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@slide interesting technique. For now I'll try to spray a coat of surfacer to highlight the imperfection of the panel lines

@Xigfrid, @wmkjr thanks for the info. I'd probably go for enlarging the canards. Not sure about the head. Don't think I have the skill to re-sculpt the head. I may just alter it a bit to make a completely new model

2 hours ago, spacemanoeuvres said:

Looks great. These seem like a good candidate for shapeways. 

Was anything damaged swapping the wings? Would you be able to swap them back without too much trouble?

The process is destructive and irreversible, thanks to Bandai glueing everything up. 

1 hour ago, Sanity is Optional said:

The DX VF-31A does have larger canards, just FYI.

Thanks for the info. Can't really tell from the pictures. I'll see what I can do

@slide Thanks for the tips. I've got a proper tool. Tried it out. The lines are very fine. May be it's good for model but the DX has a thicker lines. Hard to match those lines.

Briefly thought about enlarging the canard, but the DX VF-31A just has the normal one. Still undecided. Most likely will leave them as is as I can see that the plastic is too thin.

Starfury, yeah! Hopefully one day I can see the finished product.

Very nice 0B custom!  If Arcadia could make the 0B and 0C. Arcadia can make them plain white (or grey) and we can custom paint them.

Both wings are ready. Now it's time for my first panel lines scribing. Hope I don't stuff it up, Any panel line carving tips are most welcome! 

@Xigfrid Any news on these 1/48 and 1/60 pilots? Are they available for purchase?

A quick mock up that really excites me! Finally I sort of having the jet I want without breaking my bank account.

Second wing is taking shape. It turns out that my initial thought of the way I cut was wrong, is actually necessary. Otherwise I could not be effectively attach the plastic wing cut out properly

Thanks @mickyg. You've been great help. 

Both wings are gone now. Even without wings, it looks good.

For those who could afford more than one 31 and game enough, one could try the VF-31Y in the master file below.

Since 31A is closely resemble to Rafale, I was thinking of adopting the paint scheme of the Rafale A. But I think re-painting will be challenging if not a nightmare since, again, Bandai glues everything together rather than using screws.

I admit the 31J is a good looking jet but I'm not a fan of forward swept wing. Since NY messed up with my 31A, I decided to take thing into my hand. Convert the 31J wings to 31A wings. Arming with the info from one of the member here, and the downloaded topview of DX VF-31A, I start my potential costly customisation. I'm not sure if I would go as far as re-doing the head into 31A or not for now. May be I will or may be I just do a totally what if model.

The top view of the 31A wing with some of the measurement supplemented by a member here and the angle acquired from the Hasegawa 1/72 VF-31A. You probably can't just blow up the Hasegawa 1/72 to 1/60 as some of the measurement aren't correct but some are the angles are correct though.

First using the Tamiya plastic sheet and cut off the 31A wing to the exact size. Then cut  the 31J wing off. And the way I cut it, was a mistake. First blunder.

Salvaging solution: Cut the right section and glue it to the cut out plastic sheet

Milliput is one of the best shaping putty here. It is strong and bond well with any plastic, it is also heavy, thus gives the weight feel. If you could afford the costlier finer Milliput, the better. I'm using the normal one here. After some sanding, it starts to look good.

On 2/14/2019 at 3:40 PM, Bobby said:

The closest I've seen is the Hasegawa Limited Edition 1/72 F-15 Active --> https://www.super-hobby.com/products/F15-Active-IFCS.html

That is the real life plane. Unfortunately Hasegawa didn't make the SMTD version instead of ACTIVE. The SMTD has a two directional vectoring, which will look even closer to the anime

Are the pilots available on Shapeway?

As for the wings, I'm doing some mod on my 31J. If you make those, than I can shortcut my way. Otherwise it'd be the good old priming and sanding

I'm doing some mod on the 31J. Some parts has so much glue that the parts are fused together as one. I guess glue is cheaper than screw.

The DX is more like a toughened model than toy 

@Xigfrid is the printing material as strong as the Tamiya plastic sheet? Or is it more fragile than that? 

Also any chance you can make a set of DX VD-31A wings?

Doesn't bother me . A female pilot would be nice too

Has anyone tried to disassemble a DX VF-31 before? Is it even possible to do so? It looks like the entire thing is glued together rather than the good old fashion screws. I'm trying to disassemble the nose section but couldn't find a single screw!

If the printed material is plastic and allow some sanding and cutting, then I can managed it. The DX VF-31 is loosely 1/60 scale, but I think it is slightly smaller than actual 1/60, hence Bandai hasn't put the scale on the box.

Why don't they make the JASDF F-15 and the F-16Kai (in 1/72)? It's been years and not a single one of those made, not even a resin kit.

VF-0C  and VF-0D are basically just part swapping. What take it so hard for Arcadia to release them? Are they trying to force people to buy both (0A and 0D)?

Thanks. But basically just need the same or similar pilot like the original for my projects

Anyone know where I can get those? I search Shapeway, but can't find any.