tekering

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. 😒

12 hours ago, TehPW said:

The one BELOW the caption you posted

12 hours ago, sh9000 said:

I'd forgotten this was even a thing...

...given it appears in only one of 109 episodes, and it's onscreen for a grand total of 43 seconds. 😅

7 minutes ago, captain america said:

While we're on this topic, does anyone have a 3DS or OBJ file for a seated Jeanne Francaix pilot, preferable already in 1/48 scale?

This may suffice:

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/asiento-y-piloto-de-spartan-hovertank-robotech

6 hours ago, TehPW said:

🤭Let me be specific: I'm talking about the side view (below #2).

On 3/22/2024 at 2:02 PM, Bolt said:

Beautiful job on the chipping and wear !

Thanks!  It's always difficult to judge how much is appropriate for any given location.

Like, I've applied the heaviest weathering to the feet:

I'm very pleased with the results, but... is it too much, maybe? 🤔

On 3/26/2024 at 12:02 PM, miltin said:

I tried to make the purchase on stlcollectables, but it won't let me, I don't know if it's a page error

The site is very poorly maintained, I'm afraid.  The vast majority of models have remained "uncategorized" for years. 🙄

Of course, given the trouble you've obviously had posting here, the problem could well be on your end... 😅

On 3/27/2024 at 12:32 PM, TehPW said:

Also what does the Kanji say on the notice that is placed on the first underside notation (from Left to Right)?

"Arms rotate, legs swing down." 😅

On 3/24/2024 at 1:13 PM, TehPW said:

The first thing i see that might be/should be wrong is the size and placement of the Jet Intake warning. Unless it would be common for that inlet cover to be at a higher angle when on the ground, the markings should extend along the outside of the inlet covers in some manner along each edge, merging at the front of the plate (see PIC #2's angle).

The second thing is that there should be No Step markings on the UNDERSIDE of the wings as well (because the JA's wings are hydraulically hinged to flex in both directions when in Gerwalk mode)

Third? No 03 high on the tail (because when you are an AD working in Power Plants WC in a futuristic Fighter Squadron and Maintenance Control sends you out to do a 30-day inspection on those Inlet Covers, MC would have told you Modex # 03, so you're looking at the highest point on each aircraft, to make sure you are working on the CORRECT fighter)

This is the kind of constructive feedback that makes us better model makers.  I really wish more members would look at my work with a more critical eye, or at least be more willing to point out observations like this...  Unfortunately, since some people are quick to take offence, all we usually get is effluent praise.

Personally, I'm surprised nobody questioned how Hayao Kakizaki survived to pilot a VF-2JA... 😉

Thanks for the confirmation, Cap'n.  That's exactly what I needed to hear.  

4 hours ago, derex3592 said:

Can't wait to see this finished up!!! 

Well, I've only finished one part so far...

I'm adding the usual weathering and rust I'd expect to see on Quamzin's mecha.

Delicate chipping has been strategically applied to areas most likely to have suffered impacts. 

However, I need some advice from @captain america before I go any further:

I realize these instructions are at least 15 years old now, and the chemical composition of the polymer resin used nowadays may have changed (assuming even the same brand was used for this run)...

Since I've managed to successfully assemble the model as it is (and it seems stable and secure), is it still imperative that I post-cure the polymer parts before painting?  Could omitting this crucial step result in the failure of load-bearing parts in the future?

Also, judging by the color and texture of the pieces I received, I'm not sure all the parts listed here were cast in polymer resin this time... 🤔

As I've cut, sanded, and primed parts for test–fitting and assembly, I've sometimes used a hair dryer to heat and reshape parts to ensure a proper fit; this is a typical part of the process for building garage kits, of course.  But if a few moments under a hair dryer is enough to soften the resin, won't FOUR HOURS in an oven cause irreparable damage? 🤕

Most of us here have probably never "baked" resin parts before, and might be a little reticent to do so with such an expensive kit. 😬

Additionally, this may only apply to me in Japan, but I've never seen wax paper here.  Would aluminium foil ensure even distribution of heat in the same manner?

It stands!  

It's quite monstrously large. 😋

Now, if I may be permitted to preach to the choir, I'd like to address the issue of scale:

Official stats (and actual onscreen interaction) establish the Glaug at 16.55 meters high, meaning Moscato's model is really 1:48 scale:

Official stats also claim a height of 11.85 meters for Quamzin, which makes Moscato's figure a reliable 1:72 scale. 

However, the seated figure barely squeezes into the hollow shell of the Glaug, and in an awkward pose not consistent with the animation. 

After putting the pilot into a proper seated position, I had to cut off his legs at the shins just to fit him in.

Note how the 1:72 pilot is much larger (and more deeply recessed) than what we see depicted in the anime:

Experten's 1:100 Quamzin 03350 figure is much more accurately-scaled to the mecha.

So logically, Moscato's Glaug should actually be considered 1:100 scale.

Of course, that would put the Glaug at about 34 meters tall, over twice its officially-stated height. 😯

That's one hell of a scale discrepancy! 😬

4 hours ago, CoryHolmes said:

Call me crazy (and people often do) but I don't like Zendaya's a great actress

You're not crazy, you just haven't seen Euphoria or Malcolm & Marie.

17 hours ago, TangledThorns said:

DUNE 1984 does a better job of world building TBH.

It's much less accurate to the novel, overall, but does work better as a film.  As much as I prefer Dune 2021, Lynch's opening scene between the emperor and the third-stage navigator is more memorable and effective than any single scene of Villeneuve's, and puts the story into a much clearer context.

16 hours ago, MKT said:

it took quite a bit to try to remember everything that happened previously

Lynch's film is the more memorable, but that's not necessarily a compliment. 😅

16 hours ago, MKT said:

from 2nd half onwards things do move at much faster pace with important expositions being dropped in a few very quick scenes

That's how the novel is structured, so every film (and TV) version follows the same pacing, using a lot of montage in the third act to indicate the passage of time.

3 hours ago, jenius said:

Huh, didn't know that existed.

It's literally just that one shot, and likely unintentional.  They're otherwise all brownies in that episode, save the Vermillion trio.

4 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

does anyone really know what the official names for this squadron is?

Why would a simple animation error be given an official name?  This isn't Robotech. 😉

12 hours ago, Jeff J said:

a lot of nuance got ironed out for the sake of a streamlined (pun intended) story that's easier to digest, especially for kids from 1985 who might not've been prepared to watch such a plot-driven cartoon. Take out content that's surpasses the threshold of complexity, or add a lot of narration/exposition.

Ironically enough, that's exactly the approach Nihon TV took when adapting The Transformers for the Japanese market.  The Japanese dub edited over a minute of content from every episode, cut two episodes entirely, and simplified the content for Japanese kids... and just as Robotech is infamous for added dialogue and constant narration, Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers is even worse.  The narration is RELENTLESS. 🙄

International orders now available through CD Japan or Nin-Nin Game.

7 hours ago, mikeszekely said:

I ordered ML Convoy and the JAXA one through Hasbro Pulse, so I'm at the mercy of whenever they get those in.

Living in Japan sometimes has its advantages...

XL-01 pilot Buzz Lightyear really complements JAXA Prime. 😊

2 hours ago, Pontus said:

did Yamato or anyone ever even make 1:60 Regults?

Yamato did, sure...

...as a limited-edition model kit...

...FOURTEEN years ago. 😐

Good luck finding one now. 😅

It looks to me like Kitz Concept has upscaled the cockpit module to fit a 6-inch figure -- meaning a 1:72 scale pilot -- so they've had to greatly reduce the height of the Battle Pod to still claim it's at the same scale.  As is well-known by now, the official stats on Zentraedi mecha are nonsensical; there's no way a 10-meter pilot can fit in a 15-meter Regult. 

As Moscato had demonstrated before, Experten proved again with their Zentran pilot kit for Hasegawa's 1:72 model...

Their figure is downscaled to 1:100, and still barely squeezes into the Battle Pod.

Basically, a Regult would have to be at least 22 meters tall to fit a standard 10-meter Zentraedi pilot, so a proper 1:72 toy would actually stand over 30cm.

It looks like Kitz Concept simply shortened the legs by 50% to keep their toy height consistent with the official stats, proportions be damned. 🙄

20 hours ago, MKT said:

The Battle Pod does look like it has very short legs in some pic stills.. but in the video, I think they have the appropriate length.

Umm... were we watching the same video? 🤨

On 2/22/2024 at 1:01 PM, jvmacross said:

so they definitely went backwards from the initial prototype...

Yeah, just like with Dana. 😒

On 2/22/2024 at 2:49 PM, jenius said:

Imagine how heavy that cockpit is going to be. with lights, doors, and equipment.

I assume they mean "diecast," which is... a profoundly bad idea. 😟

Well, damn... It'll cost nearly a grand to pre-order all three, but... how can I say no to a trio of 1:14 Ingrams? 😍

Of course, if the elementary school doesn't renew my contract this year, I may have to settle for only Unit 1... 🤔

On 2/21/2024 at 12:01 PM, Convectuoso said:

It's my only interest on this figure

That's because the super-deformed Regult looks so silly.  The pilot figure looks good, but his mecha has stupidly short little legs. 🤨