*Official* Under Suit Thread

[The Cylon Empire]

The 1978 Cylon Centurion costume has a complex under suit that ties and holds the entire costume together. The under suit is a custom made item, nothing of it is "found."
The under suit is THE MOST complex part of the Cylon. If it looks "off" or "wrong" then the entire look of the Cylon can suffer.

Screen accurate details depend on what Centurion you are making:
Centurion (chrome armor)

• The original under suit is made of heavy plum colored lycra fabric, like the fabric used for swimsuits, etc. Many times on the show the suit can "appear" to be gray in color, but the actual screen used suits had a plum/purplish cast to the fabric.
• The arm and leg patches are made of gun metal/silver-grey vinyl strengthened with buckram.
• The ribbing is made of the same gun metal/silver-grey vinyl around cording
• The "gun metal/silver-grey" color matches a Cylon's metal mesh skirting and side panels on the helmet.

Ribs

• Neck 20
• Body 40
• Elbows 9

Command Centurion (gold armor)

• The original under suit is made of heavy black colored lycra fabric, like the fabric used for swimsuits, etc.
• The arm and leg patches are made of black vinyl strengthened with buckram.
• The ribbing is made of the same black vinyl around cording
• The black color matches a Cylon's side panels on the helmet.
• The metal mesh skirting for a Command Centurion is gold

Ribs

• Neck 20
• Body 40
• Elbows 9

Low cost alternatives:

• There really is no low cost option other than buying a kit Cylon that comes with a suit that approximates a screen used under suit. Or maybe finding a used suit that is for sale.

Notes:

• NO PATTERN EXISTS for download or purchase.
• There are some that make and sell under suits, but be sure to research them for quality and customer service issues.

Photos can be found in the ByYourCommand.net Gallery - and color break downs can be found here: http://www.cylon-knight.com/art.htm





This is an *official* thread of the Cylon Empire **********************************
This first post will be edited when needed to add or correct information.
This thread is open to discussion below, BUT NOTE, the thread is subject
to heavy pruning to keep miscellaneous chatter down and the topic focused.
******************************************************************************************

[Huttman]

I am looking at photos via google but ill be on the lookout for them posted here. thanks for the info

[Cylon-Knight]

Gallery > Battlestar Galactica (1978) > Cylon Centurion

Starting around page 4 there are some pics good Under Suit pics, they really pic up on page 6 into 7
Link: Chttp://byyourcommand.net/cylongallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3006&g2_page=4

Hope this helps.

[Mr Fett]

While I know my undersuit is incorrect, I got it as part of a used full costume kit off one of the prop boards (not Kropserkel), and with as very hard it is to get correct Cylon undersuits, I'm at least happy I have something I can wear.

Mine is gray, with black vinyl patches backed with buckram. Larger diameter tubing than the originals. Neck has 9, elbows have 7, waist has 15. Not ideal, but due to the look of it, I like to call it my "action figure version", which works for me since finding an awesome one is near impossible.

[Jace76]

I know that the consensus is that the original fabric for the undersuit is primarily a plum color, but I have such a hard time seeing this is the various TOS screenshots & original costume photos
(HERE: http://tinyurl.com/bglu7nf,
HERE: [url]ttp://tinyurl.com/9wpjrrg[/url]
and HERE: http://tinyurl.com/a4rnh37).

I was looking in the gallery
(HERE: http://tinyurl.com/alw4vm3,
HERE: http://tinyurl.com/a9qo29b
and HERE:http://tinyurl.com/a5uh7nv)

and although I can see a slight mauve sheen at certain angles, those photos really seem to resemble more of a gunmetal Lycra as seen here: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/9493

The plum colored seen here just seems too purple, In my opinion: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/4064

I'm sure I'm wrong, but have any other builders felt that way too that the traditional plum color just seems too purple when putting together having their undersuits made?

They even offer metallic black and metallic gunmetal colored Lycra, but those seem a bit TOO shiny: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/browse/81?&p=4

I certainly wouldn't want to look out of place in the presence of other Centurions when trooping (not that there are any others here in the Boise area, I'm guessing...LOL) and I certainly want to try and stay with what's accurate. I've seen different sources all over the forums here, but is there a particular model or style number associated in regards to the correct fabric color/make so that I could order the correct one? I just seem to be having a tough time finding that perfect blend of gray/puce color. The gray/light gunmetal seems to look more fitting to me. I dunno.

Thanks!
-j

[Cylon-Knight]

The "Plumb" is a shocker... the extra punch of tint is 1:1 based on documented screen used suits here: http://www.byyourcommand.net/cylongalle ... php?cat=63
Every "real" Cylon on the auction block for thousands of dollars is a plumb - OH I AM SO FUNNY!

Now, "how much" purple tint you want to have is really hard to nail down... the originals are 35 years old now and of course they have faded over time I am certain.

On screen the Centurion DOES appear gray on dark gray yes, yes, yes. It is the wildest thing. The studio lights, the camera lens, the quality of the film it was recorded on - who knows.

Another great example of the red to gray is the I.L. Series head seen here:
http://www.byyourcommand.net/cylongalle ... ?album=283
He is waaaaaaay red in real life and seems almost pure silver on screen

Now, I want to try to make my own gray on dark gray under suit - but am having a plumb 1:1 sewn for me first. Shoot, originally I was going to do black on black with chrome armor but the 1:1 bug got me. Don't let your build take too LONG or The 1:1 Bug will get you too!!! lol

[Jace76]

Oh wow...I do certainly see what you mean
Thanks for the reply. I can certainly see how lighting and oxidation of fabric color can take it's tole appearance over time. What source are you using for the lighter shade of plum fabric? Withou it lookinh too purple or too gray, I think I found a winner here though!

http://www.ultrafabrics.com/product_p/2410-232.htm

Without seeing first hand in the ideal light, would you agree? At least worth ordering a sample, I suppose
Cheers ,
-J