eltee
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Posts posted by eltee
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Definitely Looks great!!!
I like the overall look of the completed badge.....I think the only things i would change is the blue to black and maybe the gold to silver.....will make it look more imperial.... we could use vinyl cogs and TD #'s done in black to be placed in the center over the white.
If someone can do a vinyl cog to fit in the center, that would work fine. Look at the earlier photos showing the blank disk in the middle. A black vinyl cog would go perfectly there and eliminate the cost of a custom die.
The badge can be done all silver, maybe add gold for higher ranks?
Black enamel lettering is no problem.
The area around "POLICE" (the inverted triangular shape) can be enameled red instead of blue.
Turnaround time is 4 weeks from committed order to delivery.
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What is the estimated shipping cost to California USA 94044? Very interested, very cool item.
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Thanks for the comments. It was fun doing this. I usually design stuff for real PD's or for the TV/Movie prop world.
Some limitations with this badge.
The exposed metal where lettering is found can only be done in a gold color (brass) or silver color. No other colors available as this is metal. As shown, it can be two-tone.
The title "POLICE" or "SECURITY" are the only ones available.
Two sizes, 3.02" tall (as shown) or a smaller one 2.28" tall.
The lettering is limited to the following colors: Black, blue, brown, green, maroon, red, white, yellow, grey
Only fonts are Roman or block. Aurabesh is not available as they use die stamping of the metal and no dies for aurabesh are available.
The center cog I did myself using an inkjet printer on a silver foil, sticky back paper designed for inkjet printers. Problem is, it does NOT hold up well when touched. OK for a display, but it will not last if worn or kept in a wallet. A custom center can be done but it would require the badge company to create a custom die which would run over a hundred dollars. If done this way, the cog would be done in recessed (but surface is flush) hard fired enamel (like cloisonne) and incredibly durable.
Another option, if someone has or is able to make a small, flat disk with the cog insignia I can order the badges without a center and you can just attach it to the badge.
I am not selling these or offering these. It was a concept project for me. If MEPD as an organization is interested, some of the limitations stated would need to be settled upon and at that point Dirty Boy, etc. could contact me for a group buy or something. It would be more efficient (and cheaper in the long run) to have a bunch of them ordered at once. The money could be held in escrow by an MEPD moderator or someone until the badges ship. That way no money is sent to me until product is enroute.
If nothing comes of this, no problem and I still have a cool little souvenir on my trooper mannequin.
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Here it is with the cog added to the center:
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First badge just arrive. I plan to have a cog printed on to sticky back foil and apply to the center for this prototype. The leather is custom cut for this shield, you can use it on your belt or wear it around your neck. WHen I get the cog logo applied I'll post another pic.
The first picture doesn't do it justice. I just scanned it quickly to get it posted. It really looks great IMHO, the badge is in chrome and gold color with blue lettering.
Took these with a camera.
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I've worked on movie sets as a cop and as an advisor dating back to 1979. They over do alot of things to make them show up on screen to the point that in-person it looks extremely exaggerated. Makeup is a prime example, the women look like Bratz doll harlots with extra long eyelashes, makeup, eye shadow, contour enhancing blush, etc. The men look like G.I. Joe or Ken dolls with pancake face makeup, dyed hair or wigs and, yes, eye makeup.
Same goes for props and set decorations. To make something look worn out on screen, you REALLY have to weather it whereas that same item would look too fake when seen in person. Take prop gun replicas. Some builders finish their guns off with a total coat of the same rattle can flat black and consider it done. Others weather the gun so much it looks as if it were turned in a cement mixer filled with rocks and scrap iron. In person, subtle weathering makes an enormous difference but sometimes screen accurate weathering looks like it was way overdone. Some of the weathering I've seen on guns reflect exaggerated damage, in real life damage that would cause some of the big scratches and paint loss would disable the real weapon.
Compare that closeup of the helmet to what the same helmet looks like on screen.
Love threads like this one. Tons of great info and pics. Thanks.
My 2 cents.
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"My name is Callahan, MEPD. I want to ask you about those dead Jawas..."
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Here is something based on the current LAPD ID card layout.
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DIRTY HARRY, MEPD Plainclothes Trooper, Homicide Division
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what about doing something with the California State Police style badge....i thing its an older version and would look really cool with the cog in the center. it wouldnt look like your everyday cop badge and would be more fitting to the period of production.
Rick, Out here a bunch of LE agencies, including my own, use a 7 point star. I was using that somewhat unique shape as it does not resemble many real LE agency badges. On this site I've seen images of a MEPD badge using an LAPD style oval and an NYPD Detective style shield. Both shapes are still currently used, as is the star. I've carried a badge since 1979 and from personal experience I can say that very few people, inc. other LEO's, look that closely (although a few do scrutinize it, even call in to verify). I wanted to find an off the shelf shape that won't easily be misused. Even with a cog and aurebesh lettering, from a few feet away people will only see a seven point police star which, at least out here, is a common LE agency design.
However, I am open. I am trying to find a cog the right size to insert in my prototype. I may just print one out on foil printer paper and see how it looks.
Let me see if I can get a digital mockup using the seven point star.
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Hello, I am new here. I posted some pics of my blasters over in the E-11 thread. I realize that weathering of gear is important, but I was curious as to the philosophy / requirement to dirty up weapons. In the real world, a soldier's weapon is probably the cleanest, most well maintained item he has. A dirty helmet, uniform, even a dirty body is part of being in the field but a dirty weapon is unacceptable and can cost lives. So, my question is do troopers / MEPD members generally dirty up their blasters or do they leave them clean? Something in between?
I've not seen any closeups / screencaps of how they treated this issue in the movies. While some of the weapons may show wear, I can't recall any evidence of them being muddy, dirty, dusty, etc.
I did a search but did not see anything. Sorry if this has been brought up before, sort of a newbie inquiry.
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Hey Gary, welcome to the MEPD and thanks for taking initiative to design the badge. I like the design.
May I suggest adding some arabesh text to make it more Star Wars-ish.
Adding a non-standard font (Arabesh) or a non-standard center seal (cog) would require customization which = more $$$ and takes more time. It CAN be done (not 100% about the Arabesh) but those are the caveats. A custom die would have to be created to do a cog center, but if there are sufficient numbers, the cost can be dissipated. If there is an existing metal coin, medallion, disc, etc. with the cog, we might be able to substitute it for the center seal but it would have to be pretty small in diameter.
The one I designed uses "off the shelf" components and is therefore cheaper and faster to acquire. Did it on a whimsy. I design badges and IDs for props and for real agencies so this was just kind of an experiment. I don't think it can be easily misconstrued as a real cop badge, esp. with the Imperial Trooper panel.
If you guys want to try something, I'd be happy to work with you.
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@ Dirty Boy, Yep...I'll bet you do, buddy!
The Sterlings are great guns. The UK police forces used them until the 90's in some areas for their special weapons units. In some areas, they used the 10 round shorty mags, rumored to be the inspiration for the E-11 mags. The ten rounders reportedly made the guns easier to secure and carry, were less intimidating to the population and discouraged cops from "spraying and praying."
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Hello. New guy here, but a SW fan since the beginning. Been a cop since the late 70's, been a licensed gun dealer working on real and prop guns since the mid-80's. As I prepare to retire from real police work, I may join up with the MEPD
Here are a couple of my blasters.This one is made from an MGC "non-gun" Sterling. It was partially built by the U.S. rep for BAPTY in Los Angeles:
This one is made from a real DEWAT Sterling SMG with a real counter, etc.:
Here's the one Lando carried when he was forced to help the Imperial Troopers in Cloud City. It differs in many ways from the "Rebel Blaster" and is made from a DEWAT real Sterling SMG:
This one is displayed with my trooper mannequin. It is metal, but I cannot recall the history on this one. It is lighter than the MGC and real Sterling blasters but I don't remember the source (I have blasters dating back to the 80's):
Here are blasters shown next to an unaltered Sterling SMG:
I've got the MR E-11 and Rebel Blaster, some resin versions, an upgraded Hasbro or two but I thought these were the most interesting. Please forgive me if I am being a little show-offy.
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Hey Gary, welcome to the MEPD. TD-4401 will be in contact with you shortly about this. He's our merchandise officer, and should be messaging you "soon."
You're right, we can't just take orders or start a process with someone we don't really know.
Are you in the Legion?
Do you have pictures of your armor / etc?
All things you can share with the MO too.
Again, welcome, and thanks for the post / info!!
I was with the 501 for a while, but was too busy to participate so I was dropped for not attending events.
Here are a couple pics of my armor (on a mannequin), some of the blasters, etc. in my collection:
MGC based blaster, created by the BAPTY U.S. rep:
Real Sterling SMG DEWAT based blaster:
Real Sterling SMG DEWAT short blaster:
You can check my rep with RPF (eltee), eBay (l-t) or with Lucas Films (I am a regular at Skywalker Ranch on security issues).
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Hello, I am new to the MEPD. I've been a cop since 1979 (yes, an OG) and as a sideline I have a business that sells/builds real and prop guns (licensed FFL), badges, IDs, set decorations, etc. to the film industry and LEOs. I noticed this thread. I took the liberty of designing an MEPD badge and ordering a sample from one of my badge suppliers (I rep them). This design is based on existing components, so no custom work was required. The company I deal with has a 30 day or less turnaround on badges (vs. up to 3 months from other companies) and they are US based. These are all metal, commercially made badges from a company that supplies them to police agencies all over the world.
I followed the protocols used by many agencies, a patrolman (trooper?) would have silver panels and those with rank (sgt. and above) get the all "gold shield." I ordered mine on a custom recessed neck chain holder, to drape around my trooper armored mannequin.
Note that I used the rank of "IMPERIAL TROOPER" so that the badge would be less likely to be misused. Imagine trying to flash your badge when pulled over by a highway patrolman...and his expression when he sees that rank. <_<
I imagine I could modify this design by putting "IMPERIAL" on the top (1st) panel and putting "MOS EISLEY" on the bottom panel but I thought it looked better the way it is shown.
Here's what I came up with. I am not offering these for sale, etc. at this time as I am new here and don't want to step on toes. However, if a ranking member is interested in pursuing these, just let me know. I expect these badges could be delivered with your specific ID number for about $125.00 (give or take) + postage with a standard pin and catch on the back. If you want it with a recessed neck chain, that would be extra. Custom recessed leather cases / wallets are also avilable.
Anyway, before I get too far ahead of myself, here is what I can get. I will have my sample within 3 weeks and will post pics.
MEPD Badge
in Closed Project Runs
Posted
I didn't get (m)any actual requests for the badges so I just let the concept be. There was no consensus as to colors, ranks, etc. If the MEPD wants to sanction a specific color scheme, title, etc. I can still have them made. Turnaround time is about 4 weeks. Paypal used.
The ID cards I just made up, based on real ID cards I've created in the past for agencies. If requested, they can be done on a plastic (PVC) card or even on a programmable "smart" card with the surface chip. For a more economical version, I can simply post the file here (with MEPD approval) and folks can do their own and have them laminated.
Since I am new and relatively unknown here, to avoid suspicion as a scammer I can do a 1/2 down and 1/2 when shipped arrangement or have an MEPD official hold the money in escrow until I ship. Anyway, you folks decide and if you do want the metal badges, LMK :
Someone will have to get the center cog done in vinyl. The transfer material I used on the sample is too fragile for handling. The badges can be had alone with a pin, in a fitted badge case or in a neck chain / belt clip holder as shown.