MMORefugee

Exactly:

Salt masking can be a lot of work, but it's the best way to get that faded paint look on carrier-based aircraft like the VF-0. It's also great for rust. Here's the first kit I tried it on:

My 0D, which I got from HLJ, has the misaligned intake markings as well. That being said, I'm not bothered by it for a couple reasons. First, my 0D is otherwise fine. No missing, loose, or damaged parts. Secondly, the misalignment is pretty subtle and I didn't even notice it until it was pointed out on these boards. The markings aren't misaligned with respect to the intake edges, they're misaligned with respect to each other. Since they're on opposite sides of the aircraft, you'll never be able to see both of them at the same time.

Agreed about the weathering, the exhaust from the backpack boosters in particular. I also really like the green tone you used on the gunpod.

http://anymoon.com/blog/?p=7715

I'm psyched to finally get a 0S. The first release had been discontinued before I got into valk collecting, and I'm not about to pay an inflated price for a toy of dubious quality. Hopefully we'll get an improved SV-51 down the line as well. I really want an Ivanov, but again, the same logic prevents me from getting one of the originals.

I've had good results with Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr. Color leveling thinner. Agreed. The blue 3M masking tape is pretty good, too.

I'm making a wild guess here: The ship to which the destroid is assigned. Daedalus, Macross, or Prometheus.

What I have just shows the markings as "L" or "R" on their respective sides. I guess destroid pilots and ground crew have trouble telling left from right.

A few stray thoughts: The VF-1 doesn't carry fuel, exactly, but it does use reaction mass while flying in space. From a control management standpoint it could behave the same way. The keypad on the right side panel reminds me of a KNS-660 FMS (which I've actually used) or the ICP on an F-16 (which I've only seen pictures of). I'd imagine it's alphanumeric, like the keypad on a phone, and can be used for data entry in any system, controlled by a rotary switch or selector buttons or something. The screen directly below the primary flight display looks like an FMS display. Alternatively, since there don't seem to be any standby flight instruments on the panel, that screen could fill that function. I'd imagine the most practical approach would be to come up with a list of controls that you'd need to operate an aircraft like the Valkyrie, and then start installing them on the panel. Keep in mind that systems tend to be grouped together. All of the lights will be next to each other. All of the radio controls will be next to each other, and so on. Since the VF-1 is a nuclear powered aerospacecraft, it won't be exactly the same as a modern aircraft, but will still have some analogous controls. One example I can think of is firewall shutoff valves and fire extinguishers. You could instead have "Emergency Reactor Shutdown" handles or similar.

As far as the markings on the panel go, the best diagrams I've seen are on Mr. March's site, the Macross Mecha Manual (http://macross2.net/m3/m3.html). His site is an all around great resource. This drawing in particular, http://macross2.net/m3/macrossdyrl/vf-1a-fastpack/vf-1-dyrl-cockpit-instrumentpanel.gif is probably closest to what you're looking for. It looks like a scan from page 043 of the Variable Fighter Master File: VF-1 Valkyrie (http://www.hlj.com/product/SOF35182/Sci). If that's the case, then you're pretty much on your own for coming up with panel markings. I had a close look at my VF Master File book and the markings are nonsense, saying things like "may the force be with you". Since you're experienced designing aircraft controls, it's probably better that you set up the panel yourself anyway. You could try basing it on the panel of an F-14, the aircraft which inspired the design of the VF-1.

I personally favor the DYRL cockpit. It's a more modern design, with a more sensible HOTAS control scheme. Subsequent variable fighter types from later series use the DYRL style control layout as well. I followed the link to your website and had a look at some of the products. Holy cow, those are some nice looking quadrants. I've spent my fair share of time in the Lear 45 and I recognized those thrust levers before I even read the description.

This thread + this (http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=41219) thread = win.

I might have to get one of these. Do we know if they'll come with Roy and/or Max markings also?