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Yes! Jesse, I'm an aftermarket detail junkie too! I think my aftermarket parts for my Hasegawa F-14 cost over twice what the kit lists for! I second any and all those aftermarket parts. I would buy anything Hasegawa makes in at least duplicates - one to build immediately (or as fast as I get around to them ) and one to keep in the box. If I have only one - then it becomes too precious to build. Wierd eh? But tops of my list would be: 0. Detailed Launch Arm with ARMD base with stoplights (hey, anything happening on the resin front for this - I remember seeing some work on this a while ago) 1. VF-4 2. Any of the MacrossII Valks 3. VF-11 4. VF-X All Hasegawa in 1/72 scale of course.

I hate customs and brokerage! I once had to pay $100cdn for something that was around $150! when all the taxes, duties, customs fees and brokerage fees were accounted for!! Ohh, I'm jealous, that Tamiya F-16 is a beauty - too bad its so big, I don't have a place to put something like that - why can't all these 1/32 scale ultra-detailed kits be scaled down to 1/72 - I might go blind building them, but at least I would have space to display them afterwards.

I bought mine just before Christmas at a local Toronto hobby shop. A bit expensive at $60cdn, but at least there's no customs & duty.

YES! I love this series now - it had to grow on me. Being old school, I loved the old series in its cheesey kind of way (of course I was 8 and haven't seen any episodes since then - but it held good memories for me) I hated how they changed the series in the pilot - but now, after I gave it a chance, I love the characterizations and story writing. It is the best scifi on TV today - unfortunately, that's not saying much since there isn't much original programming anymore with all those reality shows! I can't wait till it airs in Canada, I am watching them as I download them through eMule ripped off of SkyONE UK. And I look forward to every one. I am still not a fan of the technology yet - the Galactica interiors are too retro clunky and the Vipers & Raiders don't do it for me yet. Its the story writing and strong characters for now (hmm, what a change for TV!)

Welcome back into the fray Macroadster! Great work! Especially your first one after getting back into the hobby. We need more modellers! Looking forward to more great posts from you.

Wow, there's a resin Star Destroyer!! That's something I'd like to see - any more info on it? Nice collection MechLeader - and yeah, no amount of Hasegawas is enough!

I really like Hasegawa's interpretation - I feel it's more realistic and gives it an authentic aeronautic feel.

I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!!! This has got to be my most sought after item! ever!! THANK YOU, thank you Jesse & Gundam Head. I was wondering what you did with your WF kit (I was jealous when you said you got one - but then I saw it, and re-considered) This is fantastic - I can't wait, its so exciting. I would like to make two requests, can the actual head that attaches to the Valk's packs somehow allow us to incorporate rare earth magnets to allow the Valk model to be detachable after construction - I'd hate to have to glue the Valk into the arm. Secondly, in the line art, the articulated arm section before the yellow and black caution hatched joint mechanism has three very distinct panels that stick out, but the WF model has them as recessed areas like truss webbing - I'd prefer to see them as three panels that stick out with rounded sides (more like the lineart). Again, thank you so much for all your efforts and keep us updated. And Jesse, if you need anything at all from me, or if there is anything I can do to help - just ask.

Hi all, I'm currently home sick - nasty cough - trying to do some work at home though. Haven't found the time to work on this kit yet - with all this Christmas stuff going on. Hopefully I might get a few hours in during the Christmas break. Although, everytime I walk past the work bench, its calling out to me. Sorry to hear about the pits Mule, yes excessive putty can damage your kit, I haven't ran across this problem in years. I mostly ran across this a long time ago, when I tried to sculpt something out of the putty, but as long as you try to keep the layer of putty thin, and allow it to dry before adding another layer, it shouldn't be a problem. Sometimes, when you leave the putty in the tube a while, a whitish ooze separates from the grey putty - this is exactly like styrene cement - this is the putty's solvent, and this is the stuff that will attack your plastic if its not properly vented and allowed to dry. If it separates, try to mix it back into the grey putty. I've also found that if the putty is too dry, you can use liquid cement and that will "thin" out the putty as well - almost to the consistency of Mr. Surfacer. But treat it like solvent cement, don't apply too thick a coat, or it will eat away at the plastic before it can properly cure. I applied a liberal amount of putty to certain parts of the valk, but they are relatively thin layers, just spread over a larger area - and I haven't had any "melting" problems yet (knock on wood... )

Hey all, I hope this isn't off-topic, but what about a flight sim thats simple, more arcade like - with plenty of eye candy. Any suggestions? Something like Ace Combat 5 but for the PC?

Ahh, the generation gap Boy I feel old...

Oh, what problems? I've had mine for over 20yrs, and its still fine, all original parts, except a needle and head - which is 8 yrs old (I wanted the fine tip, the airbrush comes with a medium tip) I spray laquers and metalizers all the time through it - what type of problem? However, I am looking at getting a double action (also syphon) one soon - I think I've "graduated" up to one of these - and I will be looking at IWATA (better quality) or Badger (easier to get parts/accessories around here)

HEY I just realized your choice in names - GOOD CHOICE!

Wow!! How lucky to have gotten that particular kit! Congratulations! We've been looking for this kit too, but haven't gotten it yet - but it sure is fun trying!! We wish you all the best on your little bundle of Valkyrie breaker - err... I mean joy! I guess it will be time to move all your toys & models up a few levels in the next year or so eh?

Sorry everybody - this thread is definitely on the back-burner for a while. I just got a job (thank God!) so it will be a day here and there maybe on the weekends. If anyone else wants to start a thread of their build - I would be most interested (hint, hint... Jesse)

I definitely agree with that - you should fully disassemble the brush - as paint can build up around the trigger and behind the nozzle around the tefelon washer area.

Stay away from the Hasegawa kits with swing wings!! They are the old molds with raised panel lines (like the Macross Zero F-14) Horrible! Unfortunately, the newer molds all have fixed position wings (there is an option to have the forward slats extended and rear flaps extended - then you can't swing the wings in anyways) However, if you chose to retract all the moveable components of the wing - you can make them poseable in two positions (fully over-sweeped - carrier stow mode and fully extended) after your finished - but they cannot swing perse. The kit I showed is one of these - excellent engraved details - all the tiny access panels and revits - but very lightly engraved - lighter than the VF-1. From what I've heard, the Fujimi have fewer engraved details, just the main panels and moveable surfaces - but its a much simpler kit. The Hasegawa kit is an exact duplicate of their 1/48 scale version but scaled down - so there are close to 300 parts for a 1/72 kit (which makes for some pretty small pieces). My kit which I posted earlier does include a fairly extensive set of photoetched parts including canopy frames, mirrors, canopy latch lugs, and all the control consoles. But from what I've heard its not a beginners kit.

Tamiya offers a 1/72 F-14?? I didn't know - how is it? Any details pics, links or info?

Wow!! GunnerX they look like masterpieces to me! Fantastic work - great photography too - they realy look great. Love the subtle weathering. The only suggestion I can give is that if your camera allows the aperature to be adjusted, set it to a smaller aperature (higher F-stop) it will give you a greater depth of field, so both the front of the plane and back would be in focus. Why don't you post step-by-step theads? I'd be insterested. I have an F-14 too that I want to build someday (but I still can't even get through my current VF-1 for the Booster and Launch Rail - got work! yah! ) Maybe you could post a build up thread of it first so I can follow along. Which F-14 kit did you get in the end? Keep up the great work.

Welcome to the boards - its so good to see fellow modeller's work. They look fantastic - keep up the great works. Very nice additional detailing. And keep posting - but please get a better camera - the pictures don't do your work justice.

errr, ok... this isn't going to distract John from more pressing matters is it? (ie: launch vehicle?)

I don't mind the dissappearing nose cone trick - especially if it will make the GBP model more proportionally accurate (since it will displayed that way most often). However, is it me? or does anyone else think the chest sticks too far forward, as well as the shoulder missle launchers being a bit too high and big. (Just being picky) The feet look tiny coming out the bottom of the armoured legs!

Fantastic work Grayson!! Wow, nice photos too... I'm envious you're starting to work through your collection. Man! what are you doing, you were my excuse to my wife; "see, he just collects also - we don't have time to actually build!?" Keep up the great work - and keep posting. Thanks.

Ahh.. great work!! ooh, those are the only 4 figures I want - too bad no-one is willing to part with them for a resonable price.

What a great thread - crappy or not - I love seeing all these models out there! Please the last thing I want to do is discourage anyone from this great hobby - lets all keep building!! Speaking of which, my VF-1+Booster has just been sittin for the past few days - must get back to it soon... but I love seeing these threads. Keep it up!