BUILDING A SCOUT
First of all, I’d like to thank you coming to my site. My goal is to help you build a good Biker Scout costume. I could not have made this costume without the help of a website called, “http://www.studiocreations.com”.
Second, ARE YOU NUTS? This project is going to take a very long time. Research, money, patience, and some skill are necessary for this project. Lucky for you, I have spent a lot of time building my own costume, so you can benefit from my experience.
Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way, shall we?
THE SOFT STUFF
I have yet to see perfect soft armor for the scout. However, you can come pretty close. Here is a shopping list. I have provided links and that should make things easy for you.
Nice Boots- http://www.caboots.com/product/1SCSBIKSCT
Cheap Boots- http://www.safetycompany.com/onguard-bata-mens-pvc-kneeboots/p_838.html?osCsid=693e4dbaef9fe5a285ae5ecca52542aa
Flightsuit -http://www.soldiercity.com/product-exec/product_id/9424
Nice gloves- http://www.jcwhitney.com/insulated-leather-motorcycle-gloves/p2000067.jcwx
Cheaper gloves- http://www.ebikerleather.com/_e/Motorcycle_Riding_Gloves/product/BGL2066/All_leather_raincover_gauntlet_glove_with_velcro_strap_w_lining.htm
Cooling t shirt- http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=UA496
Tactical Hood- http://www.underarmour.com/ProductDetail.cfm?site_id=5&dept_id=7&coll_id=5000&pf_id=8000284
Cummberbund/Diaper- You can always try to make one, look at eBay, or do a web search.
MODIFICATIONS
FLIGHT SUIT- Many people remove all of the pockets on the flight suit. Personally, I kept a few of them as they are handy. (you need your wallet and keys, right?). Some people add straps or stirrups to the ankles of the flight suit; some just tape the suit’s ankles for a snug fit. Also, cut the collar off; you will bake if you don’t.
The inner thighs are lined with suede. I hope you know a good tailor. Many people skip this step and I think it’s obvious as to why.
Add two female button snaps to the flight suit just above where your nipples would be.
DICKIE- Add the male button snaps to the front bottom corners of the Dickie. Snap these onto the flight suit’s nipple buttons. The will conceal your neck and hide the zipper of the flight suit.
GLOVES- Movie accurate glove have suede on the first two fingers and thumb. Also, there are no zippers in Star Wars, so remove them.
HOW TO WEAR THE SOFT STUFF
This costume is warmer than a typical stormtrooper costume; long insulated gloves and boots plus a dickie can heat you up pretty fast. It’s a good idea to wear short ankle socks that have a little padding to them.
First, put on the Under Armour tee shirt, followed by the flight suit. Tape the ankles of the flight suit so that they really hug your ankles. If your flight suit has stirrups, taping is not necessary.
Next, zip up the flight suit and put on the dickie. Make sure you button it down as described above; you don’t want this thing bunching up on you. Have the dickie collar standing up as high as it will go.
THE HARD STUFF
Ah, the armor! Great stuff; hard to find. You can look on eBay for it, or do a web search. http://www.studiocreations.com has a decent looking set of armor, though I do not own their armor. My armor is my own design, which is based on a ton of photos and Studio Creations “how to” tutorial.
It would take me waaaaaaay too much time to tell you how to assemble the armor, so I suggest that you go to http://www.studiocreations.com or http://www.jedi-academy.com/, which is where I learned.
HOW TO WEAR THE HARD STUFF
Okay, assuming you already read and followed the directions of HOW TO WEAR THE SOFT STUFF, you are now ready to put on the rest of the costume.
First, put on the knee pads, followed by the boots. Your taped ankles should take care of any major bunching that would occur otherwise.
Next, put on the diaper, followed by the belt. Make sure both are snug.
Next, strap on the chest plate and back plate. Have someone push the shoulders down slowly and firmly. Slide the upper arm pieces on, followed by the forearm pieces. Put on your tactical hood, helmet, and gloves.
WEAPONS
No scout would be complete without his holdout blaster. Look on eBay or http://www.kropserkel.com. Keep in mind that the Scout blaster is unlike typical Star Wars weapons in that it wasn’t based on a real weapon. It was made of resin, which can break easily. Blasters can go from $5 to $100.
HELMET
Helmets- hunt on eBay. I built my helmet from a Don Post and a Rubies helmet. Keep in mind that DP and Rubies helmets are made of vinyl, so they warp. They are also smaller then the helms used in the movies. A great helmet was made by Altmann’s. This helmet is really nice, but costs at least $275.
Rip out the helmet liner and paint the inside of the helmet black. Install hardhat liner. I have a bunch of these, so contact me for one. Cut off the aerator & replace it with a real faucet aerator from a hardware store. Rip out the crappy lens and cut off the central visor divider. Check out http://www.triktoys.com for a replacement lens. Replace the screws with flat headed screws, like the ones used in the movie. Cut out the black ear vents.
