Hello from an old trooper from OZ

Hi there people.

My name is Niko and I’m from Australia. I have Six Imperial costumes at the moment and are starting my Seventh. I have a complete Vader, Scout Trooper, TIE fighter pilot, Sandtrooper, Imperial Gunner and a EP VI royal Guard. I’m starting my Snowtrooper as we speak.

But the one I’ve always wanted to do was an ESB Fett. I never did it because it’s an very expensive suit. Even though I have a lot of suits – I have very little money. My collection has been built over the last 14 years. I’ve sold lots of items to upgrade to more screen accurate ones. I just finished my Sandtrooper. He was started back in 1996 !

The ESB Fett will be the last item in my Star Wars collection. So while I work on my Snowtrooper – I’ll start my homework here. I like my items to be as screen accurate as possible.

Give me about six month’s to finish my Snowtrooper. So I’ll see you around until I start my Fett.

esb fett can be just expensive as a darth vader, or even what some would consider a good sandtrooper.

most of the guys that make sandtroopers get TE or AP armor and spend another grand on a lewis gun and backpack.

if you have that many costumes, i'm sure you know what you're into for the ESB fett,

but you might be able to do a lot of stuff yourself if you have that much prop experience

WOF has amazing templates for near all parts of the costume, so you could get started on anything you'd be happy with and upgrade or buy whatever parts you don't want to make later.

don't worry about stuff not being accurate on some things. unless some people come to your house with a ruler they might not be able to tell if you're off on something as simple as a shin tool.

if you're buying a costume.. here's some names i'd look into


Man of War
Bobamaker
Loanstar
Fettpride
Ladysewforus
99cent taco
Russrep
Serenity


sorry if i left anyone out, that was just off the top of my head.

I did not include painters by the way, however daz and MOW have shipped prepainted obviously for extra.

hope that adds a little insight

Welcome to the boards Niko! I am about 85% finished with my ESB, and you are right, it is a very expensive costume...good luck. If you can please post pics of your other costumes!

G-Fett

Welcome on Niko!

Welcome and post some pics of those suits!

CombatBaby said:

esb fett can be just expensive as a darth vader, or even what some would consider a good sandtrooper.

most of the guys that make sandtroopers get TE or AP armor and spend another grand on a lewis gun and backpack. .

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My Sandtrooper is an TE2. It was an Altmann back in the day. When all was said and done - He ended up costing around $2500.00. Very expensive for an Sandtrooper. But he is pretty much spot on.

CombatBaby said:

if you have that many costumes, i'm sure you know what you're into for the ESB fett,

but you might be able to do a lot of stuff yourself if you have that much prop experience.

Click to expand...

Lot of experience. But very little time. I have three children under 5. I love my wife and kids alot. So most of my time is devoted to them. I also work full time and are the only money earner. So no time and no money makes this a very tricky hobbie for me.

CombatBaby said:

WOF has amazing templates for near all parts of the costume, so you could get started on anything you'd be happy with and upgrade or buy whatever parts you don't want to make later.

don't worry about stuff not being accurate on some things. unless some people come to your house with a ruler they might not be able to tell if you're off on something as simple as a shin tool.

Click to expand...

I'm pretty much a sticker for being screen accurate. I could have made an Sandtrooper for $800. I like to get as close as possiable within my budget. Which is about $300 a year.

So as you can imangine - this will be a long project for me.

Thanx to all for your welcome. I'll post up some pics soon.

Cheers , Niko.

Both outfits are on Mannequins. They are on display in my house.

Should I show more ?

Bountyhunter_niko said:

Lot of experience. But very little time. I have three children under 5. I love my wife and kids alot. So most of my time is devoted to them. I also work full time and are the only money earner. So no time and no money makes this a very tricky hobbie for me.

Click to expand...

lol definately can identify mate
I got 3 under 4 myself (including a set of twins) and wife not working.

you are right abt the time issue, and this hobby does take a lot of time.
If nothing else - I think a fett is very suited for a slow build - cos of all the various small detail bits.

The temptation - like with all cossies is to try and buy as much as possible as quickly as possible. Cos of the unique position I (and you are in), I;ve actually been really patient with purchases - and just the right item has turned up every now and then. With little time and money myself, I've saved up and waited, rather than buy something now and upgrade later.

I certainly am not even close to complete a ROTJ SE fett yet... but I have put aside a few years to do this project.

so far - this is wot I've gathered

armour - FP
ammo belt - batninja
Jet Pack - Mr Bungle
helmet - still thinking.......
blaster - saving to get from sidewinder

yeesh not much, and I';ve been looking for 6 months!

WOF is very fun, and have done a helmet build. not too much time, and has kid friendly material (thats the other problem - have to keep resin, FG and other such material use to a minimum)

good luck mate - any help you need - feel free to drop me a line