mr paul

I am hoping to not only create an accurate shoretrooper from the outside but I would also like to have an accurate strapping system on the inside using the same techniques as the screen used. I will be wrapping up the cans soon as well.

The cans have been slightly revised so I will print these off and hopefully the next step will be the chest/back.

Coming together piece by piece.

Getting there with the shins. There appears to have been a lot of fitting issues with the screen used armour. When we look close at certain parts we can see that adjustments and some bodging took place to allow the costume to fit the actors. This appears to be the case with the shins as well. In numerous reference images you can see the buckles fixed at different points around the shin, 2 different directions that the straps/buckles were mounted and in some versions of the greaves front armour the slots at the side were removed and in some cases they were not. Also in most reference you will notice that the shins are unfastened and are spread wide at the bottom around the ankle, noticeable from the back.

I can't wait to start painting and breaking down this new armour. Having the correct tools for the job is key.

I have started assembling the left shin. Looking forward to see the left and right finally together.

Sneek peek of the new chest plate and chest buckles.

I was lucky enough to meet with Sandeep Mohan the other day. According to Sandeep the inside of the shoretrooper helmet had a hard foam liner installed within it. If the actor complained of discomfort in a particular area then the foam could be carved away for a more comforatble fit on the individual actors head. Each actor had their own helmet assigned to them so the liner would fit them correctly. We already know that the helmets have chin straps to secure them to the head and balaclavas were worn underneath so I am quite looking forward to installing this type of liner when it comes to my new build. The new armour we are working on includes as much accurate detail to the inside as well as the outside of the costume so it will be fantastic to have the same style liner inside the helmet.

Started to print and piece together the left shin. This is printed in black PLA. A lot of time is spent on finishing it to a standard where no print lines remain from the 3d printer and the part itself is convincing as a cast piece the same as the screen used. There must be no clues left that this was made on a printer.

I have assembled the strapping and buckles. Here is a quick side by side with the screen used shin.

Casting some new straps to accompany the new shins. If this works then it will produce a much more accurate set up. Although not entirely made the same way as the screen used (I am unable to make them the same due to equipment and material not being available to me) they should look the same up close and will be practical and functional and builder friendly. I am aiming to add the same modifications to the buckle that Neil Ellis made to the ones seen on screen. So whilst the armour is being made to look like it was produced in the same way as the originals utilising 3d printing, these smaller parts can be reproduced on the bench using similar techniques to what the props guys employed capturing that more hand made appearance seen on the screen used costumes. The right shin is assembled aside from the straps. Love it. It is an awesome bit of kit and so far has all the look and detail of the screen used.

Assembling the right shin today and everything is sitting where it needs to be. Super pleased with it. I am working out the best way to add straps/buckles and recreate the screen used appearance whilst making it functional as a practical costume at the same time.

Half finished shin prototype.

Resin casting of the vertical can greeblie.

If you are not in on the Haskell Mackowski, Nico Henderson Shoretrooper helmet run then why not? Hit Haskell up on FB and get on a run right now. This helmet is very, very accurate and scaled correctly. Beautiful work.

Inside and outside half of the forearm plus the cover strip.

The outside of the right forearm printed and prepped. No print lines visible and ready for the inner half and cover strip to be assembled. The assembly of these individual components will be screen accurate as well.

The shins were printed but unfortunately things were not working out as they should. It does however prove how vital it is to prototype and have the actual parts in hand before ticking them off as done. Here are the V2 shins and they are looking great as a render. Very confident with these thanks to our talented 3d artist. Next step is to print these and make sure they are good to go.

Thank you sir.

Prototype right shoulder bell, bicep and forearm all 3d printed and screen accurate. I am very pleased with how these have turned out. Details are included on the inside that were present on the screen used parts thanks to some great information provided to this project. Note there will be a left and right shoulder bell. They are not the same shape. The benefit of 3D printing these new generation armours is that you can mimic the thickness of the material used on the screen seen costumes. Something vac forming cannot do.

This is the prototype of the new forearm. Very pleased with this part.