#1: Captain America Shield -- AoU Movie Style (WIP)

[The14thDr]

I'm still putting together some research for my Iron Man Mk.43 suit, so in the meantime I've decided to work on another Avengers-themed project: Captain America's shield. The main material for this build is corrugated cardboard, as that was the quickest and cheapest thing I could get my hands on without having to leave the house and buy anything.
So far I've assembled the main shape of the shield, and now I'm about 70% through the first coat of paper mache.


If anyone has any criticism or advice for this build, post it below and I'll try my best to reply as soon as possible.
Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[Venomsuit]

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this thing!

 

[The14thDr]

Thanks Venomsuit. I managed to do a bit more paper macheing this afternoon and I'm now about 85% through the first coat.
More updates coming soon. Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[OneGoodScare]

This is gonna be so cool!

 

[The Full Armor]

Are you going to attempt the new handle design?

 

[The14thDr]

This is gonna be so cool!

Thanks OneGoodScare! I have high hopes for this build too. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the first coat of paper mache today and fill that hole in the centre of the shield.

Are you going to attempt the new handle design?

View attachment 483861

I'm unsure at the moment. It's a cool design, but I'll have to see whether or not I can replicate that type of handle with the available materials.I'd love to though, as the fold away handles look really neat and compact.

 

[The14thDr]

Update Time!!! Today I finished applying the first coat of paper mache. The trick to getting the paper mache as strong as possible is to use small pieces of ripped up newspaper (the smaller, the better). For the 'paste' I'm using undiluted PVA glue, as this will make the shield even tougher.


I can now move onto paper macheing the inside of the shield, which at the moment is rough and uneven.


I also managed to plug the hole in the centre of the shield. I did this by cutting out a circle of cereal box (measuring about 116mm wide) and taping this to the inside of the shield. Then I added a bead of PVA glue around the edge, just to make everything tight and secure.



Thanks for looking guys. I look forward to receiving any comments, criticism or advice. Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

Yesterday I started the first coat of paper mache on the inside of the shield. I'm just about half way through, so I should have this layer completed by the end of today.


Thanks for looking guys. If you have any questions, comments or advice, I'll do my best to reply as soon as possible. Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

So this update is a couple of days later than I initially anticipated. But nevertheless, I've completed the first of coat of paper mache on the inside of the shield.


Next up I'll use more paper mache to cover up the unsightly trim around the edge of the shield.

Then I can apply the second coat of paper mache and add the bracket and straps.

Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

Yesterday I used some more paper mache to cover up the cardboard rim around the edge of the shield.


Then my dad kindly helped me plug the hole in the centre of the shield using a circle of cereal box card, which I paper mached this morning.


After that I began work on the shield's inside bracket. For this I cut out a cardboard circle measuring 260mm wide, and then I cut out a second circle, this time measuring 180mm wide. The smaller circle was fixed into the centre of the large circle using PVA glue.



The next piece that had to be completed for the inside bracket was the two 'arms' that reach in from the edges of the shields. These were constructed using three cardboard rectangles that were glued together.


Here's a mock-up of the entire bracket.



------ UPDATED ------

Here's a mock-up of the bracket inside the shield, just to get a sense of scale and proportion.


Let me know what you all think of the shield (and bracket) so far. Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[skillsthebarber]

great start, cant wait to see how it comes out

 

[The14thDr]

great start, cant wait to see how it comes out

Thanks! I've just glued the second arm onto the bracket, so all it needs now is a few coats of silver paint, then I can attach it to the shield. More updates soon. Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

More updates guys! I made a 'platform' on the inside of the shield to glue the bracket onto once the shield approaches completion. It measures 260mm wide (just 10mm wider than the centre circle of my bracket), and is just cut out from cereal box card.


Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

Earlier on in the week I finished applying the 2nd coat of paper mache, and today I added an undercoat of white paint to cover up most of the newsprint.

Next up: Applying the red paint to the top of the shield.

Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[Thorlief Golmen]

That's a great idea for the bracket...

 

[The14thDr]

That's a great idea for the bracket...

Thanks. I'm glad you like it. I've been trying to think of new and inventive ways to accomplish this build on a zero budget.

I'll try to get another update posted tonight, as there's a small amount of progress that hasn't yet been posted.

 

[The14thDr]

Nothing much to report today. However, I did manage to paint the 5 segments for the star in the centre of the shield.

These will be glued into place once the rest of the shield has been painted and I finish the blue centre circle.

In other news; I bought another bottle of red poster paint today, meaning I can start painting the top side of the shield tomorrow.

Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[Scarlet]

Here's a mock-up of the bracket inside the shield, just to get a sense of scale and proportion.
View attachment 486529

Let me know what you all think of the shield (and bracket) so far. Kind regards, The14thDr

that's brilliant!

 

[The14thDr]

that's brilliant!

Thank you!
And for those of you who are wondering what it would look like if Spidey had his own Captain America-style shield, it would probably be something like this:


Kind regards, The14thDr

 

[The14thDr]

Five coats and almost half a bottle of red paint later, and I've just about managed to cover the newsprint and get a nice even finish on the shield.

As you can see in the bottom left-hand corner there is a darker patch where the newsprit is still showing through. I'm not too worried about this, though, as it helps me achieve the 'battle-damaged' look I've been going for.
Unfortunately, in some places you can still make out whole words from the headlines on the newspaper, so this will need painting over as soon as possible.

Let me know what you think below. I'll try to get another update posted soon, as I want to add the blue centre circle next.
Kind regards, The14thDr