The Mandalorian: Biker Scout WIP

[bobafett4ever]

Hello all.  My name is Chris Casino and I'm new to the Pathfinders.  I've been a 501st member since 2017, and have 11 approved costumes.  I just completed my Imperial Gunner, which was my first fully helmeted character to do, and was thinking what to do next when I saw that The Mandalorian Biker Scouts in S1E7 and S1E8 and thought they were hysterical and I loved them... and knew I wanted to do that costume next.

I was reading a post on Reddit by @Tarrif and saw how awesome his Mando Biker Scout looked and began my search, mostly with his help!

The below is what I'm thinking of purchasing and then I'll begin the journey to actually build this.  Feel free to chime in with any help as I'm not only new to the detachment, but new to "stormtroopers" in general and sure I have a lot to learn.

• Helmet: Studio Creations ($540 kit with armor - Price was COVID sale.  It appears the normal price is now $670)
• Armor: Studio Creations (included in above)
• Boots: Steph Mortimer @StephTrooper ($170)
• Flight Suit: Wampa Wear ($140)
• Gloves: Wampa Wear ($60)
• Cummerbund: Steph Mortimer ($230)
• Balaclava: Amazon ($12.95)
• Neck Seal: Steph Mortimer ($40)
• Blaster: @NegativeEleven ($70)
• The Child Tote Bag - optional / searching for

Thanks for the read and I'll update as the CRL is approved and I begin to receive the goods!

-Chris

[bobafett4ever]

EDIT: 20May2020:

 

Here's the beginning of gathering of the soft goods.  Nice and shiny white, for now

 

Cummerbund and Cod Front (I flipped the bags so you could see they're sown in):

Back shot

 

Boots front:

Boots Side/Back:

 

Neckseal:

 

EC-17:

 

Gloves:

 

Flightsuit:

 

 

[BikerScout007]

Folks

Chris has asked me to clean up this WIP thread.  He just wants it to be his progress pics plus any comments from the Armor team.  Feel free to start a discussion in the Mando Scout forum if y'all want to talk shop.

Chris, I'm locking this thread for now.  When you are ready to post more progress pics, PM me and I will unlock for you!

[bobafett4ever]

EDIT: 02Jul2020 - Just placed my order with Studio Creations and have a friend who's assembled 2 (approved) so far willing to help assemble once it arrives! 

EDIT: 14Jul2020 - WOW!  That was fast.  Only took 1.5 weeks from SC.  EPIC

Just opened the box and took out the hard parts.

Spreading them out a little more.

 

EDIT: 14Jul2020 - Now to order the tools and such.  In another thread I got an idea of what tools we'll need.

EDIT: 20JUl2020 - Sanded all the edges.  The SC kit was cut pretty good, so only took about 1.5 hours to sand everything smooth.  

 

Next up will be updating the cummerbund and pouches so they match The Mando Scout correctly

EDIT 22JUl2020 - Today was cummerbund / pouch day along with making the belt to tie around my waist and connect the cod piece too (under the cummerbund).

 

Also, I worked on cutting out the eyes and ears holes.  First time using the Dremel, so was pretty happy with the results.  I did file a little after, but have a little more to do to tiddy it up.

 

Next up... straps and holes for them to go through!  Will also be dying the soft goods in Earl Gray Tea.

Edited July 23, 2020 by bobafett4ever

[bobafett4ever]

So I sewed some straps and wanted to see if I'm on the right path or if anyone sees anything glaringly wrong.

 

First pass

https://imgur.com/a/i7SsDlM

 

Sorry..  doing this from my phone so not sure how to get the pics to show, only the link.

Dyed all the soft white parts in Earl Gray tea.  4 back in 20 cups of water... left in parts for 45 seconds... pouches for 15 minutes.

 

[bobafett4ever]

08Aug2020 - Progress made with finishing up the belt and helmetn.

 

[NegativeEleven]

That's a studio creations kit? He's updated a lot of it since I got mine in '13. Looks pretty good so far.

P.s. I hate the upside down knees. Infuriating! I know you're doing it on purpose, but I don't wanna look at it! 😁

[bobafett4ever]

A few things I'm finding out about the SC kit for anyone in the future looking to get.

1. It only comes with the green visor lens, not black.  They don't even have black, so you'll have to get a black one.

2. Their schematics say to use 2 rivets attaching the ABS belt to the webbing, but it should only be 1.  I found this out the hard way, and had to fill in the wholes and redo.  Their schematics aren't 100% 501st accurate.

3. SC kit doesn't include any clips to attach the thermal to your belt.  He only includes 2 zip ties... which I have no idea how that's supposed to work, but it doesn't, so I'll have to find someone selling belt clips.

4.  I bought the Imperial Surplus headband and it doesn't fit this helmet.  I even tried to trim it down, on the sites and top, as a few others listed, but no dice. For my head, it just doesn't fit inside the crown of the helmet... and if I force it to, I can't comfortably fit my head inside the helmet and close the visor all the way.

 

 

Next up, I have to repair the backpack as the rivet I tried to put in the top of the backpack to the armor didn't rivet correctly and I tried to remove it and it melted through the ABS... at least it can be repaired and will be hidden, so no one will know it's a patch job.

Last will be attaching the holster to the boot.  

Then, on to weathering!

[Aradun]

Hey Chris, there’s a couple of places that sell the clips for the TD, Amazon being one. Pretty reasonable price point too.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MR3CQCC/?coliid=I9C80S7S166H1&colid=17ZNF8WW4QACN&psc=1

Hope it helps.

[bobafett4ever]

Hello Pathfinders.

As I've never weathered anything before, I saw a YouTube video and tried his method.  Please let me know if this is good and I can continue with weathering the rest of the parts.  I left the knee pads alone, and in the pic, so you could see the others against the white ABS for reference.

I used Umber Brown acrylic paint and splotched it on, let sit for 5-10 mins, then wiped it off.

Thanks for any feedback or tips.

 

Items left to do:

1. Attach holster to boot

2. Attach backpack to back plate

3. Weather everything else

[Aradun]

Chris, great work there! I think it looks good. I really like how the darker spots actually look like rust spots. Don’t know if that was what you were going for, but it’s a cool effect none the less.

It’s my understanding that the CRL will call for moderate to heavy weathering so I think you could stand to go a little heavier if you want, but I’d wait to hear from an armorer on that to be sure.

Keep up the great work. Your build is looking awesome.

[bobafett4ever]

Thanks, Dennis.

Anyone else have any thoughts or comments?

Last night I got my backpack attached.  The rivet didn't work the first time and cracked the ABS, and I made the mistake of trying to drill it out which melted more ABS, so after a repair job, I got it.  Sadly, this time, the Rivet didn't cut all the way down, so will have to file it.... but I don't think there is much of a gap, so I just need to add the red line and I think it's good.

 

And, unless anyone sees anything off, I think I'm ready to weather the rest of the parts.  I know I need to paint the helmet screws gray too... but I think that's it.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Chopper]

Are you using backing plates with the rivet? I can't see the cracked area in the photos?

[bobafett4ever]

4 minutes ago, Chopper said:

Are you using backing plates with the rivet? I can't see the cracked area in the photos?

Yep, sure did.  The first rivet we tried didn't rivet right, for better terms... so then we tried to drill it out, but it got so hot it melted the abs.  So, we devcon glued to the back armor and under the backpack, some spare ABS, so we could re-revit.  We used aluminum washers behind the rivets both times.  All other rivets we did took... but for some reason this one didn't like.

The black greeble covers it all up so I think we're good as it cant' be seen unless you're right up on top of it looking in between the armor and backpack.

[Chopper]

Yeah, I've been there. I actually bought one of a 1/8" cobalt drill bit just for removing them without melting the plastic around it.

[bobafett4ever]

1 hour ago, Chopper said:

Yeah, I've been there. I actually bought one of a 1/8" cobalt drill bit just for removing them without melting the plastic around it.

Oh wow... I never knew of this.  I'll have to look into that.  Thanks!

[bobafett4ever]

I did a few more pieces with a little more heaviness to it.  Which do you guys think is better / more appropriate. @Chopper or anyone else please chime in.

I'm going to try to finish up the rest of the pieces this weekend, but don't want to do the rest until I have an idea which would be better.  Thanks!

[BikerScout007]

I think the weathering itself looks pretty good, I just wonder if the shade of the paint you're using is a little dark.  I would try maybe hitting some of that acrylic with some rubbing alcohol to mute it a little bit so it blends better into the armor instead of sitting on top of it?  If that makes sense.  

That's what I did with my Shoretrooper -- I would hit the crevices with acrylic paint and then blend it in with an alcohol soaked paper towel  

I like the build up on the knees, looking close to the SDCC scout for sure.  

[bobafett4ever]

Thanks.  I'm using burnt Umber, as that's what multiple folks have mentioned I should use.  But, if there's a better or more accurate shade, would you know what it's names and I can pick that up.

I can definitely try to use some rubbing alcohol over it and see it's effect.  Thanks for the tip and I'll post a pic of what it looks like.

[bobafett4ever]

15 hours ago, BikerScout007 said:

I think the weathering itself looks pretty good, I just wonder if the shade of the paint you're using is a little dark.  I would try maybe hitting some of that acrylic with some rubbing alcohol to mute it a little bit so it blends better into the armor instead of sitting on top of it?  If that makes sense.  

That's what I did with my Shoretrooper -- I would hit the crevices with acrylic paint and then blend it in with an alcohol soaked paper towel  

I like the build up on the knees, looking close to the SDCC scout for sure.  

Ok, I added a second coat which was a lighter color.

How does this look? 

 

[BikerScout007]

I think that definitely looks more like the correct shade of brown!

[bobafett4ever]

43 minutes ago, BikerScout007 said:

I think that definitely looks more like the correct shade of brown!

Ok, so you think I'm good to go trying the rest like this?

I think it looks good... Maybe not exactly like the show, but good.  Probably a little darker than the show too.  But I like the look and if you guys think it'd be passable, then I think I'm going to finish the rest like this.

Thanks for your input.

[NegativeEleven]

I am coming from a perspective of doing several Boba Fett and Mandalorian Mercs paint jobs (cause my scout is only weathered by virtue of it being worn A LOT for 7 years), but be careful not to make the weathering too uniform. There's a tendency to hit every edge, every detail, the same. It looks fake when you have basically an outline on every edge of every piece of armor. 

[bobafett4ever]

Ok, here's all the pics... I didn't have time to try everything on, but maybe this weekend I can and see how it all looks in actual sunlight.

[Aradun]

Looking forward to you suiting up and seeing it all together!