Slave2112's ESB Build
- Thread starter Slave2112
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Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
Thanks! I’m just working with the harness now. I do need to thread it through the back portion. My friend is in the 501st and was giving me a huge hand yesterday. Without him, I’d still be too worried about doing anything that would be irreversible.
Up above, I was concerned it was too small. It’ll be good. My friend and I worked with the back and collar piece and how there going to be connected yesterday. Before I sew on the white straps to hold the jetpack, I’ll get a pic with the back/collar on as well.
Just a heads up, you might want to look into alternatives for your flightsuit e.t.c. As far as I know, I believe Arkady is out of commission until further notice for personal reasons.
Sorry, didn’t see you had already got the flightsuit. (Why can we not delete comments?) *facepalm
Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
Changing gears, I know the hip pouches are supposed to hang from behind the ammo belt. Would you be willing to share a pic of how yours hang?
Looking fantastic!!
I initially was going to say to maybe raise the jetpack up a tiny bit, but as I went through the photos more I think it is good height-wise. Maybe tighten the white straps a bit so its a little closer to your back? Just a little. I think that this will help resolve the backplate issue that you already mentioned as well.
Otherwise the fit is looking great. I would raise the ammo belt a few inches, but this is an easy fix probably just related to the suiting-up routine.
Great job!!
I initially was going to say to maybe raise the jetpack up a tiny bit, but as I went through the photos more I think it is good height-wise. Maybe tighten the white straps a bit so its a little closer to your back? Just a little. I think that this will help resolve the backplate issue that you already mentioned as well.
Otherwise the fit is looking great. I would raise the ammo belt a few inches, but this is an easy fix probably just related to the suiting-up routine.
Great job!!
lowberg
Active Hunter
I think all that's needed for the backplate is to move your velcro attachment point under the studs further back, If you are using an extension there you honestly probably don't need it, It will sit closer to your neck and shoulders that way.
You look amazing though! Most importantly.... how did it feel suiting up complete for the first time??!!
You look amazing though! Most importantly.... how did it feel suiting up complete for the first time??!!
Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
I got together with a local 501st leader and we got a lot accomplished 2 weekends ago. One of the things I mentioned is not liking having things right against my neck, so we put extenders in. That was the first thing I was thinking of removing to bring the backplate in. I’m going to need to deal with that for the look.
Thank you. It felt really cool to finally have all the gear in at once, and I can’t wait to get approved and start trooping. It’s been something I’ve wanted for more than 20 years.
On the flip side, it was really warm. I’m in west-central Florida, so I’m going to need to figure out how to keep from passing out.
Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
Thank you for these tips, and good catch with the dental file on the gauntlet (these were made by and painted by MinuteFett….i didn’t even question them). Easy changes to make for sure!
I’ll get them done this week, and my girlfriend will help me get the backplate and strap issue worked out as well.
That fit is looking great!! The backplate looks tighter and the belt spacing is much better.
My girth belt was this way for a while too - but you may want to consider dulling down the red to more of a burgundy. The red is very tough to dull down though, I eventually ended up doing a new belt where I started with a medium brown as the base color and then added red until it was just right (which was much easier). Muting the red on that belt is such a pain..
My girth belt was this way for a while too - but you may want to consider dulling down the red to more of a burgundy. The red is very tough to dull down though, I eventually ended up doing a new belt where I started with a medium brown as the base color and then added red until it was just right (which was much easier). Muting the red on that belt is such a pain..
Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
Thank you!
I did think the red in the girth was a bit overbearing. It’s a BobaMaker…I haven’t altered it at all. I had to tighten some things up for the belts, and found that I can make the cod a bit tighter as well.
The way I have the jet pack harness seen, it has to be really tight on the right to pull that backplate in. I also want to adjust the Velcro closure on the ammo belt to get it not to sag. Maybe some Velcro between the belt and flight suit it to get it to stay put?
I weathered the knee straps just a little. I didn’t want to overdo it…may have to revisit them.
The spacing for the right side chest armor is a little off. I went the magnet route, so I can easily adjust that.
Yeah the bright red girth belts can definitely be a pain to mute the color. My first one was a MoW red belt and the color is very similar.
Here's the comparison of my first belt (red base with added browns/blacks) and my second belt (medium brown base with added red/burgundy):
Both are MoW belts. I have an extra one of the medium-brown belts if you are interested!
The velcro on the flightsuit for the ammo belt is a great idea! (I actually started doing that myself to keep it positioned)
For the jetpack harness - how high is the frame mounted on your back? I have noticed that if it is too high it makes the backplate pretty tight. It works best if it rests in the small of your back. In the second set of photo's your jetpack is pretty high so you probably have some room to lower it if you want to. It can be a little finnicky to get the harness frame / straps / jetpack relationship just right.
Overall your build really is looking fantastic, great work!
Here's the comparison of my first belt (red base with added browns/blacks) and my second belt (medium brown base with added red/burgundy):
Both are MoW belts. I have an extra one of the medium-brown belts if you are interested!
The velcro on the flightsuit for the ammo belt is a great idea! (I actually started doing that myself to keep it positioned)
For the jetpack harness - how high is the frame mounted on your back? I have noticed that if it is too high it makes the backplate pretty tight. It works best if it rests in the small of your back. In the second set of photo's your jetpack is pretty high so you probably have some room to lower it if you want to. It can be a little finnicky to get the harness frame / straps / jetpack relationship just right.
Overall your build really is looking fantastic, great work!
Slave2112
Well-Known Hunter
I'm pretty sure the harness sits close to where it is in the pre-prod pic (give or take an inch). I'm 6'2", so I'm guessing that might be why it looks like it's sitting high.
I'll look into bringing that red down just a little bit. For the heck of it, I did submit those pics, so I'll see if that gets flagged or not. Looking at the ESB pic you posted, being near the ammo belt, you can tell there's not that much of a difference in the tone of the color. My waist is 34"....how big is your medium girth belt?
Also, how do you get the velcro to stick to the flight suit?(Super glue?) I put velcro behind the knees, but that's not sticking either. I may go ahead and install snap buttons to keep them in place.
The height does look good, I don't think that you need to lower it - I was just saying that I think you have room to do so if you wanted to get the top of the harness frame a little lower.
I think that MoW's girth belts are 1 size only, but I have a 32" waist and it fits perfect. It might not be long enough for a 34" waist but I can measure it for you.
For the velcro - I sewed it onto my flight suit and then sanded the back of the ammo belt before adhering it. It eventually peeled up somewhat so I did add some super glue under the velcro along the edges. (same process for the knees! but definitely make sure to sand first)
I think that MoW's girth belts are 1 size only, but I have a 32" waist and it fits perfect. It might not be long enough for a 34" waist but I can measure it for you.
For the velcro - I sewed it onto my flight suit and then sanded the back of the ammo belt before adhering it. It eventually peeled up somewhat so I did add some super glue under the velcro along the edges. (same process for the knees! but definitely make sure to sand first)
