Backpack III

Still unable to locate anywhere the Blackhawk Slimline Backpack used in the show.

I have found what might be the most reasonable alternative. Reasonable in terms of look, but not price.

This is the X-3 Raptor, found at www.copsplus.com priced at just under $250.00. Even with free shipping, that's a purchase my wife is really going to balk at for a costume accessory.

Still, if you gotta have it, you gotta have it. This pack is pretty nice, and has two pockets on one side, one on the other. That means if you can live with it not being completely canon, you won't have the headaches of converting the M16 pouches you'd have if you did find a Slimline somewhere. Bear in mind, even though all the websites still listing the Slimline at $74-$79 are Out of Stock and you'd likely end up paying more than $250 to get someone to part with their "collectible" item if you did find one some place.

Here is the product description:

Blackhawk X-3 RAPTOR Pack
The latest in free fall and static line jumpable packs, the X3 R.A.P.T.O.R. is made with heavy-duty 1000 denier nylon with quad-stitched seams and trim-taped edges. This ruck has it all! The main compartment has three securing cinch straps, two horizontal and one centered vertically. Drain holes are provided for each compartment for maximum efficiency during maritime operations.

• Includes 100 oz. HydraStorm™ Hydration System
  
• Ventilating back panel
  
• Built-in jump harness with heavy-duty parachute webbing
  
• Built-in drop line pouch and routing system
  
• Fully accessible main compartment
  
• Silent zipper pulls
  
• Webbing on outside of pack for modular gear attachment
  
• Main Compartment: 23.5"H X 13.5"W X 9"D
  
• Front Pocket: 20"H X 10.5"W X 3.5"D
  
• Right Side Pocket: 15"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Upper Left Side Pocket: 8.5"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Lower Left Side Pocket: 6.5"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Overall Cubic Inches: 3,830
  
• Approximate Weight: 6.8 lbs
  

So, there you have it. I'm saving my pennies and keeping secrets. I think this is the pack I'm going to go with.

The thing about canon is that we're talking about a TV show here, and a storyline that spans ten years. I think that allows you some leeway, and I'm going to consider anything that might be used by the actual US military to be fair game, whether it ever appeared on the show or not.

For example, I just got a screenworn away jacket from the show. Because it was made in Candada by a costume shop, the zipper is backwards from most US military wear. Does that mean that only jackets with backwards zippers are canon? I certainly wouldn't want to impose that restriction.

Anyway, if you find a better backpack alternative than the X-3, let me know. I'll be grateful, especially if you find it before I save up the $250!

www.sg1props.com

www.sg1props.com

I found this really nice fan site recently, Stargate SG1 Props, and I think it will be a great resource for anyone putting together costumes from the show. I encourage you to check it out and join their forums.

Backpack II

In doing some more research, I found a discussion regarding the backpacks on Scifi.com forums. "Captain Carboard" says in the forum that the backpacks used by the teams is the "Blackhawk Omega Streamline Load Bearing Pack that was modified with extra pouches. Here are some images of the backpack and the pouches:

He says that they attached M16 mag pouches, four of them, to the sides. He wasn't sure what the two large pouches were made from. The M16 pouches look like this:

Unfortunately, Blackhawk no longer makes the Streamlined LBP (Load Bearing Pack), and so it is (like so much SG costume material) nearly impossible to find. Captain Cardboard says that a company called Eagle makes a copy, but that was years ago, and I've been unable to locate it. They may have discontinued it also.

You, like myself, are probably going to have to make do with the Blackhawk Day Pack from the previous post...if you can find one of those. I think that sticking the M16pouches on the other backpack should help improve the look.

UPDATE: I located a seller of these backpacks, or so it seems.

The company is selling them for around $80. My order was just over $90 with shipping. The description is as follows:

BlackHawk 60SLBP
This pack can be attached to your vest or H-gear with our quick disconnect kit (included) or act as a back pack with our Detachable Shoulder Straps (63SS00). The inside has a cinchable draw string liner and the outside has compression straps for complete gear storage. The cover flap has a pouch and 25 ft of 550 cord to act as a lanyard for your pack. The lid is secured by silent side release buckles. Made with our all new Nytaneon materials! CamelBak Compatible. The outside has slotted webbing for extra gear attachment using military Alice clips (HMAC04).
Dimensions: 15 1/2" x 13" x 3 1/2"

SLBP stands for Streamlined Load Bearing Pack, which I think, is what we've been looking for. Again, I'll let you know if I get the pack or a backorder notice.

Backpack

This is a good shot of the backpacks from the show. I have not been able to find exact replicas of these, but the closest I have come is the backpack below, as recommended by several Stargate uniform sites.

It is possible that this backpack is the one used on the show, but modified with extra packs. You can see the canteen holder on the right side as well. It might also be the image above, from Season 1, is not the same backpack as was used in later episodes. As I slowly move through the DVDs doing screencaps and attempting to recreate the uniforms, I'll let you know what I find out.

In any event, this pack is pretty close.

The above image is an example of the BlackHawk Special Operations Day Pack. You can find the following description at this website: www.copsplus.com, but you won't find the backpacks. They are discontinued and out of stock.

The BlackHawk day pack is the ideal way to carry your gear directly on your vest or H-harness. Made of 1000D Nytaneon nylon. The back of the pack has 3/8" closed cell foam for added comfort and flotation, if used in maritime situations. Formed elastic on the bottom of the pack holds extra gear.

Now, as of today, I did find the packs in both OD and Black at this site: www.rstacticalgear.com

The packs are are around $60 each. You'll need to buy the H-harness separately, though usually the packs are attached to the tac vest in later episodes. I ordered one tonight from them, will let you know if it arrives or I get a back order notice.

In the pilot, however, it is clear that the H-harness is woodland camo. This leads me to believe that the backpack in the pilot is similar to the one I just purchased moments ago on eBay:

I think given the other "off the rack" surplus of the uniforms in the pilot before SG Teams were formed and they got their own patches and uniforms, it is a safe bet that what Carter and O'Neill are wearing is a standard Alice pack with frame in woodland camo and a 3-color desert camo cover drawn over the pack. Fortunately for me, in my very cheap eBay purchase, the camo cover comes with!

I consulted with my friend, the one who spurred on this new wave of doing stuff for Science Fiction, who has a military background.

He told me the technical name for the cover is "desert backpack cover".

Smarty.

You can probably find them easily at most surplus stores or a Google search. I'm told they make excellent spare tire covers for your Jeep. Not having a Jeep, I'll take that on faith, but seems like a good idea!

I got it for $20 with $14 shipping from A-Z Army Navy Military Surplus

Goggles

The goggles in the above shot seem nearly identical to ones I found at Coleman's Military Surplus for around $20.

In later episodes, O'Neill had more high-tech goggles, including some designed for Stargate by Wiley-X.

Helmet

In getting my uniforms ready for Shevacon, I decided that I'm going to start with putting together the 3-color desert camo from the pilot.

The team wears helmets in the first offworld trip, so let's begin with the helmet. I found this one online in plastic, which is fine, as I am unlikely to need to actually stop a bullet with it, but just need it to look good in the photos.

ABS Plastic Kevlar Style Helmet Green OD

You can get them for under $20 at the site, but I actually got mine for under $15 from the same seller on Amazon.com.

I'll also need a camo cover and goggles. The covers are pretty easy to get at any surplus store, but if you don't have one in your neighborhood, the cheapest place to get them is from the US Cavalry Webstore.

The goggles in the above shot seem nearly identical to ones I found at Coleman's Military Surplus for around $20.

Beretta 92 FS

O'Neill's sidearm is the Beretta 92 FS.

Well, technically, the military designation for the Beretta is M9, but it is likely that the prop weapons used in the show are the civilian version. This is the most commonly used sidearm in the show.

You can get a very nice spring powered model of this gun at http://www.softairusa.com/. I picked mine up off the shelf at Dick's Sporting Goods today for under $35.

I'd purchased something that was supposed to be an airsoft Beretta from an eBay retailer, but upon receipt discovered that it was not a 92, it was a .45. Not bad to have in the AirSoft armory, but not what I needed for my rig.

This has a nice heft to it as well, with a realistic clip that slips out of the pistol grip and authentic cocking action.

Very pleased with it.

What did I do for Science Fiction today? I bought a toy gun.

Return to the blog

I've been swamped by IRL stuff since way back before the summer. I've also piled back on the pounds. In short, I am nowhere near mission ready.

However, recently a friend said to me that he downloaded all the available Battlestar Galactica episodes, and ended with "What have YOU done for Science Fiction today?"

That grated on me...I was letting a lot of days slip by without doing anything for Science Fiction. Then, this same taunting friend had a birthday party over the weekend and one of the guests was a big shot at the local Science Fiction convention, Shevacon, which is held in February.

I wore my blue BDUs with on base patches to the party, it was an overnight drinking binge in a barn out in the country, and this guy from Shevacon says that I should register for the conference and wear a different one of my Stargate uniforms each day of the con.

That means I have until February to get "mission ready."

OK, from now until February I'm going to try to do at least one thing for Science Fiction every day. A perfect reason to restart the uniform blog.

I really am looking forward to it. What I'm not looking forward to is the losing 20-25 pounds. I really do believe that you can't pull off the recreation of the look if your body isn't capable of passing a fitness test.

Stargate 6 and Stargate and sg-command.net MIA??

Well,

It deeply saddens me, but doesn't exactly surprise me, but the two most comprehensive Stargate Uniform sites have disappeared off the net. I'm keeping the links active on this blog, in the hope that they might return someday.

If anyone knows the reason why they went away, please post and let me know.

This does, however, provide me with the kick in the BDUs to actually get my own gear in order and start posting my version of the uniform guides they had on their sites as a reference to those who would like to put on the uniform and imagine going off world...espescially now that Stargate Worlds game is coming out.

I'll try sending an email to Eggroll and see what he knows...because he pretty much knows everything. I hope it isn't bad news for or about LT.

Until Stargate6 comes back, I guess I've got your six.

But, you don't have to hold your breath, Chevron 26 is still very active, and perhaps because it is in Germany it will stay active longer.

Motorola Visar 800

Finally picked up a Motorola Visar 800 radio for my rig on eBay. Only $20, including shipping!

This is very sweet news, as I've been trying to get one for almost a year, and as yet have seen nothing for less than $100.

Happy day, happy day.

Since I mostly do Jack style uniform, I will probably wait a while to get the newer Motorola used by the teams in the last two seasons....and who knows what they use in the new movie.