Valkyrie

Yea, that's what I was thinking. A vacuform copy would definitely look better than the stock canopy (though you'd have to build the frame inside it to make it look its best.) And like you said, you won't notice that it's ever so slightly larger if it's built open. You just won't be able to have it hinged, or build it closed. And actually, I've had an idea for negating the size difference floating around in my head for a while now. The basis is that if you take a piece, make a mold of it, then cast it in resin, the resin copy will be slightly smaller than the original, due to material shrinkage. So if I could use that method to take a styrene (or resin) canopy, get it to shrink 0.02", then a copy vacuformed with 0.01" plastic from that resin copy should be exactly the same outside dimensions as the original. In theory, anyway. The big factor is controling the shrinkage...

Hmm, that's an interesting idea. I'll have to remember to vacuform a few next time I'm doing canopies. I'm not sure how well they'll come out though. About all I can do is form them over the stock canopy, and I'm thinking the tiny panel lines will barely show up at all in the copies...

I don't suppose it comes with the FAST Packs? I've got the full armor version, but no fast packs.

Very nice! Though a bit inaccurate In the games, it's impossible to equip more than one weapon per arm. You've got two on each

The only place I've seen it published is in the instruction sheet for Retppu's 1/72 VF-11B battroid resin kit. I'll try and get it scanned tomorrow.

This is the only SD Fire Valk I've ever seen. And it's also the only time I've ever seen one... And its owner wasn't too keen on selling it (or Gubaba either)

SDF-1, definitely. Preferably the movie type

Well, what are you sculpting it with? I use Aves Apoxie Sculpt for all that kind of stuff. It's a good, cheap sculpting medium, with plenty of work time. It starts out pretty soft and sticky, and it stays that way for about an hour. You can do all your major shaping during this time. After it partially sets up, that's when you want to do your smoothing and fine detail work, using some sculpting tools, and Aves' Safety Solvent. And if it's still not smooth enough when it's fully dry, just use some sandpaper for your final smoothing and shaping. And if it's still not right, just throw on some more putty and try again. By the way, some larger pics might be helpful

This release just keeps looking better and better! I SO can't wait to buy Gunbuster for 4th time

Nice!! I'd heard about that project from John a few months back, but I've been keeping my mouth shut Can't wait to see it finished!

http://www.interstateplastics.com/ They've got great prices on .02, .04, and .06 in small or large sheets. But for some reason, .03 is kinda pricey.... And if you order less than $50 worth, they tack on a $15 small order fee

Just a bit of a pointer thread, to let you all know they're finally ready. Please see the tread in the For Sale forum for all the info.

I've been working on a VF-11B, made (almost) entirely of surplus or reject casts. The goal is to have it done in time for a show in 3 weeks. Wish me luck

Actually, I forgot, they still need to made a VF-0D battroid A set of Macross Zero missiles would be quite welcome too...

The Hasegawa VF-11 was never anything more than rumor and speculation. Though I am curious what they're going to do next, now that they've finished sucking Macross Zero dry...

Oh, wow, I (vaguely) remember that one...

Some of you might be interested to know that there is a new Yukikaze art book out! Well, sort of. At the last Komiket in japan (the big doujinshi convention in japan), two of the mecha designers for Yukikaze self-published an art book called "Blue and Purpre" (their typo, no mine). I thought this was particularly interesting. It's not uncommon for big-name manga artists to sell self-published doujin of their own characters (sometimes hentai, sometimes not). But this is the first example of a series creator self-publishing a mecha art book that I know of. I can only assume they they wanted Bandai to put out a Yukikaze art book, but Bandai passed on the idea. So they took the initiative and did it themselves! This reminds me a lot of the four Macross doujin art books published by MAT in the '80s. But this is even better, since it's actually official! The book is 120 pages, and is a decent mix of color and b/w design art. There's LOTS of art in it that's never been published anywhere else. All the fighters, the Banshee, the armored vehicle from er 5... it's all there. Plus, of course, a lot of accompanying text, which I'd give my left nut to be able to read. And at the end is a script and storyboard for what looks like a dogfight that didn't make it into the series. And a few pages of Tasukete Mave-Chan designs finishes off the book. I had to get my copy from Yahoo Japan Auctions, and it wasn't cheap. I won the auction at Y8000, plus all the shipping and service fees. But it was very much worth it

That's no UAV. The Fand 1 and 2 were both piloted fighters.

I'd be in for one. And actually, I already have a decent stash of Wave's B-Joints. I still have no idea why they discontinued those things...

Crap, I thought I had everyone's refunds taken care of except for one (honestly, I lost the original list of pre-orders I had taken ) But I've verified all three of your orders, and I'll get them taken care of as soon as I can. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sitting on a big stack of cash at the moment...

I have the Macross 7 Band Score book. It has sheet music for Planet Dance, Remember 16, Totsugeki Love Heart, Seventh Moon, Holy Lonley Light, and My Friends. It looks like it has full sheet music for all those songs, including vocals, drums, guitars, and keyoards. I could probably scan some of them if you need em. Or if you wanna buy the book, I'll give you a good deal on it. I don't really need it anyway

Here you go. http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d65685851 I can be yours for the low, low price of Y25,800!

I finally got my case of Kotobikiya's Gunbuster 1.5 figures today. And they're pretty damn nice! Most of the parts are made of a vinyl that's a good deal stiffer than your average Gashapon figure. And the Exelion and Buster Machines are actually all injection molded styrene! And the detail and paint jobs on them are awesome. To me, this set is worth it for those two alone. My only complaint are that the Buster Machines are too small. About 2.5" long. But the Exelion is a good size at about 5" Here's what I got: Exelion x 2 Buster Machines x1 Dix-Neuf x 2 Nono x2 Lark x2 Gunbuster (black and white) x1 Gunbuster (color) x1 Nono's Inazuma Kick (secret figure) x1 So it looks like you get two full sets per case, unless you get a secret figure, like I did. But honestly, I think I'd rather have a second set of Buster Machines

Ummm... What would you have us do? You know as much as the rest of us at this point. If you want to know more, PM Valk009 and ask him directly. If that doesn't work, just sit back and wait. Continuously bumping the thread obviously isn't helping any.

Wow, I didn't even notice at first that the Bome Noriko figure is the same as the one he did for General Products 15+ years ago! And that one was 1/5 scale. I have that kit, by the way He actually did another Noriko kit for Kaiyodo too, which I believe is 1/4 scale. I like that one a bit more. I have that kit too