Vifam7

Currently watching Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life. A stupid/silly isekai anime that parodies its own genre and plays with all the tropes to great comedic effect. 

A number of anime in-jokes too. Though I wonder if some of the younger viewers can catch the Photon Energy Barrier in-joke.

Totally enjoying this series (so far).

On 1/15/2021 at 10:33 AM, vladykins said:

Personally I don't see much of a need to get into one more scale (when I have 1/48, 1/60, 1/55, and the HMR 1/90ish). I know they are considering destroids/enemies like the HMR but at this point they have two releases. I don't see the need to get into them on the promise they *might* eventually have the above. People who have Hasagawa or other 1/72 kits already may be more inclined to jump in at this scale. I just don't see the personal value there. It has nothing to do with Bandai love or Robotech hate and everything to do with "just one more scale".

In my case, I've sold off all of my Yamato/Arcadia/Bandai 1/60, 1/55, 1/48 toys in order to concentrate on 1/72 scale.  I've collected a few HMRs but purged most of the VF-1s. Will hold on to the VF-2, VF-4, and destroids but they may go next. I am first and foremost a military aircraft fan and so I build/collect mainly in 1/72 or 1/144 scale. 

I purchased KC's first release VF-1S and thought it was OK. But decided to hold back on further purchases until KC fixes the gunpod clearance issue when sitting on the landing gears. (this detail is important to me).

For now, I'll stick to building kits or purchasing a few of the fighter mode only VF-1 diecast models from Calibre Wings.

On 8/1/2020 at 2:30 AM, Major Focker said:

longshot, but this might be the best place to ask.

for a few years now, i've been looking for this pair of 1/144 Su-33, part of a series "Aviation Fighters" made by a company named s14. their website s14avfs.com is now up for sale, but they've just released an AC-130 Spooky this july. so they're probably still alive and just moved somewhere i couldn't find. appreciate any leads.

aviation fighters: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=120&cat=military&target=Make&searchkey=s14

S14's website is here: http://s14.shop-pro.jp/

The Sukhois are long out of print. 

The AC-130 was available at top-gun.jp until just a few days ago. I managed to get one myself. There's one on Ebay right now.  The price is very high but close to what you'd have to pay if you were using a proxy buyer in Japan.

If you're thinking about getting S14's Tomcats models, be aware that they are slightly off-scale.

If any of you guys are getting the M0 F-14 and are new to diecast aircraft models, be aware that some of the small bits and pieces are not going to fit as smoothly as say things on Yamato/Arcadia/Bandai models.  The glove pylons on Calibre Wings models are particularly iffy. Sometimes they fit fine, other times it's a total pain in the a$$.  When it's bad, some filing and glue is likely going to be needed. If glue is needed, I recommend using Elmer's white glue (apply and wait a day). Elmer's glue isn't permanent and won't attack the paint (also cleans easy with a wet cloth).   

Also, Calibre's Facebook page informs that newer releases of their Tomcat models will come with brass pitot tubes.  Not sure if the M0 release will come with this but if so, the pitot tube will be difficult to attach with fingers. CW on their FB page suggests using a bottle cap to gently wiggle the thing in.

On 7/22/2020 at 9:21 AM, TMBounty_Hunter said:

The slow trickle of news continues

 

 

Also on video!

https://youtu.be/zrHBJEAN0zg?t=4508

In the video, the guy says that the kit is around 80 parts total and so, experienced kit builders could probably build it up in about an hour. Also, release date hopefully sometime before the weather gets warm next year.

Looking at the prototype, the lower legs area is an improvement over the Hasegawa. Also I like the size of the landing gear wheels. Something that is way too small in both the Bandai and Hasegawa 1/72 kits.

I'm definitely getting a few.

2 hours ago, Seto Kaiba said:

Oh, it's a safe bet they do... anything that could expose them to potential liability or make them a party to litigation against Calibre Wings is going to rustle their jimmies SEVERELY.

By now I assume HG has gotten word of this model. If you're correct, then I think there's good possibility that this model becomes vaporware (as it hasn't been released yet). It wouldn't be the first time a diecast model company had to pull an announced model due to rights issues.

2 hours ago, Seto Kaiba said:

Eh... some of what you came up with is correct, but your conclusion is wrong.

 

You've missed a couple really important key points here.

You see, Big West's use of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat design in Macross Zero does not give them any copyright claim on the F-14's design itself, but this toy still uses Big West's copyrighted intellectual property.

Calibre Wings is using the Macross Zero character designs for the pilot figures, as well as the names of Macross Zero characters in the toy's paintjob.  THAT'S clear-cut infringement of Big West-owned copyrights.  They also still used Macross Zero footage and the title Macross Zero to promote the toy.  That's also something Big West can sue them for, btw, as Calibre Wings does not have their consent to use Macross Zero in a commercial context period.  The real kicker is that Calibre Wings publicly stated that this was an unauthorized Macross Zero product in a public forum (on Twitter), meaning they have literally zero chance of getting a lawsuit from Big West dismissed because they confessed to the crime publicly and stated their intent to continue with their criminal activity  Not being in Japan doesn't exempt Calibre Wings from international copyright law.

The only thing I can think of is that they're hoping they're too small a target for Big West to bother suing, becuase they've done just about everything possible to ensure Big West could sue them and win on summary judgement from their own confession.

Where this REALLY gets problematic is that, if they claim they're using the UN Forces roundel and "UN Spacy" markings under their license with Harmony Gold... now Harmony Gold is a party to this lawsuit, and Harmony Gold could also sue them.  In the past, HG has filed lawsuits against other companies (e.g. Catalyst Game Labs) at the behest of Macross's Japanese owners.  HG could sue them on Big West's behalf for infringing upon the UN Spacy logo and name to prevent itself from being blamed in court for having authorized this bootleg (which they almost certainly didn't... their lawyers would have shat out their own hearts if they'd known).

But that's assuming HG has an issue with what CW is doing... 

Just wondering, but if the final product does not contain any M0 references (though presently it does), would there still be a case due to what it was promoted as?  Would there still be a case if it was just an F-14 in low-vis colors with UN Spacy logos (assuming the logo use was Ok'd by HG)?

1 hour ago, Seto Kaiba said:

By Macross's standards, Macross II was pretty damned gritty for the time... what with the UN Forces being a stagnant and overbearing military that maintains the illusion of perfection by exercising heavy press censorship, the Mardook being a race of genocidal religious fanatics who use mind control to force their Zentradi into kamikaze attacks, etc.

It took a lot of pointers from Mobile Suit Gundam, which I'm sure had nothing to do with all the Gundam staffers working on it.

 

It's has some dark themes, but the overall atmosphere is decidedly not gritty IMHO. Especially when compared to Gundam 0083 which came out the same year.  Though, to be fair, how one defines "gritty" is subjective.

I don't understand the Gundam staff thing. Director Kenichi Yatagai isn't really a Gundam guy nor is series composer Sukehiro Tomita. The only big name Gundam guy I know in the credits is Fujita Kazumi but his job was mecha designer.

On 5/31/2020 at 6:25 PM, Seto Kaiba said:

 

As we've noted many times, you have a very VERY warped perception of what made Macross a success... your tastes are not at all in line with those of 99.99999999% of the fandom.

Macross demonstrably performs better with general audiences when it emphasizes those aspects of the story you don't like.  The optimism, the music, the love triangles, the things which were always central parts of the Macross experience.  When they tried to go more gritty and action-focused, it didn't do nearly as well... like Macross II, Macross Plus, and Macross Zero.

 

I agree with most of what Seto wrote but I have to disagree with Macross II as being gritty. It's got the optimism, music, and the love triangle.

3 hours ago, David Hingtgen said:

Quick poll/opinion: What's the best paint for hand-brushing basic black and silver?    No matter what you're modeling, there's going to be "small black bits" and "small silver bits" that you're going to paint by hand.   I honestly really liked Pollyscale (best silver ever!!!) but that's long-gone.  Not real fond of Tamiya.  Hate Vallejo in my experience.  (thick, and can't directly brush out of a bottle...)  

I've always used Humbrol's enamel for flat black.

Model Master enamel for silver (though this is going bye-bye as well).

There is also a "Standard version" Blu-ray box set that doesn't come with the diecast model or the FAF Technical Orders booklet. It was cheaper at around $150 MSRP. I have this version of the Blu-ray set. It contains the English dub but no English subtitles. Copies of this version can still be found on Amazon Jpn and CDJapan

56 minutes ago, David Hingtgen said:

I think it's more "they were too lazy/uncreative to come up with their own scheme, so they just copied "the next plane over's"

Actually,  it seems to be just a simple color change from their what-if blue on blue camo JASDF F-14.

28 minutes ago, Dobber said:

The new Valks aren’t on Flying Mule either. Kind of annoyed the only one I want isn’t available.  Lol

Chris

It'll likely show up in the future. If it hasn't been listed yet, it's likely because the release date is unclear. Also, Calibre has had difficulty in getting their products out as scheduled so some retailers might be shy in listing it too soon.   

Holy moly, did anyone see this yet?

56 minutes ago, Seto Kaiba said:

How (in)appropriate its fit with Macross was probably wasn't even on their radar... they needed to throw together a series on the cheap, and they don't come much cheaper than a total flop like Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross.  MOSPEADA was probably chosen for similar reasons too, since it was only a so-so performer ratings-wise and its merchandise line in Japan wasn't much better off.

Well that and perhaps that they were the only 2 other series that Tatsunoko was licensing at the time which had a future war with transforming robots theme going. Right?

Anybody here building tanks & AFVs with Lego?

Youtube's algorithm recommended a video from Brickmania late last year and ever since watching that video, I've been drawn into building AFVs with Lego bricks. Already purchased a few from Brickmania, a handful of the Cobi brand tanks, and some instructions from various sites.

Brickmania M4 Sherman

Cobi Leopard 1

Cobi Challenger 2

3 hours ago, peter said:

I did say it looked better than the MPC, so my opinion wasn't entirely negative.  I'd probably have to see it from other angles, with comparisons to other toys as well as line art, and in the other modes to formulate a better opinion, but I will admit, it doesn't look horrible with what information I have seen.

 

I made a comparison post last year, between the KC, the Caibre Wings diecast, and the Bandai kit in terms of 1/72 scale fighter mode sculpt.

IMHO, if fighter mode sculpt is prime importance, then the Calibre Wings diecast would be my top choice. Followed by the Bandai kit. The KC toy's fighter sculpt from the side view is not really good. From the intakes area and back, it's rather off IMO. 

That said, the KC toy is a choice if transformation and battroid mode is important. If they've improved the QC, all the better.

12 hours ago, Graham said:

So far out of all the 2020 Gunpla release announcements, the RG Force Impulse is the only kit that I'm even remotely interested in.

Hoping for this year:

1. MG Kampfer ver. 2.0.

A version 2.0 MG Kampfer would indeed be sweet.

I'd also like to see...

1. PG Core Booster twin-pack (one for Sayla, one for Sleggar)

2. MG (or RE:100) Heavy Gun

3. MG (or RE:100) G-Cannon

4. MG (or RE:100) Guntank R-44

16 hours ago, sqidd said:

A big Saturn V would be really cool.

There is one in 1/72 scale released by Dragon.

https://www.flyingmule.com/products/DM-50402

https://www.flyingmule.com/products/DM-50388

Only the rocket though. Doesn't include the launch pad.

18 hours ago, Thom said:

CrossAir, that is a nice looking root. Not familiar with the anime but it looks dang cool!

Neptunesurvey, that is a good looking SD. Esp in the that small scale, it is well deserving of a metal.

And Vifam7, that Skygrasper looks incredible! It would so fit in to the Macross universe. Heck, it even has a booster pack!

Thank you to Thom, CrossAir, MechTech, and Neptunesurvey for the kind words.

A little note on the kit - Bandai says the scale of this kit is 1/60. The Aile Striker pack (the entire rear half) maybe 1/60 scale (as it's supposed to fit on the PG Strike Gundam) but the forward Skygrasper section does not look 1/60 scale as the size of the pilots, the cockpit, and the whole forward fuselage is more like 1/72 scale.

Finished my Perfect Grade Skygrasper+Aile Striker kit with minor mod and a Macross flavor.  

Not a full paint job. Basically kept the original white and yellow part and painted over everything else with black or gunship gray to make it a bit more military-ish.  Used 3rd party Macross decals I purchased from Ebay. I don't know who made them but they were utter crap. The thickest decals I ever dealt with.

Removed the original gun & turret unit on the back and replaced it with twin-gun unit from a HGUC Ball.  I wanted a twin-gun mount there.

5 hours ago, peter said:

 

No military in the world:

Robotech:  Let's light up our Veritech head to give away our position and make sure the enemy knows where to shoot.

You could maybe put on a lightup gimmck on old pre-thermal sight era tanks like the M48 and early M60 tanks that had the Xenon searchlights installed above the main gun.

But that's about it.  The lightup head gimmick on this statue is indeed dumb.

Since I did not purchase the DX Chogokin VF-1S, the Metal Structure Nu Gundam, the SoC DairuggerXV, or any of the Metal Builds, I treated myself to this awesome thing.

2 hours ago, sh9000 said:

Thanks.  I have that bookmarked on another site and I'm trying to get one for cheaper.  I'm giving John Wick different cars.

Other modes of transportation:

 

John Wick in a tank.

 

Happy Friday!

 

Awesome!

What scale and brand is that Abrams tank?

Might have to get one myself.

33 minutes ago, spanner said:

that's really nice! wouldn't mind adding a Phantom to my collection. What brand is that?

Hobby Master. 1/72 scale.

You can get it here: https://www.flyingmule.com/products/HM-HA19011