DrunkenMaster2

Well here I started to panel the lines. First you have to use semi-gloss to cover the whole plane, or it's not going to work, you need a smooth surface to lay panel lines down. I like to use Model Master Lacquer overcoat (#1959), once that dries I get ready to panel the lines. Here is what I use, black and white oil color to make grey, then I used mineral spirit to thin out the oil paint, now with the mineral spirits be careful because this will eat the alclad paint, it's a great thinner for alclad paint, so be careful, that's way I kept my yellow tape on. Now once you have the oil paint thin out it should be like water dip your paint brush in the oil paint and dab onto the panel line, if you did it right the oil paint should run into the panel line like water. Now let that dry for about 30 to an hour then take a tissue paper and wipe away. If you take off the line repeat step, again use semi-gloss or any other overcoat, you need a smooth surface or it's not going to work. Here you can see I wiped off the extra oil paint, had to go over some panel lines again because I wipe some off, oh here you can see I painted the visor I used x-11 chrome silver then let that dry, then over that chrome silver I used x-25 clear green, need to add another layer to cover the silver. Now I have to do the decals, then the kit should look good!!!

Well I finally started to paint, here I'm using XF-2 flat white, I airbrush a thin layer for the under coat, next I'll preshade with XF-66 light grey, then finally over the light grey I'll use flat white to cover everthing. Here I used a thin layer of flat white. Next I use XF-66 light grey for the preshade, it looks rough but I'll cover the light grey with flat white to tone it down, I'm trying to give this bird a weather look. Finally with the flat white over the light grey I get the look that I'm looking for, now for the panel lines!!

Yup I haven't stopped working on this kit, just been very busy. Well finally finish with all the prep work, primer and ready to paint. As you can see I took the time to make sure the landing gears turned out perfect, let me tell you, lots of sanding and lots of putty, but finally I'm done. Here is all the parts ready to paint. Now the fun part starts, I plan to weather this bird.

Well started the leg, as you can see I painted the inside black, and I cut off the that extra piece so I can fit that landing gear in. Plus I glued the two landing gears together, that way it will be easier to fit into place. Next I tape off engine with Tamiya tape, it's the best tape to use, because you can lay it over any painted surface without peeling off paint. I saw wm cheng do this so and it was a great idea, so I copy his technique. Here with the grill painted I wanted to see what it will look like with the tail fines, I already primer the tail fines part, and it's ready for paint.

Well started to paint, I use Alclad paint, Steel and Jet Exhaust. If you never used this paint I high recommend it. First I airbrush Alclad Steel for the base. Next I airbrush Alclad Jet Exhaust for the burnt effect.

LOL

Anybody see this? I want one!!!!!!

Pre-order is up on HLJ. Have mine pre-order!!! These look awesome!!! http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN953254

Sorry if this is a double post, but looks like Yamato website has vol. 2 up already. Click on the "Photo Zoomer" to see the rest in the set. http://www.yamato-toys.com/items/detail.php?gid=1183

Well I worked on some photo-etched for the grill, talk about a big pain, but it was worth it!! As you can see, there is a HUGE difference.

As you can see I glued up so pieces and putty some injection marks, have to make sure it's flat, because the injection marks really stick out when you paint. Again, thanks for sticking through the boring parts, I'll go in more detail as soon as I start to paint.

Started to putty the nose have to make sure it's perfect. As you can see I masked off the canopy so I can primer and paint without ruining my interior. Next I started to glue the parts together. I'll putty and sand down after the glue drys.

Well more boring stuff, you know cutting and dry fitting. The fun stuff is around the corner, painting and weathering.

HOLPY CRAP!!!! They look awesome!!!! So there's going to be four in this set? Where do I pre-order? Thanks for the Pic CF18

Ok, doing all the boring stuff, you know cutting, dry fitting, and oh yeah sanding. Here is the head (sorry for the pic, bad lighting). As you can see I drilled with a pin vise holes into the gun pods on the head. Started working on the back engine/feet, again I'm using the photo-etched. The photo-etched is a nice touch to add the the kit. Here I'm working on fitting the nose gear, need to make flush againts the nose.

Here's the wings, simple to put together only thing you have to do is fill in the gaps, easy to do with putty. Plus I started to work on the landing gears, again I'm going have the landing gears up. As you can see I cut off the extra piece so I can fit it under the nose. Then I used styrene to tie it together for a good fit.

To get that detail use a fine paint brush, plus you can use oil paints, make sure you thin it out with thinner, I use mineral spirits, then apply it to the pilot or panel lines and wait about an hour then wipe. If you take too much oil paint off then just repeat step.

Thanks everybody, so far it's a pretty fun kit to put together. Well I finish Hikaru, plus I dry brush (white) the interior for detail. For Hikaru I use Red, Light Gray, Clear Green, Chrome Silver, and Black. For the helmet I use the Red then the lines I painted black, for the visor I used the Chrome Silver once that dried I used Clear Green over the Chrome Silver. Then finally I used Light Grey for the details on the chest and belt. Then I applyed the decals with lots of Micro Sol. I glued the fuselage together, while waiting for that to dry, I started to work on the body. As you can see that annoying space where the wing attaches, I used styrene to fill that gap in. Then use putty to fill in the lines and injection marks. As you can see I primer the bottom to make sure I fill in all the gaps and holes.

Next I airbrush the whole seat and interior Tamiya Dark Grey, then using a paint brush, I paint the seat Dark Green and Tan. Of course you don't have to be perfect because the pilot is going to cover up the seat. Next I airbrush the photo-etched piece Dark Grey and airbrush the contol panel black. Dry fit the fuselage to see if it fits ok. After the black paint dried I apply the decal with lots of Micro Set. Well that's it for today, more on the way very soon!!!

Well time to work on another Valkyrie I'm going to be building Hikaru's Strike Valkyrie from DYRL. So expect lots of pictures on my progress, if you have any suggestion please tell me. Plus I might ask for some ideas. My plan is to build it with the landing gears up and display on a wooden base so it looks like it's flying. Well here goes nothing...... Here is what I'm going to be working with, one VF-1 Super/Strike Valkyrie, one VF-1 Weapon Set (using missile and pilot figure) and finally photo-etched detail set. First, I cut away from the kit, then using a very sharp blade I start cutting the nub alittle at time, then I use a 320 grit sand paper to smooth out the edges don't worry if you cut to deep or sand to deep, you can always use putty to repair. Next I dry fit the seat for the cockpit, to make sure they fit. Here I dry fit the nose to the cockpit, again dry fit first.

Me too!!! I already have mine on pre-order

Very cool looking figures, now are these keychains? HLJ has them down as a "swing" figures.

Great Episode!!!! Love Ranka song during the Macross Contest.

How cool is this!!!! Can't wait to see this in action!!!!!!

Wow that's way too dark, unless your going for that look. If your going to pre-shade on white, you should go with light grey.