Noob going for Poe Dameron Pilot

[Rob84]

Hey everyone,

I've been a skulker here for years but since I left England and moved to Germany I have a lot more free time. So I've decided to take a swing at joining the Rebel Legion, something I've wanted to do for years. But I'm aware of how strict they are regarding authenticity etc. So I really don't want to spend money on things I can't use. But here's the kicker, I don't have a workshop or large array of tools. So I'm not beyond purchasing items so long as they meet the standard. Sewing etc I can do myself, but metalwork etc.... sadly out of my league.

I was reading through the "So, no RPF love for the new pilot, Poe Dameron?" Thread and you guys are just amazing. Are any of you with the Rebel Legion? As the attention to detail is superb.

Anyway, I was thinking of using this as a base for the helmet

and this as a base for the flightsuit

I've got a 3D model of the comms box, which I can get printed for about €100, and with some white material I think I can make the flak vest and life preserver myself.

The gloves and boots seem pretty well sourced and easy to get hold of exact copies.

But I'd welcome any or all advice, and if there's someone selling stuff that's of Rebel Legion quality, I'm open to buying.

Thanks for your time

 

[JJ Griffin]

Hey mate, just cause you mentioned it, but I assume the comms box is the chest box, yes? You're getting one printed for 100 euros? That seems pretty excessive. I do 3D printing and I'm not trying to snipe a sale out from under someone else but if you PM me I'm pretty sure I could probably print it for you for half that. Your call.

~JJ

 

[ShanJ]

If you're planning on joined the RL, and dont have an account there, go make one. They have a section for TFA pilots and a lot of people are selling screen accurate things eg. leg flares, chest boxes, etc. Nobody's selling good quality helmets yet though on the RL - I'm 3D printing my own. As well, go check out Ponte's thread for the belts. And dont worry about not having a large workshop - I do all of my work in my garage, where i've got a bench that's at best a metre long. Basically, my advice on making it as accurate as possible is to read everything, bookmark things you think will be useful in the future, and ask a lot of questions.

And dont forget to weather it. I keep seeing people with mostly finished pilots having not weathered it and it just looks wrong. The screen used costumes were all surprisingly beat up, compared to the original xwing pilots.

 

[Rob84]

Thanks guys, JJ I'll PM you shortly, thanks and Shanj, yeah I've been in touch with them, their Register page is down and they're aware and working on it. As soon as I can get in there I will, but reading through the massive Poe thread mentioned in my OP was superb, everyone's doing some amazing detective work finding exact matches.

But yes, everything looks far too new, it needs wearing, blackening,s scratching etc

 

[ShanJ]

I have a google doc with all of the references I have bookmarked, plus a bunch of images. I'll also be taking a bunch of photos in April as I'll be on holiday in the US, going to both disneyland and disneyworld, and I believe they have Poe's helmet on display there, so those will also be put on the doc. It'll also get easier when the movie comes out on DVD and the RL establish some CRLs for us.

 

[Rob84]

Thanks Shanj, this is it, I want to get building but I don't want to spend a load of money to then find out the RL say something is totally unacceptable Like I say, I've found a pair of the gloves, and the boots that are the exact ones used in the movie. I've found the exact belts and webbing from the movie (through people on here much better at this than me ) and possibly with the 3D printed Chest box, I can make the white bits myself, etc. The really hard bit is the flightsuit, there's literally tons of orange suits that are "close" but they each have their own flaws. The zip seam stops before the crotch, or there's poppers, or there's lapells, or the neck folds over and not in the middle etc. Plus finding the exact material and thickness etc. It's going to be a LOT of work to get that right, especially with the integrated anti-g suit style chaps that seem to be built in.

 

[ShanJ]

I'm terrible with a sewing machine, so I'm going to try the vest but I'm getting my suit from Meridian Creations, which will be more expensive than trying it myself, but far more accurate.
I know that feeling - I'm in a bit of a unique position, as I'm under 18, therefore I cant actually get official membership with the RL/501st for a few years yet. I'll instead be joining the Galactic Academy, but that wont stop me from getting my costumes to the state where they could be approved.

The exact type of material is a type of cordura I believe - one of the links in my doc is to a pantone swatch. However I believe a lot of people are using a similar looking twill as the cordura will be ridiculously hot.