ChristopherB

Melissa, Everything you posted sounds great! I previously sent you a PM, but I went ahead and e-mailed you as well. Carl, and the owner of the VB-6 should definitely get first dibs on the recasts. Both have been very gracious. The owner of the kit has turned a dream into a reality, and Carl has been cool enough to help finance the project. Thank you to both of them. Carl, It will definitely be awesome if your friend makes those rare kits available. Please keep me/us informed, because I will definitely sign-up to buy a recast of any/all kits that become available. I remember seeing pictures of your L-Trans-R 1:72 YF-19, but had totally forgotten about it. That is another kit I would love to see recasted, in addition to the IHP 1/100 VF-17D. Do you happen to know the production numbers for the D'Stance YF-21? So far it seems to be the rarest of the rare, especially since all of the other kits mentioned so far have turned up, but not this one. A separate interest list for both the VF-4G and VB-6 should be started, according to which project is being worked on at the time, or hopefully both can go forward at the same time. If one of the moderators will "pin" it that will be great. It would be easier to wait until interested parties have a firm idea what the estimated price will be, completion date, and what will be included (screws/decals/instructions), as well as who the recaster will be. Sincerely, Christopher

William Gunn, Thanks for posting the pictures. I see that you opened your limited edition TRU version Cannon Fodder. You can clearly tell that it is the one on the left, because of the slightly darker brown color and the lack of fastpack holes. I've yet to open mine, but it isn't doing me any good just gathering dust. Sincerely, Christopher

Great Job Jung! (It's hard to come up with anything more to say, when so many nice compliments have already been posted. )

Hello, Rob, who is a long time member here at MW, lives in Spain, and is the original MW recaster, is supposed to be working on a Stampede Conversion Kit. Not sure of the scale, but everything else he did was for the 1/55, but that could be because back when he and I started out here at MW, Yamato was not around yet. At the time he mentioned the project, he made sure that no one else would be working on it to prevent the same item be offered by more than one person. I have not heard any updates since the project started, but then I could have missed the thread. Does anyone have information. Sincerely, Christopher

Reminds me of the (2) Asian twins from Austin Powers, Goldmember: Fook Me and Fook You. Pretty funny.

Hello Melissa, Great job! Thank you, and thank you to the person willing to lend the kit! I don't need to repeat that I'm in for the Koenig Monster, because I've been committed since Shawn had the original thread going. I 'll most like buy (2) if the price is right. I would definitely like the screws to be included, and perhaps someone like Devin can make custom decals with cool noseart variations. As Carl said, the original kit can be casted and returned in perfect condition, and then the copy parts cleaned up and the final product made from them. I will definitely without a doubt buy a variable 1/72 VF-4, and I wouldn't mind having a 1/100 either. Carl mentioned that he definitely has the 1/72 version, and the detail is definitely better from what I've heard. Thank you Carl for offering to cover the cost to make the second set of molds, that is really cool. It's also great that "Valkyrie" has stepped forward and agreed to take on the recasting project. Wow, what a wonderful day. Sincerely, Christopher

Min, I'm not sure what part you are "kidding" about. Please clarify. Sincerely, Christopher

Hello Noel, I'm glad I contacted you, and I appreciate you offering to help. It's too bad that whoever owns the VB-6 Koenig Monster pictured above, did not know how to transform it properly. Looks like a nice paint job though. Did you take any other pictures of it, if the picture posted ends up being the same one you took? I wish there was a way to contact the person that had it on display and find out if they are willing to sell. Min, Thank you for offering to help. Sincerely, Christopher

Rob, Thanks for your help. Carl is offering a free recast of the kit to the first person that locates an original for sale. Carl also mentioned that he has seen (3) of the kits auctioned off on Yahoo Japan. Is it possible to contact the individuals that won the auction and make them an offer they can't refuse? I know that on Ebay, you can do a search for completed items, and then send an e-mail to them. I've been able to buy some items I really wanted like that. Of course the age of the auctions will have a bearing on our ability to still locate them, but it is worth a shot. I will also go ahead and contact Noel to see if he can help. Sincerely, Christopher

Trueblueeyes, Good to hear from you, and good luck with dinner tonight. Thanks for stopping by, even if it was only a "quickie." I don't mind though, seems that all my wife has time for nowadays is a "quickie," so I've gotten used to it. That is of course if she doesn't have a headache. Anyway, yes Carl has been a big help in the past, and I'm sure he'll like Mississippi. I'm from the South, and have relatives in that state. Very pretty and laid back. Gene, You can call me Little Orpah Annie, and you can be Daddie Warbucks. Based upon our phone conversations, PM's and business dealings, I know you have an awesome collection, and much more than just Macross. Happy Hunting to all, and all for one. Sincerely, Christopher

Carl, I appreciate the clarification. I know how much you want an original of the kit, and how much pride you take in your collection, and I appreciate your help with this project. I'm sure that most of us will be more than happy to have a nicely done re-cast. The only problem is that both Gene and Melissa have also offered to pay the price for the kit, so as long as everyone understands from the beginning, only (1) person will get the original, and the rest of us will get re-casts, then all should be fine. Once the kit is found by a MW Member, please post the information promptly so we know one has been located, and if it is an auction, to prevent counter bidding which will only drive the price up. After the kit is located, whoever is willing to pay for it can make the arrangements and get it to the recaster. The key here is communication, and to use as many resources as we can. I'll contact Rob and find out what his fees are to start searching for this kit. If anyone has any resources in Japan/etc. please enlist their help. Gene, Thank you for your offer for help as well. It's nice to know we have a few big spenders here at MW to help bankroll the project. If you ever want to adopt me or put me in your will, just let me know my friend. Hopefully we will hear from Melissa with her comments. It all comes down to whether one person pays for the kit, or we all pool our money, but regardless everyone can start looking. Sincerely, Christopher

Carl, Congratulations on the job! I also appreciate you offering to help out with the project. Sincerely, Christopher

wwwmwww, Carl, I hope you are doing well, and I said to you quite a few months back, my best wishes to you and your family. We must have been typing our response to Melissa at the same time, but mine of course took longer, because it is so long. I remember when you told me about TI when it first happened, and it is good to have you back. Are you still going to be living in Sugarland, TX? Resin kits aren't cheap as you know. I have someone working on serveral thousand dollars worth of resin kits for me, and pictures of the first completed projected should be posted soon, but that is another thread at another time. I don't think finding someone to cast the kit will be too hard, and as I always say, "First things first." Talking about casting it is moot if we don't find one. Sincerely, Christopher

Hello Melissa, I've had the same idea for a while, but have been too lazy/busy to post a thread, so I appreciate you taking the initiative. I even had the title for our group of like minded fans already planned, let me know what you think. If you remember, both you and I posted to the original thread started by Shawn that we would take someone elses spot if they decided to back out, but of course none of the orders were ever fulfilled for MW Members, and so it was all moot. Here is my corny title: "The VB-6 Koenig Monster Acquisition Consortium" "Consortium" describes an agreement amongst a fellowship of like-minded individuals to pursue a common goal for the benefit of all. All work towards achieving the goal, which will improve the chances of success especially since we are dealing with a limited commodity, and competition is not the way to proceed. Sort of like, "The Fellowship of the Ring." First of all, we know the kit exists in a very limited quantity based upon sightings on Yahoo Japan, but the price is the issue here, plus we need someone familiar with the auction site, the Japanese language, and someone who can of course bid. This is how I thought it would work, let me know what you think. Not trying to steal your thunder, but just help make this work, or at least give it our best shot. First of all, obtaining the item will be based upon (2) things: 1.) Locating the kit either directly from the source, a secondary source, or auction site. 2.) Having enough capital to outbid any competitors. We do not want to be outbid, and perhaps rather than one person shoulder the entire expense thereby limiting the maximum bid amount, if all interested parties pool our funds we can go a lot higher but end up paying the same or less if we were to bid separately. Here is how I would proceed if we go this route: 1.) Contract with MW Member "MonkeyNugget" and/or perhaps "Noel" and/or someone else to become our liason, Yahoo Auction searcher/bidder. I know MonkeyNugget offers the service, he knows the language, is a extremely nice/honest person, and can be counted on. We will of course have to compense him for his services in the form of a percentage of the sale price or a flat fee agreed to in advance. The person must be committed and able to dedicate the time to the search. Using multiple people will increase our chances, but also increase the fees. 2.) Start a list of interested parties, 100% dedicated to not backing out, who are able and willing at moments notice to Paypal the funds needed to pay their part of the kit. We could agree on a maximum contribution amount in advance from each person so that confirmed parties know what they are committing too in advance. A designated and trusted part would receive the payments, and then forward the combined payment to the seller. For example, (10) interested people at $100 each equals $1,000.00 to bid with. That is still far less than the $300.00 original price. Each person would then pay the re-caster the applicable amount for their kit, which would still potentially less than the price from the original thread. The more people, the lower the price. Of course this all leads to one matter. Who gets the original kit, because all others would get a recast? This is of course presuming we get an original as opposed to someones well done recast. Here are some of the options: 1.) Use it as payment/partial payment/incentive to the re-caster. 2.) Let the person that agrees to commit the most money receive the kit after it goes to the recaster, but we must all be considered as equals in the project. 3.) Hold a drawing of some sort, and the winner gets the original, which might be the fairest way to do it. I know all of this is moot if we don't actually find the kit, but I've put a lot of thought into this over quite a few months, and I think my plan will work. It involves teamwork, and we will all achieve the ultimate goal which is owning a copy of this kit. I'm sure we could even find someone to build it for those of us modeling challenged. I know of some good resin casters as well. Sorry for the long thread, but working in the legal/professional field has made me verbose and loquacious. Sincerely, Christopher (Edited to try and prevent sentence length)

Hello, I agree that the VF-0 front landing gear as pictured could definitely have more detail added, but I will wait until the final product is released to judge, but it never hurts to make constructive comments. As usual Hasegawa continues to impress me, because the SV-51 looks great! I'm not sure if it has been mentioned, but Yamato changed the canopy frames on the Max and Millia to black as opposed to blue and red. Sincerely, Christopher

Gene, I bought quite a few items from Ming in the past, and he is definitely a good seller. He even helped me track down an item I needed. Sincerely, Christopher

Graham, This has definitely been a long time coming, and I appreciate your initiative. As the unofficial "Custom King," I just want to say "Thank you!" Of course, I may have to cede my title to Gene, since I sold him a few of my customs last year, but I still have plenty, with more in the works. As I've been saying for years, I'll take a (1) custom over (5) standard mass production valkyries any day of the week. Sincerely, Christopher

Thanks for the update! Definitely interesting. Your review of the VF-11B was great. Perfect length, objective, and informative. The pictures weren't half bad either. Sincerely, Christopher

Devin, Awesome job! It's really cool to see one of your customs, and it's nice to see something different as well. Min is a lucky person indeed. I've got custom envy. Sincerely, Christopher

CF18, I'm in awe of your historical knowledge. Judging by your highly informative post, and my detailed post prior to the obligatory edit I did, it is obvious who knows what. By the way, there is a plural of the word "life," next time try and check your grammar before you post. You should be proud of yourself for taking your own advice by not continuing to post non-transformers related comments. Great job! Nerv, Think of it as a temporary mutual symbiotic relationship. Check out some books on WWII and then PM if you have anymore of your self explanatory/rhetorical questions. Anyway, this thread as I said is getting derailed. I was wrong for responding to another MW member to substantiate my opinion, when I could have sent a PM. In my effort to be a good MW member, if you want to constructively discuss WWII or another war please feel free to PM me, but please know the subject matter. Sincerely, Christopher (Edited to shorten, so that further space is not wasted by me.)

Hello, It makes you think that if they can accomplish so much with the cars in vehicle mode, as compared to the originals we had as children, imagine how cool the jets would be. No matter how much we complain though, it probably won't do any good. (1) version of each of the releases I'm interested in will suffice. I'm glad that Ford is on board, and I hope that means we will see a Mustang or something similar as opposed to a Mazda. Sincerely, Christopher (Previous post edited to maintain the integrity of the thread. Just doing my part to keep it real, and do the right thing. )

Hello, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a Ford Mustang as well, but I also won't get my hopes up. I think it is great that they are using American cars, such as the Corvette and Viper. Personally, we kicked Japan's ass in WWII, and companies like Mitsubishi used to make the "Zero" propeller driven plane that killed a lot of Americans starting with Pearl Harbor, and a lot of Asian people in China and so forth. Imports with cheesy oversized spoilers, and big tailpipes welded on to tiny exhaust pipes are an unfortunate part of life, and I refuse to buy a toy of one. I was looking forward to seeing jets as well, but now that does not look like a possibility. Sincerely, Christopher

Jung, Great job on the Cannon Fodder! I've been wanting to post a comment since you first started the thread, but work has been super busy. I'm not sure if you made this one for yourself, or as a commission, but either way, I am truly envious of the owner. Your skills and ability continue to grow, and I appreciate you posting the pictures. Now, all I need is a custom 1/48 CF of my own. Sincerely, Christopher

Mike, Great job on the Enigma custom! I am definitely impressed. I can tell that you put a lot of work into it, and I know from experience as a long time customer of yours, that the camera never does true justice to your skills. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to talking to you when time permits. Sincerely, Christopher

Great job so far! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product. You've inspired me to get mine out of storage, but I think I'll wait to see how your kit turns out before I start. Spent some time in the Navy, and overseas in the Persian Gulf, and you definitely selected an awesome ship to model. Sincerely, Christopher