Flak Vest Clarification

[BrewDawg]

Hi Guys!

 

I'm new to the forums and I'm getting ready to start my own biker scout build. While I'm waiting for my hard armor to arrive, I've decided to start working on my soft parts, specifically the flak vest and to get acclimated to sewing. I'm planning on creating one from scratch using a T-Shirt that fits over the flight suit as a template.

 

In the CRL, it states:

 

Vest

• Made out of black, matt finish, heavy weight cotton fabric.
  
• Sleeves are padded and contain ribbing similar to the front of the cummerbund.
  
• The sleeves end just slightly longer than the bottom edge of the shoulder armor.
  
• Vest has a much wider neck opening than the flight suit.
  
• Secured at the back using 50mm (2") black hook and loop fastener.
  

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

• The vest is separate from the flight suit and cummerbund.
  

I want to try and achieve Lancer approval but I have some questions on the vest. I see some conflicting information on the forum and I want to know what's current and accurate.

 

First, is there a general consensus on the width of the ribbing to be used? I know that needs to be similar to the ribbing on the cummerbund but I've seen stated widths anywhere from 3/4" to 1-1/4" in size.

 

Second, is the ribbing ONLY on the sleeves? I've seen some photos that have it both on the sleeves and a few inches into the chest/back area leading underneath the chest/back plates. Which is proper and is considered movie accurate?

 

Third, How long is "The sleeves end just slightly longer than the bottom edge of the shoulder armor"? 1/2", 1", 2"?

 

Fourth, what does "vest has a much wider neck opening than the flight suit" actually mean? Obviously, I understand that the collar would need to be wider, but how much wider? Does the collar need to be wider and lower so that it's hidden underneath the breast and back plate? Or does it not matter that it shows as long as it doesn't ride up against the mandarin collar of the flight suit (like a T-Shirt would)?

 

Sorry for my level of detail. I just want to make sure that when I make the flak vest that it meets the Lancer requirements, so I don't have to re-work it again.

 

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

 

Darin

[Retrofire]

Darin I’ll try to answer your questions as best as possible and throw in a few pics to help visualize it.

 

1.) The ribs on my vest are about 1†apart all the way around the sleeve.

 

2.) The ribbing is only on the sleeve. As near as we can tell it didn’t go any further on the screen costume.

 

3.) a good rule of thumb is 0.5†to no more than 1†past the shoulder bell. Any further and it just doesn’t look right. I ended up shortening my sleeves during my Lancer app as they were too long. See the second pic for sleeve length.

 

4.) The opening is almost as wide as the shoulders. Notice in the first picture below. This is the back side of the vest with the 2†Velcro closure. Note the width of the head opening going out to the ends of the sleeves.

 

 

[BrewDawg]

Retrofire,

 

Thanks for the response and the reference pictures. It helps a lot to visualize the end product.

 

How far down does the vest go down to? The bottom of the breast/back plate? Or far enough that when the cummerbund is worn it keeps the vest in tact? I thought that I read somewhere the some people put velcro on the vest for the cod piece and to keep the chest and back piece in place.

[Aliaz]

It can go as far down as you need it to, it’s hidden by the bund in any case.

 

I put my velcro for the cod on the jumpsuit, but aslong as it looks good you can do it either way.

[BikerScout007]

This is my vest/cod setup

 

[BrewDawg]

Is your cod sewn to the vest or is it attached by velcro? I like the idea of having it sewn so it keeps the vest down so it doesn't bunch up.

[BikerScout007]

Is your cod sewn to the vest or is it attached by velcro? I like the idea of having it sewn so it keeps the vest down so it doesn't bunch up.

 

It is sewn to the vest!

[BrewDawg]

Awesome! I think I will do the same. I'm sketching up my sewing pattern as we speak. I still need some clarification of the front side of the vest. I see Retrofire's picture and it shows the opening going out to the shoulders. How far down does it go in the front? Does it sit below the breast plate so that it is hidden by it? O does it matter if it shows in between the breast plate and the mandarin collar of the flight suit?

[BikerScout007]

The problem with the vest is its probably the piece we know the least about. It wasnt even made a part of the CRL until after the Blu Ray came out and could be clearly seen. So what we do know is just the bits we can see poking out.

 

We can guess the width of the neckline based on screenshots of the back of the Scout in some scenes. But you never see any of it from the front so we assume it is cut low enough to go below the top of the chest armor.

 

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[BrewDawg]

Thank you for that. It helps a lot.

[Lawless Scout]

This is my vest/cod setup

 

 

I’m going to do this with mine as well think it’s much more secure and cleaner.

[Swfangirl]

Do you make the straps detachable in order to wash it? Or is it all hand wash only?

[Dart]

You should be able to toss it in the washer after a troop. I used a heavy dull satin for both my cummerbund/codpiece and flak vest and have no issues washing it. You can leave the straps on.

[Retrofire]

You should be able to toss it in the washer after a troop. I used a heavy dull satin for both my cummerbund/codpiece and flak vest and have no issues washing it. You can leave the straps on.

 

The only warning I could add is to not toss in your flight suit if you are using the real suede. The Tandy suede on my flight suit bled black on my first bund and I had to replace it with a new one. Not all fabrics are created equal so do a few tests before committing all to a washing machine.

[BikerScout007]

Yeah definitely separate out the whites like you would do with any of your laundry. I do wash my suit in the washer but I turn it inside out first. Then i hang it to dry

 

My whites and vest I put in a mesh laundry bag before dropping in the wash. That tends to keep the Velcro from grabbing onto everything.

 

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[BrewDawg]

I love these forums! Great advice guys!

[NegativeEleven]

I safety pin all my Velcro closed before washing. The times I have forgotten to do this i have had fabric shredded by velcro.

 

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