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So many good builds at work here. Derex that Enterprise E is great for the money

When I'm not working on the WRC Scout, moulding, casting or tinkering with canopy masks I steal some time to work on these. A Mechacolle Elysium and my RAAF VF-0B.

Elysium:

I have the VF-0 gunpod up yo this stage:

-Brett

More progress. Grubby weathered engines. The story is that a Zentran team resprayed a scout they found in WRC blue but didn't bother with the rest. There Zentran why would they - if it works why fix it! The metallic blue will stay relatively fresh while everything else will be weathered.

Enjoy!

-Brett

9 hours ago, Hiryu said:

The Wright Immelman VF-22 as well perhaps?

They have the VF-22 molds so why not? We can hope...come on Hasegawa!

-Brett

1 hour ago, KOG Water Dragon said:

I'm begging some company, any company, to do a VF-171/VF-171 EX and derivatives.

According to Tochiro on the Speakerpodcast Hasegawa have announced that they will be kitting all of the valks from the Delta. So here's hoping.

- Brett

Bleh. I really shouldnt post in a hurry. I fixed the above post to clear up confusion.

Cheers, Brett

7 hours ago, KOG Water Dragon said:

But still, they're slowly releasing a variety of kits, so maybe they'll do some other 1/72 fighters later. A modern quality 1/72 VF-2SS would be awesome.

Don't forget you can hunt down a Moscato Hobby Models kit or it's repop. I am pretty sure the patterns are out there somewhere as the other 1/72 scale kits crop up over at Starship Modeler from time to time.

-Brett

I just realised I forgot to list pricing which is AUD $5.50 or $8.25 a set which includes postage within Australia. International dudes add a flat $3 postage fee per shipment regardless of how many sets are ordered. 

- Brett

Okay well for now I'll just do the canopy and the masks for the white part of the kite. Next week I am sending out sample for evaluation, so depending on what the feedback is I should be able to start cutting soon.

Let me know in this thread how many you think you will want. Think of it less like a commitment and more like a survey. That way I'll know how much masking material to get and have half a chance to keep up with demand. 

- Brett

Yep. Definitely a Hasegawa VF-1 conversion. Looks like there are some battroid kit parts in there as well. Might be a home brew job or one based on some drawings that were floating around a few years ago on how to convert the fighter kit into a transformable model.

Pretty sure there is an article in the MW ModelGraphix (?) Section on how to do it. 

- Brett

Just finished the labels

So the next question is what else would people like included in the mask set. I had been thinking about circles for the kite could be painted on rather than using the "whites" that Hasegawa provide, but it has also been suggested that masks for the wheels be included as well.

Back when I first cooked up this plan I had though of releasing two versions of the masks. A basic canopy set and a larger set that includes Canopy, kites (including the big FAST Pack kites), wheels and feet. The idea for the feet masks being that the feet thrusters on the 1/72 VF-1 kits need to be painted before assembly. Something that isn't a problem on later kits.

The example below is what I was thinking for the big set

At the moment I am tempted to but out a basic set with just canopy and small kites and then wait to see if there is a demand for a big set later.

Thoughts anyone?

- Brett

Well I'll cut anything you like though I can't guarantee that they would fit 

- Brett

Looking good Arbit - props for all of the electrical black magic going on in this build!

Do you have a particular flaviur of paint you prefer?

- Brett

53 minutes ago, Xigfrid said:

I missed that thread ! If I can provide you a dwg file for VF-31 canopy cut would you be willing to make these too ?

Absolutely! I was planning on doing the -31 right after the 1/48 VF-1 anyway since I have a couple of VF-31As in the stash.

So tonight I think I'm getting to the final stages of getting the file right. You can see how many cuts were made with each one representing a  minor adjustment.

I'll let the file cook for awhile and go back for another look to make sure to make sure I am not being a bit optimistic. 

- Brett

Well I am glad there is interest! I only get an hour two each week to work on this as I squeeze it in with everything else. Plus I don't want to rush it out there and have it turn out to be a lousy product. 

Hang in there lads!

- Brett

I've been working on these and have learned that you can get to 95% fit fairly quickly. But getting that last 5% of accuracy takes a lot more effort.

- Brett

On 14/01/2018 at 2:16 PM, NZEOD said:

I can send you a canopy off any 1/72 Hasegawa macros kit to build a template on if I can get them back

I have had quite a few of these generous offers but it is a bit risky as O don't want to be responsible for someone else's kit part. Besides now I have a legitimate teadon for expanding the stash - how often does that happen? I have quite a few kits to wotk through before I run out so I am pretty sure I have time.

Again thanks for the offer.

BTW the plan at this stage is to finalise the 1/72 VF-1A/J/S masks then move to the 1/48s then maybe VF-31unless there is a big call for something else.

- Brett

5 hours ago, NZEOD said:

include the 1D canopy and I'm interested

 

That ones definitely on the cards. I'll grab a re release of the -1D gerwalk kit when it comes out as I don't have any kits to develop a template for. 

1 hour ago, mslz22 said:

So cool,  so this would be done on like a vinyl cutter?   My only request would be to do it in like a 5 or 10 pack to allow for multiple builds and mistakes. 

Thanks Mike, you've got it, these will be machine cut on a plotter.  We had been thinking about selling them individually or in twin packs but have a few enquiries about larger numbers. Since we are more interested in seeing people build kits than squeezing out profit we can can cater for bulk orders at a lower cost per item as well - the advantage of being a small operation. 

-Brett

G'day lads, just thought I'd pop in and let you guys know that we are are looking at producing a line of canopy masks for the Hasegawa 1/72 and 1/48 Valks (at least to start with). Personally I could never get those decals they give you work without looking like a huge mess, so I always masked and painted by canopies which is a huge PITA. While prototyping I can say that masking up now only takes a few minutes before you're back in action. 

Anyway let me know if you are interested or if you have any input/suggestions or goo and bad experience with canopy masking sets.

EDIT: 

These are starting to become available now so I'll list details here in the first post so they are easy to find. So far we have the following sets available (or will be soon):

1/48 scale VF-1A/J/S DYRL(Hasegawa canopy part N -1) - AUD$8.25 each.

1/72 scale VF-1A/J/S (Hasegawa) - AUD$5.50each.

All orders include postage within Australia. International orders add a flat AUD $3.00 for postage.

I can be PM'd here or via email here.

Cheers,

Brett

Great result that paint and weathering is top notch! 

I have the Tomahawk so I know what you mean about thr joints being a bit loose. 

- Cheers,

Brett

More progress pics. Tamiya TS-54 laid down as a substitute for "Zentran Blue". After this hardens I'll mask up for the rest of the otherwise standard colours. Also I got some pictures of the finished base which has been tuned from Australian Red Gum especially for this build. I think it turned out great!

- Brett

Updated versions of these would be awesome! BTW great result, they spruced up nicely  and it is nice to see some vintage kit love 

- Brett

I love seeing these older kits spruced up. Right on!

- Brett

Nice build dude and it is great to see some custom markings too! 

- Brett

Thanks Xigfrid, my wife just loves Christmas 

-Brett