Building my Cylon-Knight

[Cylon-Knight]

Here we go! As promised here is the low low on my Classic Cylon Centurion costume build. This is the "short-short version" from my 14 page thread over at ByYourCommand.net.

Happy to post it here to share with others. The armor is styrene, so much like model work. Plus it is LONG drawn out love/hate pain in the ...WALLET (you thought I was going to say - OOPS! almost did it again).

I started out with a helmet kit.



After some work...



Galactic hitchhiker? nah... it's Cylon-Knight, saying "COOL!" during a test fit.



Decided to be a big Cylon Boy and go all in - go the rest of the armor to have a full Classic Cylon costume


I scored some NICE correct boots (Georgia Lineman). Size 11 EEE.


This, I don't like to think about this... Just remember, more-so than Cylons - X-ACTO knives are evil.


I got some so close it is crazy to accurate gloves. Mine are the correct company, make/model... just a single year or so off. The fingers have the white section and a 1:1 Cylon glove doesn't have such "nuckles." But, let's not be anal about it (like I am). CLOSE ENOUGH! (Especially for the availability and price of old gloves).


Franken-Cylon? Cylon-stein? GIVE MY CREATION LIFE!!!


Hockey glove bad...


Cylon hand good!


Here is a time lapse video I did on a bit of the glove dye work. It took 3 or 4 good coats to get it done. This video shows part of the first coat going on.
MPG Video Link

Another Cylon builder rounded up a group order and I jumped on it - got a 1:1 accurate metal mesh fabric square for the skirting.


Final assembly of the helmet under way. Working on the armor is much like a model you can wear. Fun to work on it and then get to wear it



P.S. For you model ID experts... the image below has two "mystery objects" still to the Cylon community. Could they be parts from models used elsewhere in the BSG ships/props???
The left "back pack disk" is theorized to be a knob (or impression of one) from a 70s oven/dishwasher/something. The center object some think is a microphone tip. The wire conduit on the right is just that, but I only have this one picture handy. Any ideas?

[darkimmitator]

The bigger disc shape looks an old thermostat cover used to govern the inside temperature generated by an oil furnace for a house . The second piece looks like the cap for a tube of toothpaste .

[LastBattlestar]

The large disc looks like a lawn mower plastic hubcap, depending on size.

Mike

[JAWS]

Nice build up CK. Thanks for posting this. The large disc does look like a mower wheel.

[Cylon-Knight]

Thanks all! I have a Cylon rifle build going on too. I'll post up some about it when I get the time.

[dbhs]

Does that flat knob thing have a flat spot on the inside of the hollow part? I think that looks really familiar to me for some reason. I want to say it's a turn knob from an old radio or heater or something like that.

very cool pics and info on your build.

[Cylon-Knight]

Thanks! Yeah the inside is flat... it is a casting from a screen suit so I'm told. So the "original" part is still unknown.

[Cylon-Knight]

Back ... with a MAJOR update

First - about this pic:

• The disk's origin is rumored to be either a knob from an unknown 1960/70s Washing Machine - or an impression of one. All of the above ideas are awesome... it very well could be something else like a hub cap, etc. Its never been TRULY identified
  
• The small white part is the right forearm armor - "nozzle." Its origin is thought to be a microphone tip. But again, no exact make/model microphone has been TRULY identified
  

^ !? Who knows "what the frack" lowly human costume makers did back in 1978 lol

SO - this is IT, The End. *EPIC FAN FARE MUSIC*

(Click the 4 below pics for larger versions if you want)







4 years, 4 months, 22 days... and after Blood (literally) - Sweat (literally) and Tears (of Joy)...
...I have BUILT my CYLON-KNIGHT!

and... I proudly wore my Centuruion costume for the first time in public at Galacticon 3 in Houston TX. I was not 5 minutes into my first trooping and I captured the one and only Captain Apollo in the skyway between the hotel and convention center. *GO ME* lol


If you look at Cylons online you can spot yer ol' pal Cylon-Knight by my personal spin on the Garrison Commander insignia (reference pic here). I replaced the chest and collar random flourish design with Knight Rider inspired items... hence... "Cylon-Knight" (that's ME!).
(P.S. 100's of Galacticon Pics here if you have time to kill - sadly NO Studio Galactica at the con!? ... there is Galacticon 4 in 2015... hope to see one there - HINT.)

I have a 27 page build thread here if you are REALLY board and want to read endless Cylon babblings

Hope you model builders enjoy me sharing this... thanks for stopping by - now back to sniffing your glue

[3phase]

Mate thanks for sharing and how cool is the pic with the legendary Apollo.

[Wombat]

Congrats on such a fine job with that costume. A lot of work and time but very much worth it all when it turns out looking as it has. What a great piece! Do you have a mannequin for displaying it on the rare occurance you are not wearing it out menacing the good folk of this world or do you just menace?? LOL

Awesome work CK!!

[darkimmitator]

Awesome job on the Cylon armor !!! Excellent pic of you and Mr . Hatch . I hope to be bumping into him at Halcon this November in Halifax N.S. There will be a studio scale Galactica there ( mine ) . My good friend Robert LePine was at galacticon in Texas with one of his 52 inch new series Galactica. Did you see it there ?
Once again , an amazing job on the cylon replica !!!!!!!!!

[dbhs]

Wow. Great job on the Cylon armor. Looks amazing and very authentic next to Apollo. Using the knight rider emblem is a great idea to meld those two themes together.

[JAWS]

WICKED!!!!

[Cylon-Knight]

@3phase
Thank you! And THE BEST part is that Mr. Hatch altered his path to come to me in the skyway. "We have to get a picture. You suit is great!" He said. CHROME BLUSH - lol. Oh my... if you could only see the HUGE SMILE on my face under the helmet... my entire life as a BSG fan and my crazy epensive and time sink costume - VALIDATED! *geek-gasm*

@Wombat
Thank you! I have in fact looked for a mannequin recently but then was turned onto "duct tape" mannequins by a fellow cylon builder. I'm going to try that and have 98% of the stuff to make my own. I have the issue that mannequins my height have not been to McDonalds as much as me.... oops... GUT. A duct tape home made mannequin - my size - will be a better fit for my tailor made under suit.

@darkimmitator
Thank you! I hope you get to see Mr. Hatch too, he is just a wonderful person. He has such passion for his work and fans... a great guy.

Yes, I saw the ship! LOVED IT. Here is a photo. There was a great display below the ship that shows all the kit parts that go onto a ship - before the primer/paint. I pointed out the display to a friend to show him how the great movie models are made. Awesome stuff. I *think* that is Robert in the background autographing something…? Or it was the artist in the booth next door.

Halcon will be LUCKY to have your Battlestar make an appearance. Can’t wait to see photos

@dbhs
Thank you! I originally started out on the “non 1:1” path. But as the months and YEARS went by… the 1:1 bug bit me… HARD. My suit is as authentic as a modern day fan reproduction can be, only a bulb (not LED) scanner would boost me to more 1:1-ness (is that a word?!)

@JAWS
Thank you! I love your reply and coming from a master craftsman like you (and everyone else above) – all the comments mean a lot! Glad you like... say, anyone got a Battlestar I can shoot at?! Don't worry... I'm a Cylon and will never be able to actually hit it.

[Red III]

Brilliant! How did you handle the chrome plating?

[Cylon-Knight]

Thanks Red III!
The chrome was done at Sacramento Chrome & Paint (http://sacchromepaint.net/)
...ironically they did two Cylon Centurions at the same time. Mine Chrome and another builder's Copper for his Command Centurion Vulpa build. Here is a photo of us together.

If you need chrome on plastic (or anything really!) I would recommend Sacramento Chrome & Paint. I looked ALL OVER and they had the best price (1/2 of another place!!) Plus they have AMAZING service. After a delay in supplies they actually overnighted my parts back to me at their cost... A LOT OF $ for an about 4 foot square box. It was down to the wire to get to Galacticon in time... but they came through for me!

[dbhs]

Great pictures. Love this one of Andy....lol.

[Cylon-Knight]

Yes, Andrew is awesome! He has such talent and great personality - I REALLY enjoyed meeting him / talking with him.

He loves to photo bomb... there is another photo taken shortly after that one where Brian (Vulpa) and I are attacking the Muffit the Daggit who was at Galacticon with our swords, etc. ... Andrew was helping stab Muffit with his water bottle lol

[LastBattlestar]

GREAT Cylon costume! Me so want one! It's amazing how you guys can still find the correct boots, gloves and other doodads these days. A bit like the studio scale builders I guess, but a hell of a lot more fun to show off at shows.

I saw Brad's original Cylon armour a few years ago, but in pieces awaiting repairs I think. It was quite brittle from memory, probably too valuable to wear. I'd love to have one to stand next to the Galactica some day, much cooler than the Warrior uniforms with the fairy capes. Although, the Cylons do wear a skirt...

Mike

[Cylon-Knight]

(10-01-2013, 03:31 PM)LastBattlestar Wrote: GREAT Cylon costume!...
...Warrior uniforms with the fairy capes. Although, the Cylons do wear a skirt...

Thanks! and - lol - You crack me up.

Yes the boots and gloves take time to find the correct vintage items, just like Galactica parts. I am so happy I found both and they FIT. WHOO

[redeye]

Cylon-Knight, a couple of questions for you.
Who made the undersuit? and what model/maker are the gloves and boots?
I think they are cooper gloves but what kind should I look for? the boots are Georgia Lineman but what style or brand?
I will be wanting to build a gold cylon version soon.

The rifle, did you make it from scratch or does someone offer a rifle kit? Your rifle looks spot on!

[Cylon-Knight]

Hi red eye happy to help!!

- My under suit was crafted half way round the world in Germany by a talented freelancer - http://paarexcellence.de/2013/05/cylonen...galactica/ (highly recommend her)

- Screen correct hands are modified #28 Cooper Armadillo Thumb Hockey Gloves that date to the mid/late 1970s

- Boots... You got it already. Georgia is the brand and Linesman is the style

- My rifle was made for me by a fellow builder, he also made my sword and Cylon pistol (seen in G1980)

Can't wait to see your build start up and help with more info, etc. Be sure to visit http://www.byyourcommand.net http://www.cylonempire.com and, of course, http://www.cylon-knight.com ... When you need classic Cylon info me and my crew can hook you up!