The 76th Independent Battalion (Part 5)
POSTED BY: Tristan
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 20:56
VIEWED: 17832
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Greetings! This is the discussion thread for the newly-formed 76th Independent Battalion. We are planning on marching in the DragonCon parade as a Battalion of Independent soldiers.
Last threads:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25714
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25575
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25503
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25393
And our new website (thanks, BWTP!):
http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
We have a patch!
I'll see if I can get all of the relevant data in this first post...
We have agreed that it is important to be at least somewhat uniform in appearance...vests, coat or smock, helmet, and weapon...at least close in pants, shirts, and boots. There are two basic uniforms that we can see, and have broken them down as follows:
Type A...basically use Mal as a model. The major item of this uniform is the long coat.
Type B....use Zoe as a model. The vest is worn over a smock-type tunic, and the mail sleeves are visible.
As the war progressed, the Independents seem to have become very hodge-podge...I was aiming for a relatively new group...haven't really had their edges dulled too far yet. On thing we have agreed on is the weapons. Those will be covered below.
Here are other photos from the series that we are basing the costumes from:
A similar pair of pants that most of the soldiers seem to have worn can be found here:
http://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=CM83&type=store&catego
ry=3930
These are the pants I used for my Mal costume...all that needs to be done is a bit of hemming and adding the stripe down the side. You don't have to use these pants, but they are the closest within a decent price range.
Vest:
Tristan is designing one now:
I have decided to go with the simple three-line pattern to make the vest more generic as well as quicker and easier to construct.
Overcoat and "smock".
Tristan is currently working on a pattern for both the overcoat and for the smock worn under the vest for those opting for the mail sleeves.
Chainmail Sleeves:
Artcat is testing out these directions http://upstagereview.org/CostumesArticles/Chainmail.pdf and will be making chainmail sleeves on a limited basis, possibly making a make your own sleeves kit available if there is enough interest.
Helmet:
BabyWithThePower has found an inexpensive Russin helmet that looks very good:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG140-1717-628.html
They are currently out of stock, but BWTP will let us know when they re-stock.
The idea has also been suggested that the "Specialists" (snipers, demolitionists, etc) wear either soft caps or scarves,head-wraps rather than helmets. This is an acceptable alternative. If you have a question about whether or not to wear a helmet, contact either myself (Tristan) ot BabyWithThePower)
Boots:
Not really a problem. Mid-calf or knee high boots. Shades of brown would be good.
BabyWithThePower has this to say regarding boots:
Quote:
As for the boots, wear them around the house if need be, just wear them. Also, get yourself a pair of wool socks. You can get ‘boot socks’ at any Army/Navy Surplus for a buck or two. If yNOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
As y'all can see, I have the Second Generation vest done. It's a darker red with darker stripes. I think it turned out quite well.
What do y'all think? Are the colors good, or do I need to try something else?
A few pictures. Pardon the slight blur in some of them...I have no idea what happened.
]
And a few with accesories, including my Browncoat...
I found a pattern for the overcoat, and am in the process of making a sloper for it...I'll post pictures of that as it comes along.
As for the vest, I need some input as to closures in the front. I was thinking something along the lines of a clasp and D-ring, but I am drawing a blank. Any help?
______________________________________
76th Independent Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
Ever marched with the Independents? Wanna?
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Good look with the vest there Tristan, I think the color's great. As to the closures, I'm not sure. I know I'll most likely just wear it open. I know there are probably 101 different ways you can do that up.
Okay, so I was sitting here thinking about the Con and I realized I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I'm excited for the parade and marching with the unit, but I have no idea what else goes on at one of these things. So I ask, what do I have to look foward to?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll be in my bunk.
XO of the 76th Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/babywiththepower
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Ahh...the CON and what to expect...Well, If I may; this past year was the first Dragon*Con for me and basically, I wandered around three gi-normous hotels in Atlanta with my mouth open!! (There are TONS of seminars, exhibits, workshops, artshows, vendors rooms, on-going live-action role playing games(ya gotta sign up to play but you can watch 'em)...There are room parties and bar parties full of people in the most incredible costumes and there are costume contests and in the main lobbies of the hotels there appeared to be an on-going, never ending PARADE of costumes...and people begging to take pictures of those in costumes ...It was a veritable FEAST for the eyes...This year I'm planning on actually signing up for some of the workshops....and working on keeping my mouth CLOSED.
Tristan; vest looks very good; I think you're right about a simple closure that way it's there if you need it.
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I second everything Sister has said about the Con. The highlights for me, are the Q&A's with the BDHs (Browncoats start lining up 4+ hours beforehand!), and the Walk of Fame, where you get a chance to talk with 'em & get their autograph/picture.
Let me say, though...there really is no adequate way to describe Dragon*Con. Until you actually go and experience it for yourself, words just can't do it justice.
So, be prepared to be: amazed, overwhelmed, giddy, tired, exhilirated, broke, flumoxed, poleaxed and, oh yeah, TIRED. 
BoomerGoodheart
Renegade Military Supplier
"I love my Captain."
www.myspace.com/boomergoodheart
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mornin' soldiers.
Tristan - the vest looks good, colors are better.
I want to echo what Sister and BGH say: This year was my first Con ever of any type, and I was almost overwhelmed. I got so distracted that I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with the shiny Browncoats, which I do regret. Maybe, since our following is so big (look at Flan 2 and how things still persisted through the fiasco) we can have our own track. I was in two of the three lines for the panels, and also in a 1.5 ish hour line to meet the BDHs on the Walk of Fame (I thought it was really neat how no other actors had anything close to a line). Anyhow, if it isn't obvious, I had a great time, and have been counting down to the next one (262 days) for a few weeks now.
~jimi 
SFC Alexander, Medic for the 76th Indepentent Army Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
Ever marched with the Independents? Wanna?
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'cause the Roman Gods up to that point were crap. Jeff, the god of biscuits, and Simon, the god of hair-dos.
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Morning, all!
Thanks for the comments on the vest...I'll be trying different closures as time goes by. I'm hoping to have these ready for shipping by the middle of January or so.
BWTP, I'll just add my voice to the others...it's fun, exciting, and tiring; but you won't get the tired part until the trip home. I had to leave Saturday night, so I did miss a lot, but I was lucky enough to walk with the SEBC Browncoats in the parade. That was so very shiny. It was the highlight of my weekend, as I did not have the chance to meet any of the BDH's. Add to that the fact that you get to meet quite a number of fellow Browncoats, it's a weekend you will not soon forget!
262 days!
______________________________________
76th Independent Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
Ever marched with the Independents? Wanna?
Sign up and info here:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25704
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Tristan, do try and stay the whole weekend this time!
We usually check-out on Tuesday, as trying to get out of the hotel on Monday is crazy! We also have the freedom of hubby being able to take his job with him, should any programming need to be done.
Everyone should stay through Sunday, at least to see the Masquerade...and luckily, the host hotels carry it on closed circuit, so you don't have to actually be there!
BoomerGoodheart
Renegade Military Supplier
"I love my Captain."
www.myspace.com/boomergoodheart
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Boomer, I intend on doing so. I don't want to get into it too much, but last year, a divorce happened that Saturday, so the rest of the weekend was curtailed. I plan on being single when I go, and not taking anyone with me...that way, I can stay!
I am very much looking forward to spending the entire weekend in the company of Browncoats!
______________________________________
CO of the 76th Independent Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
Ever marched with the Independents? Wanna?
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http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=11&t=25704
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Been through the whole divorce thing, so I can sympathize. 2nd marriage took quite nicely, though (14 years and counting).
I'm gonna make hubby join the board later today so he can answer any and all leatherworking questions.
BoomerGoodheart
Renegade Military Supplier
"I love my Captain."
www.myspace.com/boomergoodheart
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