261 replies to this topic

[tundrayeti]

Okay everyone, here is my next kit I hope to have ready by Wonderfest in the US. The VC-33 Mom's kitchen. This baby has always been one of my favorite non transforming Macross designs and I'm bringing it to life!! (insert crazy maniacal laugh here). I have had this on the back burner for a couple years and it's time to bring it to life. I personally want one in 1/100 scale for myself and I know the 1/72 guys are gonna go crazy, but I'm putting it up in a poll and let's see where it goes. It's all up to you the fans! I may do both if there is enough interest, if it goes to 1/72, I'll try to keep it under $200. I will have the capability of having the engine vents in flight or VTOL position, and I will also be adding landing gear so you can have it in flight or grounded.
Other goodies panned are engine details and maybe a few popped off panels so you can have your ground crews work on it. At any rate, here are the preliminary 3d model pics, just to give everyone the idea. I should have the details wrapped up in about 4-6 weeks. I hope to havethis baby ready for Wonderfest, so fire away people!

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[Penguin]

Well, as one of those "1/72 guys", I'll cast my vote there.

You know someone is going to suggest 1/60 to go with the Yamato series. Thing'd be huge.

[Iceblue106]

lol that would be me....1/60 please

Blue

[tundrayeti]

Of course 1/60 is always a possibility. As with anything it is proportional to wallet size . I'm starting with the smaller scales as it will be easier to get started and gauge how much the bigger sizes will cost. I'm trying to make this as detailed as possible, while keeping the cost to a minimum. I will be posting my progress, so since everyone will have a chance to affect how this product looks, please comment on detail, any suggestions you guys may have, etc. The model is in a very rough stage right now, the main fuselage is looking good, just trying to get the detail in

[Space_Monkey]

I am one of the 1/72 guys but the cost and size would limit me to one. How about a 1/200 scale version? I also collect 1/200 airliners / military transports, which seems to be a popular scale, and should make it more affordable.

Edited by Space_Monkey, 17 January 2012 - 07:13 AM.

[Grayson72]

I'm definately down for a 1/72 version.

[tundrayeti]

I am one of the 1/72 guys but the cost and size would limit me to one. How about a 1/200 scale version? I also collect 1/200 airliners / military transports, which seems to be a popular scale, and should make it more affordable.

It's possible, I would most likely have to have it printed directly. I could check on the price and see how much it would be. I have done some of my vehicles for members that were in 1/100 scales and smaller and they were awesome. 3d printing keeps advancing in great strides and the prices for high detail printing keeps going down. PM me and I can get a rough estimate of cost when I get the model where I like it.

[neptunesurvey]

1/72!

[MechTech]

Congrats on taking this on! I actually did one in 1/200 (Neptunesurvey has the only "released" copy). I think this is another great day for MW'ers everywhere! I'm not a betting man, but I'm betting 1/72nd scale wins hands down. This is a cool looking aircraft and will go great with all the Hase kits out there. - MT

[Mokman]

I vote for 1/200 scale! I collect the Nichimo line of kits and am always looking for other Macross mecha and vehicles that would match this scale. It is a fantastic scale for table top gaming, which is my ulterior motive here. I am also super interested in a cat's eye recon in this scale.

Edited by Mokman, 19 January 2012 - 01:51 PM.

[Skull One]

1/72 o 1/60

[tundrayeti]

Well so far 1/72, seems to be the popular choice. I want this for myself in 1/100 scale, so I will do at least one or 2 in that scale. If Enough folks are interested in a 1/100, i may do a small run of maybe 10 kits. But the 1/72 looks like it will be going to prototype for WF! All I can say for the 1/60 scale people is please be patient, if I can pull this off in 1/72, and 1/100, I'll give 1/60 a go.

Well guys here is a quick update. Showing off the VTOL feature of the engine. I'm not sure if I'm happy with how that looks, but it's one of those "hard to translate from Lineart to reality" things. The side views match the lineart, but I'm still thinking that the engines are too tall. Please give me some feedback on this guys, I really need input on this one. I also added the landing grear "nacelles" on the bottom sides. Thanks for all your votes and comment guys, Keep them coming!

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[Reïvaj]

It's looking great so far!

[FAM56]

1/72 off course!!

[ahiachris]

May I suggest that you check with the line art. The engines seems to be too large when I compare your picture with the line art.

[PetarB]

I agree. Still looks like it needs a bit of work overall.

[tundrayeti]

I have been checking with the lineart. and I actually imported it into my 3d software and as I suspected and you guys confirmed, the engines are a little too big. I think I'm just going to redo them from scratch. I used some old drawings I was doing from awhile back when I was going to use my CNC machine. Thanks for the input guys! I really appreciate it!

[MechTech]

What you have so far look great. I agree with the engines, but I'm sure it will be an easy fix. - MT

[tundrayeti]

What you have so far look great. I agree with the engines, but I'm sure it will be an easy fix. - MT

Pretty quick. I gotta move a few things around but these engines look much better. Have a side by side for comparison. Looks like i'll have to move the wings up and foreward as well but that is an easy fix. Keep that feedback coming everyone. I also redid the VTOL exhaust vents. I think they look much better, but please add your opinion.

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[electric matthew]

I was curious what software you are building this model in? Are you working in polygons? The mesh on the fuselage also looks it has been tessellated to get a smoother, higher polycount, is this correct?The reason I am asking is that I am a 3D modeler (3DS Max) and am currently working on a model to be 3D printed and looking for some useful tips. Your model looks great and I would be interested in a 1/72 version. Thanks.

[tundrayeti]

I was curious what software you are building this model in? Are you working in polygons? The mesh on the fuselage also looks it has been tessellated to get a smoother, higher polycount, is this correct?The reason I am asking is that I am a 3D modeler (3DS Max) and am currently working on a model to be 3D printed and looking for some useful tips. Your model looks great and I would be interested in a 1/72 version. Thanks.

Thanks for looking. I started this model in Max, but i use autocad 2012 to make my models for 3d printing. Max is an awesome program, but there are tools in Autocad that are very useful for 3d modeling for cnc and 3d printing purposes. The fuselage is tessellated for Smoothness, there will be small facets in the printed model, but a couple coats of sandable primer and some sanding takes them right out. Also the printing method helps as well. Autocad and Solidworks are good programs for 3d printing and can import models from other formats.
Another good tip is to hollow out your model. Both autocad and solidworks have tools that will help you acheive this. It really helps keep printing costs down and you can always use bondo or some other filler to make your model more solid. Please feel free to pm me if you have any more questions.

[tundrayeti]

Okay here's another update. Easy to get some 3d modeling done when you're stuck in a hotel room. Well I'm taking a little creative license here since there are no reference pics or lineart. Here are some of the engine detail I have in mind. There will be panels on the sides of the engine that will allow the builder to open the panels up and have some "maintainence" done. Wires can be added for more detail. Or the panels can be glued in place for flight mode. So please give me your opinions or suggestions. I like the turbine idea, but i can remove it and add a mesh screen pattern to the intake. Let me know any opinions or thoughts on this.
Thanks!

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[tundrayeti]

Okay here's another update. I added the back VTOL jet vents. This one was tougher than I thought. This another one of those "lineart" issues. I got it looking right from the side and it looked off in the other views, so I had to compromise. I'm on the fence on this on, I'm not entirely happy with it yet, but I would like everyone's opinion. Let me know what you think. I also took pictures in a "realistic view". This view eliminates the highlighted edges and gives more of an idea of what it might look like in red plastic. Anyway please add your opinions and comments.

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Attached Files

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Edited by tundrayeti, 25 January 2012 - 06:20 AM.

[ahiachris]

The main engines are still too big. If you look at the frontal view, the width of the engine is only half of the width of the fuselage. And the sides of the engine are more rounded.

[tundrayeti]

actual 3d object is alwaystricky. When I look at the lineart frontal view, It looks as though the engines ar more boxy with the edges rounded off. Then you have images like this that show the engine intakes as more square.
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What I do is import the lieart into a cad program and scale it so that the side view is 1:1. I trace the engine profile and then extrude it. I will admit that I did make the a little wider than what is on the frontal view, but added the little extra width so that it looks more "square." You can drive yourself crazy trying to get you 3d model to look right at every angle you see in the lineart. Well I can try shortening the width and see how it looks. that's not a problem at all.

Edited by tundrayeti, 25 January 2012 - 08:29 AM.

[ahiachris]

That's what we say about anime magic. I'll usually use the isometric views to build the prototype then refine the prototype using the 3 dimension pics as reference.

[tundrayeti]

Very true, The isometric views on this one are a bit tricky. Wish I had a top view, it would make things so much easier. I really appreciate your input though, I should have kept them at the original width i calculated which was a little over 4 feet wide on the engines. Another frustration is that when you look at the lineart for the side view, the top of the engines are far above the top of the fuselage, but the front view shows them almost at the same height. So even the iso views are off. Well I'll just shorten the width and see how it looks I have no problem with that. That is why the input i get here is so important. Thanks Ahiachris for your observations, I really do appreciate them! That goes for everyone else too!

Edited by tundrayeti, 25 January 2012 - 09:24 AM.

[ahiachris]

How do you calculate the dimension of the plane? For my centrepede truck I start first from the size of the driver then the driver seat. Next is the size of the driver cab door then I'll have the general dimension of the driver cab. When I started with the goods compartment I realized that the dimension given by the line arts were not too accurate. I then have to redraw the linearts and redraw the iso views.
If you need the top view of the plane then you have to draw your own. Looking forward to own this kit.

[tundrayeti]

I did a little googling and found a couple sites that put the length at 19.2 meters, or about 63 feet. I double checked that with the height of the figure, (like you do) using an average human height of 5 foot 9 inches. The 19.2 meter length is about right if anyone has better data, please let me know. I think there are some dimensions on some of the lineart pictures, if anyone can translate, I would be very appreciative. I spent 3 years in Japan and I could never get the hang of kanji or katagana. Good thing the street signs were also in english.

[tundrayeti]

Okay here's another update. I scaled the engines down a bit. I'll do it gradually so that i don't go too far. So let me know your opinion, after all you guys are the one's who have to be happy with them, I also remodeled the rear vents, I'm much happier with them now. I did do 2 versions though, One with the exhaust going straight down so it's parrallel with the ground and one slightly angle to conform more to the "bulge" of the nacelle. Let me know your opinions and I'll keep the one that everyone likes the best.
Keep the comments coming, I'm going to start panel lining and other details soon. But I'll be traveling tonight cause I"M FINALLY GOING HOME!!!!
I'll take a short break to spend time with the family, but i will try to update this and all my other projects this weekend.
Thanks Everyone!

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Edited by tundrayeti, 26 January 2012 - 10:25 AM.

[ahiachris]

Checked the front elevation diagram. I think you need to make the roots of the wings that are nearer to the fuselage much lower. And a little bit lowering the angle of the wings then extend the wing span a little bit by increasing the swept angle of the main wings to the rear. Then lowering the main engines, meks them sit a little bit further into the main wings (the top of the engines need to be align with the top of the fuselage). The length of the tail wings looks too long and the main wings are not long enough when checking with the second picture.

[MechTech]

Looks awesome! And with engines visible too!!! Keep up the awesome build! - MT

[tundrayeti]

Checked the front elevation diagram. I think you need to make the roots of the wings that are nearer to the fuselage much lower. And a little bit lowering the angle of the wings then extend the wing span a little bit by increasing the swept angle of the main wings to the rear. Then lowering the main engines, meks them sit a little bit further into the main wings (the top of the engines need to be align with the top of the fuselage). The length of the tail wings looks too long and the main wings are not long enough when checking with the second picture.

I agree with you about the wings. I did say in a previous post that I had moved them to line up more with the side view. I am not happy with th results either. The wings themselves were made by extruding lines drawn from the front view so The angle should be okay, this model has been a give and take of compromise between the different views. It is still very much a work in progress, I plan on redoing the tail as well. I really want to focus on the details I am presently working on till everyone is happy with those(the engines, and the rear VTOL vents.) It much easier than jumping around to different elements. I will most likely move the wings down more. Thanks for the input, i agree with you on a lot of those points.

Looks awesome! And with engines visible too!!! Keep up the awesome build! - MT

Thanks MT, I also plan on having 1 pr 2 areas that will have removable panels with avionics, etc. I'll see where I want to put it when I start panel lining this baby!

At any rate thanks for all your input ! I'm back home now and Hoping to get some more stuff done.

[IScustom]

Very cool design, man! I hope you can put 1/48 into you consideration too

[cool8or]

I vote for 1/72. Interesting project so far, I'll be tuned.

Edited by cool8or, 28 January 2012 - 08:43 PM.