Astro Builder
Hunter
Well folks, with a little help from my friends (thanks TDH, Nathan (Slave1Pilot), Chris (FettPride), Christian (MOW), Terry (BBF), Daz, Wes, Russ, Slave I))
and enough hours spent in the garage to land me in divorce court by most marriages:facepalm, I completed my Boba Fett Dirty Version just in time for Halloween
. The test run (a couple days before Halloween) revelaed some items that needed fixed, reinforced, etc, but after wearing for 5 hours on Halloween, I came up with a whole new list.
Also, I decided to covert the Dirty Fett to a specific film version. I chose SE for a few reasons. First, I like the ESB helmet best, but had already gone with a grimy version of the ROTJ pack and ROTJ gaunts. Also, I am 6'3", 220 lbs, and have a 38" waist. The 12 pouch SE ammo belt just looks right and it wraps around my waist. The 8 pouch ESB and ROTJ end up looking like a change purse - like Boba the carny or meter maid. So with that being said, it's time to Flip the Fett.
....and here we go!!!
The Ammo Belt - Prior to discovering TDH, I built my own ammo belt. A couple weeks before Halloween, I was able to get a Taco belt from the most recent run, ROTJ style. The Taco belt was movie accurate compared to the one I constructed which had wider pouches and no stitching. I liked the authenticity of the Taco belt, but the look of my belt. What to do?
confused ....Enter BooBoo Fett. I got the third belt from Terry's initial run in SE style. 12 pouches, problem solved. Also, the Taco belt was real good, but the BBF belt was playing in the major leagues. Awesome stuff. Belt flipped Nov 28, 2009. See progression pics below.
AB Version - Original Build
Taco Version - Halloween Build
BooBoo Fett Version - Flipped Build
Wookie Braids - This is an area that I really got ahead of myself. Prior to TDH, I had a hard time even finding Wookie braid options. I bought the Evolution Props Wookie braids from E-Bay. Big mistake (Gabe does many things well, but braids is not one of them). Then I found Julie's braids on TDC, but too late to get into the queue and she was not taking new orders. Bummer. However, she did send me link to her photobucket for reference (thanks). I decided to procure my own horse hair and braid. First, I copied some of Julie's ROTJ Braids. Many months latter, I decides to go with the SE version, so I re-flipped. And for the record, if you have a chance to get horse hair braids for $140 or less, don't think about it, just buy them. I spent $120 on materials, not to mention the endless hours of cursing associated with making them.
Evolution Props Braids - Original Build
Self-Braided Horse Hair - Flipped Build
Self-Braided Horse Hair (SE Version) - Re-Flipped Build
EE-3 Blaster - My starting position was an MR Blaster. I thought the factory paint looked very mass produced and did not have an authentic feel. I quickly shipped it off to Slave1Pilot for a complete repaint (thanks Nathan - awesome work as always). The MR has a nice heavy feel to it, but carrying an unbalanced 10 pound weight gets old quick (like in about 5 minutes). I hated to part with it (new home to Dsonik), but my choices were to join a gym
lol: or shed the weight. I decided to go with the Sidewinder EE-3 ROTJ Blaster to drop the weight while keeping the authenticity. Expect to receive in January.
MR Blaster - Original Build
Slave1Pilot Repaint of MR Blaster - Halloween Build
Sidewinder ROTJ Blaster - Flipped Build (In Progress)
I wanted Simon to make it REAL grimy and REAL dirty. Looks like he hit a bulls-eye. As much as I loved the Slave1Pilot repaint of the MR Blaster, this one will shed 10 lbs of weight.
Fan Made E-Bay Armor - Original Build
This was the old tale of leaping before looking. I thought this armor was awesome when I received it, just too small. Then I got into TDH and saw some of the stuff that it's members created and I wanted more.
Self-Made Sintra Armor - Halloween Build
My opinion only, but I thought this looked pretty good, although way off base from the movie. This was the one part keeping me from 501st certification. Also, the BM stuff is just heartier than sintra and ultra clean lines. The sintra got me by until I could afford better.
BobaMaker with Slave1Pilot Re-Paint - Flipped Build
Purchased from Kid Akira painted (awesome). But then decided to take it the extra mile, so Nathan worked his magic on my SE version of Fett.
97 Don Post Resin Re-Paint & MR Helmet - Original Build
Similar to the armor, I bought the first bucket from E-Bay. It was a 97 Don Post resin repaint. The paint was actually not bad, but had too much gloss. The size of the Don Post bucket was way too small for my melon and the plastic had a deformed shape (as was typical of these helmets). My first bucket lasted a whole week until I bought the Master Replicas (which fits just fine once removing to top cushion). Both are pictured in the photo.
MR Helmet with Slave1Pilot Repaint - Flipped Build
The compliant I had with the MR Helmet was that the placement of the dent paint was horrific and in general, it looked too clean and too mass produced. I wanted the damage to look real and not assembly line stenciled. So, I sent to Nathan and asked him to touch it up. Not a full repaint, just fix the dent and add some effects on top of what was already existing to get a better look. Can you tell why I am a fan on his work? Photos show the before and after.
Jet Pack Greeblies - Flipped Build
This is an area where I really didnt need much on an upgrade over the original build since my starting point was a MOW pack, Evo metal thruster caps, stabilizer, and beacon, and Slave1Pilot paint. Still, when Slave I (not to be confused with Slave1Pilot) posted JP greeblies in the Cargo Hold, I couldn't resist. Here's a picture of the JP with installed greeblies. I also modified the rocket of the MOW pack to a bolt-on attachment for ease of storage.
Evolution Gloves - Original Build
The Evo gloves were good enough to get started, but the course stitching on the white parts kept nagging at me. I imagine it would be the same sensation as driving a Porsche with vinyl seats. Also, the course stitching caused the gloves to bunch and sometime snag on the gauntlets when putting them on.
Bobamaker Gloves - Flipped Build
Stitching is great, white material is heavier, greater wrist coverage, and the movie accurate button fastener. I added a little extra weathering to what Daz provided (by playing with a rusty can) and away we go.
Cucblack Flak Vest - Original Build
Technically, the original build was an Evolution Props vest, but it was a very shinny material and it didn't fit (too small in the chest and neck to high so that it choked me). Also it had some awkward dimensions for the shoulder sleeves (like they were meant to cover football shoulder pads). So right out of the box, I knew I was going to have to go another route. The Cucblack vest is the one I used to replace the Evo vest and the dimensions and shoulder were right. I really likes the neck seal too. It seemed a little too beige but it looks right outside and in pictures. Really the only reason I am changing is because I still have my Evolution flighsuit and I am upgrading to a Crazy4BobaFett suit which has the neck seal as part of the suit. So while I am at it, I figured why not do the matching vest.
Crazy4BobaFett Flak Vest - Flipped Build
Currently in fabrication....thanks Christi.
Also, changing chest display, looking to change Evo flight suit to Crazy4BobaFett, Evo Boots to JW Boots (ordered), Evo shoulder studs to Serenity (received - awesome), and does it ever end???
and enough hours spent in the garage to land me in divorce court by most marriages:facepalm, I completed my Boba Fett Dirty Version just in time for Halloween. The test run (a couple days before Halloween) revelaed some items that needed fixed, reinforced, etc, but after wearing for 5 hours on Halloween, I came up with a whole new list. Also, I decided to covert the Dirty Fett to a specific film version. I chose SE for a few reasons. First, I like the ESB helmet best, but had already gone with a grimy version of the ROTJ pack and ROTJ gaunts. Also, I am 6'3", 220 lbs, and have a 38" waist. The 12 pouch SE ammo belt just looks right and it wraps around my waist. The 8 pouch ESB and ROTJ end up looking like a change purse - like Boba the carny or meter maid. So with that being said, it's time to Flip the Fett.....and here we go!!!
The Ammo Belt - Prior to discovering TDH, I built my own ammo belt. A couple weeks before Halloween, I was able to get a Taco belt from the most recent run, ROTJ style. The Taco belt was movie accurate compared to the one I constructed which had wider pouches and no stitching. I liked the authenticity of the Taco belt, but the look of my belt. What to do?
confused ....Enter BooBoo Fett. I got the third belt from Terry's initial run in SE style. 12 pouches, problem solved. Also, the Taco belt was real good, but the BBF belt was playing in the major leagues. Awesome stuff. Belt flipped Nov 28, 2009. See progression pics below.AB Version - Original Build
Taco Version - Halloween Build
BooBoo Fett Version - Flipped Build
Wookie Braids - This is an area that I really got ahead of myself. Prior to TDH, I had a hard time even finding Wookie braid options. I bought the Evolution Props Wookie braids from E-Bay. Big mistake (Gabe does many things well, but braids is not one of them). Then I found Julie's braids on TDC, but too late to get into the queue and she was not taking new orders. Bummer. However, she did send me link to her photobucket for reference (thanks). I decided to procure my own horse hair and braid. First, I copied some of Julie's ROTJ Braids. Many months latter, I decides to go with the SE version, so I re-flipped. And for the record, if you have a chance to get horse hair braids for $140 or less, don't think about it, just buy them. I spent $120 on materials, not to mention the endless hours of cursing associated with making them.
Evolution Props Braids - Original Build
Self-Braided Horse Hair - Flipped Build
Self-Braided Horse Hair (SE Version) - Re-Flipped Build
EE-3 Blaster - My starting position was an MR Blaster. I thought the factory paint looked very mass produced and did not have an authentic feel. I quickly shipped it off to Slave1Pilot for a complete repaint (thanks Nathan - awesome work as always). The MR has a nice heavy feel to it, but carrying an unbalanced 10 pound weight gets old quick (like in about 5 minutes). I hated to part with it (new home to Dsonik), but my choices were to join a gym
lol: or shed the weight. I decided to go with the Sidewinder EE-3 ROTJ Blaster to drop the weight while keeping the authenticity. Expect to receive in January.MR Blaster - Original Build
Slave1Pilot Repaint of MR Blaster - Halloween Build
Sidewinder ROTJ Blaster - Flipped Build (In Progress)
I wanted Simon to make it REAL grimy and REAL dirty. Looks like he hit a bulls-eye. As much as I loved the Slave1Pilot repaint of the MR Blaster, this one will shed 10 lbs of weight.
Fan Made E-Bay Armor - Original Build
This was the old tale of leaping before looking. I thought this armor was awesome when I received it, just too small. Then I got into TDH and saw some of the stuff that it's members created and I wanted more.
Self-Made Sintra Armor - Halloween Build
My opinion only, but I thought this looked pretty good, although way off base from the movie. This was the one part keeping me from 501st certification. Also, the BM stuff is just heartier than sintra and ultra clean lines. The sintra got me by until I could afford better.
BobaMaker with Slave1Pilot Re-Paint - Flipped Build
Purchased from Kid Akira painted (awesome). But then decided to take it the extra mile, so Nathan worked his magic on my SE version of Fett.
97 Don Post Resin Re-Paint & MR Helmet - Original Build
Similar to the armor, I bought the first bucket from E-Bay. It was a 97 Don Post resin repaint. The paint was actually not bad, but had too much gloss. The size of the Don Post bucket was way too small for my melon and the plastic had a deformed shape (as was typical of these helmets). My first bucket lasted a whole week until I bought the Master Replicas (which fits just fine once removing to top cushion). Both are pictured in the photo.
MR Helmet with Slave1Pilot Repaint - Flipped Build
The compliant I had with the MR Helmet was that the placement of the dent paint was horrific and in general, it looked too clean and too mass produced. I wanted the damage to look real and not assembly line stenciled. So, I sent to Nathan and asked him to touch it up. Not a full repaint, just fix the dent and add some effects on top of what was already existing to get a better look. Can you tell why I am a fan on his work? Photos show the before and after.
Jet Pack Greeblies - Flipped Build
This is an area where I really didnt need much on an upgrade over the original build since my starting point was a MOW pack, Evo metal thruster caps, stabilizer, and beacon, and Slave1Pilot paint. Still, when Slave I (not to be confused with Slave1Pilot) posted JP greeblies in the Cargo Hold, I couldn't resist. Here's a picture of the JP with installed greeblies. I also modified the rocket of the MOW pack to a bolt-on attachment for ease of storage.
Evolution Gloves - Original Build
The Evo gloves were good enough to get started, but the course stitching on the white parts kept nagging at me. I imagine it would be the same sensation as driving a Porsche with vinyl seats. Also, the course stitching caused the gloves to bunch and sometime snag on the gauntlets when putting them on.
Bobamaker Gloves - Flipped Build
Stitching is great, white material is heavier, greater wrist coverage, and the movie accurate button fastener. I added a little extra weathering to what Daz provided (by playing with a rusty can) and away we go.
Cucblack Flak Vest - Original Build
Technically, the original build was an Evolution Props vest, but it was a very shinny material and it didn't fit (too small in the chest and neck to high so that it choked me). Also it had some awkward dimensions for the shoulder sleeves (like they were meant to cover football shoulder pads). So right out of the box, I knew I was going to have to go another route. The Cucblack vest is the one I used to replace the Evo vest and the dimensions and shoulder were right. I really likes the neck seal too. It seemed a little too beige but it looks right outside and in pictures. Really the only reason I am changing is because I still have my Evolution flighsuit and I am upgrading to a Crazy4BobaFett suit which has the neck seal as part of the suit. So while I am at it, I figured why not do the matching vest.
Crazy4BobaFett Flak Vest - Flipped Build
Currently in fabrication....thanks Christi.
Also, changing chest display, looking to change Evo flight suit to Crazy4BobaFett, Evo Boots to JW Boots (ordered), Evo shoulder studs to Serenity (received - awesome), and does it ever end???
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