Newbie Alert and Gear Showoff!

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:22 am

Hello everyone!

I've been a long time lurker, but I've recently become a lot more interested in Indiana Jones props and gear and building my collection. My main interest is Star Trek prop collecting, but I've always been an Indiana Jones fan. I was 7 when Raiders came out and I remember going to the theater every week to see Indy again and again, even though several scenes scared the tick out of me every time!

Last month I decided to get a couple key props for an Indy display but once I got the fedora it was all over... I've spent the last three or four weeks devouring everything I could find here on putting together the best "close enough" set of Indy Gear I could. Here's what I've picked up so far:

I originally just wanted a couple of the most iconic props, namely the Ra headpiece, fertility idol, Grail diary, and Holy Grail cup. But once I bought a hat I decided I had to have the whole outfit...

The hat's a wool "official" hat. I bought it originally because I just wanted a cheap "Indy" hat to display with the props, but I've already decided to replace it and I ordered a regular Federation last night.

The gun is an HFC gas airsoft S&W .38, the holster and web belt came from Todd. The gun belt is a Wal*Mart "close enough." The idol was an unfinished resin idol I got as a gift a while back and finally finished up a couple weeks ago.

The bag is also from Todd, the headpiece is a replicaprops version, repainted by me, and the diary is a Magnoli.

The boots are the Carolina Huskers, pants are L.L.Bean sepia dress chinos, and the shirt is the Cabela's safari shirt.

I'm still looking at whips trying to decide what features vs. price I'm really wanting, and I'm in the early planning stages of putting together my order for a Wested lambskin jacket.

My hope is to have the whole outfit together by June 12th in time for the 25th anniversary of Raiders. Wish me luck!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:38 am

let me be the first to welcome you aboard and thanks you for sharing your pics.

kalkamel · Post by **kalkamel** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:46 am

Welcome fellow RPFer and now fellow COW member! Your gear looks fantastic! How about some pics of you in gear?

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:06 am

Heyyyy welcome! The hat reminded me of Herbert Johnson's current offerings.

Great pics, and best of luck on obtaining every piece of gear you want.

Dekker · Post by **Dekker** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:22 am

Strider wrote:Heyyyy welcome! The hat reminded me of Herbert Johnson's current offerings.

:evil:

Welcome aboard Winston! I used to be quite a big Trekkie, so I'd be interested to see what Star Trek props you have.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:33 am

Welcome, WinstonWolf! Nice to see one of RPF's finest over here...

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:24 am

Thanks guys for the welcome!

I should be able to post up some pics of me IN my gear soon, I'm mostly waiting to get a "real" hat first but figured I could at least post up a preview. The official hat looks pretty small on my giant melon.

I'm sorry to hear that's what the newer HJ hats look like...wow.

Indakin · Post by **Indakin** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:06 am

hey winston, great start man, i guess their really are alot of lurkers in this site still lol..... I noticed you have the huskers

, very nice choice man, i have them and love them. To make them more indy, u should removed the tounge label and pop off the yellow tab under the shoe, it comes right off no problem. These boots scuff up nicely for that great worn in look. I still need to get an idol and headpiece like u though. Next things on my lsit.

GraveRobberGreg · Post by **GraveRobberGreg** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:56 am

Welcome! Now thats great looking gear

indybill · Post by **indybill** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:12 am

Welcome WinstonWolf359!
Those are some great pics. It looks like your gear is coming along just fine.

I like your avitar too; that's one of my favorite episodes!

Cheers,
indybill

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:14 am

Winston, that's a great ensambe, especially in the time it's taken you to put it together! Close enough gear is great, because it's all about enjoying the hobby at that point. Welcome!

bink

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:29 am

Thanks for the kind word and the tips guys!

I DO need to take the tag off the tongue of the boots, I just haven't grabbed the seam ripper yet. I DID try to pop off the red thing off the bottom of the boot this past weekend and it wouldn't budge...any tips on doing that?

The main reason I went with "close enough" on the clothes at this point is they were a little cheaper, but they're also pulling double duty as regular clothes for me. I'm wearing the pants and boots at work right now. Man, the dress chinos are just great pants, period.

I should have the new hat in a few days. I was REALLY impressed with HatsDirect. Within half an hour after placing my order online I was already getting emails from Jenny at HatsDirect to make sure my hat would fit perfectly and she also sent several links to help me out in styling the hat and that my hat would ship that day. Even though I pretty much knew exactly what I wanted I still think it's great to see a business going out of their way to make sure a customer gets exactly what they want. I'm already impressed and I don't even have the hat yet.

Again, thanks for the warm welcome and I'll keep posting pics as things develop.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:42 pm

HatsDirect is great to do business with! They've got top notch customer service! They were just as friendly and helpful when I got an Akubra a couple years ago.

As for "everyday gear," close enoughs provide great gear you can wear as everyday clothes. (Heck, that's what they ARE!

) But some of the "real" gear does just as well. A number of gearheads wear their Wested trousers as normal pants. I wear my Wested jacket nearly every day, including to work, and my Aldens are my every day shoes, regardless where I go. Oh, and don't forget the hat.

Jorenz · Post by **Jorenz** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:02 pm

Winston, Welcome to the jungle! Thats the same hat I have. I am planning to get the Adventurebilt soon. I decided to get the jacket before the hat. I have an authentic lamb and as others have said it is a great everyday wear jacket.

You have a great start to the collection.