Duke's CEA Army BDU - Jungle Marine

[PerniciousDuke]

Just a quick update. I'm back to the foam and finally have a piece close to test fitting! Should have more progress this weekend!

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I didn't make it in time for ECCC, but still on track for Otafest!

Been working on the helmet. Glued together using ABS slurry and superglue. Epoxy putty on some seams. Reinforced with Rondo and starting the smoothing process with 3m Spot Putty.








PS: this is the forum Lukavago

 

[Lukavago]

Thanks for going out of your way to point this out to my blind self! ODST first, but I think I'll have to do a marine as a simple travel build. Why not? Maybe I'll steal Turbo's pilot.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I finally glued the chest piece together and I'm so happy with it!

I've been stuck and putting it off for weeks because:

1. This chest has a lot of layers that are hard to fit together.
2. I want it to be comfortable and strong
3. I want it to look good.
4. It needs to be able to support the backpack
5. It has to store in my check bag.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

RANGE FINDER!!!

I love this plastic I found. Really looks lit up in person, especially once I sanded the edges.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07ZR7WPQR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I have lots left over so if anyone already has a marine build or has already started making one... PM me and I can mail you a piece.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

Lots of little progress is big progress right?!

I managed to build up the top of the helmet seam with regular bondo. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better.

I also resined the backs of the thin buckles and spot putty'd the front.



I wanted to make the range finder magnetic, but I didn't want a bare magnet showing on the helmet when I didn't have it attached.

So I cut out a piece of metal and used epoxy to stick it in (both sides for symmetry). Then I used epoxy to affix 3 magnets to the range finder and epoxy putty to fill out the circle so it remained flat.

 

[SubXzeroXhero]

the helmet and foamwork is looking fantastic PerniciousDuke I Look forward to seeing the rest of the build!

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I haven't been slacking! Last week I got a motivation boost when SubXzeroXhero let me come over and work on my marine at his place! Pizza, SW Rebels and foam. Great time.

Added 2mm foam details to the biceps, ab plate and cod piece as well as the chest which now has the obligatory googly eyes!






I'm also not ashamed to show you that my foam work doesn't always look that great starting out. But, with a little sanding and Kwik Seal these shoulders should be ready for duty.




Weather permitting I might be able to coat these guys in rubber this weekend!

 

[CrimsonViper97]

This build is looking really good PerniciousDuke . I'm at Planet in KC this weekend and was just thinking how much I need a light armor option. You and turbo look so comfy!

 

[PerniciousDuke]

This build is looking really good PerniciousDuke . I'm at Planet in KC this weekend and was just thinking how much I need a light armor option. You and turbo look so comfy!

ArcSol has the ONI Operative I built, says it probably is comfier than a Spartan suit, but still plenty hot with lots of layers. I'm hoping to eliminate a layer or two with this suit.

You look great though!

 

[Lukavago]

I still want to trade out the velcro on Arcs shoulders with snaps. When I have my armor party, I might try to convince y'all to let me do that! On the subject of shoulders, yours are looking fantastic Duke.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I still want to trade out the velcro on Arcs shoulders with snaps. When I have my armor party, I might try to convince y'all to let me do that! On the subject of shoulders, yours are looking fantastic Duke.

ArcSol's biceps will be snaps before Otafest.


EDIT:

I spent a solid four hours from start to finish on these two thighs.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

This will probably be the last foam work update in awhile.

Finished the back details

Also finished the details on the shoulders. Here's the progression of them:

cut
sanded
sealed and craft foam

 

[PerniciousDuke]

Lucked out today without having to do much work since I saved the Decals I made for ArcSol's ONI Operative. Just had to change the name.

Test printed for sizing:

Decals made using GIMP. Original work file below available for editing.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

Well, the weather turned nice sooner than I thought it would!

I managed to get 2 coats of Flex Seal on my foam pieces. I'm not thrilled with how aggressive the orange peel texture is. I'm thinking I might try another layer of Plasti Dip, otherwise I'll wet sand the base paint layer which should help.

 

[MrJamin]

I love your method for covering your arm while spraying :-D

 

[Hein B287]

good idea, getting all that paint on your skin can't be healty. i always wear at least gloves when priming small bits. larger parts get put up higher so i can walk and spray around it.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I love your method for covering your arm while spraying :-D

Haha, yeah I've spray painted my arm enough times! Though I forgot to take off my shoes this time. Might have ruined brand new shoes!

For my arm, I wrapped it in a small trash bag and taped it together with masking tape.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

I'm going to start painting the foam tonight! Starting with just primer, but if it goes well I might be able to add some color.

I haven't settled on what yet, but I should know by the end of tonight what looks good together.

I also made up this collage of close up shots. It may not be the color I'm going for, but it will show me where the primary (tan), secondary (gray), accent (silver) colors and decals will go.

EDIT:

1st off, if there are any first timers following... Me sharing images like the above references or below color tests are for me. So useful to come back next week and have the question, "now which silver did I use for this?" answered within moments.


I did my color test and I think I nailed it. Khaki, Gunmetal and Silver for the little tabs. Also he4thbar , below are some examples of tan I referenced earlier.



So I managed to get two coats of Grey primer on everything (except I forgot the helmet at home!)

I tried to start a base coat, but quickly stopped once I noticed the cracking (gases from previous layers trying to escape)



I hit the second shoulder with a heat gun before trying the tan and it made less cracks, but still not good so I stopped.




I also took a stab at my gunmetal layer and I really like it.

 

[PerniciousDuke]

Sad. My camo khaki paint just won't shake the cracking issue. he4thbar I had to ditch that paint. Will try to find another color.

Rustoleum lists it as an Acrylic and I was using it with Rustoleum's Flat Grey Primer and even after 72 hours of cure time, the base paint is still cracking a lot.