MechTech

Thanks for the comment. I want at least the hull up and running to play with this summer!

I know I'm coming into this a little late, I've been busy lately. Whew, talk about heated debates. Someone turn down the thermostat! If you don't mind my 30 years experience...I must admit, I was REALLY surprised when I heard Hasegawa was going to make Macross models. Then I got excited because I knew they would do a good job! I believe they don't do transformable models because they have always been more geared towards static kits. For decades that's what they've done best and know best. Why change. Change is scarey and costly. Not to mention the longer engineering time for each kit to make it transform. People always talk about accuracy and lineart in our section of the model building hobby. A lot of us have been sculpting and scratchbuilding a long time. It's frustrating some times. You can do something that looks right, look at it the next day and so D'OH! (angry exclamation) Interpretation is the word! Calmer heads prevailing, I would be surprised-- again --if Hasegawa did transformable kits. All I do is model building when it come to Macross. I thought I was in "model heaven" when the Imai transformable valks came out. I love the whole engineering thing with transformable models! Unlike toys, you can easily glue or paint modifications because styrene is more easily machined than ABS. I too would love a "perfect" valk that was lineart accurate. Knowing Hasegawa's past, I'd guess they're not in the engineering business as much as modeling. Just my two cents/two pence. - MT

Thank you. The covering of the bow is going slow because of the compound curves. - MT

APRIL 29th UPDATE: Scratch built bow thruster due to extra power needed. Graupner and Robbe make them, but not with enough power to haul my hull around in the strong British breezes. I also corrected the shape of the stem and bow area. NEVER use one source for your referances, the model I was using didn't match the drawings (in that area at least). I'm off to cover the bow now... - MT

You're going to build a Tomahawk too! What happened to "I'm not doing this again!" I think once you go big, there's no turnin' back! I'm NOT building a Promethius either! Looks great. You just need to find a "vertically challenged" individual to drive it for you!

I don't have my diecast monster anymore, but they were pretty close in height domension. - MT

I HIGHLY advise doing a "search." This topic has been brought up a lot. Suppliers, how to's etc...

Thanks for the website. It's new to me. I'm markin' it! Bonus points...My wife found "Starblazers" on tape for me today at the thrift store. Can't go wrong for buck - even if it is badly edited! I haven't seen it since it first came out! Thanks again! - MT

memnon, have you considered putting some fiber optics or similar lighting in there? You might as well go "all out." Some fiber optics on the instrument panel would make your great cockpit work look awesome! - MT

UPDATED the post with latest progress photos (above). David - Thank you for the advice on the colors. I've actaually got a Nichimo 1/200th Yamato (52" hull) on the back burner and related resource book. The book mentions colors and mixing ratios. I'll take your advice into consideration. You're right about "battleship grey." It's more of a metaphor really. Maybe I can buy paint in bulk, save some money and paint them both the same colors! Seriously though, thanks. I'm still torn between the "clown coloration" or grey scheme. - MT

honneamise, you thought you'd have a life and major modeling project going at the same time? My wife gets annoyed when I do big casting projects. It usually means stuff laying around and around. Not to mention the smells. Even with the non-stinky stuff. Great results mean hard work though. Keep it up! Happy molding! - MT

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Nice job. I "stopped in" to break from the glue. I love small details. They make a difference. - MT

As was said earlier, it is best to strip the ABS and repaint. A LIGHT sanding to ensure paint adhesion helps. ABS is actaully close to styrene in some areas, obviously more durable. I've found from experience that the light sanding helps. Especially if you're going to pose it differently from time to time. High grit sandpaper should be used. Coarser grades will ruin the texture. That's one difference between the two types of plastics. ABS doesn't sand well unless you wet sand it too by the way. Just my two cents... - MT

Thanks guys. There's another section on this site? I'm hoping to finish planking this weekend. I spent the last two weeks in networking classes!

Nice job! Love the windows with person viewing. - MT

It's not as cool as something specifically Macross, but if you've got nothing else better to do in May... http://www.londonexpo.com/ I'm trying to go. I'm sure there'll be lots of vendors. I'm not big into celebreties, but it looks like there are lots scheduled to appear. - MT

Iceland, been there, done that. I spent four years there and its EXPENSIVE! It is nice to visit there. Did I say it's expensive?

honneamise, you're right about the yellowing. I build engineering parts out of resin too other than model stuff. I like dying to see that the resin is thoroughly mixed and for a proffesional appearance. I haven't had any dyed parts yellow yet, even after several years. I can't vouch for the color white though. In your case, I could see not using dye to keep production cost down. Plus everyone is going to paint their's anyhow (those who actaully get to buiding them) It's more of a customizing thing really. Take care. - MT

I'm so there; I mean, Im here! Count me in. I travel all the time. I think my wife (and wallet) would prefer the UK though. Common sdf-1! Haven't you always wanted to see England? It gets cold here too in case you get homesick! I think SAR is in too, but I'll let him speak for himself.

Looks great honneamise! Better get a couple of those on flying patrol to keep our fellow MW'ers under control. It sounds like they're gonna riot! Have you tried any color dies (besides paint) to tint your resin? It's great stuff! I built a whole Destroid Phalanx in color. No more scratched paint to worry about! "Keep 'em flying..." - MT

1.) To come clean, I'm a 1/72nd scale guy at heart. Then those Nichimo guys came out with all that stuff in 1/200. Cool and alright. Then there's the 1/200th Monster. Then Nichimo has all these ships in 1/200 (got a destroyer and the massive Yamato battleship ). Then Hasegawa came out with their line of 1/200th scale aircraft (got some of them too). I have a bunch of 1/100 Macross kits, but there isn't any craft small enough for them to all "go with." I got the crazy idea to build the Daedalus about four years ago and have been working the idea and buying things every now and then to go with it. (Just bought a six channel radio a couple weeks back). I've actaully had the heavy guage plastic for about four years too. In short, I just wanted everything to go together. Like Jardann said, to put stuff side by side for comparison. I finally got the tools to make all the plastic cutting easier and that's why I just started on the Daedalus. The lack of stuff in 1/200th is frustrating! That's the sole purpose for the scratch building. Why couldn't Nichimo make everything in 1/144th! I'm blaming them! I can buy almost anything (non-Macross) in 1/144th! GRRrrrr! 2.) OK, how many people really want a shuttle in 1/200th? I've had a few people ask about scratch building "how-to's". I'll get both done at the same time. Who is there so far?

VF 1s, Thank you for the compliments. I've had a couple of people ask about "how to" scratch build-ups. I'll do a general article and pick a subject. I'm thinking of doing the shuttle due to a couple of requests for it. Does that sound good? It would be hard to describe the build up of the fan jet since I really didn't use any plans. Your aircraft look great. What scale are they in? (I haven't seen those shows yet)

Ooops, double post. MODS can you delete? - MT

Some people asked me before about the laser engraved parts. They're posted above with the rest of the photos. I'm not using these, but you have an idea of what they look. The operator moved the plastic so it blurred and the engraver charred some areas for some mysterious reason? - MT Oh, and I suddenly get the urge for some arromatic duck this weekend.

Don't worry, I'll keep away from the swans. I've been "told off" by them a lot at lake sides. You'd think they were peaceful. We should name a plane after them! Scale Solutions? That's new to me. Do I sense an advertisement coming?