Bolt Builds Commander Bacara + P2 ROTS Grunt

[Bolt_2112]

So surprise surprise Bolt is building more clones. People keep telling me I have a problem and honestly I don't know what you all are talking about 

Anyway! 

This time around I am building a modular Clone, using Commander Bacara as a base. 
Using the same lower section of the trooper, I will be able to create the following costumes:

ROTS Commander Bacara
ROTS Grunt
AOTC Grunt
AOTC Pilot

I want to frame this build thread so that it will assist future troopers in making Clone kits, so I will go into more detail than I usually would. I hope it is helpful!

Resources:

Kit: KW designs (Imperial Surplus) 
Kit replacement parts: Most likely will be sourced from Chris the Prop Guy
(Belt, shoulder bells, interchangable back plate, extra thermal det)

Bacara Helmet: Chris the Prop Guy
Phase 2 Helmet: Chris the Prop Guy

Bacara chest piece: Sanotized Creations
Bacara Buckles/Kama clips: Odd Viking

Fabricate: Bacara radio boxes, extra thermal det mount, shoulder straps.

Bonus AT-RT Driver helmet: Sky Gun Bro (and now probs a future project because I'm crazy) 

- Progress -

Helmets arrived a week or so ago. Very impressed with Chris' work. Very sharp details on both his helmets.

My Phase 2 bucket is the very first one he has created with his V2 mould, the Bacara took him quite a few goes, but came out very crisp. 
AT-RT helmet from Cueloopz is from 2009, so looking a bit yellow. Still a rare and lovely helmet. 



Today I got into cleaning them up. 

  

First things first; you'll need the following:

- Dremel (or a rotary tool that has plastic cut off discs and a sanding drum). 
- Needle files
- Sandpaper
- Dust mask

When cutting out visors, I recommend that you use a pencil to highlite the line between the helmet and the visor to be removed. It can be difficult to cut a neat line when the two blend together! The pencil line will also help you to see where the helmet needs more tidying up later. 



Follow your lines with the cutoff wheel as neatly as possible, then finish taking off the big bits with the sanding drum. I found that mine pretty well matched the curves at the outer edges of the visor. Go slow and take little bits at a time. Watch that the disc and drum don't eat too far into the helmet. For the flashing left in the neck ring, I used a coping saw to quickly clean it out. 

  

For the teeth, use a drill bit slightly bigger than your needle file to start out. 



I used a rounded needle file to open up the hole. Then a flat, then triangle for the corners, then a spade shaped one to finish. 



Phase 2 helmet visor and teeth cut out! Still needs more clean up, that will come later. 



Bacara cleaned up. Had a lot of material to clean up in the dome (It's in two pieces) and the thin.. thin part above the visor was also challenging (when assembled it will push up flush with the dome and you won't see it).



The AT-RT helmet proved to be the hardest helmet to cut the visor out of, the top visor part prevented me from getting in there with me dremel with much effect, so I drilled it out and used my coping saw which was a challenge!






Didin't quite finish the AT-RT today, but got close. Will continue cleaning up these buckets in the next update.



Vode An!