tekering

Okay, I think I've nailed it this time...

My revised prototype, fresh from the printer.

Scale looks precisely anime-accurate now, I think...

...meaning it only seats one figure, not three.  Sorry, Matchbox. 😜

Note this model has yet to receive any glue, paint, sanding or surface prep. of any kind...

What you see is what you get. 🔒

For those of you with modelling skills (and ambition), I'll be printing clear upgrade parts for the headlight, brake light and turn signals, but you'll have to cut the solid parts off the bike to replace 'em... 🤔

The headlight, at least, can be cleanly removed with a little force.

2 hours ago, strikevalk said:

Sealed Lana Bootleg

Fascinating.  "Sealed" is clearly a misnomer, but it appears to be complete, at least...

...and despite the "unpainted face" callout on the back, it's clearly been painted. 🤔

On 4/1/2026 at 10:43 PM, derex3592 said:

I appreciate ALL you are doing for us Southern Cross fans @tekering! 

Thanks, acknowledgements like that provide motivation when the task turns out to be so much more work than anticipated...

Since the individual segments didn't scale consistently, I've had to assemble the model virtually and adjust the relative size and proportion of each part to confirm the proper shapes and sizes:

I've also taken the opportunity to further refine the model, adding upgrades like the new control panel and handlebar grips (as well as the aforementioned fuel cap).

The next prototype will be a major improvement. 

57 minutes ago, Big s said:

I never realized how triangular the seat actually is supposed to be.

It's not.  That artwork greatly exaggerates the angle of the seat.

These orthographic views are a lot more consistent:

1 hour ago, Big s said:

And the front while looking totally awesome is probably too big like you said.

It has become clear to me that the engine pods are all oversized on Jose's model, and the front fairing along with them.  I'll make substantial adjustments to scale and proportions for the next prototype.

1 hour ago, Big s said:

there’s a Beavis and Butthead joke waiting to happen for this guy.

Those Navy Division (NA.D.) outfits never even appeared in the anime, yet they got model kits instead of the Spartas Hovertanks...? 🤨

Southern Cross merchandise was a joke, all right. 🙄

2 hours ago, shazam said:

Now that's more like it! 😁

Seriously, though... "Seats up to 3 fashion dolls."  🤨

Those Matchbox packaging designers must've been on crack back in the '80s. 🤪

Seats up to 3? 😲

Maybe it's not too big after all... 😉

Oh dear, it looks like I overshot the mark... 

It's definitely too big for the figure. 😐

At least, the front part is too big... 🤨

I'm not sure how consistently scaled all the various segments are, to be honest.  I'll have to do a little experimenting, and see what proportions best suit the Dana figure.

In the meantime, constructive criticism is encouraged. Tell me where you think needs fixing. 😇

So, Hasegawa's N-Ger came in a box identical in size to their movie Q-Rau...

...not nearly as wasteful as the oversized packaging for their TV Q-Rau.

Only 30% of the N-Ger's box is empty space. 😝

13 hours ago, TangledThorns said:

I must be the only one here that liked (not loved) Wonder Man, lol. 

Given the total lack of online discourse, you may be the only one that watched Wonder Man, lol.

I've always dreamed of having an electric motorcycle that looks exactly like that model... except with the mini-missile launchers on the front, of course. 😉

Actually, it's "Kieth," not "Keith."

He was one of those rare comic book writers who could also draw incredibly well.

That's supposed to look like this, isn't it?

I mean, I can see some similar design cues, but... it's not nearly as good as their Logan, even. 🤨

Good news, gentlemen.  I've been in contact with Jose in Argentina, and he's agreed to make some upgrades and corrections for this release. 

There was a missing shock absorber that's now been added, and the seat back is now properly curved. 

I'll also be adding a fuel cap. 😇

X-Transbots' Monolith ("youth" version).  I've had him for ages, just never got around to photographing him.

You're a prince among men, Mike.  I've retroactively decided to buy both Legacy Animated Optimus (through eBay, since it would cost me nearly twice as much to buy one in Japan) and the original DK-54 (through Ali Express, since it would cost me nearly twice as much to buy one in Japan).

I don't know why I'm so tempted now, since I had no interest in either two years ago... 🤔

4 hours ago, Scyla said:

Legacy United Animated Universe Optimus Prime

4 hours ago, mikeszekely said:

Age of the Primes Animated Optimus Prime

Thanks, guys.  Whatever Hasbro called it, it seems TakaraTomy didn't give it a Japanese release... 

...which is ironic, given the original Wingblade Optimus Prime never got a Hasbro release. 

13 hours ago, sh9000 said:

DK-56S.

What figure is this upgrading, and what character does it represent?

On 3/17/2026 at 3:01 PM, Big s said:

That’s a bold choice in this day and age.

Not if you've already released the General Lee, and thus created a market for figures to scale...

2 hours ago, jvmacross said:

-Pilot Figure Compatibility

 Compatible with various pilot figures (sold separately).

It certainly won't be 1:72, then... at least, according to all the official stats.  If it actually fits his 4-inch Khyron figure, it'll have to be much larger than Hasegawa's 1:72 Glaug... and almost twice as large as Bandai's 1:72 Glaug. 🤨

On 3/11/2026 at 10:50 AM, m0n5t3r said:

I just have to say, casual Dana's thigh gap is something else .

Well, you need a well-articulated figure to ride a hovercycle properly...

On 3/10/2026 at 9:34 PM, Big s said:

Might also be cool to see an effect piece under the hover jets to lift it up a tad off the ground for a more dynamic look. 

LEDs mounted in the engines would look much more anime-accurate:

On 3/11/2026 at 1:04 AM, jenius said:

Lol, we need the ability to put magnets in the hover parts so we can put the opposite magnets in a base and have a hovering diorama! 

That could be accomplished, with an electromagnetic base... 🤔

On 3/11/2026 at 1:04 AM, jenius said:

Or maybe just 5mm holes so we can use clear display stands.

Now there's a practical solution that wouldn't increase the price. 😅

Okay, since there seems to be some serious interest here:

HR-32 Flash Clapper (as modeled by JOSEBLACKSOUL on Cults 3D)

3D-printed in light grey photopolymer resin, at 12K resolution (0.05mm layer height), and scale-adjusted to Kitz Concept's Dana Sterling figure (approximately 1:10 scale).  I won't know the exact price until I've got a prototype finalized, but it'll cost significantly less than the Dana figure itself.

I'll have a sample printed and photographed by the end of the month.

3 hours ago, Thom said:

About what size would it be in 1/72?

8cm wide, 14cm long.  Almost exactly the size of a 1:72 Legioss, actually.

3 hours ago, Thom said:

What scale are you doing it in?

If I separate the fuselage, I could print one large enough to fit a 3.75" figure. 🤔

At about 1:22, this would roughly scale with the MEGO figures, the upcoming Factory Entertainment BSG Viper, and the vast majority of my Star Wars vehicles...

 ...oh, and my Max Factory gerwalk, too. 😁

For starters, though, we're just accurizing the vintage 1:35 Monogram kit.

On 2/28/2026 at 11:49 PM, Papa Rat said:

Any updates on the Bioroid?

Nah, @SteveTheFish has me working on 3D models of the Buck Rogers Thunder Fighter now...

20 hours ago, Big s said:

That’s what I figured, no figure 

How do you figure that?  I figured those figures must be their figures, since the figures figure so prominently in their promo shots... 🤔

No figures?  Go figure. 🤨