Harbinger’s TB WIP (501st/Lancer Approved - but never done!)

[Chopper]

Okay thanks for clarifying.

Unfortunately, that stitch pattern is not going to pass for Level 2/Lancer if it's on the visible side. IMO, I'd say no for Level 1/Basic clearance as well, but ultimately that decision is a local one. 

The only other major item I see offhand for Level 2 is that your butt flap looks a bit long and wide. 

Guessing maybe an inch and a half on each edge? Try marking it with chalk before cutting. 

Check yours vs the CRL rear photo:

Overall, a solid job.

 

[Harbinger]

Thanks! Easily fixed:

Flap, also (fairly) easy to address before Lancer.

[Harbinger]

TB-92802... Approved!

 

Now on to Lancer! To-do before I put in my L2 application:

• Fix drop box strapping (move inward towards TD, boxes need to drop by ~1/4")
• Trim down butt flap
• Blaster... gonna need a blaster. Working on printing one in black resin.
• TBD! Any feedback, please let me know.

[Chopper]

Congrats dude! You put the work into it. 

 

[BikerScout007]

31 minutes ago, Harbinger said:

TB-92802... Approved!

 

Now on to Lancer! To-do before I put in my L2 application:

• Fix drop box strapping (move inward towards TD, boxes need to drop by ~1/4")
• Trim down butt flap
• Blaster... gonna need a blaster. Working on printing one in black resin.
• TBD! Any feedback, please let me know.

Well done!  I've upgraded you to Pathfinder status.  Welcome to the Detachment!

[Aradun]

Congrats Brien! Great to see you cross the finish line! Excellent build and you look fantastic. Looking forward to seeing that Lancer app too!

[TreeHuggerMatt]

Great stuff , well done buddy!!!

[Harbinger]

Added velcro to my vest and stirrups to my pant legs:

Marked some cut lines in chalk, how does this look for the butt flap (lines are a little light, sorry!)?

 

And last - for dropboxes, how is the 1” calculated? From the return edge of the belt box or the bottom of the belt plastic?:

[Chopper]

I would interpret it as the bottom edge of the belt. That said, the CRL states: "Drop boxes hang approximately 1 inch from the belt."

It's not an exact measurement, so your drop boxes should be good where they are.

Your chalk marks on the butt flap look good.

 

[Harbinger]

Triple checking, before I do so – any additional velcro/snaps/etc. on the inside of the vest, bund etc. – if not visible from the outside, are completely fine even for L2 correct?

[kayelbe]

17 minutes ago, Harbinger said:

Triple checking, before I do so – any additional velcro/snaps/etc. on the inside of the vest, bund etc. – if not visible from the outside, are completely fine even for L2 correct?

Correct

[BikerScout007]

21 minutes ago, Harbinger said:

Triple checking, before I do so – any additional velcro/snaps/etc. on the inside of the vest, bund etc. – if not visible from the outside, are completely fine even for L2 correct?

We don't care what you do with the parts of the costume that's can't be seen.  

[Harbinger]

Butt flap 90% trimmed (will trim upper portion where the velcro is attached post-Celebration):

Also, my friend has begun printing us blasters (resin!) courtesy of @MrPoopie’s EC-17 files. Almost to Lancer!

[Harbinger]

Final home stretch before I submit for Lancer. Needed a blaster and was planning on printing one with Justin’s model, until I saw Lou himself selling a DVH here - and scooped it up immediately. Resin just can’t hold a candle to rubber and metal for long-term durability.

It arrived last week and I did additional mods. I cleaned up the flashing and am filling in a few of the bubbles with black silicone. I also removed the cast screws on the scope to replace with real metal screws in the more accurate flat-head profile. I used brass screws so as to not interfere with the magnet system to keep it secure.

 

First up was cutting off the cast-in screws:

 

Then I used a hot nail and some drill bits to make holes for the screws:

 

Lastly I hit the screws with some 400 grit and two coats of flat black, then installed them into the blaster:

 

Next post, I will go over my modified magnet for the RS holster…

[Harbinger]

Blaster/holster updates, part II...

While Lou includes a rectangular magnet for the blaster to attach near the nozzle on the bottom of the holster, my RS holster doesn't really facilitate this particular mounting as the blaster fits too snug and making it work would take away from accuracy. Instead, I'll use a magnet to keep it secure via the Motorola transistor grip area (seems there is either another magnet or some metal in the handle of the blaster here). I modeled and printed out a cap/holder for the medium sized neodymium magnets Home Depot sells:

I then used some RTV silicone to fill in some air bubbles in my DVH blaster in the rear. Here it is before:

Here is the magnet installed along with the bubble-free blaster:

The last update I'd like to do - and I'm not sure the screws will be here before I take all my Lancer photos - is replacing the trigger guard screws with more accurate oval-head slotted screws (at least, according to the auction blaster, but it's safe to assume they all use the same screws?):

PS: A silver sharpie does wonders for any sort of metallic/aging effects on these rubber blasters.

[Chopper]

I like your attention to detail.

Yeah, Lou's blasters had a magnet embedded in the nose and in the handle transistor.

 

[Harbinger]

Thanks Corey! Coming from you that means a lot. I figure, I already spent all of this time and money on an RS kit, Sierra sneakers, etcetera, if I’m going for accuracy I might as well go all the way.

I had to buy a 50-pack of 1” screws for the handle, so if anyone else is looking for an accuracy upgrade for their DVH blaster, you know where to reach me!

[Aradun]

Nice work Brien! Adding screws to the scope mount was a great idea. Wish I thought of that. I lost that piece on a troop. It must have got snagged on something and I didn’t realize it ripped off until later in the day. I had to replace it with a 3D printed piece.

[Harbinger]

Yeah, I originally decided to put screws on there because it came to me already separating from the scope – figured I might as well replace it with more accurate ones!

[Harbinger]

Butt flap and matching velcro trimmed down ~1" on each side. Just awaiting the new blaster screws from McMaster-Carr now!

[Harbinger]

Almost there! Had to glue one of my tank topper fins back on (my kingdom for an accurate rubber topper!):

 

Hit it with some sandpaper and flat black and now the photo shoot begins:

PS: If anyone wants the checklist for themselves, it’s available here.

[Aradun]

Sweet!  Can't wait to see that app!

[hokie1]

On 6/27/2022 at 2:44 PM, Harbinger said:

Thanks Corey! Coming from you that means a lot. I figure, I already spent all of this time and money on an RS kit, Sierra sneakers, etcetera, if I’m going for accuracy I might as well go all the way.

I had to buy a 50-pack of 1” screws for the handle, so if anyone else is looking for an accuracy upgrade for their DVH blaster, you know where to reach me!

I’m in for some screws to upgrade my DVH blaster. 

[Harbinger]

Hilary, saw your PM and replied. I had to buy a 100-pack, but I'd like to see if these'll work before I sell any.
 

Somewhat tangential to my build thread, but as I sit here fussing over my Lancer submission a couple feedback items for @BikerScout007 and @Chopper and the rest of the review team:

- Why isn't the 'Pouches' section directly after the bund in the CRL? Seems weird for it go to bund > cod > pouches as it currently does.

- Why isn't the 'upside down' rivet a requirement for L2? I see a lot of apps where the rivet is down from the top vs. inside the tank and we have enough photographic evidence to know that this just isn't accurate (and looks off IMO)

- Why no 'hero blaster' EC-17 option?

[BikerScout007]

6 minutes ago, Harbinger said:

- Why isn't the 'Pouches' section directly after the bund in the CRL? Seems weird for it go to bund > cod > pouches as it currently does.

- Why isn't the 'upside down' rivet a requirement for L2? I see a lot of apps where the rivet is down from the top vs. inside the tank and we have enough photographic evidence to know that this just isn't accurate (and looks off IMO)

- Why no 'hero blaster' EC-17 option?

1.  It's been that way forever.  Probably because there was a time when the bund and cod were thought to be the same garment.  

2.  From the CRL:

• Tank topper detail is secured to the top of the tank with a single silver colored 1/8th (3mm) rivet and visible washer.

3.  The EC-17 requirements were written to allow for both options.  There is nothing precluding you from having one.