RynoHawk

*Blows off dust* I'm still here, just haven't had much time to put towards building. I went out to my GCOs house a couple of weeks ago and he helped motivate me and gave me some tips. While I was there, I cut down the thighs and the forearms to proper size (was gonna do the calves too but forgot them at home). Also cut out a bunch of cover strips. just gotta glue those together and I'll have biceps, forearms, and thighs complete.

I wouldn't recommend sitting on it. I busted my top that way. You could maybe fit a nice collapsible camping chair in there though.

Congrats, Jon!

Congrats! Shouldn't be long to get your approval.

Congrats! Welcome to the club!

Haven't made giant progress lately. My work area (garage) is not climate controlled so it get's a bit chilly sometimes. I have cleaned up the extra paint I put on the vocoder and cut the other (right) bicep to fit and glued and set the inner strips. Tomorrow I'll probably set the cover strips and play with one of my hovi mics as I don't like the way it's sitting. Next after that will be to trim and glue the forearms.

For me, I see that mostly on the top of my hand where the hand guard covers and not too much of a big deal. Nomex is good though and I'll probably upgrade as well eventually.

Look up Navajo Bro in your local Garrison (Northeast Remnant) or on this site and he might be able to help you. He's great at building armor and helping new folks. Building TK and TD is essentially the same.

I see what you're saying. I did the same on the bottom but have already removed the excess paint. Kinda tough as that is how the ribs are molded.

It is very thin. I had an "oopsy daisy" drilling the hole for the right side hovi. I did get the screens and hovi mics squared away though so except for the frown screen, helmet assembly is complete. So far now I have a helmet and a left bicep. I spent some more time getting everything inside where I want it. I pulled the fan system from my gunner helmet and fiddled around with making everything (2 fans and a 4x AA battery pack) fit. Battery pack was the biggest issue as it's rather large and boxey. I eventually placed the fans under where the tears are and the battery pack behind the vocoder. I then had to adjust the helmet padding because my chin was pressed against the pack. I'm actually happier with the padding now as I took out the provided padding and strategically placed some foam blocks so the helmet sits straight on my head, doesn't wobble, and I have some airflow in between the blocks. Right now it's just raw gray foam, but I may at some point attach some fabric to it for aesthetic purposes.

I've been concentrating on the helmet when I've had the time and am almost finished. After my minor freak out about how the cap and ears lined up, I continued on my way with the rest of the decals (maybe I'll hand paint everything some other time ). They do however simulate hand painted. I was most happy with the tube stripes. AM kit comes with 16 for each side, but I only used 14 (CRL says between 9 and 16). I did however paint the ear bars (no decal for that ). Also painted frown (decals provided but didn't use), hovis, and vocoder. Only thing I need to do is put screens on hovis and mesh in frown. Almost there... Interior. For the lens I just have it velcroed in for now (still has protective film on inside). AM helmet now comes with a foam pad to put in there, but my head wouldn't fit if I used the foam as is. The back of my head touches the helmet without the foam, so I trimmed off the back "leaf" of foam, cut it up into two smaller parts, and added them to sides just above my ears (you can see the two bottom pieces in the pic). This fit much better and also stabilizes the helmet on my head. I also used a small piece of extra foam I had lying around and placed under lens where my nose hits. I smoothed out the lens where I cut it, but this feels much better. Tomorrow, I may pull the fan system out of my gunner helmet and see how everything will fit in my TK one. A question about the hovi screens if anyone can help. The hovi screens in the AM kit are shaped kinda like thimbles. Do I put it on the hovi tip "upside down", glue it, and cut off the flare part of the screen (if this makes sense)?

TK Boots are cheaper and made with real leather. Mine were just shy of $100 with shipping added. Your feet will be happier (they will stretch to the contours of your feet, faux leather won't) and your boots will probaly last longer. Also if you are planning this as a hobby, you might just want to go ahead and open a PayPal account. Much of our purchasing of costumes, accessories, etc. is done that way.

I'm not there yet, but maybe a couple of extra inner small cover strips going crosswise and some extra time to cure.

Great pics. I agree that his B grades are typically real good and I'm happy with mine. Should call them "A-" grades.

Thanks! After looking at your helmet pics again, I'm thinking the issue I have is just the design of the helmet as you seem to have went through similar issues. I think importantly, the brow and traps line up as I can tell and the cheek is not much of an issue so I will carry on. Good job with the paint! I went with the decals as my hand is not that steady (in fact, I may need to redo my trap decals). Also, forgot to add my kit has been baptized in blood. Poked myself with my knife in the thumb while digging at some glue on the bicep. Good thing I had those cut resistant gloves close by keeping an eye on things.