Anasazi37

Starting to get the hang of 3D modeling. Just completed the UUM-7, which was a lot more complicated to create than the RMS-1. Like the RMS-1, there will be two versions that have more or less detail.

The simplified version of the RMS-1 would look something like this:

I've designed these to support a few Strike custom projects, so my intent is to use small magnets embedded in the top of the connectors and the underside of the wings. @Chunky001's idea of using two-sided tape is a good one if you don't want to permanently modify your 1/55.

I've set up the design so that I can turn the finer details on or off, so I'll likely play with both options. There's another level of detail on the Hasegawa designs (hatches, rivets, etc.) that I'm avoiding because then the armament would definitely look way too "real" compared to the Chunky we love so much.

Comparison of the old and new RMS-1 designs

Yeah, the blue tack was just a temporary thing so I could quickly stick the armaments on and get a sense for how they looked on the valk. Double-sided tape is a more elegant solution for longer-term attachment without having to modify the wings. Will keep everyone posted on availability. Worst case I'll post the files on a site like Cults3D so folks can print them, but could also potentially print some sets for MW members. I do like the chunkiness of the current RMS-1, but it's also been bothering me, so I decided to create a new version from scratch, using the Hasegawa 1/72 Weapons Set as the primary source, and will see how that looks on the valk. I'll do the same for the UUM-7, but the design is a bit more complicated and will take more time to draft.

Thanks! Still a work in progress. I'm already designing new armaments, now that I've seen how these ones look on the 1/55. Stay tuned. Right now I'm attaching them using temporary blue tack, but doing so more permanently will require embedding small magnets in the parts and the wings. These are meant to go on some Strike customs I'm working on, so I don't mind altering the wings a little.

I'm continuing the print-evaluate-refine loop for the gunpod and the armaments, but they're looking pretty good now. I'm on the fence about how chunky the RMS-1 missiles are. On the one hand, I'm putting them on a chunky monkey, so it works, but on the other they do end up being a bit disproportionate compared to the UUM-7.

Same. They seem to be the first out of the gate.

I'm guessing that HLJ is still using their "eh...sometime before the end of October" estimate because the actual release date was only just announced. AE still shows 31 Oct as well. I can't remember a time when HLJ and AE didn't start shipping valks on Bandai's release date. This could be the exception, or the new normal, but I hope not.

All of that work just to touch up the canopy paint?

I also modified the back ends of each piece so they look more like the Hasegawa versions. MUCH better. Agreed. I've never been very happy with the DX connectors.

A little extrusion-based design work in Fusion 360, then some tweaking in 3D Builder to get the proportions right before merging objects, and voila! They're looking pretty nice. The original 1/72 connectors (on the left) are just way too chonky for me.

It really is nice to have access to a resin printer when working on customs, but it is a lot more messy and complicated when compared to extrusion/filament/FDM printing, so I save it for when detail truly matters. Assuming this next gunpod print run works out, my next small project is scaling up and modifying the 1/72 armaments that Minivalks (Senovis) posted on Cults3D: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/art/vf-missile-pack. I'm focusing on the RMS-1 and UUM-7 for a Strike project. I have the parts resized to 1/55 already, but I need to rework the connector and mounting system for each part. The current connectors are too chunky for my taste (I prefer the Hasegawa style) and I want to create circular recesses on top where I can embed small magnets.

That's exactly what my plush gunpod is missing, too!

Test print came out pretty well. I'm not 100% happy with the handle. I think it was under-supported during the print. Will fix that this weekend and run the print job again. Light sanding takes care of the slight faceting on the barrel.

Let's give this a shot....

Took a break from working on the 3D scanner to modify the GU-11 gunpod so it's closer to the anime. Fun project for a Sunday morning. Will definitely print this in resin for all of my 1/55 customs instead of modifying existing gunpods (my original plan). Thinking I'll keep the front part separate for ease of printing and painting.

Among other things, I told them that their markup on Worldwide Macross items was shameful, that they put far too much tampo printing on their toys, that limiting TWE items to Japan was insulting, and that they ruined a perfectly good Angel Birds release by stamping that ugly logo all over it. Stick to canon, finish your existing lines, don't artificially limit access to items, and don't tease us with prototypes (Destroids, Regult Scouts, YF-21, etc.) if you're not going to follow through. I didn't pull any punches.

That's my current theory. Or we're dealing with an elaborate hoax. I couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes after reading this. I check out both Target *and* Walgreens. Amazing selection of Macross products at both stores.

I now can't unsee that crotch piece. And I was planning to display this valk in Battroid. Guess I'll have to rotate it at least 45 degrees, in some kind of dynamic pose, so I don't have to look at it.

I just fired up a VPN with a connection through Tokyo and can only see the "Change of Ownership" page. Interesting.

Gave them a piece of my mind.

Same here. Opted to pay up front at AE to take advantage of the current exchange rate. It's how I was able to justify (to myself) purchasing Arcadia's plush gunpod, too! I was curious to see how big of a markup we'd be dealing with for the worldwide release. Given that the MSRP in Japan, without taxes, is ¥26,000 ($180), the markup is $100. That's 56% higher, which is significant. It's not the fault of BBTS or the other stores offering it outside of Japan--unless they're all part of some extremely well-organized secret toy store syndicate that ensures higher prices. I think we've established, after a few of these WWM releases, that Bandai just decided it was in their best interest to jack up the prices for stores overseas, who then pass that additional cost on to us. They're probably wagering that we're all more willing to hand over 56% more money instead of having to deal with PO Madness and scalpers. Are they right? I don't know.