pengbuzz

On my end of things... ALMOST got a replacement 1/72 canopy for my F-14 Tomcat, but the model it came with was too much for me at the time. I hid it and waited for the 50% off sale (today)and would have been a couple of dollars... ...and it was gone from where I hid it. Anyways, money's always an issue (long story, boring with parts of absolute terror interspersed), so buying a new one just for a canopy isn't gonna happen. And with shipping, a vac-formed one is almost as much. Starting to think about just tossing it, as I don't need a "destroyed diorama" Tomcat. -------------------------------------- In other news: I came across an old Mattel 1978 Cylon Raider: No figure, missile launchers shot, so, I did some..."work": Since these photos, the stripes have been corrected and made more "curving" than they look here. While not in scale with my 1/32 Moebius Viper (TOS), it should work for photography. Stay tuned...

Well, did some more work folks: Rocket pack is now attached and painted: And Rom has his neutralizer; just need to build the analyzer and translator: Sill got some more work to do, but he's coming along: Of course, Photoshop is quite helpful:

Currently working on my version of "ROM the Spaceknight". These pics are kinda out of date, as I killed down the scrollwork a bit by overcoating it with pearlescent white. I'm trying for a subtle effect on the armor, as it's a compilation of the "best of" features from the 70's toy, 80's comic and the new IDW version. Proto in tape: "First colors": And of course, helmet off: The base figure is an old ToyBiz LoTR Aragorn, with a "shave" and some repainting of the face to represent ROM"s original human form (I checked the old comics for that one). I want the armor to kind of reflect the old medieval knights armor, but at the same time be true to ROM's. The one concession i had to do was on the eyes, as our apartment is small and she REALLY doesn't like the red eyes on the original. So, to keep peace, I changed them to blue. (I have an "insert" I'm working on for photography for the figure, to put over the eyes and sensors on the armor). Stay tuned folks...

My latest: The old Revel "USS Missouri" model; I'm refitting it to the modernized version, but she still needs the masts (including weather mast on the bow) and a bunch of other work. Just found ti easier to mount her in place in the ocean, then work on the masts and stuff on a nice stable surface. Would you believe the "water" is Styrofoam covered with wrinkled aluminum foil, then painted with car paint?

Let me have it for a few weeks....

Working on a "rescue" model: an F-14 Tomcat in 1/72 scale: Well, while stripping it down to soak in oven cleaner and prepping to make new decals, the canopy decided it was going to shatter on me, front windshield and all. Great. And I just spent my budget on micro-sol. >:( So, I'm trying to find a new one (both pieces actually). Meantime, I'm just gonna go ahead and get this stripped down. We'll see what happens from there. Stay tuned folks (I HATE working with clear parts!!!)...

My latest project: Monogram's 1/48 F-16- Yeah, it doesn't transform. But I wanted something a bit simpler after the SDF-1 and the Zentraedi battleship, and this was a bit of "mindless fun", if you will. I messed up the "USAF" on the top right wing and had to stencil the decal back in by hand (that was a literal pain!). Everything on the paint job before decals was hand-brushed, so it looks...well... streaky (not to mention a light wash that decided to be stubborn in it's removal phase!). At least it isn't brown...

Thanks Xigfrid! BTW, I posted the drawing because Hikaru's face looked so much like a screenshot after I was done with it! I didn't want folks out there to think I simply swiped the animators' work! lol

SDF-1 Project final Update: I completed the stand and gave it a proper (albeit minimal) deco: I also removed and rebuilt the transform linkages for the booms; this time, they are machined out od solid chunks of ABS plastic (scrap from an old printer): That should finish off the project, and finally bring a dream I had years ago to completion: making a transforming Macross out of the 1/5000 SDF-1 kit: Thanks goes out to Kelsain (for the kit), Thom, Arbit, Xigfrid and the rest of the gang here for the encouragement and ideas! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On another project: I'm currently doing a rebuild on the Zentraedi cruiser model I recently built. I was unhappy with the details and whatnot, and tore some of it down as to add cannon emplacement, engine thrust vectors and more. Stay tuned...

Okay; just keep in mind to work SLOWLY. Don't try to rush anything; it's going to take some time. I really wish i could be of more help to you on this one.

I would definitely score it along the separation lines, then GENTLY work it free. That looks like someone didn't want the part to ever move again. If possible, score it from both sides. After you free it, use a needle file to clean the parts back up to their original specs.

I got bored after my last project. So first, I bought a small Statue of Liberty souvenir at a thrift store that had a busted arm. I fixed it, and this is pretty much what it looked like (forgot to take a "before" pic, so I had to find one online): Well, it managed to get separated from its' pedestal during repairs, so that gave me an idea: Same foam slats that went into making the launch arm served to replicate the full pedestal. My plan for this is to make a scale model of the entire complex the pedestal stands on. I might go as far as the whole island, depending upon space and materials (and size!). Then, after taking a break, i got REALLY bored. So I then did this: Just a simple stand for the Macross. When it's done, I intend it to display both cruiser and Storm Attacker modes equally well. We'll have to see how that works out. Stay tuned...

A nice, sharp-looking paint job there, Anubis! Looking forward to seeing the rest!

Thanks! I wanted folks to see Hikaru's reaction when he sees the Macross plow the Zentraedi ship with the Daedalus. I know in the series we see his reaction as he's flying off, but "ghosting it" in the canopy really sells it. I had to get a few stills from the series, then do a pencil sketch and then do the color work on it. It changed a bit as I worked on it in Photoshop, but here's the original sketch:

I would try gently removing the flash with a little bit of toothpaste, water and a soft cloth first so it doesn't wear the paint away. If that doesn't work, then try a bit of color to it.

That's one reason I would simply score it with a knife; when glue is that thick, it can cause the plastic to shear and tear/ break in unpredictable ways. Better to score through it so if it does "shear", it does so along a pre-planned route.

I would try "scoring" them lightly with an xacto knife where they were glued to the nose, then attempt to work them free. If you could, please post a pic so we can see what's going on. I definitely don't want this broken on you either.

Thanks! I'll try to have more stuff up soon. Looking to illustrate all those moments in Macross that we love, and some "re-interpretations" of others. Stay tuned folks...

Yes; I've used Micro-Sol for years, and it works on most decals pretty effectively. It makes them look like they were "painted on". I usually find it at Hobbytown USA for about $4.50 a 1 oz. bottle (a little goes a long way!).

Mold began wearing out perhaps? I know those molds have a fairly limited lifespan, but not sure if that would affect the seams first or the detailing.

Try this series by "Those Gundam Guys": https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Anime+Resin+Figure+Building+those+gundam+guys

To answer your question Thom: Right now, I deliberately over-coated my previous work with green to kill down the detail; the marker should "bleed through" slightly for a "pre-shading" effect, while I do another layer of panels over it.

Uh, yeah: I work quick... I just need to do some more paintwork and stuff over the basics here.