Good source for X-Wing flak vests?

[SmilingOtter]

Actually the thread title is slightly inaccurate, as I'm more interested in the gray Baron-Fel style vest. I have the pattern for making one, but since I'm reasonably unskilled with a sewing machine, I'd like to know what options are out there. (An Ebay search yielded squat.)

 

[Lancer]

I know costumebase on ebay come in for a bash on occasion, but their xwing flak vest isn't that bad. all the basics are there (apart from the buckle at the back). its not totally amazing but for the price, its an excellent place to start. it's white and then you can dye it whatever colour you want.

ie gray for baron fel matched with a black jumpsuit.

 

[SmilingOtter]

Thanks. I'll keep them in mind.

 

[Darth Lars]

Ask Mansugi. He makes both white X-wing pilot flak vests and grey vests for people dressing up as Baron Fel.

By the way, the flak vest that I got when I bought a Costume Base jumpsuit was slightly purple in color, and it did not go away with any type of bleach that I had tried.
The real thing was made in a coarse synthetic fabric such as nylon or polyester. I think Mansugi makes them in nylon.

There are also a few other people in the Rebel Legion who make flak vests for X-wing pilots. Over there, Mansugi calls himself Mr Bojangles.
The usual price for a well-made flak vest is USD 100 -- they are labor-intensive to make, with all the ribs.

I have made four myself. I don't make them for sale, but am willing to share freely all that I have researched about this garment in case you want to make one yourself. There are a couple of threads on the forum with detailed info about the real thing, including the original British high-altitude flight suit.

 

[SmilingOtter]

I have made four myself. I don't make them for sale, but am willing to share freely all that I have researched about this garment in case you want to make one yourself.

Thanks - in the rather unlikely event that I try my hand at one, how good a tutorial is this?

X-Wing Flak Vest Tutorial

The usual price for a well-made flak vest is USD 100 -- they are labor-intensive to make, with all the ribs.

That doesn't seem at all excessive, given its complexity.

 

[division 6]

The drawing is mine an the fact that that the person using it says that it won't fit everyone is incorrect.
One size fits all.

The measurements given in the drawing are within 1/8" in measurement to the one use used in the films using laser calipers to get them.

They are time consuming, I made one in black and grey for my Corran Horn outfit.
I also made a 1/4 scale version for my niece for the Ep3 opening.

The white vest I am wearing was made years before I did up the pattern, it needs to be replaced with an accurate one.

D6

 

[SmilingOtter]

Good to know. And great pics!

 

[LizardJedi]

it's white and then you can dye it whatever colour you want.

Not if its synthetic fiber, which I'm 90% sure the costumebase one is. Plus the tutorials most of the RL people use call for nylon.

My source was my mom... and she would probably charge over $100 for a commission...

As for the skill level... from what I see, its just very labor intensive, but not necessery very skill intensive. If you can sew straight and long, then you're halfway there.

 

[division 6]

I used light pencil lines so I knew where to sew.
Pinned the parts in place and went slow.
I still ended up with a little bit of drift near the bottom.

D6

 

[superjedi]

I have a vest by Mansugi and it's excellent quality.

 

[division 6]

I was looking through some of my old files and found some pix of the old comic book covers of the Baron.
The vest is larger and baggy and has a huge chest box on it he also has armor on his forearms and carries a knife on the left shoulder and pistol on the right hip.

D6

 

[SmilingOtter]

Yeah, I love Bradstreet's version of the Baron. In the inside artwork, though, his vest is very Rebel-looking.

I'll have to go back and look at the actual cover, but I can't make out the knife - that would be a nice addition.

 

[Darth Lars]

I have used Division 6's pattern. I have spent quite a bit of time looking at screen-used X-wing flak vests, and have found nothing inaccurate in the pattern. It is as screen-accurate as it can be.
However.. it is my personal opinion that an accurately sized flak vest may look weird on someone with a large girth/chest/shoulders.

I think that the flak vest in the picture looks also a lot like the ROTJ Y-wing pilots flak vests. They also have straps/clips for the chest box attached directly to the vest and are also wider under the armpits.

 

[randallsbrooks]

I know this thread is old but is there any current sources for a Flak Jacket for those whom are not good at sewing?

 

[doc raven]

Try Wampawear, they offer the Vest in white or grey and Flightsuits for TIE and X-Wing Pilots.
I'm quite happy with their TIE suit and know a couple of X-Wing pilots who have their soft goods from them.