Shoulder straps and the back

[Spurgco]

I am looking at finishing my torso, and have come down to the shoulder straps. UKSWRATH instructions seem to indicate white 2" elastic. Would regular strapping work better for this location? The torso flexes at 3 other joints in the torso, wouldnt an anchor point for the garment be ok?
First time armor builder, so i am seeking perspective on what works better.
Also, how far down from the neck can the back be? I saw images from ROTJ and it seems i may be trying to get higher than necessary.

The pic below was my first try at fitting, and i think is too low.



I then pulled it up a little more, as seen below.



Just trying to balance the gaps below and above.

So, how much is too much for the back, and is nylon strap a good substitute for elastic, or is elastic really better.


Omg bear is driving!? How can this be!?

[Pixelito]

Also, how far down from the neck can the back be? I saw images from ROTJ and it seems i may be trying to get higher than necessary.

I was actually going to ask a similar question on here and on Whitearmor. I haven't found any solid info on my own yet. Reference images from ANH (which is the armor I'm doing) seem to show that the chest and back plates sit rather close to the neck. this is a slight problem as I'm taller than the actors were, and I'm assuming you are too...this leaves rather large gaps in the armor.

The CRL doesn't seem to state anything about a gap between the back and kidney plates, in fact, it only states that there should be no or minimal overlap of the kidney armor.... I can't find anything about a maximum gap though. Hopefully somebody here has more insight than I do!

[Spurgco]

@pixelito let me sing you the song of my people:

http://youtu.be/tk0i0yTPJBY

I have resigned myself to basic at best. I would have to shim the back and kidney/ab to even get EIB. I kinda like a little black on the side, so i am ok. I hope when i finish i can get approved. Maybe over time build it up. I think a FO Snowtrooper may be calling though, after a fee of my bots are done.


Omg bear is driving!? How can this be!?

[Spurgco]

For the record, i did not use the elastic strapping for the back-to-chest. I went with white strapping, just not elastic. I have worn my torso a few times, and i am happy with the decision at this time. Now the gaps.. Well i can live with it. Maybe one day i will close them up and go for a higher rank, but i have a few other projects to finish off first.


Omg bear is driving!? How can this be!?

[Dax Corrin]

It's a bit different but I went with black non-elastic strapping for my Gunner armor, but my plastic straps are attached at front and back with the TIE pilot-like octagons so stretch there would place undue stress on the  plastic straps, the nylon takes the load for me. I think you made a good choice to go non-elastic there. That and $3.50 might get you a coffee at Starbucks, though.