freakengine

There's some good info in this thread: http://www.mepd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1608

I'm afraid it'll have to be cut, brother. It's not such a big deal anyway...I riveted mine back together before sanding and painting it, and you won't be able to see the seam much at all after it's assembled. The diameter you need depends on your endcaps, but 2" seems about right, as Mike mentioned earlier in this thread.

Hi Simon, and welcome to the dirt side! -Tom

One of the best hardware store packs I've seen!

Wow. I'm tempted to buy a box just on principle.

I wouldn't use leather dye or shoe polish on the canvas versions, but on the leather versions the leather dye would be fine. For the canvas ones you need to either use fabric dye (RIT is the brand I used) or you could spray paint them. If you choose to paint them, tape over the leather straps and chrome hardware, and make sure you have an insert in each pocket so it gets painted in the shape you actually want it to have. -Tom

I'm afraid I didn't take any before pics, but here are a couple of after pics. I've tried indicating what I cut off with the red rectangle. I just removed the red rubber ends and replaced them onto the cut ends before painting the frame. I haven't strapped my frame yet, but plan on using wide (3") elastic or webbing, depending on which feels more comfortable. The wider the better to distribute the weight of the pack. -Tom

All I had to do was cut about three inches off the top posts.

Man, those really look great. I can't wait to get my hands on the parts!

Welcome to the dirt side!

I'd rather know how they got so dirty so quickly. In the cursed "Special" edition, the landing craft is just dusting off and all of those guys are already filthy. Must be something about that plastisteel. Hmmm.

Seth, is each person limited to a single entry? -Tom

Harry, I bought a similar set at http://www.ima-usa.com . Once there, search for MP 40 pouch, or item # GG4025. About $25 plus shipping for both sets. If you want, you can easily relocate the small pouch to the front. I dyed mine with RIT fabric dye and it worked reasonably well. -Tom

Hey Chris, I have almost the exact same measurements and I'm still trying to decide if the RT might work for me too. What sort of liner/padding did you use? Is it possible to push your head back far enough to get your glasses off of the lenses? I've seen pics of one helmet where a guy actually mounted an old pair of glasses directly to the green lenses. I suppose any of us in glasses could always go that route. There's a site called 39dollarglasses.com where I might purchase a pair just to install in the helmet. Anyone out there ever try that? -Tom

Interesting caps, especially the first one. Look at the differences in the fit of the thighs on those three guys! Thanks for sharing. -Tom

Thanks! I didn't add anything to the frame. It has a crossbar at the position where the two boxes meet. However, it doesn't have the lower crossbar like yours. All of the crossbars on mine bent outward, so it was just a question of what to position where. Here's another pic that might make it clearer. I ended up putting a few small pieces of foam between the boxes to allow them a little flex and to keep them from rubbing against one another. You can't see the foam at all from the front. I just used cable ties to connect everything so I can rearrange them later if I want. -Tom

I believe the one you have with the red covers on the tips is also a boy scout frame. It's similar to the way mine looked before I cut and painted it, but mine had the bend and a slightly different crossbar at the bottom. Here's a pic or two: -Tom

Welder's face shields or hard hat face shields are the way to go. You can order the replacement shields in green, and they have enough material to make several sets of lenses. Just make sure you get the acetate, not the polycarbonate.

Awesome! Any kid would LOVE that!

Don't feel too bad. I've noticed it dozens of times and not said anything until now.

On the main Gallery page, several of the subheadings are labeled "Screen Capes from DVD" instead of "Screen CAPS". Just FYI. -Tom

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's been my understanding that the screen-used MG-15 had a resin-cast receiver without the cocking lever. It seems the lever was removed and the slot filled in prior to casting. Has anyone seen or have pics that conclusively confirm or refute this?

Wow. That looks fantastic!

I have to concur with my big-noggin brothers. I'm a little worried about fitting my head into AP, though I'm willing to give it a try. I also wear glasses, so there's a double-whammy. -Tom

No, not a good change at all. I understand that guys were having to shim them to death, but I had to trim several inches offa them, and they still look like barrels. Oh well. Once my gf chills about this purchase, I'll be into a set of AP like Phil's. -Tom