MechTech

I'd have to say 1/200 as well. The Yamato 1/200 valks are excellent and well detailed! If you can find the Nichimo destroids, they're be perfect too. Of course, there's the 1/250 valks coming out (see the toys forum). - MT

My two cents, I think the Fokker paint job looks WAY better ! Great custom! - MT

Awesome work MJ! The whole project was an awesome execution from start to finish. The blue lights are a nice touch too! CONGRATULATIONS! - MT

In that case: http://www.elbestbuy.com/?gclid=CP69o4ba3JoCFQWfnAodDiIL3Q http://www.thatscoolwire.com/ I got some cool strips for bikes with built in battery pack/power supply from American Science and Surplus. They may still have some. - MT

Lightsheet downsides - doesn't like humidity, is organic and breaks down more readily, bulky with power supply (high voltage-high frequency. There are many vendors for it too. Just ask if you're still interested. LED's are still you best bet. Smaller, indefeninte shelf life, low voltage, higher light output. - MT

Makes me glad I'm not a ground troop on the "receiving end" of it's wrath! - MT

Thanks guys! I finished the canopy frame, and flare/flare pod, the rest just needs painting whenever I get to it some day. Like EXO said, never get in a land war with China! (you know what I mean if you saw the movie). The GM is coming along nicelyGhost Train. - MT

This reminds me of a young kid I knew. He got his first job, bought a brand new big ole' BMW. He walked into his insurance agent (who was probably seeing a vacation to Hawaii) and walked out really in the hole for money. After a few months of Ramen and bologne (probably constipation too ) he sold it off! I'm not forgoing anything, I'm just saving my pennies!- MT

OK, the sound chip thang was a great idea Maiden Japan! I took a couple days break from the Daedalus and worked on one of two 1/200 scale Harriers I bought from Helmet Models UK. You can see the difference in improving the details. The cleaned one has NO DETAILS or engraved panel lines yet. These are lead based models which meant I used LOTS of solder to add or fix areas. Clean up is a mess and hazardous! With panel lines and details. Note the clear canopy (that still needs painted frames to look accurate. The cockpit was hollowed out and basic cockpit added. And yes, it comes with gear and ordinance! . - MT

REALLY AWESOME WORK!!! That thing needs a sound chip in it; "Autobots, transform and rool out - or I'll squash you because I'm so big!" - MT

Still look'n good! - MT

Looking great so far! If you want LED lights, buy them discounted now: http://www.christmasdepot.com/LED-Commerci...ghts_46_353.htm Just take the annoying heads off of them. Plug them into the wall and your good to go! White LED's work the best, trust me - MT

Looks like a nice smooth finish! Good job on the colors. - MT

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME WORK ON THE OPTIMUS! I'm waiting for him to like speak or something! Very realistic! Neptune - so like how does one go about "acquiring" one of those! That looks like about a hundred of our members dream to have one of those! You need to share that with a ruler placed in front of it. That's a valuable piece to have in your collection! - MT

I'm surprised this thread is still going! I'm blessed to have found the right woman and it took some waiting and looking! She knew what she was getting into BEFORE she married me so she knew what to expect (and visa versa). I still ask her, "so like why do you need 20 purses to carry the same old stuff around in? I only have ONE wallet?" Then she comes back with, "so why do you need another model ((or if she hits below the belt, another Macross model)). That usually ends the conversation right there! Now that I have children, it just gives me more excuses to buy Macross stuff (my son is as big a robot fan as I am). How does this relate to the thread on funding for new toys? I have no clue! But just so you know, there are spouses who support your "habbit." You just gotta look (and in my case, pray!) - MT

Thank you everyone for the compliments! The encouragement has helped a lot! There's other kits I'd rather be building too right now. Progress has been slow. My workshop got an unexpected upgrade this weekend when my wife decided she wanted two more bookcases! I had to rearrange my shop to fit the other two cases in "my area." The advantage is that all my books are now in my shop. Disadvantge - lots-o-dust! Thanks Eric! Your site has some great kits on it. Any chance you might reduce your drawings 50% and make them 1/200? That's what I want to build, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer. I've even got most of the armament too from other scratch builds. I thought about using Gator Board, but was concerned about the weight. Most of my major structure is carbon fiber square tune with .020" walls plus additional details. Minor UPDATE 18 MAY 2009 The key part to the whole bridge assembly has been keeping it light. All the pieces you are seeing are no more than .010" or .020" thick. That's why the vacu-forming. Consistently thin walls and no putty to make curves that are thin and light. This is all I have so far The uneven areas behind the windows is where the masts will extend and project upward from. This is a weird designed bridge. That's it for now. - MT

Awesome concept! I built something similar, but I put nowhere near the effort you did! Awesome work and execution! The paint looks good too! The Aussies have a con and we can't get one started in the UK! We'll have to work on that one! - MT

Awesome work so far! I think there's going to be some jealous people if you don't sell this as a kit! - MT

"This helps to feed my new addiction and my wife's Coach purse habit. laugh.gif" My wife buys the purses and I buy models, and occasionally a toy. We each just have to save up. We DO plan meals to save money. Like what was said a couple of times, cook in big portions. Take the leftovers to work or freeze for later. I know some people that work 14 hour shifts and they cook at the beginning of week for the whole week. Microwave of fast food meals add up! - MT

The Spartan is looking good! - MT

Awesome work! I think it came out great after all. The Eurocopter style rotor was a nice touch. You need to photoshop it in a dive firing rockets! It would be very realistic! - MT

Great execution of your idea. The Jolly Roger's Scheme came out great on it. Awesome work! - MT

Looks great and the gun looks like it's worth the effort! I'd say use pastels. Easier to work with and you can rub/wash off what you don't like. - MT

Great sculpt and falls under the true meaning of "garage kit." - MT

There is nothing you can do about it. You can use a bleaching method with hydrogen peroxide after the fact, but you'll have the same problem again. You can bleach and then UV protect all the parts individually, but then that's a lot of work and also detracts from value (if you're concerned). - MT