Jimah

Looking pretty fine, huge improvement on those! Nice work there

I hear you re: Wife was not in the mood after slaving over the sewing machine. My wife still curses box pockets after I drafted her for those It is not clear in the CRL whether strapping is a 'go or no' thing, and looking at these screen caps from Grumpy it almost appears that there is strapping from the shoulder bells: The last thing you want is bits dropping off or breaking before, during or after a troop! Good luck with approval!

Awesome! Notice a few small details (that are just in the fitting, as per any new costume): - your right forearm guard has got tucked into your glove. Easy fix - your belt seems to be slightly off to the side, as one drop box totally covers a thigh pouch. As I understand it, the shoulder bells should have no visible strapping. Mine sit perfectly with velcro inside the bell and on the shoulder. The bell is padded up with knee-pad foam, for the height. However this was as per build advice from Mr Bungle, and I notice this is not clear in the CRL. Also there are several very fine, approved CBs, who have the elastic strap on the bells. So it may be of no consequence. That is my only constructive advice, and they are easily fixed! Nice work Major! Aussie CBs, roll out!

A few observations: - the chest plate seems a little high and tight, are you able to extend the strapping over the shoulder to make it sit lower at the front? - the toe caps seem to be riding high. Can you move those forward somewhat to sit over, and cover, the toe of the boot? the armour doesn't need to hide the front sole of the boot, just the exposed white leather. (see attached pic, below) - one great suggestion I got from my GML to get approval was weathering the gloves (gauntlet section), which I did by lightly misting the vinyl with black spray paint. My original gauntlet colour: And after weathering: - the shoulder armour should sit higher on your shoulders, and appear to 'float' over your shoulders. This is my method for lifting and attaching them: (also see attached pic of Mr Bungle) As I understand it, the shoulder bells should have no visible strapping. Mine sit perfectly with velcro inside the bell and on the shoulder. The bell is padded up with knee-pad foam, for the height. However this was as per build advice from Mr Bungle, and I notice this is not clear in the CRL. Also there are several very fine, approved CBs, who have the elastic strap on the bells. So it may be of no consequence. - the 'bund has a pinkish hue where it should be grey, but that may be the lighting... To quote the (WIP) CRL: "* Cummerbund. - dark grey base, with lighter grey vertical straps" A pic from Mr Bungle's original CRL & build thread, showing how the shoulder bells are placed and how the toe armour sits: So a few suggestions for improvements. But looking mighty fine nonetheless I hope you are not offended or upset by my suggestions! Hopefully some other CBs will offer their insights on any, if any, adjustments may be required. "Almost there, almost there..."

I have sent a link via email to you for my Flickr acct with the sub folder CB CRL. Feel free to utilise as many as you need for the CRL (if any) Can't wait to see this CRL finally on the Legion boards, been a long time coming! And great idea having Mr B do the profile shots. He's earned it and more

Great start! I dyed all of my offcuts. That way I have spare material for patches down the track, should I get a tear in the knee, etc. Good luck

Awesome! Being relatively local, give me a yell if I can help with anything ('Fish' from TAG, in case you are confused)

Mr B, I hope you don't mind, but there is a fellow here in Australia who has been doing excellent work building kits and recruiting for the Legion. I mentioned that we needed someone to step into your shoes and help out upcoming CBs by manufacturing your kits now that you have handed over the reins, so to speak. He is currently the XO of Terror Australis Garrison and a very reputable fellow by the name of Nick. I suggested he send you a PM to look into options. But I wanted to give you some notice and I hope you don't mind me taking the initiative here.

'Jimah' ('Fish' on TAG)/ 2997/ TAG (Terror Australis Garrison)/ 2011 My first shots are from when I finished the kit, and got approved, but prior to adding the weathering, scorch marks etc. They are detail shots of some of the armour components. Next, a few shots from my approval pics: (the biceps have since been slightly raised on my arms) An 'action' shot which might show some of the weathering and detail that has since been added. The following image gives a better idea of some of the weathering detail I have added, but please note the BFG was made for fun and is not canon for this kit. Hopefully these give a few ideas on how I have finished my kit. I guess the goal here is that we are going for consistency in our kits, rather than uniformity. No two camo patterns will be the same. But I hope that these images as well as the other shots of my brothers and sisters from The Swamp help the new CBs to get a handle on their builds.

So say we all!

Congrats and welcome! Are you Canada's first (& only) CB?

Mr B, it is always a source of great pride when I troop in my CB. A kit that wouldn't exist without your awesome armour. Take a break, keep smiling, and remember that you have the gratitude of many current CBs for your hard work, support & efforts in making this kit possible. Now put your feet up, trooper, and take a break!

I agree with Nate. I used foam offcuts to sponge on my camo pattern. Worked well, if I say so myself. I'll get some images up in the reference gallery on this forum soon.

I agree. The 'less is more' principle applies for camo. Love the detail on the filter tips though!

Congrats!

I like the idea. Don't have anything constructive to suggest but keen to see how this works.

I just cloth covered the silicone cod piece, and painted the cloth. Works a treat. Still have my cod piece shell on standby... not sure what for... but there you go.

Good luck on approval! Nice work on the kit

Have to agree... I realize it is off topic, but thank you Mr B for being the father of the modern CB. Your kit is amazing and so many of us would not be proudly trooping swamp style without your hard work. Thank you for all of you effort, time, and support!

Excellent, welcome to swamp central & grats! "41st Elite... Where it pays to have a dirty uniform."

I am excited to see we are closer to a CRL for the new CBs... Keep it up!

Check out Sgt. Ski's pouch build thread... I followed it to make my pouches. Came up great (imho) and were a nice cheap component of the costume, as a result.

Use the material from the pockets etc. Dye them all together for uniformity of colour. Looking good

Always great to see a new CB in production. Good luck with the build

Crow has started production on the boots now. He has added a thread in the for sale section. Also his discussion thread on these boots, in this sub-forum, has a link to his boot sale thread. They are $199 USD inc. delivery I believe. But they look most impressive.