MechTech

Great ideas Big F. That's what I was gonna do for the wing tip navigation lights; cut a grove and fill over it. I can't use fiber because the swing wing thin would stress it - at least in my tiny scale. I've got one of those IR remote tanks/games from Konami. I thought hey, it backs up when it fires it's cannon! So I stuck one right into the barrel at the right polarity! Yes it always lights up in reverse on the one side of the tracks, but I can see where I've been better - MT

UPDATE 9 OCT 06 Here's the latest. This is the lower part of "the box" for the thrusters. More to come later... [attachmentid=37162] The thrusters are probably two seperate boxes (the line art isn't clear) so I broke up up my one into two from the rear view. This box will be on a single shaft to steer the thrusters and raise and lower them into position. It's hard to see in the photo, but all edges are hydrodynamic. - MT

In the UK we have to have our vehicles inspected annually and provide proof of insurance. We then get to purchase a “Tax Disc†which must be displayed in the corner of our windscreen / windshield. All kinds of companies have their ads or brands on these cheap plastic holders. I had to get a new one and saw a plain red one and thought, hmmmm… [attachmentid=37161] So why have to look and someone's junky logo everyday when I could see a real COOL one! I had to let the glue dry on my Daedalus build so I put my time to good use. By the way, this disc is about $350.00 a year - without insurance and all the other typical costs. What a drag! So what else have you guys personalized? - MT

Hey guys, Try getting some surface mount technology LED's. They're the size of a pencil tip and you can use watch batteries to power them (3v). I'm gonna do a 1/200 valk with them when I finish the Daedalus - someday! You can use hair thein wires and everything! I don't know where to get them. I've taken mine off old busted equipment that people give to me (they know I'll reuse some of the parts). That Lego site was cool by the way. I'm not into Lego's, but small engineering like that is cool. - MT

I got the picture from the "This is Animation" DYRL Movie book. Most of Kylwell's stuff is in there too, although on a yellow backround. I think it is a joke, but it would look cool built up! - MT

No sweat sketchlyey, OK, now I'm gonna have to build one because it's just too easy to pass up! I'll just take a Nichimo kit and I'm about 1/4 way there. Daedalus first though! - MT

Looks great. I love Krylon camo! That's what I use for primer and on my ships as primary coat. The colors just seem to be right for whatever I'm building! - MT

I thought that both the Ghost and the Rabbit looked cool with fast packs! I'm tempted to build the Rabbit some day, but most of what I have is TV, not DYRL. - MT [attachmentid=37128] - Just so no one else thinks were high on glue...

It's the wings! The split vertical stab was just confirmation. From the thumbnail shot I thought it was "the flying Dorito" at first. The I saw the intakes on the sides and took a second look. Happy decaling! - MT

Thanks guys! Is that toaster award like a piece of toast with a ribbon on it? - MT

That looks good! As an alternate weapon, it could just drop it on a sub . - MT

Ahhh, you sliced up a "Ford" (F-4D) Skyray! One of my favorite 1950's carrier planes next to the Cutlus. It looks really good though! That's still a very modern looking airframe, especially with your modifications. - MT

UPDATE: 30 SEPTEMBER 06 Been busy with "real life," and engineering some of the parts and fittings. Here's the latest: [attachmentid=37006] As before, here's the coompleted parts. Remember that the ends have gaps because they must be removeable for maintenenance. [attachmentid=37007] No, it's not a rejected Naboo ship design from Star Wars, but it kinda looks like it. These are the pods attached together. There will be a hollow brass shaft fitted to the very center of the assembly. The shaft will steer the pods as one unit and lower/raise them into running and storage position (remember the original design has the "boxes" too far out of the water. [attachmentid=37008] From the backside showing the struts where the outer "boxes" will be attached to. [attachmentid=37009] "Smashing toast Grommit." Toasting plastic to heat up a line to fold for the boxes round corners. The boxes will be made of 3mm thick styrene to help support and brace the assembly. [attachmentid=37010] Forming the rounded bits of the boxes. These will be trimmed down to 1/4 round to be put on the corners, making the box edges rounded off like the original design. That's it for now. I better get some sleep. - MT

I've tried baking soda and it was alright, but it will get clumpy and crunchy like cobywan (sounds like a cookie recipe ). - MT

That looks great. I agree that the colors look great too! - MT

Last I heard, Tamiya was suing Trumpeter for copying their kits. The two I heard cited in the lawsuit were the 1/72 PT-15 and 1/350 Enterprise Carrier.

Don't build two side by side, just build one that transforms! - MT

That looks awesome! Were'nt you the one that did the Isamu with the fancy box art to go with it? - MT

My "Styrene" sweet tooth is tingling again. Ahhhhhrg! And I gotta buy more supplies for the Daedalus! Hmmm, Christmas is coming up sooon!? All those missiles are making my mouth drool - even in 1/72nd scale (it's not the model glue - honest ). - MT

I'm gonna get hit for saying this, but it reminds me of the "Thunder Hammer." Yes, I'm sorry I brought that up. - MT

What do REAL panel lines look like on REAL red (purple) aircraft? I could only think of one team, the Red Arrows (they're excellent by the way). Here's their website: http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/gallery.html Note there are panel lines in some places, and not in others. The question is if you're going for "display team clean," or "Miriya and I just took on the Zentraedi fleet." - MT

Thanks guys, I'm humbled! I now have four pills, errr, pods. I now have to make the internal braces to support the front shaft and hold the cowlings (note the big gap in them). When I'm done, the back ends will be sealed on with silicone RTV, it'll also fill the gaps. The front cowlings (where the props are) have to come off for oiling access. Speaking of that, I still have to fill the front of the tube sockets with silicone to make a water tight seal. These will be completely underwater, so I'm sorta building four submarines! - MT

AWESOME work! I can appreciate all the changes he's made. Not to mention the difficulty of taking weak material like styrene and adding brass hinges and other stuff. And yes, I bet he doesn't transform it often. Just the paint alone starts wearing off! Great engineering!!!

Yap, I be knowticen' : I forgot to mention, that day I used it, I slept lowsy that night. I was all hyper. I didn't think much of it because I was on holiday and going back to work the next day (who likes to do that). - MT

It's not confusing. In the early 90's Ford couldn't build a reliable minivan so they bought the Nissan quest (called the Mercury Villager now). I've got one. It's got Ford and Nissan stamped on all the parts! Moral of the story, you gotta look in the box. Imai isn't known for they're accuracy, but I've got a 1/144 F-20 Tigershark that has great detail and accuracy. The weapons weere excellent too (often overlooked - especially in 1/144)! - MT