pengbuzz

Okay, time for some recent pics everyone! First up: The shoulders were sticking out a little too much in fighter mode, but I didn't want to mess up the soldier mode either (although the shoulders kinda bugged me there too). The solution I found was to trim them down my a millimeter or two, change the angle on the outer slope slightly and glue in new plastic plates to cover where plastic had been taken out. It smooths the underside out a bit more and makes the shoulders stick out a bit less. Next up: I had to revert to the original system for retaining the legs to the body, but the plastic pegs holing the leg pegs to the chestplate kept snapping! First the originals let go, then every single replacement gave out. I finally solved it by making new pegs out of metal (coat hanger wire), bending them so they would go into the post that supported the leg, and angled up to their final position going into the chest. Yeah, the pic doesn't show it very well, but I really wasn't in the mood to photograph the wire. And yes, the intakes are a little bit of a mess. I'll fix that when structural stuff is finished and buttoned up. I also did some adjustments on the rear fuselage: I got the legs to sit a little higher up in comparison to the back fuselage and backpack/ tail. It was bugging me how low the legs were and how high the tailpack was riding. Overall, the kit is nearing the end of the "structural" stage; I don't think I can correct every single little thing on this (thought about lengthening the lower leg/ nacelle), nor do I want to keep trying to. Next up is the detail stage, where I start addressing the messy parts and file down some stufgf that was reworked. Stay tuned...

Okay, thanks for the explanation on that Gatsu. The cockpit is still salvageable: for the future though, NEVER use clear gloss on it. It'll craze and fuzz the canopy. How to save it: 1) wet-sand the canopy with 6000 grit sanding film 2) wet-sand with 12000 grit sanding film 3) polish the canopy with #0000 steel wool 4) polish the canopy with toothpaste 5) polish the canopy with kleenix 6) 5) Dip canopy in Pledge floor wax with Future finish. I've used this process on "unsalvageable" canopies, and even when molding my own and removing distortions from them. I hope this is of some help to you. BTW: let me know if you cannot salvage it, i may be able to help.

It is, but I find it's more durable and easier to sand. And I feel the same way! lol Plastic welder comes in a dual syringe, so you always dispense the correct amount of resin and hardener. BTW folks: update on my Regult pod: Started adding the joints in for the legs. I may make the "knees" double jointed if I can find/ build the right joint for them. After I get the structural stuff done, then I'll start on building up the cockpit shell and making look more like a kit than a golf ball with a 'tude!

ROFL!!!

BOMBA!!!!

Definitely! Awesome linework, colors and shading are top notch; I'd swear this was an animation cel!

This really looks like the Breetai I remember from SDFM. The detail is just incredible! Really awesome work there, thesauce!

Gonna pass on this one.

I usually polish my canopies, maybe I can be of assistance here. If the canopy is matted due to overspray from clearcoat or sanding, here's what to do: 1) clean the canopy with rubbing alcohol (90 percent Isopropyl alcohol works best). See if that removes the clouding. If not, proceed to thenenxt step: 2) polish with #0000 grade steel wool 3) polish with toothpaste (sounds silly, but it works, no particular brand is needed) 4) polish with facial tissue 5) Dip canopy in Pledge floor wax with Future finish. This should make tha canopy CRYSTAL CLEAR. Hope this helps! -PB

Thank you for the pic Mazinger; now let me see if I can help you.: There is a two-part epoxy-like adhesive called Plastic Welder, made by Devcon. I've used it to literally make parts for my projects. Ace Hardware has a version of it that's two dollars cheaper, but is the same exact stuff. If you can put something made of soft plastic (polypropylene or polyethelyne) in the middle to serve as a non-stick form, you can smear the plastic welder around it and it will cure to shape. Then, just remove the soft plastic part and shape the outer surface with a needle file or rotary tool (Dremel). The inner cartridge from a stick ballpoint pen would work (the cheap bic kind), as plastic welder cannot really adhere to soft plastic. This stuff is VERY strong: I have projects from 10 years ago and the material is still as good as ever! It's also sandable and paintable, so you can smooth it out and make it look like it was never damaged. Why not give it a try and see if it works for you. Last I checked, the Ace version is $4.99

Yeah...kind of a "leaf-eating" experience; I can relate, Gerli.

Yeah, I made that mistake once; I actually took the stuff back to the store!

Agreed; I'm very tempted to attempt this in masking tape.

I see blue tape on the backpack for Jetfire; is that holding a broken piece on? If possible, could you get a closer pic on the damage on the Jetfire?

Well, I wanted to get in on this, so here goes... You'll love this... (actually, you'll probably want to kill me)... And here it is:

Thanks; these calllouts help! I wouldn't want to be the Zentran ship on the business end of this lady when you finish her!

Oh wow! It's the Macross "Quarter Class"!

Thanks for posting the pic of the paint scheme; that has actually helped me out (and will continue to do so!) with my VF-1S project! Meantime, I really looking forward to seeing your VF-1D in paint with the missiles. Makes me wonder if UN SPACY would sometimes use a modified VF-1D in SPace War 1, with the pilot worrying about the flying and the co-pilot doing all the missile and radar work. Just a thought...

Okay, some pics for everyone... The inglorious start of a battlepod: And some progress: The marker on the surface is just to mark out where parts will go and whatnot. Don't worry: it's not going to look like crap for too much longer; I'll have a topic posted for this shortly.

Right now, scratch building a Regult Battlepod while waiting for parts on my VF-1 to dry. Pics to come...

Nice job! Really like the takeoff with a full load of "Hit them hard" ordnance!

Yeah, one day I'd like to try my hand at that.

O.o lol seriously, I'll have to remember this trick.

Ah, good one Mintox! I hadn't thought of the ground crew! Carrier crew figs would be sweet as well.

You've got a point. I just think this fig is a bit small; kinda like "Mini-Roy" or something. (Now, THERE'S a pic I should do up sometime ) Meantime, I JUST found out why all my sodas keep disappearing whenever I have a modeling session... :| "