[Kingpin]

Father Christmas (Quagmire) brought an early Christmas present to my door today:





My first fibreglass shell Pack.


The original intention had been to make this a project for 2012, but with my old Pack not finding a buyer as quickly as I'd anticipated, and with some parts I've been waiting for been in indefinite hiatus as their makes re-establish their shops, Proton Pack #2 has now become a 2013 project.

So stop on by in the new year, where hopefully I'll begin the process of assembling my most screen-accurate Proton Pack yet. In the meantime, please feel free to revisit the build for the original Pack from 2010.

[CaptCyan]

Nice looking shell you got there. Happy building!

[Josh Foote]

I agree, it's a awesome shell. Looking forward to your build thread!

[sbonse]

These are nice strong shells as I have one. Really good to work with as well

[Kingpin]

A few parts arriving in the post today has neccesitated a need to do some part checking.

• Part stock take
  Quagmire Proton Pack Shell
  Quagmire Proton Pack Motherboard
  LC-1 A.L.I.C.E Pack frame
  LC-1 A.L.I.C.E. Pack shoulder, kidney and waist straps
  MMM Mounting kit
  Quagmire Mounting brackets.
  JoeLuna33 Fuse Label
  Nick-a-tron resin Ion Arm
  MMM machined GB1 iron arm cap (with legris brass)
  Dape PH-25 (with screws)
  Dale RH-25 (with screws)
  Dale RH-50 (with screws)
  SMC Elbow (to be modified to closer resemble Legris Elbow) - 1 of 3
  MMM Booster Tube
  MMM Booster Plug
  Nick-a-tron Booster Frame
  MMM Ribbon cable clamp
  GBFans Crank Knob
  JoeLuna33 Gear Box label
  GBFans HGA
  SMC Elbow - 2 of 3
  Clippard elbow - 1 of 2
  JoeLuna33 HGA Label
  Ahncon V-Hook
  Crix Power Cell lense
  MMM Vacuum Line
  GBFans Filler Plug
  GBFans Beam Line
  Clippard elbow - 2 of 2
  Legris Straights (x2)
  Clippard R-331
  GBFans Injector Tubes
  Clippard barbs - 1 & 2 of 6
  GBFans GB1 Ribbon Cable
  MMM Ribbon Cable hold down
  SMC Elbow - 3 of 3
  Nick-a-tron Bumper
  JoeLuna33 Bumper Label
  Clippard Barbs - 3 & 4 of 6
  Crix Cyclotron lenses
  N-Filter mesh
  MMM pnumatic hose set
  MMM split loom set.
  
  -Proton Gun Pieces:
  
  Umori aluminium Proton Gun
  Umori Aluminium Rear Instrument Bar
  GBFans Arcolectric light (red)
  Clippard Hose Barb - 5 & 6 of 6
  Nick-a-tron Grip 1 of 2
  GBFans Top knob
  GBFans Orange Hat Light - 1 of 2
  GBFans Arcolectric light (white)
  GBFans Large side knob
  Shaft collar
  GBFans Heatsink
  CPU64 Side knobs
  GBFans Front knob
  GBFans White Hat Light
  Ahncon Front Barrel convertor
  Nick-a-tron Grip 2 of 2
  Nick-a-tron Barrel Lock Block
  GBFans Clear acrylic tube
  GBFans welded trigger tip
  MMM Nycoil Banjos
  GBFans Gun Track
  Ahncon V-hook.
  
  - Electronics:
  Jupiter Electronics Proton Pack lights
  Jupiter Electronics Proton Gun lights
  Crix Proton Pack sound effects

I've gotten most of the bits I need, but there's still a few missing due either to availability, or because the seller is currently not taking new orders:

• Parts still to acquire
  Aluminium front barrel for Proton Gun (Umouri)
  Aluminium rear cylinder (Umouri)
  Brass spacers for Proton Gun (MMM)
  Bumper Bellows (GBFans)
  XLR bracket with components
  A.L.I.C.E. Pack spacers/mounts
  Rechargeable power supply

I think that's everything covered, hopefully the remaining missing items will become available eventually. Should a set of remanufactured Legris Elbows become available, I'll snap a set of those up for the Pack.

[Kingpin]

January 2014 Update

Since my last post back in December 2012, there've been some changes regarding the project.

I had subsequently sold my Quagmire shell, and look forward to seeing what the buyer is able to produce with it as the base of their Proton Pack. Following that and I have now received a replacement shell from Venky which will now become the focus of my next Proton Pack build, and with 2014 being a big anniversary year for Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II there is even more drive to get this new Pack assembled and out on display in public.

The new shell arrived yesterday, which I unboxed with excitement:



And proceeded to dress up a little with a selection of parts I've acquired:



I'm intending to upgrade the Booster Tube, Plug and Frame to aluminium pieces when the funds become available... and those will likely be some of the last parts I'll need to purchase, those and the rechargeable power supply.


There are a few non-Ghostbusters prop items I need to clear from my work bench before I can start work on my new Proton Pack, but hopefully that won't be too far away.

[Mat]

That's a thing of beauty! All it needs now is a bright, pink bow!

I'm looking forward to following your build; I'll be starting on one using a fiberglass shell in the near future here and I might as well get an idea of what's involved!

[Kingpin]

I'll be glad to impart any wisdom I already have, or pick up during the build process, Mat.

[julz]

Very cool Ben

I look forward to seeing your progress

Are you going to follow any certain pack or just a hybrid? And or possibly add in more of the hero features that are missing on the stunt?

[Kingpin]

I know some folks do go for replicating specific Pack props when making theirs, I imagine mine will be more of a fusion... picking and choosing various elements that I like from a lot of the different ones, although I suspect the Super Hero will influence a lot of my choices.

I definitely know I'm going to try replicate the look of the OMNI Pack's ribbon cable, with the zip ties as that looked the tidiest.


All being well, this Pack will have full lights and sound.

[Mat]

I'll be glad to impart any wisdom I already have, or pick up during the build process, Mat.

My biggest concern is what is fiberglass/gel coat like to drill through? (Don't laugh...okay, laugh! )

[Kingpin]

No idea either, that'll be one of the things I'll be learning... however I already know that a face mask and set of goggles would be advisable.

[nick-a-tron]

No idea either, that'll be one of the things I'll be learning... however I already know that a face mask and set of goggles would be advisable.

Sharp drill bits and drill slowley.

[Kingpin]

Thanks for the tip, Nick.

[Demon Vice Commander]

...although I suspect the Super Hero will influence a lot of my choices.

Sounds neat; you don't see too many people incorporating aspects of that particular pack into their builds. Just out of curiosity, which aspects of the Super Hero are you drawn to?

[Kingpin]

That'll be something I'll be locking down a bit closer to the build, I'll go through the gallery and make notes on the Pack.

I won't be painting the gun knobs black, but the sunken hat light in my Proton Gun will be orange.