Build log - the new JMC E-11 from TroopaCoola

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hi folks,

 

It’s been a few years since my last blaster build, ( https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/42658-cableguys-doopydoos-feat-t-jay-kit-anh-e-11-wip/ ) but I’m BACK!!

 

This time, I’m building a new kit to the market from Marc at TroopaCoola. Marc has sourced most of the original parts from the Sterling L2A3 and is now making high quality resin moulds.

 

As per the following video, the barrel is a nicely machined metal barrel, with the other parts made from resin.

 

Unboxing video;

 

 

 

Making the unboxing video:

 

 

 

As the video explains, the parts included were very well presented and relevant parts were bagged together. For example, the mag, mag well, mag release button etc were all in a small bag. The various parts of the Hengstler counter were in a separate bag, etc etc.

 

Compared with “another” popular resin kit, many parts are much better presented, meaning that there are more separated parts and many that are already hollowed out, for example.

 

I’ve now started with sanding and preparing the parts.

Here’s an update on the progress so far;

 

 

 

Here’s a random selection of photos that accompanied the videos;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to come soon. :-)

[T-Jay[TK]]

Hey Dan, just watched your unboxing video (good job ) and now came across this thread.

 

Did I miss it, or is the magazine lacking the end cap? (that thin piece with the engraved arrow and the letters OFF)

 

Curious to see how this build comes along. Following...

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey Dan, just watched your unboxing video (good job ) and now came across this thread.
 
Did I miss it, or is the magazine lacking the end cap? (that thin piece with the engraved arrow and the letters OFF)
 
Curious to see how this build comes along. Following...

Hi Tino,

Thanks for stopping by. :-)

The mag end cap is in the box, I just didn’t show it very clearly. I’ll take some pictures a little later and post up here.

Also, I was missing the cocking handle which has now been sent to me. :-)

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Hey Dan, just watched your unboxing video (good job ) and now came across this thread.
 
Did I miss it, or is the magazine lacking the end cap? (that thin piece with the engraved arrow and the letters OFF)
 
Curious to see how this build comes along. Following...

Here you go T!

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[T-Jay[TK]]

2 hours ago, CTID said:

Here you go T!

 

Thanks Marc. The blaster on that photo looks highly detailed.

 

And with all the hollowed resin parts (as seen in Dan's unboxing video) this kit could become the new benchmark in terms of weight.

Standard resin kits end up with something about 1.1 - 1.3 kg. This will surely be less...

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

Another update on the build. In this video, and the ensuing photos, we take a closer look at the following;

Power cylinders
Hengstler Counter
Folding stock
Scope

Power cylinders. They came in a few parts with minimal cleaning up required. I simply sanded off some excess resin from the moulds, then used a file to open up the two main holes on the central section to fit the cylinders.

















The Hengstler counter;

This comes in two main parts - very useful for the spray painting process due to the original parts being half metal and half plastic.

Great detailing and very sharp.










The Magazine;

This is a nice sized mag. The end cap does not have the “OFF—>” markings (but I might add these myself.







Update from TroopaCoola - due to the fragility of the folding stock and the slight damage in transport, Marc at TroopaCoola has already said that future orders will ship with the folding stock barrel attached moulded as one. This is very quick action and should avoid the same thing happening to others.

Nice work, Marc



More to come. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. :-)

[tat2trooper[TK]]

Looking good.

[Dielotski]

It will be interesting to see if he'd sell a kit that's compatible with Tino's completion kit.  I can't wait till this is available for the public!

[T-Jay[TK]]

According to the facebook page there are 2 versions available, one with additional upgrade parts.

[Troopacoola[TK]]

According to the facebook page there are 2 versions available, one with additional upgrade parts.

Yes, I am also waiting on cord for the rear of the cylinders to arrive. Everything will be included with kit 2, with the exception of the counter reels. However, at a push I can also supply these, but they would require decals for the numbers as they will be blank.

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[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

Time for another update on this excellent kit. Let’s start with the latest video update, then move on to the photos:

Part 3:

So, the folding stock was a little bent/wonky on one side. To correct this, I decided to use wood and a clamp to sandwich the resin, then heat the resin over the steam from the kettle.

This actually worked really well, allowing just enough “flex” to correct the part (probably to about 95%)








I started gluing some of the parts to the main barrel - parts that would be of the same material on the original weapon. So, I attached the front and rear sights, mag well and flash guards.

Front sight and rear sight needed sanding on the underside to fit the curvature of the barrel.










The rear end cap is nicely detailed. Although, to take it up a notch, I used a Dremel to carve a dip into the central area. This is to fit the attachment for the D-ring.








A quick test fit of a few parts, just for fun.

(The pictured scope and Hengstler counter are from my old build)







Quite a few parts are now ready to spray paint, which is rather exciting. :-)




I’ll post more updates when I can.

Thanks for reading.

[T-Jay[TK]]

Great progress and cool video, Dan. 

Looking at the front muzzle, I am though wondering about the length of the tube.

 

 

In the above image you can see the dovetail and front sight cage sitting very close to the rounded edge. Compared to this kit, the receiver tube seems a bit long.

 

On the below photo I noticed a slight 'ring' below the front sight cage. Was the tube meant to be cut there? Or do you know of any other reason?

 

 

I once had a similar issue, chopped off the receiver's tube and seamlessly added the muzzle with green stuff.

 

 

Keep the good job up. It is fun following this project.

[CableGuy[TK]]

Great progress and cool video, Dan. 
Looking at the front muzzle, I am though wondering about the length of the tube.
 

 
In the above image you can see the dovetail and front sight cage sitting very close to the rounded edge. Compared to this kit, the receiver tube seems a bit long.
 
On the below photo I noticed a slight 'ring' below the front sight cage. Was the tube meant to be cut there? Or do you know of any other reason?
 

 
I once had a similar issue, chopped off the receiver's tube and seamlessly added the muzzle with green stuff.
 

 
Keep the good job up. It is fun following this project.

Good spot on the muzzle, Tino. Comparing with the reference pictures, I’d agree that this could have been cut down by perhaps 3-5mm.

I’m not actually sure what that ring is - it is not all the way around the barrel so I think it might be a slight machining issue.

Thanks for the feedback, Tino. There’s certainly a lot of potential with this kit, especially as it’s in its very early stages. :-)

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hello troopers,

Some more work done before the paint process.

I decided to make the mag release a bit more realistic. So, rather than just sand the part down and glue it to the top surface of the mag well, I drilled out a suitable hole to mount the real ease button into;














I fitted the magazine end can to the mag. For the little “release button” on the end, I decided to use the fat end of a rivet. This was just the right size and looks good in situ;






A bit like this example below;



Then moved on to adding the resin, but very detailed, hex bolts to the front muzzle.
These don’t have the knurling pattern to them, so not 100% accurate, but still rather nice;











I started drilling the relevant holes for the selector switch, free/lock screw (also resin) and the hex bolt underneath.

I won’t fully affix these until the different paint types are done (gloss black for main grip, metallic finish for the other parts).










And finally, here’s a look at the folding stock in action. :-)

[Sly11[Admin]]

Coming along beautifully Dan, nice work.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Always wanted to build one of these, inspiring Dan

[tat2trooper[TK]]

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Cracking Job Dan!

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[Troopacoola[TK]]

 

And with all the hollowed resin parts (as seen in Dan's unboxing video) this kit could become the new benchmark in terms of weight.
Standard resin kits end up with something about 1.1 - 1.3 kg. This will surely be less...

Yeah, the JMC is aroung 650g so considerably lighter meaning no tennis elbow on those long troops!



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[CableGuy[TK]]

Hi troopers,

The painting process has begun. A grey primer for pretty much all parts, to start.







Then, on parts that were originally made of metal, a metallic silver undercoat:




Below, a mixture of grey primed parts and the silver bolt.




The scope also had a grey primer, then a coat of Humbrol Brass 54




More parts with metallic silver applied.










I’m still trying to decide on Crinkle black paint for the barrel and stock or not?? I’m told that the screen used blasters would have had a crinkled texture - very hard to see good enough quality reference photos.


More to come soon. :-)

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Very nice!

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[T-Jay[TK]]

14 hours ago, CableGuy said:

(...)   I’m still trying to decide on Crinkle black paint for the barrel and stock or not?? I’m told that the screen used blasters would have had a crinkled texture - very hard to see good enough quality reference photos.   (...)

 

They most likely had the wrinkle (or crinkle) paint. In case you go for it: VHT 201 

Just make sure to exactly follow the instructions and allow about half a year for the intensive smell to fade away. If the result turns out a bit glossy, just dull it down with a thin layer of matte black spray paint.

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey folks,

A little bit of progress on the painting front.

After a couple of different sources confirming the presence of crinkle paint on the original weapons, and thus likely the props in ANH, I went ahead with applying Hammerite Hammered Black spray paint.




First coat was very glossy and had a lot of separation. The paint in the below photo was still wet, so extra glossy. However, upon drying, the paint looked a little pitted.




The second cost went on much nicer, filling those “pitted” gaps and making for a much better finish.







And here is where we are up to. I have test fitted a couple of metallic parts, just for contrast.

[T-Jay[TK]]

That looks good Dan. Wouldn't worry about the gloss, you can always dull it down with black spray paint.

 

 

[ukswrath[Staff]]

I like that type of paint honestly, kind of gives it that rustic look