Vifam7

How do we know that's the final final version?

If it's a Hikaru VF-1J you could probably get away with just using the base white plastic for most of the parts, paint the small components, and blow clear flat on top. I don't have a airbrush either so I brush paint too. I'd use enamel paints instead of the more popular acrylics because it's less apt to leave brush marks.

For dark areas, a bit of gray Gundam marker paint will help cover those sprue marks. I've used this technique and it works. The gray blends in and is pretty much invisible. I've also read that a bit of sanding and a coat of clear flat at the very end would help make the sprue marks disappear.

The entire air force is getting old fast due to high usage. Earlier this year, there was a news report about how the USAF is now a "geriatric air force".

Great build and equally good review. Now if I can only get off my ass and actually start building my kit... but first I have to finish my VF-1 that's still in mid-build stage...

What kind of wash did you use?

But not as weird as those Brits who put Sidewinder missiles (Jaguar) or fuel tanks (Lightning) on top of the wings.

Some of us buy a 2nd copy of the same kit as an insurance policy for when we screw up.

Unlikely Bandai would make DX VF-25s past Lucca. Maybe a cannon fodder if you're lucky. Bandai doesn't seem to exploit a franchise with chogoukins like they do with model kits. Not even Gundam.

I remember reading somewhere that the Top Gun training program also included some DACT involving F4U Corsairs. Btw the Lightning was a very agile jet fighter. Supposedly a study was done to see if navalizing a Typhoon was do-able. What jet aircraft that was designed as a land based aircraft ever converted for carrier use? I can only think of one - the British Hawk - which became the T-45 Goshawk.

Assuming that the landing gears will be exactly as the prototypes show it as. And assuming that Michel's Valk will have the same gears. Who knows. Maybe the gears will be the right length when finalized. Or maybe the gunpod will be craftily made to fit underneath. Or maybe when Bandai gets to Michel's 25, they realize they have to go back to the drawing boards. Awacs, if I were you, I'd wait for the DX Michel version to come out since that one is confirmed as coming with fast packs. Not to mention, if there are any defects to the first DX Alto, those issues may be solved by the time Bandai gets to Michel's 25.

Try gundamstoreandmore.com for Gundam markers. I suggest getting the "Sumiire Gray Paint Marker #21". It's acrylic based and comes out easy with water if you make a boo boo.

What do you guys think of the whole F-35 controversy? http://www.military.com/news/article/criti...l=1186032320397 This was latest article criticising the F-35.

It says that you should paint those gaps not covered by the stickers. It says that you could reduce the appearance of sprue scars by using Gundam marker (of a similiar color to the plastic).

It's not out of production. It just means that the initial stocks that were shipped from Bandai's factory have all sold out at the retailers. Another shipment is likely to hit the retailers in due time. Any popular model kit can quickly go out of stock.

The old Takatoku toy is a product of its time so it gets a bit of leeway. The DX toy is a product of today so naturally expectations are sky high. Ie. we want perfect sculpt and sturdiness and low price! Ofcourse easier said than done.

Theoretically Kawamori could take Macross II re-edit it, retcon the details like the timeline and then re-insert it as part of the official Macross chronology. Call it MACROSS II ~ A NEW TRANSLATION BY S. KAWAMORI.

Ofcourse one has to realize that the Mac2 and Mac7 kits were designed before even the first HGUC or MG Gunpla. Hasegawa has nothing to do with Bandai having to catch up or learning a lesson. Perhaps the success of the Hase kits may have convinced Bandai to sponsor another Macross anime but that's pure conjecture. They release those old kits more as a nostalgia gift to a contingent of old school fans who actually want them. Kinda like how they re-release the ancient early 80s Gundam models even though HGUC and MG kits are readily available. It could happen. It all depends on how well the Frontier Valk kits sell and whether Kawamori wants to continue the Macross franchise on the heels of Frontier.

That little pic of the parts to swap - the pieces on the left side - for fighter mode the 2 pieces in the middle - for gerwalk mode the pieces on the right side - for battroid mode I think some of the parts are duplicated on the right and left sides.

Why not give it a try? Bandai kits are snap fit so they are much easier to put together and they come pre-colored. It's not like you have to glue, putty, sand, and paint like most other plastic kits. Snap it together, put the stickers on, and you're done. Only tool you'd need would be a sprue cutter and maybe a hobby knife. It'll still look pretty decent.

For goodness sake, just go back a few pages on this thread and read! Your questions have been answered many times already with plenty of links and pics to help you. Maybe there ought to be a sticky FAQ for this kit.

Looks like the kit is selling out in many places. This is a very good sign. If these kits sell well, Bandai will have more reasons to release more versions and perhaps fund another anime series.

Fragility shouldn't be an issue if that part will be made of metal as hinted so far.

If anyone's wondering here's someone's build with absolutely no painting, no panel lining, and no stickers/decal put on. http://usjma.net/c-board/c-board.cgi?cmd=o...=322;id=entame2 Lots of good photos.

Looks like it'll mainly be made of ABS plastic. It says - painted ABS model. They better figure out a way to insert landing gears! No landing gears = no buy for me.