Aradun

Holding off on the rest of the boots until my armor arrives and have moved onto making the flak vest. I bought a Lg Gilden T-Shirt from Joann (sized up to fit over the undersuit) and proceeded to seam rip it and cut it up to creat a pattern. I also bought 1 and a 1/2 yards of heavy weight matt black cotton fabric to create the vest. Removed sleeves and labeled L & R, setting the sleeves aside for later. Sketched out pattern for quilting the shoulders and marked out cut line for neck opening. Pattern for main vest after splitting the back. I removed 6” from the bottom of the t-shirt. I noticed that there was a variation in how I cut one shoulder from the other. My daughter said to fold my matt black cotton material and use only half the pattern I created to ensure uniformity. An ingenious fix that I wouldn’t have thought of. Here’s the pattern all laid out and pinned ready to cut. Remember to add a 1/2” to either side of the back opening so that your 2” Velcro will be centered down the back. I did the same thing for each of the shoulder pieces. You’ll need to cut this pattern 4x’s. Keep in mind when you cut the pattern out that it will open up to twice the size. I repeated the process for the quilting. I used two layers of 3/16 quilting making it 3/8” thick in all. I didn’t want to make it too thick in case it became too stiff and caused problems with how the shoulder bells would lay over the flak vest. Here’s the near finished product. Keep in mind that I’m waiting to construct the sleeves until my Armor arrives so that I can ensure a proper length and avoid flare for my lancer app. The ribbed pattern on the shoulders is spaced 1 1/4”. I originally went with 1” but it was spacing a bit funky towards the arm pit due to the curvature. Adding that 1/4” eliminated 4-5 ribs and created a nicer spacing. Front: Back Open: Back Closed: The overall length is 24”. I prefer the longer look than the crop top version. Shortening it if needed will be an easy fix. I’m hoping the extra real estate will accommodate additional Velcro to secure CB, Cod, and Armor without having to add Velcro to the undersuit. Flak Vest over Undersuit (sleeves not attached yet) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice! Happy Birthday Brother! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love your attention to detail Corey! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Alright, I’m in a holding pattern while waiting for my armor to arrive so I started carving my boots. I went through several iterations before settling on the pattern below which is similar to what I’ve seen others do in their builds. My first “sketch” was to try and match the pattern of the hi-tek sierras as close as possible, but the layout was not matching up with the existing tread cuts on the Kingston so I scrapped it. Then after a second try, I had to go back and rework the spacing so the third time was the charm and voilà final product below. I used an Exact-O chisel blade to carve the notches along with an Exact-O knife to extract the notches. It cut like butter and was way easier than I thought it would be. For anyone interested, here are the measurements I used for carving the sole. Front: Carved notched spaces were 1/4” Each tread was 15/16” wide with a 1/2” x 5/16” carved notch. The three large treads in the front were 1 1/8” wide with a 7/8” x 5/16” carved notch. Heel: Small carved cutout was 1/4” Larger carved cutout was 3/8” Uncut space between each carving was 1/4” I left abt a 1/8” space between the top carving and the bottom carving in the heel. I also carved an 1/8” strip along the arch to match the hi-teks. Any comments welcome. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First, welcome TaterNanners! Second, if you’ve got the cash to lay out for custom made soft parts go for it, but as someone who never touched a sewing machine before deciding to make my own soft parts, I gotta tell ya it’s not as bad as you think. In fact, I’m really enjoying it. There’s a ton of eager scouts who love to help on here and their tutorials to help you build your own stuff are top notch. Give it some thought. You’ll save yourself some cash too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great question. Now I’m curious too as to why there’s an option for the lower strapping on the knee. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m looking at these from Amazon. They’re similar to those in the link Bikerscout007 posted. https://smile.amazon.com/Bluemoona-Sets-54x25mm-Holster-Sheath/dp/B07MR3CQCC/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=metal+belt+clip&qid=1583981581&sr=8-5 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Chopper, all these years and I never noticed that! So much for thinking I had an eye for detail [emoji6]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I second this! Listen to Stroker, he knows his stuff. It’s much easier to build to Lancer specs now than to have to pull things apart or redo things later. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats Chris! Well done! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no pattern due to varying sizes from one scout to another. However, checkout the link Chopper posted above on the Undersuit Mods. BikerScout007 has some measurements in that thread that will allow you to get started. I would use chalk to outline the patches front and back on the flight suit and then post pictures for feedback. The armorers here are top notch and know their stuff. They’ll be able to recommend any adjustments needed. Then you can create your own pattern once the adjustments have been made. If you’re interested, I have links to fabrics and materials in my build thread. It’ll will give you an idea of what to look for when sourcing your own materials. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice job Mark! That was one productive armor party. The finish line awaits! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice work! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Off to a great start. Excellent choice in armor. I hope to receive my RS bucket and armor sometime in April so I can complete my build. I’ll be following your build to help me prep! Keep those posts coming! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you post an image or link to it Mark? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No problem Constantin. Glad the mystery is solved. I for one am really looking forward to seeing your finished product. Your work is always phenomenal. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with Stroker about the stunt helmet, but the helmet in the second photo appears to be superimposed over the stunt helmet in the first photo. Does anyone know where the bottom photo originated? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On further review Constantin, I do believe the photo is faked. Look at the two photos below. If you look at your photo, the red arrow points to where the edge of the original helmet from the original photo is protruding. The other circled areas show markers in the foliage indicating the same background. The dark spot in the foliage just behind the exposed neck of the jumpsuit is a perfect match. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Constantin, Here’s the photo. It takes place at the 58:07 mark in the movie. It’s when Han steps on the twig and gets hit in the face. Here’s the thing. It’s clearly not the same helmet. But take a good look at the background foliage. It is absolutely identical. For the camera crew to line two shots separate shots up with a different helmet and in a different take to perfection would be a feat of amazement. Even the body armor looks to be in the exact same position which makes me wonder if this infamous photo wasn’t photoshopped. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Found these on eBay today. Price is reasonable. Size unfortunately is too big for me. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Hi-Tec-Sierra-Sneaker-IV-Hiking-Boot-Shoe-Canvas-Scout-Biker-12/313015864366?hash=item48e1330c2e:g:LrUAAOSwaLxeXSHQ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats Jenn! Great to have you at the helm helping out with PR. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mark, when you say “soft goods” are you including the pouches and the bund? The CRL requires the pouches to be white or off-white and the bund to be white. I always thought the tea bath method dated back to a time when the pouches were thought to be more natural in color as opposed to white. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Suede won’t fray like fabric that is not seamed. No need to seam the edges. It’ll be fine in its natural state. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Joe, I’m not too familiar with the ST CRL, but just wanted to chime in to say that the weathering on your helmet looks fantastic! I really like that chipped paint effect you have in places. Nice job brother! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dude, I love your work ethic. You knocked that stuff out in 24 hours. Kudos! I think you may need to move your pouches out a bit more. It looks like they’re sitting on the seam of the last rib on either side. They should sit 1” out from that seam. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk