Hey guys, thanks for your suggestions and photos. I'll be more than happy to start sharing pics! Sorry I posted and dropped off the face of the earth. seems life tends to get in the way of my fun far too much lately. I now have the last pieces of armour I had been missing from the basket case I acquired on ebay and just need to get a bit more elastic and study every photo I come across to see how others have tackled the same challenges. If I get me arse in gear, I was contemplating wearing the (nearly if not completely) done outfit to Maker Faire up here in Northern California around the middle of may. I have nearly all soft parts on order from an etsy store and had been missing the back piece as well as the hump, which I got from the gent making the kits out in Ky or somewhere just as south.
And while I'm rambling, it occurred to me the other day as I was watching motorcycle races at a pub near my office, that they too wear a 'tank' thing on their back and their hump is to prevent them from breaking their necks in a wreck. I pondered if that's the inspiration and at least one purpose of the TB tanks? Oh and it seems just about every imperial soldier has a thermo detonator on their uniform. Is this in lieu of a cyanide pill in the event they're captured? I'd like to know what the bits and bobs are actually for if I'm gonna be humping the whole mess thru the redwoods. If I've wondered the purpose, I know I'll be asked and would prefer not to say 'I dont know' or to fabricate a whole pile of bull that'll come back and haunt me, assuredly.
I'll be sure to look over the thread, Chopper, thanks for pointing me to it and BikerScout007, I had thought about glue, too. I think it wouldn't be too bad an idea to get a couple of detailed shots of 1 or 2 ways other scouts have done this for the CRL page. While I feel it's pretty comprehensive, it seems to stop short of implementation in a couple places. Mainly where those bits are hidden or generally out of sight by default.
Again, much appreciated and I look forward to sharing the journey with everyone and welcome any and all advice, tips or words of warning!
sz