MechTech

I've found a couple of methods that work for the "eye piece." If you have clear material, use bright silver/chrome on the backside (mirrored plastic is best if you have some or get a piece of an old toy). I usually use a Tamiya Chrome paint marker. On the front side, use a clear green paint, like Tamiya X-25. This will give you depth and an almost internally lit appearance. Just make sure you use white glue or other non-solvent based glue. If you want to represent cameras like you see on the VF-1D anime closeups, you can drill shallow holes that don't penetrate all the way through. Then chrome coat and clear coat the outside. That will give you an excellent 3D effect. If you can cut your own from a thicker piece of plastic, you will get more depth. A coat of Future will protect the whole thing. You can also get clear colored plastic off a drink bottle. then coat the back of it. It's harder to do, but you can coat the back side with a chromed coating like from a sticker or other material too. I had some great results on a VF-1S and J using the first method. Hope that helps. - MT

I love Hasegawa, but I'm already married! I build 1/200, but I'm gettin' one o' these babies! Who wants to make the resin accessories to show it opened up showing all it's armament?

You know it BigF. Man, that storm Saturday ripped the gate to our rear garden off the hinges! It also ripped the rear fence in half! At least it was cool though, great trade off! - MT

I don't buy a lot of toys, but I WOULD have bought that-despite the quality. Oh well... - MT

UPDATE: 23 July 06 It's been really hot here lately, but I haven't been sitting on my butt the whole time! I had to make my own solenoids for the actuators on the stabilizers. I couldn't find the voltage or size I need, so I have to make my own (talk about scratch building ). I also changed the shape of the bow nose (ONE MORE TIME!). I inverted the shape from what it is supposd to be from the drawings. It's fixed now. I just have to file and sand it down. Here's some pictures to give you an idea. Winding the solenoids Solenoid core windings Rough cut bow changes I wound the solenoid core on aluminum tube to help it cool faster, plus the bit sticking out will act as a heat sink and spring holder. The nut on the other end helps to focus the magnetic flux towards the front of the coil (the other reason for the shape of the wire windings). This upcoming week is going to be busy with Vacation Bible School, so I don't know how far I'll get. - MT

CONGRATULATIONS! Now I know why you "dropped off the scope" for awhile. My only advice is watch changing out the fast packs! The spent fuel rods can be dangerous!

Physioguy, The darker colors look cool. The blue doesn't say "ominous" to me. personally, I'd stick with military colors. That's just my two cents (or two pence). BigF, oh the agony of defeat! A hobby shop near me did the same thing. Thank God I was there instead of missing out! If it wasn't for a friend that went upstairs to look for some "older" comics and found "all those weird looking models that were cheap," I would have missed out! Then there's those times I drove a couple of hours to find the store is no longer there (that's happened a couple of times). - MT

This is the only other referance I've seen: http://www.hobbyfan.com/product_info.php?products_id=90 Viceland, after a month or two, some formula will get you guys some sleep! (it's worth the money). The "recast" may not be getting enough, 30 minutes is a short time. We also kept our children up more and more each day. Whew, what a rought period that was! - MT

That's a work of art! Beautiful! For those of us po' folks not getting the kit, the paint brings out the great panel lines and other smaller features in the photos. - MT

Here's a picture with the "Swiss Army head." http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/art/mcr254l.jpg The triple spotlight one will take days less to make though. I had to check in to see if you had photos yet.

Hey NMB4M, I bought it in the kitchen section, the hardware section and hobby shops. It's a square with RC car bearings in a tube screwed on the front. The shaft is connected to an old pinvise. The handle is an old RC car pinion gear. The whole thing is attached to a cutting board that I cut a slot in for a miter. It's basically a hand powered ghetto drill press. It doesn't do big holes, but it starts the small ones straight! - MT

You're not kidding! It's hot enough in the house! I hope all works out for your improved "shop." - MT

Looks great Mac. I've been busy in the other sections and building, sorry for the delay. The Daedalus looks good. I see what you mean about the front hatch. All the drawings I see have varied angles so I'm going with "looks good." I'm still working out the right angles and placements for the stabilizers. Keep up the great work! - MT

You've got it made now Isamu! That's what I need. Goat any Dadalus plans handy? Yeah Cobywan, whatever happened to that? Real life getting in the way? - MT

Everybody needs one of those over their desks! - MT

I think you're about to make some friend and money! How much do you want the 1/200 monster for (that's the main scale I build in)? Afew years ago I'd be droolin'? - MT

Sorry BigF, I can relate. I used to have the laundry room. I actually talked my wife into using a corner of our living room at our last house. I kept my stuff in a closet. That way she was less of a "hobby widow" And plus it was TOO hot outside or too cold most of the time! Maybe you can do the same? Our weather here just varies too much. Thanks Isamu. I'm hoping to finish by Christmas, but we'll see how the engineering part goes. It's not like building a kit, that's for sure! - MT

Here's Anasazi37's catalog of decals. You can PM him too: http://dwhite.netwiz.net/decals/decal_samples.html I just happned to see this a few days ago. - MT

A little bit bigger and you could just pilot it yourself! You actually have the hard part out of the way getting your blueprints done. I couldn't get any drawings to agree with each other from the MPM book. I have to compare several drawings and take a "vote" as to which one works. If you can get a printshop to print it poster size, it will be worth the money. I've done it for some of my parts and it makes life easier. I hope the best of success on your project. - MT

Looks great, ready for battle. Have a safe journey! - MT

LOOOKIN' good guys. I'm probably gonna have to buy one each. Since I build in 1/200, I can have one of the tow vehicles tow severall aircraft at once! - MT

Dean - Thanks for the advice. I will take my time. I'm going for both accuracy and functionality. By the way, I'm in England, so yes, 2:00. Hey Big F - I got some old bearings from an RC car and axle and found brass tubes for it and the shaft to fit into. Plus an old pinvise. The next tool I get will be a drill press! The ant will look even smaller when the top section (which is bigger) goes on. Good thing I didn't have any food laying around. - MT

The covers do look better. - MT

I always thought that was a cool model! - MT

Looks great guys. Both of you. I think more pictures would get you more replies. Keep it up! - MT