if you follow them or not.

Originally Posted by setra

.and yeah the kote need to do some serious research lol

As KOTE's Mando expert and the first custom Mando in the UK I think I have the experiance and have done the research nesasary for the job.

Can I remind EVERYONE that bashing/flaming the 501st would not be tolerated here, the same courtisy should be extended to KOTE and any other costuming group. We all come here to learn, share, advise and assist on Fett and Mando costumes be we KOTE, 501st, Mando Mercs and HV&M members, lets keep it friendly or at least private.


There is nothing wrong with Valcars costume, it simply was not upto KOTE standards at the time he submitted it as he was informed.

just to point out...i wasnt bashing anyone...just pointing out that valcars is one of the best mando's people have seen and that if that isnt up to standard then maybe the standars are too high?

Originally Posted by OrtharRrith

As KOTE's Mando expert and the first custom Mando in the UK I think I have the experiance and have done the research nesasary for the job.


There is nothing wrong with Valcars costume, it simply was not upto KOTE standards at the time he submitted it as he was informed.

Well I would like to say that other members comments are there own. Nothing i have done was to cause any bad comments about KOTE.

I have moved on from the Sniper Rejection... Changes have been made yes, changes I felt needed to be made to improve the look and feel of the outfit.

And I kinda figured you were the Mando expert from comments made in the rejection. Ok so it failed then. How would it stand now, because there is nothing els on the outfit that i plan to change now. ?

Anyhow, once again thanks to all the members that have left comments, all comments have been taken into account while doing this project.

Originally Posted by Darth Valcar

Ok so it failed then. How would it stand now, because there is nothing els on the outfit that i plan to change now. ?

From what I can tell you've made some good improvement. I am not KOTE staff so can not say yes or no, my position as KOTE's expert means I advise only, the command staff of KOTE then make up their own minds accordingly.
If you believe it meets KOTE's criteria then resubmit the required pictures and it will be viewed for clearance.

Ok,

This is starting to degrade into a bash the KOTE thread.

Lets move on shall we?

You may want to use snaps instead of velcro, because you can see all the sewn on velcro behind the armor.
OR you can cut the squares of velcro on your vest to match armor cuts, that way you don't see it.

Originally Posted by LOPERO

I have one question...What is this Snipers name?
AWESOME job sir

Lopero
Fellow Mandolorian across the pond

Thanks Lopero, Well after some thought, as i'm no longer a Klingon, I thought I would use that name... so my Mando name is Valcar Novartis.

Have fun at CE Val =D

Awesome custom mando, truly creative. This is what custom mandos are all about!

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

Have fun at CE Val =D

Thanks dude............. all packed and ready..... 6am wake up call.... then head off...........

Originally Posted by Mandalore23

Awesome custom mando, truly creative. This is what custom mandos are all about!

Thanks Manalore23.........

Saw you at CE yesterday - looked wicked ;o)

Originally Posted by TK-2772

Saw you at CE yesterday - looked wicked ;o)

Cool, I'm not sure which one you were dude, but you all look Great....

Myself and Shadow at CE on saturday.....

I put you two on the front page at the Mercs site =D You guys looked awesome!

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

I put you two on the front page at the Mercs site =D You guys looked awesome!

Thanks dude..........

I'm not sure if you are more intimidating with or without the helmet, but it looks amazing.

Amazing! truly fantastic! Exelent job... That is truly custom...

Originally Posted by Fettination

Amazing! truly fantastic! Exelent job... That is truly custom...

Thanks Fettination, here is a few pics from Collectormania 12 just gone. These pics show some final changes made to the outfit.



Having fun



Was a good weekend thoes of use from the Vok'Chi Clan of the Mercs that went to the event had a great time..

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good work mate

SWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTT Gotta do a custom. My son already has a digital type ideal running thru his little head.

Wow, more CPR...
I'm a nurse, and I've never been able to resurect the dead
Just kidding. Yeah, this is an older thread, but still really cool custom's

i was wondering if anyone was going to do a camo mando

Very nice! Interesting concept brought to life! Could I suggest a Dark Brown Vest? I mean, really dark! Aside from that, just plain classy!

I love these custom Mandos. It looks fantastic!