tekering

Good news!  I found a much better Logan model... at half the price! 😊

 This one's not quite perfect, either -- it's fighter-mode only, and entirely lacks a cockpit -- but I can use MaxLab's "Wolverine" cockpit and articulated limbs to Frankenstein a much more accurate kit.  

On 4/16/2024 at 7:35 AM, Protoman said:

3D print files for the Logan are now for sale. 

You know, seeing the transformation demonstrated on YouTube, I was excited by the potential of producing my own Logan and purchased the files for myself...

...but now, after seeing photos on Facebook and comparing them to the lineart, I'm experiencing considerable buyer's remorse. 🤕

I first assumed the model looked poor because it was made on a low-rez FDM printer, as opposed to a proper SLA resin printer designed for miniatures.  It's a terrible decision that reflects badly on the designer, but that doesn't mean the design itself is poor... except now, being able to examine the files in 3D software, I can see all the geometrical discrepancies and misshapen proportions.  It's fat where it should be lean, and lean where it should be fat, and a lot of the angles are wrong.  Frustratingly, most of the inaccuracies have nothing to do with engineering, either, as they'd have no bearing on transformation.  🤨

It actually looks like a Logan toy designed 40 years ago, if Takutoku or Matchbox had tried to produce one.  Perhaps the designer wanted to capture that "retro toy" look...? 🤔

Regardless, i guess I'll just have to teach myself how to do 3D modelling. 🙄

And of course, there's always this gem:

More of an homage, rather than a legitimate transformation scheme.

4 hours ago, Bobby said:

Years back there was that release by Mayhem Mekanics - The Unrustables Otomo Exclusive

That takes me back to the early days of the third-party Transformers scene.  "Legally distinct!  Don't sue us!" 😅

Lipstick on a pig? 😉

That's a pricey chunk of ham on display... and some 3D-printed upgrades, by the looks of it. 🤔

49 minutes ago, jenius said:

we have to figure out a transformation for Kaneda's bike! 

It's a popular idea, mostly inspired by Transformers.

'80s-style cartoon Transformers:

'90s-style CGI Transformers:

Contemporary manga-style Transformers:

Even Bayverse-style abominations!

I've only seen one design that actually looks like something Aramaki would've come up with for Bubblegum Crisis.

It's by sukabu (a Japanese artist, of course). ☺️

10 hours ago, wm cheng said:

I can kindly ignore that existed LOL.

Given how you've embraced Aramaki Shinji's Garland and Motoslave designs, it's nonetheless strange that you'd ignore his most well-known transformable motorcycles.  There's been far more Mospeada merchandise produced than Megazone 23 and Bubblegum Crisis put together. 😅

Honestly, Kaneda's bike is the outlier, being neither Aramaki's design nor transformable... 🤔

3 hours ago, wm cheng said:

I just need Priss to complete my 3 red 80's bike collection!

With all due respect, sir, I believe you've miscounted...

There are FOUR, not three. 😉

3 hours ago, Boobytrap said:

what else are you going to do with the all those extras in your parts bin

True...  I suppose I can't argue with that.

Embrace the absurdity!

6 hours ago, captain america said:

if someone wants the Private model, they can simply remove the crest and putty over the ear flaps.

Excellent!  I'll definitely be doing that. 

33 minutes ago, Boobytrap said:

I kinda (ok, more than kinda) want the one with bunny ears :D.

I definitely won't be doing that. 😅

I certainly wasn't expecting a childish comedy. 😒

Hard pass.

13 hours ago, captain america said:

Because this is a quasi-transformable mecha, it obviously poses some extra engineering challenges

And because it's an Ammonite design, there's a lot of guesswork involved in parsing out the details.

Incidentally, will the alternate head be for a Sergeant/NCO or Corporal/Private?

On 4/16/2024 at 6:32 PM, Firefox21 said:

Sorry Mr Kawamori.

Just for clarification, Macross II had nothing to do with either Shoji Kawamori or Studio Nue.  Mecha designs were by Koichi Ohata.

2 hours ago, MechTech said:

I loved the kit!

I thought the lack of a Koji face for the pilot was inexcusable. 😒

On 4/16/2024 at 7:35 AM, Protoman said:

3D print files for the Logan are now for sale. 

In anticipation of printing my own, I've prepared a painting guide color-matched to the Blu–rays:

Incidentally, Marie's Logan is the only one to survive their debut appearance...  These "cannon fodder" Logans are only briefly onscreen before they're destroyed, and after that Marie's is all we see for the rest of the series. 😅

4 hours ago, shazam said:

Our vendor has informed us of an important design change regarding the Southern Cross Dana Sterling 1/12 Scale Figure Two-Pack. This will be a set of two figures instead of one figure with removable armor. Our website listing is now up to date and current with the most accurate information and photos available. 

Obviously, Kitz Concept failed to provide them with accurate photos, but how long did it take them to inform BBTS of the "important design change?" 🤨

Great find, @Shawn!  Thanks for sharing. 

7 hours ago, CoryHolmes said:

I said there was demand for quality Southern Cross mecha 😁

Yeah, but you had no way to prove it, since quality Southern Cross mecha was never available to the market.  Before the Bio-Lloyds, all we had was a poorly-sculpted vintage kit, a couple half-assed Matchbox toys, and a few Spartas 3D-printed prototypes that weren't good enough to make it to production.

Ironically enough, the great Dyson Max had already proven an anime-accurate Spartas figure could be produced (as long as it didn't transform).  I would've bought a 3D printer just to make one of my own, if only he'd provided .stl files... but at least @captain america can use his model for reference. 🙂

7 hours ago, mikeszekely said:

is there anything aesthetically going on here that makes you think that these guys don't belong together?

Damn you, Mike.  The character's not in Bumblebee or the War For Cybertron game, but now I need the figure anyway. 🙄

That alt. mode is irresistible! 😍

34 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

perhaps someone more learned can translate for me, they're talking something about the arms having points you can drill out...?

Yes, to mount the gunpod to the arm.

36 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

They also showed a bullet marks decal sheet

They specifically said it wouldn't be appropriate for the model to be designed with battle damage, so the decals will be included for those who want to display it like that.

They also mentioned two different sets of decals will be included, one with only markings accurate to the anime, and the other with more realistic aircraft detailing as typically depicted on the box art. 

58 minutes ago, Cypher DX said:

The Sentinels which featured the Regent, Invid In organics and several of the usual Crab guys as main line troops.

The gatekeepers here will be quick to remind you that Robotech exists in an entirely separate continuity, and The Sentinels sequel has no relation whatsoever to Mospeada.

In fact, Mospeada now has its own sequel, Genesis Breakers.

5 hours ago, Convectuoso said:

I hope more people is interested on this

Help spread the word, then!  Let's use the power of social media to ensure the market is properly informed.

9 hours ago, captain america said:

-two different head options

-may be built in any one of three modes

In that case, I'll claim four slots myself. 😎

At less than $300 USD, I'm sure the remaining slots will be filled quickly.  For a once-in-a-lifetime chance like this, it's a great deal!  

9 hours ago, Big s said:

I know the people that bought into the 1/20 Macross kits would love to see a battroid, but I’m curious about how well those sold.

I've been wondering the same myself.  I spent a lot of time in local model shops, where most of the stock is used (or rather, "previously-owned") kits.  There are lots of big Tamiya aircraft carriers, Bandai Perfect Grade mobile suits, and similarly large and expensive out-of-production kits, as well as a wide selection of WAVE, Hasegawa, Bandai, Max Factory, and even TomyTec Macross VF-1s. 

However, the only 1:20 Valkyries I've ever seen are the ones Amazon shipped to my house.  🤨

I've yet to lay eyes on either of Max Factory's kits at retail, either new or used stock.  They must have been produced in rather limited quantities. 🤔

April 1st is the beginning of the fiscal year, which is a big deal in Japan.  It's legit.

I'd be ecstatic if his 1:20 Battroid comes to light. 

8 minutes ago, no3Ljm said:

"The Patlabor Type 99 Special Labor Carrier will (to be confirmed) be included in the Die Cast Vehicle line. Radio-controlled functions allow forward and reverse steering, as well as lighting and lifting .

They've clearly overestimated their target audience.  We're not as wealthy as they think we are. 😒