Costuming:BH Bossk

Bossk

Model BH-17115, Photo by Bettina Wilhelm

Description: Bossk Prefix: BH Detachment: Bounty Hunters Guild Context: The Empire Strikes Back A fierce and skilled bounty hunter, Bossk was renowned and feared for his effectiveness at killing Wookiees. He was a ruthless and efficient hunter who upheld the Bounty Hunter Code. Bossk was one of six mercenaries for hire put to work by Darth Vader to hunt down and capture Han Solo. However, he failed to collect on this bounty, with his old partner Boba Fett beating him to the target.

For 501st membership, only the requirements in black need to be met. The Bounty Hunters’ Guild defines an additional optional level of costuming excellence. In the page below, requirements for Level 2, referred to as “Infamous”, are listed in blue. These optional requirements are meant for those who strive to meet the highest level of screen accuracy. Please visit the BHG web site for a full description of these standards.

General Construction Notes All components should closely match the Bossk Color Palette. Color palette is intended for reference in building, and will only be used in exacting measurement by Detachment for Infamous Level approval. A Basic level approval is only required to be similar, not exact. Latex or silicone items are to be of high quality and match in color and texture. All weathering closely matches visual references from The Empire Strikes Back.

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	Head Mask is made from high-quality latex or silicone material and is specific to The Empire Strikes Back version of the character. Cartoon/animated/figurine or artistically enhanced versions are not approvable. Please refer to the ESB Bossk gallery for filming era references. The head base color is a smoky medium brown, similar to PMS 7533c, with lighter and darker shades for detail. The texture of the mask is a glossy finish, giving the appearance of glistening, reptilian skin. The mask consists of two eyes, a snout-like nose, a wide, lizard-like mouth, scaly skin, and platelets, muted and dull rear horns, and a slightly ridged “mohawk”. Eyes are oval lenses incorporated into the mask with no visible gaps and dark enough to hide the wearer’s eyes. The eyes are oriented in an outward direction instead of being aligned straight ahead. Eyes are a burnt orange, similar to PMS 470xgc around the outer iris is a large, oblong black pupil. Behind the lower eye socket of each eye are four small, tightly spaced, nub-like horns, in a wobbly line moving toward the back of the head. Mouth hangs open and reveals a combination of specifically placed large and small fangs on the upper and lower jaw.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Eyes are made of a solid, glossy acrylic lens. The right eye angles slightly upward. The mouth can open and close. The fangs are made of a rigid, off-white material and are added to the mouth of the silicone mask. Small fangs in the front are not visible on the upper jaw, between the two large fangs. A tongue is visible inside the mouth.

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	Neck Seal and Upper Flight Suit Apparatus The neck seal and upper flight suit apparatus appear to be one piece with no visible gaps between the two. The neck seal is a semi-smooth black base that covers the entire neck like a dickey, with a rigid rim that encircles the entire head just below the chin, flaring outward and down slightly. A weathered maroon corrugated hose, similar in color to PMS 161c, sits flush with the edge of the rim and completely wraps around the circumference of the neck seal rim. A locking-clamp mechanism is mounted on the front rim of the neck seal (similar to those seen on diving helmets), in the open position with tension cabling visible on both sides of the mechanism. Horizontal “I” shaped cable bracket mounts, with a downward crescent cable guide in the lower center, are mounted on each side of the neck seal. The upper tension cable runs through the crescent cable guide, routing the cabling around the upper back of the flight vest. The neck seal rim appears to have a rubber cover around the entire outer circumference. The upper flight suit apparatus appears to be attached directly to the flight suit. The “Vest” section is made of rigid black fabric, stiff rubber-backed cotton canvas, or similar material that appears to attach securely to black rubber “quick-release-type” sealing gaskets that completely wrap around the top of the shoulder and armpit on each side of the torso. The “Vest” section is cropped and only covers the collarbone, chest, and upper back areas, terminating well before the bottom of the flight vest. The shoulder seals appear to be coated with black rubber and have a metallic center that is only visible from the sides. The right and left shoulder seals have metal "D"-shaped brackets on the front and back, at the center of the shoulder, attached with three silver screws or rivets. A 1" (25.5 mm) wide, weathered white nylon or cotton adjustment strap connects the two contrasting brackets and runs under the flight vest between the front brackets and the rear brackets. The vest section zips up the upper back and neck, covering the bottom part of the neck seal. A thick, all-black cable wraps around the right shoulder seal, with the male and female ends connecting in the front at the armpit.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): The neck seal is a functional component of the upper flight suit apparatus. Four zippers—two in front and two in the rear—originate from the upper flight suit apparatus and zip upward toward the rim of the neck seal. A fifth zipper is seen on the back of the neck, originating from the lower back of the flight suit, which zips up to the base of the neck seal flared base. The top and bottom nuts holding the “I” shaped cable bracket to the neck seal flare are black. Vest section is not a separate vest but is an actual part of the upper section of the flight suit. Vest section is made of notably stiff rubberized cotton canvas twill, which connects securely to the inner diameter of the shoulder seal gaskets on each side of the body. The face of the hose clamp band at the shoulder seal is covered in black shrink tubing or similar black rubber material to conceal it, leaving only the rear tension adjusting screw and the ring of the hose clamp band visible when the upper arm is attached. The rear set of "D"-shaped brackets differs from the front and encompasses the rear tension-adjusting screw on the shoulder seals. All “D”-shaped brackets are riveted to the shoulder. seal. The white nylon strap’s webbing pattern is herringbone. The black cable is an actual microphone cable.

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	Flight Suit Flight suit is a dull yellow or mustard color, similar to PMS 602c. The upper arms attach securely to black rubber “quick-release” type seal gaskets that completely wrap around the top of the arm while appearing to attach to the inside of the upper flight suit apparatus’ shoulder seal gaskets. The seams on each shoulder, in the front and the back, are partially covered with white reinforcing strips of fabric, making a “K” shape. Each arm has distinguishable patches over the outside shoulder deltoid area. Arms extend from the shoulder seal down just past the elbow. There are black rubber “quick-release” type seal gaskets, approximately 1" (25.5mm) wide (proportionate to the costumer), at the base of each upper arm. Gaskets appear to connect the flight suit arm to the forearm and hand’s upper “quick-release” type seal gasket, just below the elbow. The appearance of the silver ring of the hose clamp, left uncovered, is slightly visible. A yellow fabric hose connector matching the flight suit material is on the costumer’s abdominal area, just to the right of the flight harness center strap, entering the flight suit approximately between the flight vest and the belt. White tape/wrap connects a brown hose to the yellow fabric connector. The yellow end has a noticeable center seam running from the body of the suit to the white hose connector. Four expanding circular stitches surround the hose connector’s entry point in the front. The fabric hose connector attaches to a maroonish-brown hose, identical to that on the neck seal, and runs almost horizontally to the ground around to the back, terminating under the flight vest, anywhere from the center to the left of the mid-back, and is not visible from the front. A white fabric belt loop is sewn to the suit on the right hip, above the belt, and towards the costumer’s rear, which guides the hose through to the back. A small black wire exits from the bottom of the flight vest on the right side and extends downward, around the top of the harness strap at the mid-torso, then wraps around behind it. Blue tape-like pliable material is seen wrapped around the wire just before it disappears behind the flight harness. A large valve, loosely resembling a stethoscope is visible on the right lower thigh, just above the knee. A separate tube is present above and slightly to the outside of the right leg valve. The tube exits the flight suit from a rubber grommet at approximately an 11-o’clock position from the valve and angles downwards towards it, approximately 3" (76mm), terminating just before reaching the valve. There is a blue taped section, just after the tube exits from the flight suit. On the inside of the left thigh is a strip of material similar to the leg cuffs, with thin white laced loops displayed at the middle and lower sections with lengths hanging past the strip to the knee. On the middle left thigh, a large black pressure release (“P” style) valve, or similar, is visibly protruding from the leg. Below the valve, a short open black tube extending downward out of the flight suit, is seen just above the knee. A small white fabric loop is sewn into the lower thigh of the left leg horizontally, right below the open black tube at the top of the knee. A white center circle is seen on the face of the valve as well as a thin white line detail that extends upward from the center circle to the edge of the valve. Pant cuffs on each leg are white and combined with the pant legs, bunching heavily below the knee and above the leg flare holders.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): The flight suit is made of a heavy canvas or similar heavy upholstery-like material, replicating the appearance of the Windak high-pressure suit. Seams in the arms, torso, and legs are all double and triple stitched where applicable, matching ESB film references. The upper arm connects to the inner diameter of the shoulder joint gasket and forms a seal with the upper flight suit apparatus’ seal gasket, without any visible gaps. The hose clamp band at the elbow is covered in black shrink tubing or similar black rubber material to conceal it, leaving only the tension adjusting screw visible and approximately ¼" (6mm) of the connecting side of the band visible. The buttocks area of the costume is baggy and extends outwards from the costume. There is a vertical black zipper section directly behind the flight harness center strap at the groin, wrapping under the crotch and up the back to the neck.

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	Shoulder Patches Patches are small and rectangular, placed over the outside shoulder, between the shoulder and bicep seam. Patches are outlined in white and contain multiple sections, colors, and details, specific to the ESB Bossk costume. Patches on each shoulder are identical but inverted. The patch on the left arm has a blue lowercase “d” shape in the lower right corner. The patch on the right arm has a blue uppercase “P” shape in the upper left corner.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Patches are loosely attached.

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	Forearms & Hands Forearms and Hands are made of latex, silicone, or similar material and are proportionate in width to the upper arm section of the flight suit. Each arm is visibly longer than that of a human and reaches down to the knee with the middle claw extending slightly lower. The forearms and hands base color is a smoky medium brown similar to PMS 7533c, with lighter and darker shades for detail, closely resembling the head, lower legs, and feet. The texture of the forearms and hands are a glossy finish, giving the appearance of glistening reptilian skin. There are black rubber “quick-release” type seal gaskets, approximately 1" (25.5mm) wide (proportionate to the costumer), at the top of each forearm and appear to connect the forearm to the upper arm, inside the lower gasket and tightening clamp, just below the elbow. The forearm attaches to the inner diameter of the seal gasket and connects to the upper arm seal without any visible gaps. Surrounding each forearm are large flat scales that transition to smaller scales down to the wrist. Smaller scales cover the back of the hands. A small ridge is visible on the back of the hand, up the main finger and extends from the wrist to just before the larger claw. Each hand has three fingers with dirty bone-colored claws.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Claws are plastic, attached to the silicone fingertips. Weathering around scales is darker than the base color. Production seams are visible, running the length of both sides of the arms, hands, and through the outer fingers.

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	Flight Vest Ribbed flight vest is white and made of sturdy nylon, polyester, or similar fabric. Front of the vest has eleven correctly spaced ribs on the front, with a gap between the upper two and lower nine. Separating the two upper-most from the nine lower ribs is a flat section with multiple horizontal stitching lines running the width of the vest. A 1" (25.5mm) strap and silver buckle hardware connect the front of the vest to the back, at the costumer’s lower rib cage, on each side. The back of the vest has a total of sixteen evenly spaced ribs. The side buckle strapping wraps completely around the lower back with an adjustable locking slide buckle at the middle of the vest, connecting the straps from both side buckles and separating the two lower-most ribs from the fourteen upper ribs. At the top of the vest is a loop that encases the upper tensioning cable slide, protecting the upper tensioning cable as it wraps around the upper back. The loop strapping enters at the middle of the upper back and extends down the inside of the vest, exiting at the bottom edge and producing an identical loop that encases the lower tensioning cable slide that protects the lower tensioning cable that wraps around the outside of each hip. All ribbing creates the illusion they are filled. Anything used to fill the ribs is not seen. A fabric loop half the width of the shoulder straps, with curved white tubing extending beyond fabric on each side, is attached to the back of the vest at the fourth rib from the top for the tension cable to run through. Shoulder straps, roughly the same width as the harness webbing, connect the front and back of the vest.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): The flat section of the vest consists of twenty-two thin rows. The adjustment straps on the lower back feed into the top layer of the vest on each side like a belt loop, and only the section where the slide can be adjusted is visible in the middle of the vest. There is ¼" (6mm) horizontal stitching running the width of the shoulder straps from the front to the back of the vest. The shoulder strap’s webbing pattern is herringbone.

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	Tensioning Cable System Please visit the Bossk Gallery for additional references of the tensioning cable system. System consists of a tension control box, an upper, mid and lower cable, and multiple slides, tubes and strapping. The upper tensioning cable is one cable, running through the “U” slide-through atop the tensioning cable box backing in the front, up through brackets on each side of the neck seal and over the shoulders, wrapping around the back through a slide-through and loop at the top of the vest. The tension control box assembly hangs like a necklace in the front via the upper tensioning cable, resting on the flat-stitched section of the flight vest, between the two sections of piping. The main box, and its components, are silver-metallic and are roughly the height of the “D”-brackets seen at the shoulder gaskets, vertically rectangular with rounded vertical side edges and sharp edges on the top and bottom. A small “stove pipe” cylindrical tube that is threaded at the end, is visible coming out of the top of the control box. A small ratchet, similar to the King Dick version used, and tapered socket, is attached on the right (facing) side of the box. A visible hole is opposite the ratchet, identical in size to the hole the ratchet and socket attach to. A silver flathead, panhead bolt is present at each corner, on the underside of the control box. The control box is attached to the middle of a black metallic-looking backing plate, roughly two times the width of the box, that extends down just short of the bottom edge of the box. Four black bolts and silver nuts are present on the black backing plate; two on each side of the box below the “U” slide-through, which attaches a white piece of thin protective plastic to the back of the backing plate, the same width as the black backing, extending down to the last rib on the flight vest. A threaded tensioning rod extends out from the bottom of the control box, halfway down the thin plastic sheet, and is capped off at the end by a black metal piece which secures the mid-cable into place. The mid-cable makes a small secured loop around the base of the tensioning rod, then extends downward inside thin white tubing, making another secured loop around a screw attached to a wide inverted “U” slide-through, just above the belt. The lower tensioning cable is a single cable, which passes through the inverted “U” slide-through, wrapping around the outside of each hip, securing at the mid-lower back through a loop and slide-through that exits from inside the bottom of the flight vest. Bare cable can be seen exiting both ends of the slide-through in the front and the back, extending down past the belt. The length of cable that wraps around each hip is encased in a thin white wire cover with silver caps on each end. A 1" (25.5mm) white strap loops around and attaches to the white tubing at both the front and back of the hip on each side, loosely wrapping around the inside of the legs at the crotch.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Black slide-throughs display internal white plastic guides protruding from each side. A black thumb screw is used to attach the mid-cable at the inverted “U” slide-through. The mid-cable loops are attached using the correct thimble and crimp method. Thin white protective plastic sheet that attaches to the back of the black control box backing, is rounded on the bottom corners. Silver caps are used at each end of the white tubing seen around the outside of the thighs. Cables are actual ³⁄₃₂" (2.25mm) steel tension cables. Ratchet is an actual King Dick ratchet or direct replica. There is a visible step surrounding the lower section of the tension control box that appears to separate the box from the base.

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	Flight Harness Entire harness is made of grey/silver, similar to PMS 423c, standard two-inch nylon webbing Center strap extends from under the flak vest in front and ends in the back, secured to either the flight suit or flak vest with no visible means of attachment. Lowest point of the center strap falls just below the inseam (or crotch area). Leg loops are held up by a single piece of strapping attached to each loop in an “X” sewing pattern. The leg loops droop downward, through and over the flight suit leg greeblies, around the outer thigh, well above the knees.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Webbing slack can be seen hanging behind the front center strap, exiting from the base of the flight vest, stopping just above the ammo belt.

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	Belt An X-Wing Pilot-style, thick canvas belt is worn slightly off-center, over the center harness strap and is camel/dust color, similar to PMS 16-1213 TCX “Savannah Tan”, with a “cargo slide” (or roll pin) buckle. The free end of the belt on the left hip is looped around the slide so that the excess is on the inside of the belt to the right. At the front of the right hip are six vertical loops for mini-flares, filled with only four flares (from the front to back: 2nd and 4th holders are empty). Mini-flares are solid, metallic silver, rounded at the top and the bottom and are as tall as the belt is wide.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Mini-flares are made of metal. Identical flares and flare holders are present on the left side, towards the back of the hip.

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	Leg Flares Each leg has a fabric leg flare holder, identical to an X-Wing Pilot, with eight total flare pouches, not more than 4" (101.5mm) tall, spaced evenly apart. Flare holders are dark olive drab, similar to PMS 412c. Each leg has seven, solid, metallic silver flares. A flare is missing at the front outer-right leg and at the rear left of the left leg.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Flares are made of metal.

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	Lower Legs & Feet Lower legs and feet are made of latex, silicone, or similar material. Feet consist of a left and a right foot, with a large inner “big” toe, a smaller middle toe, and an outside “pinky” toe. Each toe has noticeably different claws, much darker than the bone-looking hand claws, with tips that curl downwards significantly. The lower legs and feet base color are a smoky medium brown similar to PMS 7533c, with lighter and darker shades for detail, closely resembling the head, forearms, and hands. The texture of the lower legs and feet are a glossy finish, giving the appearance of glistening reptilian skin. Surrounding each leg and down to the ankle, are flat scales, transitioning from larger to smaller towards the ankle. Smaller scales cover the tops of the feet. A downward pointed spur is present on each heel.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): The claws on the feet are made of a hard, non-flexible material. The arc of the claws curl at least 90-degrees downward, almost beginning to curl under at points, lifting the toes from the sole. Weathering around scales is darker than the base color.

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Optional Accessories

Items below are optional costume accessories. These items are not required for approval, but if present appear as described below. If adding in an accessory after initial approval, the item still needs to be submitted to local GML for approval before use.

	Relby-v10 Mortar Gun Made from a Webley & Scott Schermuly anti-riot gun (or replica) or made to closely resemble the prop. Two telescopes (or replicas), that match ESB film references, are mounted to the top of the forward barrel and breech sections of the blaster. A functional or non-functional light brown sling attaches beneath the forward-most grip and the underside of the back of the stock. Detail pieces installed on the front of the gun and stock match ESB film references.
	OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Relby V10 base is an actual Webley & Scott Schermuly anti-riot gun or direct replica. Sling is made of leather. Telescopes are the correct actual 1943 M38 or M40 azimuth tank telescopes or direct replicas.

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• This CRL is available as a PDF

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