Screen Accurate Cantina Captain Backpack Build

[Strider]

My next project after the Cantina Captain is to build the backpack that goes with it. The first step was to identify the exact backpack and its components which can be found here >>> http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=13795&hl=

The second step for me was to dwell in the old but neverending question of the right color of the backpack parts. Since we know that the in Special Edition, which most people used as a reference, some heavy color filters were used I compared screenshots from the original version (1977) to the Special version (2011).

As you can see, the blueish hue is completely absent in the original version without the filters. After using some photoshop tools to identify the color and compare it to RAL standard colors I found that the color RAL 7031 resembles the screen used one best. Moreover (hint hint ;-) ), the name of that color is blue-grey and/or battleship gray. This makes a lot of sense to me since it may well be possilble that the new filter brought out more of the blue color of that tone and also it would also make sense that the prop departement used a military color.

Color Example of RAL 7031:

But since all theory is grey (no pun intended) let's start off. I decided not to do a tutorial but show the parts needed and the final product.

By way of an executive summary here are two pics that show all the parts that go into the pack (mounting materials not included) and the final product:

But let's start from the beginning: First stop, the exhaust port:

Sonix Victory Radio (WIP):

Screen Accurate Karrimor Frame (WIP):

The GioSyle canteen flask (in the lower picture with the RAL 7031 battleship color):

[millenium1]

Great work Constantin

[Strider]

After some severe criticism I decided to smooth out the surface of the canteen a bit more. I'm kidding of course; feedback from my fellow brothers is always highly appreciated and helps to push the limits of screen accuracy even further. I'm not yet convinced that the props team from back in the days really did sand the canteen flasks but since they appear to have a smooth surface that's what matters. So, here we go

Also had a very pleasent event the other day when my new sandtrooper handguards from you know who arrived. They are a bit thinner an much more flexible than the stormtrooper ones and I have to say the look and feel great

[Felice]

Hi Constantin!

Great color comparison and i think that you matched the right Color. I will use the same one for my

upgrade;-).

Good luck with your build and i you need any support...you know where my cantina is;)

Cheers

[nick.black]

Really awesome work Constantin. I'm loving your attention to detail here. This year we have certainly hit a whole new level with our accuracy.

Keep em coming

Nick

[Strider]

Many thanks for your comments!

@Felix: Thx, bro, I'm good with the field pack yet I have a bunch of D-rings waiting to be picked up/dropped off Let's see if we find some time in September before Speyer, okay?

@Nick: There's a saying "we all stand on the shoulders of giants" and in this case I'm actually standing on your's because this is inspired by your build So let's keep this a team effort!

[Strider]

A little bit of progress with the backpack; finished the radio today. It's not perfect, but it's acceptable for me keeping in mind that I'm not replicating the original Sonix 75 but the backpack versions of it (hence no decals).

[iconoclasta_88]

This is looking really good already. Congrats bro.

I'll be watching your progress for inspiration. I will be also slowly starting a new pack.

Saludos.

[Strider]

Thanks for the kind words, bro. I'll draw inspiration from all the other awesome builds as well. Looking forward to seeing yours Cheers

[Rolf]

Looking good. Where did you get the hand graps from. Or what to call them. The item left right where to hold the radio. Mine looks different. More flat a like. Yours got stripes design etc. not sure what version of hand graps we see on the radio used on the radio we see on the anh back packs.

[Strider]

I think they're from Ruggero although I didn't get them directly from him. He and Juan did some nice research on the topic and identified those as the correct ones.

You can also source them from Ruggero he's got a sales thread open I believe.

[Rolf]

Thanks

[Strider]

Some more progress on the tool box and the bullet shells. I was trying to buy a project enclosure box for the tool box first but seems they're currently sold out worldwide - so I had to do it myself. For a lack of the exact measurments I went for the dimensions 20x15x6cm (HxWxD) which should be in the ballpark region of 1-2 cm to the original one.

Simple process:

1. Measure and cut

2. Glue and Fix

3. Sand the edges

4. Tape, paint & weather

Reference shot:

I was able to get my hands on real shotgun shells (Thanks to OpiWan!). In the back you can see my new and first build of an E-11.

[Strider]

Today I assembled the frame. The dimensions of the cut frame are roughly 60x37cm.

[iconoclasta_88]

Looking real la great bro.

I am really excited about all the accurate builds happening now.

It's been some time since I was so excited about new parts and gear discoveries.

You guys are doing a great thing with your accurate packs.

It is inspiring to say the less!!!

Congrats. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

Saludos.

[Strider]

Just received a new part today

I have to say John (Quartermaster) has done an outstanding job, I couldn't be happier with it. Originally I was going for the authentic tupper lid but turned out I got the 5 inch version which just seemed too large.

[Strider]

Ah, I love brown boxes - especially when they're from my favorite UKG armorer ;-)

IMO they fit absolutely perfekt on the Karrimor frame:

What do you guys think? Let me know before I attach them ;-)

[Felixdario]

Hi bro, looking great so far. It's maybe a angle-thing, but the upper box seems a little too high.

In my opinion you can clearly see the upper brace of the frame. But i'm not really sure, as i haven't build my pack yet maybe you could make a photo from the same distance and in the same angle like the reference-shot?! That would be helpful to get the best result

[Strider]

Thx for the pointer - I'll check it out

[Strider]

Some more progress - finally I can smell the end of the tunnel... ;-)

I've attached the lower seed trays to the aluminum profiles as well as the canteen to the lower tray. Basically I assembled and cut all the aluminum profiles instead of using metal ones to save weight and get exactly the lenghts and shapes I was looking for.

I was glad that it worked out to use the original strapping system which is much more comfortable as well as adjustable compared to a cheap "self-made" solution.

To prevent the pack from scratching my armor I've attached a buffer made of leather and foam on the bottom alu profile;

For the inside I used 2,5mm ABS stripes as reinforcement. This will also hold the zip ties which I'm planning to use to hold the upper seed trays. Basically my aim was to assemble everything in a way that would enable me to and change everything later without having to cut open anything. You never know what further mods the future may bring ;-)

[Strider]

I've made some good progress in the last couple of days and finished the pack. Alltogether I'm pretty happy with the parts and the way it came out except for one thing; you'll notice that the "old" radio templates do not fit the "new" packs anymore so that will definitively be a candidate for a future mod. Unfortunately at the moment, there is no radio with the original dimensions out there. Given the accuracy level I'm aiming at making it myself would probably be barely acceptable at best so I rather wait until a better solution or casts from a found Sonix Victory surface.

'nough said, here are the final pictures:

[Strider]

If you are curious about the size difference of the old and new pack here's a comparison picture (Left new, Right old):

[crashmann]

Wow, very nice work Constantin!

Your attention to details and quest for accuracy are an inspiration for all Sandtroopers!

Thanks for sharing your journey!

Charlie

[Strider]

Thanks, Charlie. Coming from you that means a lot. Yet I can't take the credit for it; this build is inspired by so many others, partularly brothers from the UKG, that I really consider this a team effort.

[Lozzer86]

That is looking sweet, mate.

I hope mine turns out anything like as nice

Great work !