MechTech

Thanks for posting the lineart! The gear is even chunky in the lineart! I guess its the additional armor on this valk. I know it sounds weird, but I've similar things with Miyataki's drawing too (mainly Daedalus/Promethius). They actually put a lot of thought into the design; they just didn't draw something and say, "this looks cool!" Animation has a lot of engineering errors in it! I learned NEVER to use animation screen shots except for color - and even then using several shots for consistency. - MT

Talk about night and day - big differnance! The camera I'm using is the old Sony Mavica with a floppy drive! I like the compactness of files though and that I can stick a macro lens on it without the external parts moving. You've seen how closeup some photos are we have to take here on the forum. - MT

You know, I think I would actually buy a Commanchero in 1/72nd! (forum gasps). I would definitely buy MANY in 1/200th (I've got to make some anyhow). I think a lot of people have been waiting on the Commanchero come to think of it. - MT

carzooyah, most of Bandai's kits have been made with ABS for the joints recently. My son's Votoms AT acts liek a toy with the detail of a model - without even painting it! Those metal pins would HAVE to go through ABS, styrene would bust (trust me on that one). I'll be getting one soon too. - MT

The destroids look like Dark Horse recasts (originally metal). The Monster (out of proportion), is smaller than 1/200 it looks like (not a whole lot to compare with). HWR's right, make your own parts! You've got referrances from a good Imai kit, right? You can do it! - MT EDITED: I take it back, they are originals. I just happened to be looking at my Dark Horse figures and the detail is different. These look like original art all done in 1/200 scale. Why didn't I find them!!! - MT

Hey, this needs to be with the custom/scratch built models! Jenius - it looks like the cockpit slides back into the chest; outer plate folds down over it. The model actually looks rugged to me. He's used 2 and 3mm thick plastic. That's what's holding up about 30 pounds of motors on my ship! - MT

Dude, look what you started! I was just checking threads and my son says, "wait, go back go back!" It's the red valk. He wants one now too! Too bad I don't have one to spare OR red paint (yeah!) - MT

They're just lurking and waiting to pounce on it! Just watch Thanks for sharing Cowie! - MT

I gotta laugh. The tone of this thread has gone from doom and gloom to "I gotta get me one." I'm sure there will be variants to include armored ones! - MT

Nice! My son wants the E wing and my daughter wants the Min Mei doll! - MT

Ranger, Ditto on the VF-4! PM me a price if you wouldn't mind - there's two! Also, is GTC still around? I'm looking for more 1/200 Tomahawks/Defenders (besides the two you have). My ship is bigger than I thought! Thanks man! Acro Ray is right on the money by the way. In fact, the newer kits have injected parts to stop droop in thin and long parts like gun barrels etc... that may lower the value. In fact, the newer kits are cheaper now. I paid $500 bucks for one back in the 80's (of course I wasn't married then ) - MT

Dada, fix the chips and fill the seems! Ooops sorry, not a model guy . It looks great actually. I'd tell my son, "dada doesn't do windows." - MT

Mecha porn (cover's 3 year old son's eyes)!? Yeah, I agree (switches to new thread... ) - MT

Generically speaking, 1/72 is closest. More realistically, S-Scale for trains (1/64) is closer. I doubt you'll find pilots, but maybe a ground crew. One possible vendor: http://www.scalefigures.com/S/Sscale.htm I haven't shopped there. Hope that helps. - MT

Don't sweat it Miriya! My three year old and I just built the Bandai 1/20 Scopedog kit for HIM (really-I got my own in the box). He loves it and it looks awesome right out of the box! Except for the decal applications, I'm sure you'll be fine! It's taing a lot of 3 year old abuse too! PArts that would obviously break are ABS or softer plastic like polycap material (antenna). Still ON SALE TOO! http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?MacroType=Inj...p;GenreCode=Sci Bandai seems to be retooling the injections points so they have to be cut away instead of being part of the part. Less chance of tearing away nicks into the part. I'm digging the gunpod! I like how it separates (cooling I guess) and how detailed the muzzle is. Oh yeah, and the rest of the kit looks good too! - MT

I like the looks of this kit too. Watching some MF this weekend helped feed the need too! Looks like the stand in fighter mode keeps it from drooping (like the 1/48 Legioss. As everyone else, I hope they'll do an armored version too. Let's see, it was in only the second episode, yeah, they'll do one! I better start budgeting! - MT

Looks very realistic! Great work! I hate him as much as the "real thing" - MT

I've had success with PineSol taking paint off of REAL aircraft parts. I just wanted to soak them to get the grease off. It worked, and then some! - MT

Thanks for posting! It looks great! Better than the prototypes. The shiny table top is distracting though! - MT

Looks awesome Cowie! It's good to see a completed project! I keep having to stare at white styrene - for now! There's no school like the old school! - MT

UPDATE 30 AUG 08 I forgot to place some size comparison objects in these photos - sorry! With the video (someday) I will. The part I dreaded most is done, the rounded compound corners on the lower side of the hanger deck. I used some curved and mostly flat 3mm strip with a TON of CA to fill the gaps - then removed so much plastic, I had to sweep the floor four times! It's smooth though! The hatch is FINALLY finished complete with floodlights too (interpreted from drawings). The connector for them is only 4mm wide! Entrance way interior detail is completed too... Does this remind you of anything yet? The big opening on the port side will remain. Remember, this is a display shelf/model and an R/C ship all in one. That panel will be removable or hinged. I'm still trying to decide. The hatch still opens fine despite the added weight and the actuator was also reinforced long-wise to prevent bowing under the pressure (like it was). I'm trying to decide on detailing the interior first, or wiring up all the actuators in the front end. Until next posting... - MT

AWESOME job! Is it real or a model? - MT

That came out awesome! It was worth the effort! Now you just need some Revoltech joints and .... - MT

That looks awesome. Great finish to a great idea! You should show it's extreme capabilities off by showing it picking it's nose! - MT

Nice mods! Thanks for posting. It's good to see a little life being re-added to the old Imai kit too! - MT