JVR's ROTJ Boba: Armor Updates

[joshvanrad]

It sounds like the collar and backplate are too tight to fit over the jetpack harness, can you adjust the fit at the collar ends? Make sure the bottom horizontal plate ends are outside the backplate.

I can't adjust the collar ends at this point. I do have an RKD collar that I will end up putting on, but I won't be able to do that until after the con. Both of the lower plates of the backplate are outside of the harness. I'll see about snapping some pictures tonight.

Beautiful airbrush work - have professional experience?

Most of the painting was done with rattle cans. I've only done a small amount of the paint with an airbrush. Until this project I didn't have experience with any sort of painting. It's definitely been a learning experience.

 

[joshvanrad]

So after further inspection, maybe the gap between the chest armor and the collar plate isn't that far off. The larger armor and collar plate that I have on my workbench might solve the issue. It still feels a little odd having the collar sit so close to my throat though. Is it supposed to get that close? Here are a couple pictures of a very lumpy anatomical disaster of a mannequin



Also, no fogging issues in the bucket anymore!! I dopped in 2 40mm fans and they seem to do the trick.

 

[Gregory]

I think the jetpack needs to be higher on the back plate.

 

[joshvanrad]

That's what I thought initially, as well, but after looking through the gallery of the ROTJ it looks like they rigged his jetpack as a sloppy mess. It sits a lot lower than the ESB getup, and it hangs way back.

 

[Gregory]

Ah, ok, I'm most familiar with ESB style Boba.

 

[Filer]

That's where the problem started - if he would have squared away his Jetpack mess, no "sarlac incident"? Or was that all planned so he could extricate himself from the fight and then return to take control of Jabba's Criminal Organisation? I bet Oola was just knocked unconscious in the Rancor pit too... that's the Boba Movie I'd make.

 

[joshvanrad]

So last night I was able to get some help to do a complete test fitting of the costume. It went well for about the first 5 minutes. Then I put on my left gauntlet and immediately one of the flamethrower nozzles broke off. Also, I found that the jetpack sat differently on me than it did on Manny the mannequin. The collar definitely leaves a larger gap than it should be, but after the con I will end up replacing it with a larger collar plate. Overall I think it should do alright for 4-5 hours on the con floor this weekend. I'm a little nervous about the hose connectors on the right gauntlet, the flame thrower nozzles on the left gauntlet, and the hardware securing the chest armor to the flak vest.

Here it is. Let me know what you think of any improvements to be made. I know the picture quality is poor, but any suggestions would be awesome. I'll have better pictures after the convention I'm sure. (The shoulders and braids forgotten initially and we didn't have time to put them on prior to snapping a few pictures)



Joshua

 

[lolthatisme]

looks good man. maybe change the cape, colors looks a bit of but other than that it looks good

 

[joshvanrad]

looks good man. maybe change the cape, colors looks a bit of but other than that it looks good

That's definitely on the to-do list. The cape isn't a military canvas. It's a lighter jersey material that I picked up very early on in the build. Eventually I'll get a Woodman cape.

 

[joshvanrad]

So after seeing some of the pictures, I definitely have some things I'd like to change up. The chest armor, collar plate, and shoulder bells are entirely too small for me.

I didn't have anything break during the con, but when I returned back to the room on Saturday night I hooked one of my knee darts on the bed and tore it off... because of course it couldn't go completely without incident.

 

[Gregory]

After looking at the pics from the con, I agree the chest and collar armor are small, but not sure about the rest. Overall I think it looks pretty good!

 

[joshvanrad]

So I started work on my RKD chest, collar, and shoulder armor.

Tonight I got all of the flashing taken care of and sanded the armor down. I cut the slots for the chest display. And laid down the primer coat. I'll be using mostly Humbrol colors for the new paint scheme, but I'm sure some Testors will be used along the way as well.



I also drilled the holes for the shoulder studs and placed the the collar piece to my old backplate. It's no wonder the old collar left such a large gap and sat so close to my throat.



After I get all of these pieces painted, I will move on to the parts I'm not replacing ie; cod piece, kidney plate, back plate, and knee pads. Paint up pictures coming soon!

 

[joshvanrad]

Tonight I laid down the silver parts on the armor that's being redone.



Tomorrow I'm hoping to put down the yellow segments, but I'm having a hard time deciding on which Yellow to use. I have Humbrol 154 and Model Master Chrome Yellow. The Chrome Yellow appears to be slightly darker, but neither seems to be quite dark enough for my liking. I know DeathProof used the Humbrol 154 and his yellows looked great. Anyone have experience with the MM Chrome Yellow? Which do you guys think looks better for the base for the striping yellow colors?



JVR

 

[DeathProof]

Keep in mind that what you're seeing on mine also includes Humbrol #82 to give it orange highlights, as well as the weathering to darken it down and kill the vibrancy.

I don't mind the yellow colour on your current shoulders, but they just need the added layers.

To my eye, 154 and Chrome yellow look fairly similar in vibrancy. Why I would avoid chrome yellow is because it looks a bit too glossy.

 

[joshvanrad]

Keep in mind that what you're seeing on mine also includes Humbrol #82 to give it orange highlights, as well as the weathering to darken it down and kill the vibrancy.

I don't mind the yellow colour on your current shoulders, but they just need the added layers.

To my eye, 154 and Chrome yellow look fairly similar in vibrancy. Why I would avoid chrome yellow is because it looks a bit too glossy.

Did you combine your 82 and 154 or just mist them together?

 

[DeathProof]

Misted them together Yellow first as a base.

 

[joshvanrad]

Misted them together Yellow first as a base.

Thanks a ton, dude.

And you used 81 for your chest armor yellow damage if I followed correctly?

 

[joshvanrad]

For the past week I've been pretty busy with projects, but I've had a little downtime here and there to get some of the painting done.

I started with the ab plate since that has quite a bit of detail to it. I'm REALLY happy with it and I'm looking forward to finishing up the rest of the armor. I will finish all of the armor and then weather everything up to make it look a little darker. Without the weathering it's WAY TOO green and vibrant.



Next I finished the easiest part of the set.

 

[joshvanrad]

Finished the chest set tonight. The trash can armor served me well to start with, but I'm glad I've got the RKD kit. I'm a lot happier with my masking this go-around as well. I still have to finish up the rest of the armor pieces and do the weathering, but here is what I've got so far.

Out with the old, in with the new...

 

[joshvanrad]

So right after I started this repaint, my father inured himself pretty seriously, so my free time had mostly been spent taking care of things for him over the summer. It didn't leave me with a lot of time to work on the repaint, but I managed to get a few more pieces finished. I finished the collar plate, cod and kidney plates, and I'm currently working on the backplate. He just had surgery a couple weeks ago and he's on the mend. With that, I have had a little bit more free time, but now we're gearing up for a little family vacation. They asked me if I'd make a couple of cornhole boards for the trip...



Sorry, I don't have any more current repaint photos. Once I get back next week, I'll be hard at it in the costume shop and I'll have a few updates for everyone.

JVR