Ebeneezer Goode

Thanks. I did watch a couple of cosplay videos and velcroing stuff underneath was the way they tended to do it for a number of armour pieces. Might be an idea to do that for the shoulders to maximise movement. Keep the suggestions coming folks, less chance of cocking it up that way!

I think I'm going to leave the belly exposed a la classic Doomguy (minus the six-pack and torn shirt). I'm going to integrate a belt into the lower section across the cutaway anyway to attach a couple of mag pouches for a nice low-drag, simple rig, so there will be a modicum of protection there. Also considering a drop leg MOLLE panel for extra storage (plus thigh coverage...) if required. Have been putting a lot of thought into the shoulders, in short I not sure what to do yet however it'll be a case of suck it and see. As you say I can hack bits away if there's too much in the way. Although i am rather liking the squared off wedginess of it at present... Coming together nicely for now. I'm not looking for too slick a look, I'd like it to look a bit used and worn in so not fussed about the odd rough edge here and there. At the end of of day it's going to get shot at repeatedly and will end up covered in welts, holes and lodged BBs which will provide authentic damage and, if necessary, I'll just patch over it and it'll look even more worn... Eezer

Afternoon fellow warriors. A few days off, so having done assorted chores around the house, decided to do some more work on the armour. Dremelled away most of the rough edges and cut out space for arms and belly to avoid any stormtrooper-esque mishaps. I wonder if that's why they are so bad at shooting? Anyway, some progress today. Next step will be starting to glue things together and shape, which should prove fun.

Yep, I think everyone can relate to that. I tried a few things. Didn't get on with RDS due to astigmatism. 4x32 sight is of some limited use, however if I'm honest I prefer no sight at all, and so do my arms that thank me for the weight saving. Don't like foregrips and don't have any use for lasers or lights, so they're out. Slings are a pain IMO, just can't get them right. Not interested in bangs so don't carry them either. My assault vest is a good all rounder however it's still got way more pouches etc than I'll ever need. That's why my new armour that I'm building will be very stripped back, I plan on using an old belt that I had with my DPMs when I was a cadet and MOLLE'ing a couple of STANAG pouches onto it. That's all I'll have. Slick, light and practical is the aim. After looking sci-fi tacticool of course. Kudos to that WW2 chap above. And smoking a pipe, that's dedication. Did he turn up in an Austin 7?

Good old DPM, great all round camo IMO. Best loadouts are the simple ones ?

Thanks for the feedback @Rogerborg. Yes the cuts are pretty rough, however it's the first time ive tried this and I'm going to dremel all the rough edges away anyway. The shoulder pieces aren't fixed in position yet so I'm going to put a bit of thought into movement and placement prior to gluing stuff in place. Thanks for the tip regarding armpits and movement... I did actually consider this and have left the sides completely open for now until I work out the ergonomics. No point in it looking heroic if I can't fight in it! Thanks for the pointers and tips, much appreciated. Keep the suggestions and tips coming folks... Might do some more later on today, will update the thread with any progress. Eezer G

Being a sci fi buff I've always wanted to unleash my inner John 117 or Doomguy on the airsoft field. None of this MTP stuff or fancy plate carriers for me. Anyway, having been inspired by @Rogerborg's rather fantastic Warhammer 40k armour and having my eyes popped at rather mental cosplay piece prices on Etsy and the like, with the winter nights ahead I decided to build my own unique armour set from EVA foam. So, here goes. 20 quid worth of a camping/yoga/whatever mat fresh off Amazon. But none of that boring smeg for Eezer G. We're doing summat much more exciting... and it's going to get shot to shit too, authentic battle damage ? Did some measurements of my torso using a vest and started hacking at the mat with a nice sharp craft knife. Keeping the shape basic for now, with additions to come later. Measured my noggin and cut out a space for it, and here's what we end up with. As luck would have it, the shape I cut out for my bonce ideally suited shoulder armour bits, so I traced another one out and chopped away again. Next up, forearm and shin bits. More measuring and cutting, heres what we have. That's enough for tonight, happy with the start so far. Will dremel away the rough edges, sort out attachments and cut away some of the abdomen for ease of movement next I think. Loving the pattern, which I deliberately used for effect. Its worth noting I've never done anything like this before, so it could all still go tits up, however all a learning experience. Ebeneezer G

Kudos to the fellow OD bullpup enthusiast ?

Well, this has arrived. Might not look like much but this is a nice 2x1m roll of EVA that marks the start of my sci fi armour project that I'll be working on over the next few weeks. It's my first experience of doing this, so it could go amazingly well, or feckin horribly catastrophically bungled. Either way it'll be fun. Going to do a build thread if anyone's interested.

NUPROL!!! A make that is regarded by many as a swear word here. Probably needs a full charge. If it's LiPo I'd expect a healthy RoF. How slow is "slow"? How many RPS do you estimate you're currently getting? PB recommend a 7.4V unit so you should be OK.

Cheers. Matches my loadout, which is entirely OD with the exception of black gloves and boots. Blends in well with the evergreen woodland at the site I play at. All done with a couple of tins of Halfords Camo spray paint. Two coats and a couple of hours drying time in the summer. Job done. P.s. loving the XM177. Very nice ?

I'm not sure in all honesty, probably best giving them a call. I think they're open Saturdays.

Feeling arty again, some shots of the tools. Tactical cat likes the UAR...

In my experience PB are excellent, if there's been some form of SNAFU they'll put it right. You should be good ? If they don't have it in stock they'll probably refund you.

Yeah, but see it this way. Innocent member of public sees some radge waving about an AK down the Co-Op car park. They dont know its an airsoft gnu, for all intents and purposes it looks real and it could be some git at the old Allan's Snackbar routine. Treble 9 and the Filf show up. They don't know either, from a distance, that it's some daft wee laddie waving a CYMA plastic-slugger, again to the eye it looks real. Split second decision to make, lives are at stake... The UAR might not be based on a "real" gnu, but again to an untrained eye it looks like a firearm. Some may assume it an SA80 or something.

Aye, but a few faults here and there adds authenticity and "character", no?

Easy. Take your gnu, skirm loads and do t treat it lightly... chuck it about, clatter it off stuff, chuck it in the mud... hey presto, one genuinely weathered gnu...

Hit Amazon earlier. Purchased a load of EVA for my armour project that will start shortly and a new pair of knee pads as my previous ones bit the dust.

The 7mm mats sound ideal. Plenty spare and not too thick so easy to mould into shape. Also still able to feel hits. As I said nothing too elaborate. Have sketched a basic torso design that stops just below the ribcage to allow for movement. Considering some form of scrote protector that hangs over the front for some basic protection against hits to the baws (not happened yet and want to keep it that way...) Shoulder protection attached and basic forearm and leg pieces. Then paint it all in OD to match the rest of my loadout. Might add a couple of decals to finish off. Doing my research before hitting Amazon, Ebay or B&Q in the coming days.

Thanks @Lozart. might go for the embossed look actually.

@Rogerborga wee question for you. What's the best EVA to get? Sheets or a roll? And what thickness? Looking on Amazon and there's plenty there. Sketching away this weekend.

Smart pics mate. Good job on that armour. I'm away to buy a load of EVA and carve up some sci fi kit. Going to concoct summat fairly simple, might add arm and leg pieces. Nothing too intricate or bulky as I need to run about the forest. Getting the sketch pad oot when the bairns are in bed.

Cheers mate. Im definitely up for it. And yes, a large part of airsoft is cosplay... Think I'll rope in the Mrs to help, she's very arty crafty and good at this sort of thing.

That's great. I've been tempted to make some sci fi armour myself in the vein of Halo/40k/Starship Troopers/Aliens. Nothing OTT just a chest/shoulder piece of some sort. Just not sure how to go about it... as for "weathering"... nothing like genuine damage for authenticity! Have seen your lasgun previously on the guns thread and long admired the job you've done on that ?

Loving the loadout @Rogerborg. Where did you get the armour or was it home made?