A'den Solu's ROTJ SE Build

[AdenSolu]

Greetings all,

I've recently started on making a new ROTJ SE suit and wanted to share my progress with you all.

I realized I had shared some parts elsewhere but not here on TDH where I first began my Fett journey all those years ago so I'm making sure to chronicle the journey here as well.

Helmet - MinuteFett lineage cast
Helmet Mq-1 board - Neo Prop Shop replica (Resin cast of the MQ-1 Circuit board)
Visor - Tvisor
Armor - MinuteFett lineage
Armor studs - Neo Prop Shop replica (Resin cast of Royal 242PD keyboard keys)
Chestplate display - Westaby Electronics
Ammo belt - Handmade Horror Shop
Boots- MOWS
Boot toe spikes - MasterCraft Replicas
Jetpack - Bobamaker
Jetpack Thrusters - MasterCraft Replicas
Thruster Greeblies - MasterCraft Replicas
Jetpack harness - Fett 4 Real
Gauntlets - MinuteFett
Gauntlet darts - MasterCraft Replicas
Gauntlet Alco switches - Alco MPA 106D
Mq1 keypad replica - Neo Prop Shop
Girth belt - ReGeeked Props
Flakvest - CB Props
Jumpsuit w/neckseal - CB Props
Wookie braids - Made by me
Gloves - unknown maker

Here is my old inaccurate Fett armor from 15 years ago that I planned to refurbish, but now I'm in the process of just replacing most of it with accurate pieces...

Then there is the new vac-formed armor from MinuteFett...

So, after hours of trimming, sanding, and prepping, I applied the first layer of primer/filler.

And here is my first attempt at 3D printing: the EE-3 carbine that I assembled, painted, and displayed until I have a finished kit.

I was able to get all the pieces covered with the metallic silver base and then the damaged areas masked with masking fluid.

Next up was getting each piece painted with the base color.

Once they were all dry, I began the tedious yet satisfying process of pulling all the masking fluid off to reveal the silver underneath.

 

[AdenSolu]

Next, I added the mythosaur skull and started to add the pale yellow around the damaged areas on the shoulder armor. I still need to finish all the pale yellow areas, add the orange tones, and continue on with the weathering, but it's beginning to look like something, at least.

I painted and weathered the shoulders and knees. I had to play around with the colors a bit while mixing to make sure I got the right combinations since there is orange present on three of the four pieces. Since the right knee is the ROTJ Hero and the left is the PP2, I had to make sure the colors reflected that and tried to get the damage and everything to match as closely to the reference photos as possible.

After the shoulders and knees were done, it was time to focus on the rest of the armor. I misted lighter greens throughout to show the wear and tear in areas, as seen in the references. I added the yellow edge damage, scratches, and the chest emblem. Some dirtying effects have been added, but I still need to put the black splatters and finish everything off.

I installed the display in the chest and also trimmed all the return edges as I realized they were a little too thick in some areas. So further photos should look much more accurate.

I pulled out my old Bobamaker jetpack and primed that. Fortunately it's survived all these years and only lost a thruster so I just had to print two new ones from MachineCraft Replicas as a replacement. After I had all the pieces together I painted it.

Then I switched over to footwear. I took my old MOWS and painted and weathered them. Now I'm just waiting on the toe spikes from MachineCraft Replicas and I can finish that part.

Next up I'm working on the lineage helmet cast from Minutefett and wookie braids that I'm braiding before some other pieces from NeoFett and MachineCraft arrive and I can work on gauntlets as well...

 

[AdenSolu]

I've had some family staying from out of town so haven't been able to do too much lately, but worked on a few things.

The jetpack greeblies and toe spikes came in so I got those installed...

Then I dyed some thread brown, blue, and red and braided a bunch of hair to make some braids. The ROTJ SE braids aren't the easiest to see clearly in the promo photos, but I think I was able to replicate them as best as possible along with the CRL. (The one of me wearing them may look odd because it's reversed due to it being in a mirror.)

Then it was onto the helmet. I cut out the visor and slots on the back for the MQ-1 piece, then began the paintwork. So far I've just got the base colors down and I'm just getting into the detailing.

 

[AdenSolu]

I was able to spend a little time this weekend and get started on the new gauntlets. They're 3D printed and then strengthened with fiberglass. After sanding and filling, I applied the silver base and then masking fluid. The red tone has been put on and once dry I'll be able to start working on the weathering and remove the masking to reveal the silver.

While the gauntlets dry, I worked on the dome of the helmet. I was able to get most of it done, and will tackle the killstripes next before finishing the last weathering/damage, and then get to the mandibles and ears.

 

[AdenSolu]

This week I was able to get the final touches of the gauntlets done. All the paint work was done, then Alco switches, red light, momentary switches, darts, and Mq-1 keypad were all installed. I'll need to weather the hoses as they're too new and the tape holding the one to the rocket will be replaced with silver tape when I get some, but other than that I'm happy with how they turned out.

Then for the helmet... I added the killstripes and further SE damage/details. The front mandibles now have their damage, now I need to work my way around to the back of the red areas and keyslot area. Then it'll be onto the ears before I do the final weathering all over.

 

[AdenSolu]

Pretty stoked that I've had a few different items arrive for the kit recently. The new girth belt and ammo belt have both just shown up and look great.

Then the flakvest finally arrived so now I can start putting the armor on! I just laid these pieces on to start working on placement and gaps before I go making holes in the flakvest for the snap fasteners. Excited to get started this weekend but also hoping I get it right because I'm not waiting another 2 months for another flakvest, haha.

Also, the outside of my helmet is now complete. I finished the extra scratches, black and white marks/paint, crack repair, and the other various details that distinguish the SE from the ESB. Next up will be the interior.

Next up I'll hopefully have an update on how the armor attachment goes.

 

[lowberg]

Yessssss!! Another SE build! Love to see it.

Making great progress!

 

[AdenSolu]

Yessssss!! Another SE build! Love to see it.

Making great progress!

Thanks! Yes, had to be SE, haha. Love the ROTJ color scheme with the ESB helmet among the many other little differences that'll drive a builder crazy .

I've been loving your progress on your build as well, excellent work.

 

[ShortFuse]

Thanks! Yes, had to be SE, haha. Love the ROTJ color scheme with the ESB helmet among the many other little differences that'll drive a builder crazy .

I’ve always liked the ROTJ colors over the ESB, and I too think the ESB helmet is far superior. It is only my disdain for the changes that George Lucas made to the movie that made me go with the OG ROTJ.

 

[AdenSolu]

I’ve always liked the ROTJ colors over the ESB, and I too think the ESB helmet is far superior. It is only my disdain for the changes that George Lucas made to the movie that made me go with the OG ROTJ.

Haha, well said! Oh those changes... nothing can compete with the OG trilogy.

 

[Irongladiator]

I’ve always liked the ROTJ colors over the ESB, and I too think the ESB helmet is far superior. It is only my disdain for the changes that George Lucas made to the movie that made me go with the OG ROTJ.

Well said. I was so close to going ESB myself, I like the ESB helmet and EE-3 better. But ultimately the color variations of the OG ROTJ. Just so great! I woulda went SE, but didn’t like the hose portion connected to the rocket on the left gauntlet, but that’s just me....

...just not a huge fan of that. And sometimes I even see others say they have a ROTJ SE Fett and they don't have that hose attached on the Rocket. My understanding is that many find it very difficult to keep that hose attached - and so they just don't wear it.

But overall great job, keep up the solid work!


Cheers,
-Iron

 

[AdenSolu]

My flak vest finally arrived so I got to work attaching armor. The first step was making cardboard templates to make sure the holes lined up so I didn't ruin the vest.

Once I had my templates, I placed the holes and then installed the fasteners.

Then it was just attach the armor to the vest since I had already placed the opposite attachments on the armor prior. And here's how it looks so far with the chest display lit up and braids on...

Next I need to do some weathering of the soft parts.

 

[BudaFett]

Grommet placement is the worst aspect of the build! Super stressful!

 

[AdenSolu]

Grommet placement is the worst aspect of the build! Super stressful!

It really was! Even after making templates, I probably repositioned and remeasured a dozen more times just to make sure, hahaha.

 

[Irongladiator]

AdenSolu
You are not alone in that endeavor! Was about 3 hours of work for me (I did the grommet and bolt method). I remember I started at 9am and was done by about 12pm that day. Worst part honestly, was trying to get the armor situated on my vest accurately and then with a pencil marking where the grommet holes go on the vest and hoping like hell that they will meet the bolts on my armor plates. Oh and all the while taking into consideration that the vest will curve around my torso. And then measuring it 3 more times to ensure it was good. Then, sweatily installing the grommets. But if done correctly, you'll have a great looking set of armor that hangs beautifully on a vest.....and you do! So sometimes taking your time pays off.

So, great job - keep er' comin'!


-Iron

 

[AdenSolu]

AdenSolu
You are not alone in that endeavor! Was about 3 hours of work for me (I did the grommet and bolt method). I remember I started at 9am and was done by about 12pm that day. Worst part honestly, was trying to get the armor situated on my vest accurately and then with a pencil marking where the grommet holes go on the vest and hoping like hell that they will meet the bolts on my armor plates. Oh and all the while taking into consideration that the vest will curve around my torso. And then measuring it 3 more times to ensure it was good. Then, sweatily installing the grommets. But if done correctly, you'll have a great looking set of armor that hangs beautifully on a vest.....and you do! So sometimes taking your time pays off.

So, great job - keep er' comin'!


-Iron

Thanks Iron! Yeah it's certainly time consuming, and you're right, taking into account curves and everything certainly comes into play. I love the bolt idea and was contemplating that to be a little more screen accurate, but I'll see how the snap fasteners do for now before overhauling anything in the future.

Hopefully I can get some photos this weekend of everything being worn to see how it's looking so far before I move to the next phase.

 

[Irongladiator]

I love the bolt idea and was contemplating that to be a little more screen accurate, but I'll see how the snap fasteners do for now before overhauling anything in the future.

AdenSolu
Yeah, I too contemplated the many solutions. From Velcro, to snaps, to push back pins. But in the end, for me, rather than potentially experience an embarrassing moment of falling armor off my vest while out in the public, I opt'd for the tried, true and tested method of the grommet/bolts. I was forewarned about it being a major pain in the rear but I was able to trudge forward and brought it to the finish line. And so far.....4 years later, never had an incident. For me, I epoxied the Stainless Steel bolt(s) to the armor, and then used Stainless Steel Nylon Locking Nuts to secure the armor to the vest....

I have a complete write up of it in my WIP thread if you so wish to check it out.
Iron's WIP ROTJ - Page 6, Post# 108 and Post# 114.

Would like to hear what you think of your method and how well you think it works!


-Iron

 

[ShortFuse]

Does the chest display function differently for the SE?

 

[AdenSolu]

AdenSolu
Yeah, I too contemplated the many solutions. From Velcro, to snaps, to push back pins. But in the end, for me, rather than potentially experience an embarrassing moment of falling armor off my vest while out in the public, I opt'd for the tried, true and tested method of the grommet/bolts. I was forewarned about it being a major pain in the rear but I was able to trudge forward and brought it to the finish line. And so far.....4 years later, never had an incident. For me, I epoxied the Stainless Steel bolt(s) to the armor, and then used Stainless Steel Nylon Locking Nuts to secure the armor to the vest....
View attachment 243917
View attachment 243918

I have a complete write up of it in my WIP thread if you so wish to check it out.
Iron's WIP ROTJ - Page 6, Post# 108 and Post# 114.

Would like to hear what you think of your method and how well you think it works!


-Iron

I'll certainly keep you posted on longevity of the snaps, especially once I try it all on and move around in it for awhile.

Also great writeup on your post for the bolt and grommet method! Looks like another great WIP thread I'll be delving deep into tomorrow for any tips and tricks. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[AdenSolu]

Does the chest display function differently for the SE?

I don't believe it differs from the regular ROTJ order, but I could be wrong. I'll have to see if I can verify. As for this chest display has multiple settings to be utilized for the film versions and for the Book of Boba Fett show version. I just plugged it in for the photo so not sure which setting I had it on.