Browncoat Uniform made sorta simple by techiecl

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Browncoat Uniform made sorta simple

POSTED BY: TECHIECL
UPDATED: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 18:37
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Tuesday, September 21, 2004 7:25 PM

Hey all,

After cosplaying at Dragon-Con, I have improved and refined my Browncoat's Uniform (like the ones in Serenity and The Message). I'd be more than willing to post instructions how to assemble it if anyone is interested.

__________________________________________________
Dogbert: Try not to think of yourself as an organic pain collector hurtling towards oblivion

Dilbert: Too late...

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Tuesday, September 21, 2004 10:04 PM

IRONCLADOTTER

I'm not much of a costumer, but please do share. :)

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Wednesday, September 22, 2004 1:22 AM

FISHHEAD

Yes PLEASE share your instructions.

go go godzilla

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Wednesday, September 22, 2004 9:23 AM

MRPACO

I also would quite like to see what you've got. Please go ahead!

-Patrick

http://firefly-fans.deviantart.com/ My personal Firefly fanclub! We'd love new members!

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Wednesday, September 22, 2004 6:37 PM

TECHIECL

I won't have pictures of any of it all until at least next week sometime, but here it goes:

All of the pieces of the uniform were gleamed from repeated viewings of the teaser sequence in 'Serenity' and the Battle of Dhu-Kang from 'the Message'.

Browncoat Uniform consists of several pieces:

Helmet: Any WW2/Korean/Vietnam era steel helmet should suffice. The only decorative mark is a strip running the down the center line from the back of the head to the front approx 1\2 -> 3\4 of an inch wide.

Of course you can personalize it with regular chalk and write out your favorite 'Browncoat' or anti-alliance slang along its faces. On my helmet, I spray-painted the chinese characters for Firefly on the front.

Rifle: French FAMAS (Mal in Serenity right at the very beginning), M4/M16 carbine w/ telescoping stock and foregrip (unnamed Browncoats in 'The Message'), H&K G36 (Mal & Zoe in Serenity), or H&K UMP .45 with straight click (Mal in the Message). For the best quality replicas I recommend airsoft products. Though you'll want to consult your local con's weapon policy to see it doesn't violate it. www.411toys.com has a great M4/M16 non-firing replica/toy for only $15.

Red Vest: I've noted two varients, the one Zoe is wearing in 'Serenity' and the simpler one Tracy is wearing in 'The Message. The distinguishing difference is Zoe's appears to have a lot of silver almost-circuitry lookng embelishments on it while (

) Tracy's has 4 silver bands (

)

Intructions for Tracy's: Find an old red polo shirt in your closet or thrift store. Cutting along the seams remove the collar and sleeves. Then cut out the strip of cloth that contains the buttons and button loops and continue downward to open the vest. For the silver bands, buy silver ribbon (preferably grossgrain [they have raised grooves along it] ) and use fabric glue to adhere it to the vest. For best results let it dry for 24 hours.

Chainmail sleeves (2): Three ways to do this.
A) Find a mesh fabric at a clothing/sewing/fabric store and simply buy two lengths of the cloth. Use double-sided velcro to create fasteners so they attach to your arms. If the fabric is not silver, use 'Gun Metal Silver' to spray paint the fabric.

B) Find a long-sleeve t-shirt (preferably khaki or drag-green). Buy 'craft metal mesh' (found at craft or hobby stores. Using shears or scissors cut strips to wrap the forearm and upper arm (before to leave gaps for mobility). Attach to the shirt via adhesive spray or duct tape or the combination of the two.

C) Buy/make your own chainmail (theoretically that should work)...

Trousers with brown stripes: The easiest piece.
At a thrift shop (or cannabilize a pair you own) find a pair of khaki or drab green colored suit pants. Remove the belt loops. Using brown grossgrain ribbon cut a length that covers seam and extends at least an inch past the waistband. Using fabric glue, ahere the ribbon over the leg seam. Glue the part extending past the waist band
onto the inner portion of the band as a stort of tab.

Fingerless grey glove: Find them or simply snip off the fingers of grey gloves. That simple

Browncoat: Due to cost and lack of seweing ability I decided to forgoe the actual browncoat...

Under the vest, I find it most comfortable to wear
a short or long sleeve T-shirt in olive drag or khaki.

Don't be afraid for the costume to look a little raggedy. The Browncoats weren't the professional army that the Alliance fielded. I'd like to believe that most were citizen soldiers making due with what materials that they could. I encourage anyone cosplaying as one to add their own spin or embleshment to the designs shown on screen.

Hope ya'll found this helpful.

__________________________________________________
Dogbert: Try not to think of yourself as an organic pain collector hurtling towards oblivion

Dilbert: Too late...

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