Blake's 7 Federation Trooper 2024 thread

[kangazang]

Hi all,
I'm embarking on a new costume for this year - a Federaton Trooper from Blake's 7.

This is a relatively uncomplicated costume but due to the age of the components, it's proving to be very tricky. I should've done this suit about 10 years ago when the parts were more easily available! I'm in Wales UK, just so you know. I'm also not a massively pedantic screen-accurate purist, but I aim to get the costume as close as humanly possible, depending on availability of items and costs.

I'll start off with a list of parts:

• HELMET - I already have a vintage Joe Brown mountaineering helmet. Needs acrylic rings and paint job.
• MASK - Most UK makers have closed shop, but I have a tenuous link to someone who may be able to source one for me.
• OVERALLS/JUMPSUIT - I have an authentic 'Belstaff Townmaster' jumpsuit, but alas, it's size S and doesn't quite fit me. Open to sell it on if anyone's interested?
• BLASTER RIFLE - I'll be building this myself as I have a bit of props experience.
• BOOTS - The originals are 'Derri Boots' but I may have to admit defeat due to the rarity of these, and find something as close as I can.
• BELTS - To be home made form black leather belts.
• GLOVES - I have a pretty good lookin pair of black leather gauntlets

Pic of a troopers and a rifle, in case you need to see it:

 

[skiffy]

Wasn't the respirator a tea strainer?

As far as I remember - I think Martin Bower made the weapons. I also think someone was doing a build on the now dead eagletransporter.com forums.

Maybe KevinD here on the RPF may have some pointers.

Anyway, best of luck with the build - I'm a brit who's old enough to have watched and loved the series on TV and was there for a location shoot back in the day too.

 

[AnthonyD2199]

Really Excited about this, Love Blake's7!

I know the Federation Rifle was made out of EMA Model parts many of which are still available I think but the thickness may have changed, there's a thread or two on here of people who've built really good replicas.

I wanted to get a mask from Century Castings but they shut shop a year or so ago which is sad because they also did really accurate Liberator guns.

 

[neophyl]

I'll just throw this into the ring in case you have a 3d printer Printables
I have been told its fairly accurate size wise.

 

[kangazang]

Wasn't the respirator a tea strainer?

As far as I remember - I think Martin Bower made the weapons. I also think someone was doing a build on the now dead eagletransporter.com forums.

Maybe KevinD here on the RPF may have some pointers.

Anyway, best of luck with the build - I'm a brit who's old enough to have watched and loved the series on TV and was there for a location shoot back in the day too.

I'm also an ageing Brit who watched some of it when it aired. I seem to recall it must've been series D, as I didn't see Blake until Gauda Prime.
I'm going to make two rifles simultaneously, as I have enough materials arriving. Willl post links to my progress videos here, as and when it begins. Cheers!

 

[kangazang]

I'll just throw this into the ring in case you have a 3d printer Printables
I have been told its fairly accurate size wise.

I'm purposely going for a scratchbuilt rifle. I no longer have my printer, and the sanding and hassles involved with 3D printing, fill me with dread!

 

[kangazang]

Really Excited about this, Love Blake's7!

I know the Federation Rifle was made out of EMA Model parts many of which are still available I think but the thickness may have changed, there's a thread or two on here of people who've built really good replicas.

I wanted to get a mask from Century Castings but they shut shop a year or so ago which is sad because they also did really accurate Liberator guns.

Yes, I've dealt with Century a bit in the past. Great guy. As I say, I probably missed the boat for B7 Trooper parts by about 5 years, but I shall persevere nonetheless! Feel free to send me any links to the aforementioned threads! Cheers!

 

[kangazang]

Made some progress withthe pew pew today - drew up the shapes needed for the handle, and got them laser cut.
Middle shape has the trigger (non-functional) and it's cut from 8mm MDF. (Tried 10mm and it was a bit too wide I felt). The other plates are 3mm, making the thickness of the handle about 20mm. I'm making 3 blasters in total, so two more sets of plates to come.

In other news, I now have TWO vintage Belstaff suits - a SMALL and an XL. While the XL does fit me quite well, I've made the decision to sell both of them on and go further away from screen accuracy. I don't think I can cope with the heat of the suit. I'm going to look for some kind of breathable version that won't cook me alive. If anyone is interested in a Belstaff, let me know.

 

[Birdie]

My Federation blaster built using the original EMA parts used on the show. There was a great thread on Eagle Transporter.com that listed all the correct size tubes, channels, paints and detail parts. It may be on Waybackmachine, it was a great resource

 

[kangazang]

My Federation blaster built using the original EMA parts used on the show. There was a great thread on Eagle Transporter.com that listed all the correct size tubes, channels, paints and detail parts. It may be on Waybackmachine, it was a great resource
View attachment 1850394

View attachment 1850399

Really, REALLY nice work!

 

[SergioWebster]

Is there a costume in the photo that you made according to your guide?

 

[kangazang]

Is there a costume in the photo that you made according to your guide?

I'm not sure what you're asking. I haven't made a costume yet, but I plan to.