new biker scout armor

[Nes]

Hello.

I'm Nes. Last month I received a mounted biker scout armor from RSProps to test in my garrison. Since I have several questions to ask since I'm not a handyman, I've decided to open a wip to ask all the questions and slowly get to know the suit. I've been reading the forum post about how to upload the photos, let's see if I can get it. As many of you know, the RSProps shoulder pads come with a black clip that goes from the shoulder pad to the armor. My garrison colleagues told me that many people use velcro on the shoulder pads. Since I want it for basic registration, I decided to remove the clips but I don't know how many velcros I have to put or where. Another doubt I have related to this is that I've tried the flightsuit on and it seems a bit big. Since I don't know if I'll have to change the flightsuit because itsn’t my size, I don't know if it's worth asking my seamstress to sew the velcro on now or change the flightsuit first. If you need me to send you a picture of the flightsuit I can upload that too, but right now I don't know what the first step is.

 

Regards

 

[Aradun]

Hey Nes! Welcome to the Pathfinders!

Regarding the shoulder bells, you can do Velcro, but to be honest those little squares RS uses only require a zip tie to secure to the shoulder bridge - that thin strip of armor that goes over your shoulder connecting the back and chest armor.

If you do Velcro, the easiest way to add it to the flightsuit is via a glue like e6000, but it may be tough to get in the UK. If you ask around there may be a local equivalent. I used it to glue all of the Velcro on my flightsuit and the hold is still solid after 4 years, 75 troops and several washings. Sewing will likely require you to seem rip the sleeves and legs, but if you plan to do that with a seamstress to take in the suit anyway, then have her add the velcro.

Take a look at this thread, you’ll see some of the best places to add Velcro for securing the armor.

http://forum.501stpathfinders.com/index.php?/topic/w18894-some-tips-for-keeping-your-scout-costume-together-while-trooping/

When sewing Velcro to the flight suit use the soft side of the Velcro. Place the scratchy side onto the armor.

I and many other scouts here have the RS kit, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions. The armory team is happy to help!

[Nes]

Thank you. I've been on the forum for twenty-four hours and I'm not sure how it works. The link you gave me takes me to the main menu. I prefer to sew the velcro but I don't have any reference as to where to put it. I don't know how many velcros I have to put. I've put the photo of the shoulder pad in case you can tell me in the photo where to put the velcro. As I said in the previous message, I think the  flightsuit is a little big on me and I might have to make a new one. I don't know if I should sew the velcro first when I know where they go, try on the whole suit and then if I have to change the flightsuit, buy another one and remake it entirely once I have the pattern.

Sorry if my English is not very good.

[Aradun]

Hey Nes. Sorry for bad link. Here’s the one I referenced.

https://forum.501stpathfinders.com/topic/18894-some-tips-for-keeping-your-scout-costume-together-while-trooping/

It has everything your looking for regarding where to place the Velcro.

Let us know what else you may be looking for, because we can find it pretty quick rather than trying to comb through tons of posts yourself.

Take a look at some of the other WIPs. I generally recommend starting with those that have the most views as they generally have a lot of images, details, feedback from the armory team in them.

[Nes]

Thank you 😉. I'm looking the link. When I logged my first day, I looked some wip to get information but since I haven't been here long I didn't find it. After seeing your link I'll ask more questions.

[Nes]

I've already seen the post but it's not what I need. I think it's a useful post for when you've validated your armor. I need a post indicating where to put the velcro on the shoulder pads and the flightsuit and then put on the suit to see what parts I have to fix to validate the suit.

[Aradun]

So, if you’re just looking to add Velcro to the shoulder armor, you’ll want to put a strip of Velcro about just below the seam at the top of the sleeve on your flightsuit where it meets the shoulder. A 3-4” strip running from the back of the arm to the front of the arm will suffice.



For the shoulder armor, run a 4” strip of Velcro roughly 1” from top of the bell towards the bottom. Because the Velcro on the bell runs up and down and the Velcro on the flightsuit runs perpendicular, you’ll have plenty of wiggle room to adjust your bells front to back and up or down when you don the armor.

My armor is packed away currently, but I’ll be trooping on Monday and can take a photo of the bell if you need it.

[Aradun]

@Chopper is there a thread somewhere that shows how to attach the bells to the shoulder bridge using Velcro instead of zip ties?  I don’t have  anything in my bookmarks.  

[Chopper]

35 minutes ago, Aradun said:

@Chopper is there a thread somewhere that shows how to attach the bells to the shoulder bridge using Velcro instead of zip ties?  I don’t have  anything in my bookmarks.  

The elastic and velcro attachment isn't all that common anymore. Pandatrooper's build uses that method, but that is a very, very old build thread, so anything in it needs to be re-checked against the CRL.

https://forum.501stpathfinders.com/topic/9781-pandatroopers-sc-biker-scout-build/page/3/

 

[Nes]

Thank you. I'm confused because my armor had the clamps and since I was told that most people used velcro I removed the clamps thinking that I would have to adjust them to my body to validate and that it would be more comfortable to put velcro

[Aradun]

Most use the squares and zip ties because it’s actually easier than the old Velcro method.

Checkout these two video sources on building your armor. This one is from our Detachment Leader, Bikerscout007, give this one a go first. He shows how to use the zip tie method.

RS Props has a whole build series on YouTube on the assembly of their armor. This is the first video of the series. I think there’s about 19 videos in the build series. Lot’s of details in the videos. I’m not sure the state of the armor you have and how much needs to be assembled, but these will help certainly help if you are putting everything together.

[Nes]

Ok.This was my armor assembled by RS Props.

This is my current velcro shoulder pad. I saw in one of your last posts that the other velcro was sewn on but I don't know if it has some kind of connection between the shoulder pad and the armor or maybe the shoulder pad is attached to the flightsuit

[Aradun]

The original set up provided RS in the image you provided looks like it was ready to wear. The only adjustment you need to make with that setup is to tighten the zip tie to get the shoulders spaced properly.

If your heart is set on switching over to the the Velcro method on the recommendation of you garrison mates then use the link provided by Chopper above. It’s an old build but it will show you the method to attach the shoulder bell to the shoulder bridge with Velcro. Be careful about employing other things from that build as there’s been a lot up updates to the CRL since Pandatrooper was approved and somethings may not meet current standards.

I personally would recommend that you reinstall the squares and use a zip tie. It’s a much easier set up. You can just apply Velcro to the back of the square and attach it to the Velcro you glued onto your shoulder bell. Easy fix.

[Nes]

I haven’t problem putting it back on. It isn’t difficult to do but then I have several questions to ask you here:

1-How did RS Props put it on is it correct?

2-How do you adjust the tie?

3-How do I know the distance that has to be between the shoulder pad and the armor?

4-Does the white fabric that covers the shoulder part of the armor have to cover the entire shoulder part? I show you in the photo how I have it.
 

[Aradun]

1.  How RS had it set up was correct. 
2. You slip a black zip tie into the square on the shoulder bell, and then run it through the shoulder bridge.  From there you tighten it until the bell  is the distance where you want it.  
3. That distance isn’t specified in the CRL, but ideally you’re shooting for abt. 3/4”

4. That’s fine as it is.  How it appears in the pic good.  

If your kit from RS already has straps attached to the armor pieces, and the armor is trimmed, then there is really nothing you need to do further other than make adjustments to the strapping if it is too lose or too tight on you.  

[Nes]

Ok. 

How do you open and close the bow? I've never done it. I've had a problem with the RS Props pouchers because they sent me very dark ones. I claimed it twice and they won't accept the change. I'm going to order some white pouchers in Spain. The question is whether the straps on the armour also have to be white. The straps I have on are beige.

[Aradun]

Here is the CRL for the Biker Scout:

https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TB_Scout_trooper

You’ll want to refer to this through your build as it contains all the details you need for approval.

You’re the second person I know of to note that they received very dark pouches from RS.  If you can post a pic, we can check to see if they need to be replaced.

However, if the strapping for your drop boxes, which sit on the sides of your hips, are off-white then your pouches need to match in color.  If you switch to white pouches, you will need to change the straps for those to white as well and that’s a hassle.  If ordering ask for off-white to match.  If you can only get them in white then we can show you how to die them off-white using a tea bath.

I’m not sure what you mean by opening and closing the bow.  

 

[Nes]

We are the same person. You have already confirmed here that the pouchers aren’t valid. What material are the shoulder and waist straps made of? So that we can buy them since RSProps doesn’t want to take responsibility..

How does this system work?

[Aradun]

The zip tie attachment looks fine. You'll just tighten the zip tie if needed once you get things sorted and fine tune the fit.

Per the CRL for basic clearance:

Under Chest Armor -

• The chest and back armor join together over the shoulder and the gap covered with a strip of white fabric (the "shoulder bridge").

Under Belt -

• Drop boxes connect to the belt via white textile straps.
• If using off-white cummerbund pouches and side straps, the drop box straps are also off-white.

Whatever RS has used on the kit for the above should suffice.  If you want to post some pics for us to look at to be certain feel free. 

[Nes]

Don't worry. The straps on my armor aren’t white. What material are the straps made of? so I can buy it

[Nes]

I would need to know please what material the white fabric straps of the armor are made of so I can buy it. I don't know if the same fabric is suitable for both parts of the armor.

[Nes]

Is the white elastic band valid in both places? Sorry for asking so much but I'm having a lot of trouble with the suit

[Retrofire]

Hi Nes and please don't concern yourself with too many questions! That's what we're here for so please keep asking them!

The shoulder bridges can be either elastic or cotton webbing and typically the connections between the front and back armor as well as the belt drop boxes are cotton webbing. For basic the elastic may be approvable but check with your GML before committing to that route.

@Aradun, @Chopper what are your thoughts?

Keep up the great work and great questions!

[Nes]

Thank you. 

I've been looking at the belt and it's made of cotton and elastic. Is that correct? I think I'm going to have to replace it because they’re different shades of white. The pouches are one color, the straps on the bridges and sides are another color and the straps on the belt are another color. When I put white pouches, do I understand that everything mentioned above has to be the same shade of white, right?

[Aradun]

Post pictures of the strapping and we’ll be able to tell you for sure. If you’re going to switch to white pouches, then yes, everything needs to be white, but the whites don’t need to be an exact match. You just can’t use off-white with white pouches.

Honestly Nes, if you get white pouches and use a tea bath to dye them off-white, you won’t need to change any of your existing strapping. That’s the easiest and least expensive remedy to getting new pouches.

But, post some pics and we’ll help you dial things in from there.