The Expanse: Props & Found Parts

[eethan]

I'd be interested in these! They are the similar tops as my Dark Matter pistol.View attachment 1852044

wow, that is so weird! clearly a very very similar design, but slightly shorter. smae airsoft, same back tube, same rounded bottom rail over the pistol slide, same way to machine the part, but all slightly different shorter design. It almost looks like a reused prop but it's not similar, that is weird...

 

[RandomMaker]

wow, that is so weird! clearly a very very similar design, but slightly shorter. smae airsoft, same back tube, same rounded bottom rail over the pistol slide, same way to machine the part, but all slightly different shorter design. It almost looks like a reused prop but it's not similar, that is weird...

I wonder if it was built by the same prop shop that did the machining for the MCRN pistol.

 

[FPLeatherCo]

I have finished my 3D model for the MCRN pistol aluminium parts. i'll try to make a prototype for all of those and open a quick interest thread to see if people need those
View attachment 1851593
View attachment 1851594
View attachment 1851595
don't mind the rectangle back part in the back tube, it will be inserted into the tube, I just didn't model the recess here as it's a machining model, not a printing model
cheers

Very nice! I've got the XDM airsoft that's been sitting around waiting to built out as the Martian pistol. I'm missing the bottom grip add-on but I have the barrel extension/flash guard thing.

 

[FPLeatherCo]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Does the same hold true for synthetic "pleather" material? I'm thinking it might work better for some of the glued-on boot pieces, even though I normally avoid that stuff.

Yeah, the barge and leather contact cements are what they use on sneakers with foam soles and synthetic leather.

Also, I found something interesting with the hero mag boots. They have a very distinctive grip pattern on the sole and I tracked that down to a sole made by Vibram called the Olympic 2062. But it doesn't seem to come in the cup sole style of the mag boots, only as a top sole. So I don't know if there's a discontinued or custom VIbram version I just can't find or if they got a Vibram knockoff from a Chinese supplier or something.

Can see the sole here and also the hero boots compared to the modded Tourmasters:

The Vibram:

 

[FPLeatherCo]

Oh, and another thing I found because I bought one and then noticed it on the Expanse:

In S4 while working at the shipyards on Mars, Bobbie and the rest of the workers wear these tool belts and suspenders:

Turns out this is a Toughbuilt brand tool belt and with their suspenders. Specifically, the belt with the steel buckle and metal oval holes, but it's matched with an older Toughbuilt Universal 5.5" padded belt. That belt has the wider back while the newer ones are the same width all the way around. And that's paired with the older style TB suspenders with the rivet that holds the straps on the pad.

The suspenders and belt w/ buckle (and newer padded belt) are still pretty available but I haven't been able to find the tapered belt anywhere retail.

Suspenders

Belt

 

[RandomMaker]

Also, I found something interesting with the hero mag boots. They have a very distinctive grip pattern on the sole and I tracked that down to a sole made by Vibram called the Olympic 2062. But it doesn't seem to come in the cup sole style of the mag boots, only as a top sole. So I don't know if there's a discontinued or custom VIbram version I just can't find or if they got a Vibram knockoff from a Chinese supplier or something.

I wish we could ask the person, or the people out there that know these answers, instead of having to guess... I just watched a new Adam Savage video discussing production of replica Star Trek props and they go through so many of the same decisions and questions when designing replicas. But often they have had the good fortune to speak with some of the original prop makers, so they know that the fins on Star Trek III Klingon communicators were made from box cutter blades, or that the weird front angular piece on the Klingon disruptor barrels from that movie were made from the seat of an RC car.

Great spots on the soles and the tool belts etc.

 

[paulf]

Adding information for those building mag boots I hope is helpful.

Quick intro - obviously a huge fan of the show and I built a Beratnas jumpsuit, Pur n Clean shirt, and boots (as best I knew how then) last year. Currently working on a second MCRN pistol build from an Etsy print as my first painting attempt was just ‘ok’. Then I need to figure out the holster build.

I was lucky enough to win one of the PropStore auctions that included a pair of mag boots along with a Roci flight suit, and then seperately purchased a pair of show worn boots from eBay. Not sure which season the eBay boots are from but the costumer’s tag on the PropStore boots note seaon 6. Both sets are TourMasters, the Hipora model, and use the slap braclet setup for lighting versus some of the other examples where the lights are remotely turned on/off (like the Avasarla ones currently on eBay).

Close up photos of the seaon 6 boots are attached; the eBay boots are identically set up. Basically there are two pieces of leather, the first layer gluded to the boot but cut and with stitching to match the rest of the boot to blend in. There’s also a cutout for the slap light. The second piece of leather has the rectangle cutout for the light. Both pieces of leather are rivted at the back of the ankle of the boot, through the boot. The lower heal snaps are only through lower piece of leather and don’t go into the boot itself.

Happy to grab and take more photos and provide additonal information.

 

[RandomMaker]

Adding information for those building mag boots I hope is helpful.

Always helpful to have more info and photos, thanks very much! I will need to make a pair of these myself to go with my Amos outfit. I'm not sure I can do a very tidy stitching through leather and velcro, so I will have to look around town for a tailor with an appropriate machine, or hope my kid's machine is strong enough, or stitch it by hand as I usually do...

Also I don't know how your experience or anyone else's has been, but for me I found that TourMaster boots seem to run a little small for getting you feet into the damn things. I bought a size 11 (aka 45) (I normally wear anywhere from a 10 to 11-1/2 depending on the maker and style) and couldn't get either foot into a boot! I had to get a size 46 pair (which is said to be 12-1/2 W according to the label) to fit my foot in. I've never worn boots of size 12 in my entire life, much less 12-1/2... Maybe some models are easier to get your foot into, but both pairs I have were consistent.

Also I will need to figure out at least one holster build. I'm not sure at all what they used on the show for the heavily-modified guns, but guess they probably made their own. I haven't yet seen any good information on the holsters online, so it may need to be done from scratch...

 

[RandomMaker]

My take on Drummer's Behemoth takeover pistol has finally progressed enough for me to share, although there is still more work to be done! It feels really good in the hand though. Unfortunately, I think now that SiliCon has stopped, our remaining SF Bay Area cons don't allow even completely deactivated airsofts.

 

[RandomMaker]

Hey everyone, I have another addition for reference, in the form of a solid prop version of an MCRN rifle. This is a cast version of the hero modified airsoft gun. It seems to have some added weight towards the rear (buttstock) end. The compact package feels relatively heavy, weighing in at 3.22kg. It came with a set of "SecureIt" plastic racking pieces. Because of these and other details, I suspect that this was a rifle that was seen racked in the background on the Rocinante throughout the series.

Anyway, here are some reference photos. I added rulers again.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ping me.
- Dave

 

[RandomMaker]

One more reference addition for this thread - and probably my last one. This is a very clean season 4 "RCE science" jacket which is just a 5.11 brand jacket with a trio of heat seal patches added. Unlike Elvi Okoye's jacket, this one's not covered in Amos's blood.

 

[PicasoX]

My take on Drummer's Behemoth takeover pistol has finally progressed enough for me to share, although there is still more work to be done! It feels really good in the hand though. Unfortunately, I think now that SiliCon has stopped, our remaining SF Bay Area cons don't allow even completely deactivated airsofts.

what color and brand is the green paint? I'm having trouble finding a suitable match.

 

[RandomMaker]

what color and brand is the green paint? I'm having trouble finding a suitable match.

I used an OD green that out of several spray paints that I tried came the closest to the green on the pistol I was trying to match. I used Aervoe 987A Olive Drab (34087) which I think may no longer be available. I had a bit over a can left on hand though, so I felt ok using it. It wasn't quite a perfect match to the photos, but it was very close.

The black parts of the frame were originally tan(!) so I picked the closest spray paint to standard Glock black plastic that I could find, and for that I settled on Rustoleum's "High Performance enamel" Semi-Gloss Black.

 

[RandomMaker]

I used an OD green that out of several spray paints that I tried came the closest to the green on the pistol I was trying to match. I used Aervoe 987A Olive Drab (34087) which I think may no longer be available. I had a bit over a can left on hand though, so I felt ok using it. It wasn't quite a perfect match to the photos, but it was very close.

The black parts of the frame were originally tan(!) so I picked the closest spray paint to standard Glock black plastic that I could find, and for that I settled on Rustoleum's "High Performance enamel" Semi-Gloss Black.

PicasoX, I just discovered Vallejo model spray paints which are expensive, but they have a "Goblin Green" that looks promising. Amazon has it (with a digital swatch image) here: Amazon.com. They also have an OD but it looks much too brown for this.

 

[paulf]

Always helpful to have more info and photos, thanks very much! I will need to make a pair of these myself to go with my Amos outfit. I'm not sure I can do a very tidy stitching through leather and velcro, so I will have to look around town for a tailor with an appropriate machine, or hope my kid's machine is strong enough, or stitch it by hand as I usually do...

Also I don't know how your experience or anyone else's has been, but for me I found that TourMaster boots seem to run a little small for getting you feet into the damn things. I bought a size 11 (aka 45) (I normally wear anywhere from a 10 to 11-1/2 depending on the maker and style) and couldn't get either foot into a boot! I had to get a size 46 pair (which is said to be 12-1/2 W according to the label) to fit my foot in. I've never worn boots of size 12 in my entire life, much less 12-1/2... Maybe some models are easier to get your foot into, but both pairs I have were consistent.

Also I will need to figure out at least one holster build. I'm not sure at all what they used on the show for the heavily-modified guns, but guess they probably made their own. I haven't yet seen any good information on the holsters online, so it may need to be done from scratch...

I'm a US 10.5 with a wider foot (more than a D but not quite an E) and the TourMasters fit just right, but I've had other motorcycle boots that are tight. Guess it's like helmets with quite bit of variation.

I hear you on the holster build - absolutely custom given the lower attachments and upper rail. Now that my pistol is close to complete, I'm looking at options. From what I can see between re-watching episodes and looking at the PropStore auctions, there were two types. One that was heavier leather and integrated into the Martian armour and another that was worn with flight/jump suits. That one has a basic black belt and buckle that could be printed, but the holster itself is a interesting mesh that can't be leather. I'm guessing formed kydex, but my searches online for that raw sheet material have come up short.

 

[RandomMaker]

I'm a US 10.5 with a wider foot (more than a D but not quite an E) and the TourMasters fit just right, but I've had other motorcycle boots that are tight. Guess it's like helmets with quite bit of variation.

I should add that it's a matter of getting the foot slid into the boot when they're opened the whole way up, not the fit of the length of the footpad. That seems normal. Maybe it's my screwed-up feet...

I hear you on the holster build - absolutely custom given the lower attachments and upper rail. Now that my pistol is close to complete, I'm looking at options. From what I can see between re-watching episodes and looking at the PropStore auctions, there were two types. One that was heavier leather and integrated into the Martian armour and another that was worn with flight/jump suits. That one has a basic black belt and buckle that could be printed, but the holster itself is a interesting mesh that can't be leather. I'm guessing formed kydex, but my searches online for that raw sheet material have come up short.

It sounds like I'll need to do a bunch of research and BluRay re-watches. But I can't properly size anything I make until I get my MCRN pistol complete, and I don't have a timetable for that... Luckily I have other related Expanse prop projects to work on, including the mag-boot mods and my "Drummer Behemoth takeover pistol" which I'm not planning a holster for... I've never worked with making kydex holsters before, but it always sounded pretty straightforward. If it's mesh, maybe it has holes or hexes drilled or punched through the sheet before it's formed........

 

[PicasoX]

My take on Drummer's Behemoth takeover pistol has finally progressed enough for me to share, although there is still more work to be done! It feels really good in the hand though. Unfortunately, I think now that SiliCon has stopped, our remaining SF Bay Area cons don't allow even completely deactivated airsofts.

do you remember how you got the rear site off? I tried to knock it off with a punch and a hammer, then I though maybe its screwed on and I stirpped the head of the screw inside and couldn't get it off, then I used a real site adjuster and couldn't get it to budge. So for now I just cut the one off the toprail and left the original on there.

 

[RandomMaker]

do you remember how you got the rear site off? I tried to knock it off with a punch and a hammer, then I though maybe its screwed on and I stirpped the head of the screw inside and couldn't get it off, then I used a real site adjuster and couldn't get it to budge. So for now I just cut the one off the toprail and left the original on there.

I'm out of the state for this week so I can't check in person, but my recollection is that I unscrewed a hex set screw from underneath. That had the side effect of loosening up a few other rear internal parts in the back the slide. I ended up just removing those parts.

I tried a regular sight tool on the front sight and it just snapped. Airsoft guns tend to use cheap pot metal, and inside they're built to the airsoft design, and not much like a real handgun.

 

[paulf]

And my MCRN pistol build is complete using the 3DREPLICAS/Etsy print. Not perfect, but I'm happy with it. On to the belt and holster.

Looks like there were two versions, one worn with a dress uniform and another with flight suit. The belts are either the 5.11 Tactical Apex Gunners or T-Rail belts (Gunners with dress, T-Rail with flight suit), but I can't find the holster anywhere. Guessing they were made, but I'm also striking out on the material used. Anyone else attempt a holster build?

 

[RandomMaker]

And my MCRN pistol build is complete using the 3DREPLICAS/Etsy print. Not perfect, but I'm happy with it. On to the belt and holster.

Looks like there were two versions, one worn with a dress uniform and another with flight suit. The belts are either the 5.11 Tactical Apex Gunners or T-Rail belts (Gunners with dress, T-Rail with flight suit), but I can't find the holster anywhere. Guessing they were made, but I'm also striking out on the material used. Anyone else attempt a holster build?

Your 3D print turned out better than mine! I'm going the airsoft route now though... I've been thinking about the holsters, which I'm sure were custom because how the heck in that profile going to fit into pretty much any existing holster? I'm thinking they maybe found some perforated Kydex or similar material that would hold its shape like that once molded. That's about as much thought as I've put into it for now though. I'll be interested if you make any additional discoveries.