You're twisting my words slightly there. Using a quote to imply that I've admitted to ripping off some elses work. That's bad form.
Yes, I said that. However I also said it here in my last post. I've admitted to using another model as a base, a template from which to model my own. I've said that already. In the quote you used I said, "Easier than trying to do it from scratch." I was referring to modelling it completely from scratch using only picture reference. I was not implying that I used the original model and "tweaked" it. I followed alot of the original wireframe, though reduced the number of faces as I went to make it more suitable for this purpose. So it's no wonder that both models are very similar, however they are not exactly the same at all.
I call everyone buddy. 
It's just a figure of speech, nothing more.
I never claimed to be Emilio Lorenzo, I had no idea he modelled the original model. If I had he'd have been credited for his original work. The model is NOT excactly the same at all. I went to extreme measures to avoid copying the model point by point, "wire for wire, vertex for vertex". Look at them both. Mine has a considerably lower poly count, The ab plate is different and extended to cover the belly rather than using a belt like the original model, I have a lower back plate, the original model I was sent did not, the back plate has no raised collar like the original, I modelled belt pouches unlike the original I recieved. If you were to be able to see closer you'll see just how different mine is in the details. Mine is much more simplified as I said before.
The elbows are practically identical as I was modelling using ONLY the original model as reference as it seemed very accurate to me when I first looked at it.
I can't stress enough how much I am not ripping off someone elses work. I have never done that and have even helped to stop that kind of thing. I did not want to get into a long debate over this, only to say that you were mistaken.
Bottom line is:
Yes, I used another 3D model as my main source of reference. No, I did NOT use it in an attempt to pass it off as my own.
If you choose not to believe me then that's fine. I don't think there's anything else I can say about the matter.
