kyekye Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Since wm cheng is already doing a fantastic WIP, I guess I can just post my almost finished VF-25F Bandai Model kit images. So far, i put in about 3 weeks (just nights holidays and weekends). 1st week was spent for parts cleaning/cutting, making clear parts, punching holes and fitting custom parts. 2nd week was spent for adding magnets and other metal parts/etching parts 3rd week was all painting! I really wanted to do the landing gear mod, but I just couldn't find room to fit them in without sacrificing some other stuff. So I gave up on that. Here are the stuff I modified so far. Most of modification idea came from various magazines (mostly HJ Nov issue) and other build samples. I've transformed it back and forth many times already. so some paint and decal got scratched off.. I will fix it later along with canopy future treatment when I'm almost done playing with it *Overall: rivet holes. All circle 'Maruichi' molds are replaced with option parts *Head: metal ball sensor. glear green lens on top duct. *Chest: intake hole/metal etching grill. center red glass lens, pieces side lines engraving *Arms : Lower arm mod to hold gunpod. Magnet mod. shoulder-holes punched *Legs/wings : metal option nozzle parts. clear lamp parts, metal machine gun parts. puch through machine gun grill parts. Major Magnet mod. *Cockpit: added hinge and small pin for canopy opening. *Gunpod : all gas grill holes punch through. clear lens replacements. Barrel tip mod. Grip mod for under-mounting. Mini-peg for under-mounting. *Landing gears : option tube/metal parts and lens replacements. Stuff left to do and fix.... *First of all, I need to find a way to fit the last puzzle piece in right position. That's the machinegun side panel. It's always loose in different ways. *Head laser metal mod. (one of them broke when i was transforming/turning) I temporarily fixed it by inserting metal rod, but I want to find a metal option parts to replace them. *Side machinegun mod. I made them with metal rod and tube, but was never happy with them. I need some suggestion. *The shield circular option part I used was too thick. I'll need to sand them a little or find parts with less thickness. Anyways, here are the images from today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiroikaze Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 That is pretty awesome what you did, especially the chest's intakes and clear parts. But by the way, you did mention paint chipping but is that what it is on the left shoulder area? Still, I really like this one. (takes some notes.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honkhet Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 holy smokes this is awesome! really great job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 That is pretty awesome what you did, especially the chest's intakes and clear parts. But by the way, you did mention paint chipping but is that what it is on the left shoulder area? Still, I really like this one. (takes some notes.) That's the most wearing area so far. You need to put shoulder together and shove them in the tight back armor area. Lots of friction. Top coating (Acrylic) doesn't protect it either. I was seriously thinking about using Urethan coating. But again, I'll fix whatever damage it gets before putting it into my display case. So i don't worry about it too much Some clear parts also need more trimming. Some of them are so tiny, and I only noticed it while taking pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibiki_konzake Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 great build, looks great i am also thinking about doing a landinggear mod. if i get it to work then i will only need to cut the white part out of the landingbay. if you'r interrested i can tell and maybe show you how i want to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 (edited) great build, looks great i am also thinking about doing a landinggear mod. if i get it to work then i will only need to cut the white part out of the landingbay. if you'r interrested i can tell and maybe show you how i want to do it. Thanks. The reason I gave up on landing gear mod was mostly due to the article from Dengeki Hobby Magazine January issue. The mod was too much to make it work, the modeler had to cut out a big section and extend some parts. I thought that was too much on 'already complicated' transforming mechanism'. If you find out simpler way of doing the landing gear mod, I will certainly use it for my next Ozma VF-25S which I already started Edited January 19, 2009 by kyekye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibiki_konzake Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 then i think my mod will come to late, because right now i am working on a hand mod. my vf25 will have fully articulated hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetarB Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 One of the better VF-25 Alto's I've seen, very very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 then i think my mod will come to late, because right now i am working on a hand mod. my vf25 will have fully articulated hands. Oh well, then. Bandai is putting out the rest of VF-25s and also Super Packs around Feb - March, and I'll be building them all one at a time. You are more of a 'focused on one model' type, so I'll check out your 'simpler landing gear mod' whenever you're done with it. Maybe I can apply it to Ruka's VF-25 later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big F Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Just the mods to the landing gear are IMO great that was one area I think that Bandai needed to get better. Overall a Great set of enhancements to an already good kit. Bravo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin3060 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Great build! I like how you painted the colours for the chest and shoulder area even round the edges of the piece. I think I really improves the look of the Valk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
505thAirborne Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Your VF-25 Alto looks amazing!! So does the hangar bay you have it displayed in too and my favorite mode of the VF-25 has to be its Gerwalk mode, super sleek & Sexy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Great build! I like how you painted the colours for the chest and shoulder area even round the edges of the piece. I think I really improves the look of the Valk! Yeah. The decal only covers the top of those puzzle pieces. So when you put it in Fighter form, it shows white edges. I hated it, so made a lines around them and painted the sides. The pieces are tiny thou. I poked my fingers a couple of times with engraver.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWR MKII Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Thats looking really good. I gotta get back onto my Ozma soon. But im suck into a 1/32 flanker at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wm cheng Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) WoW! Absolutely fantastic build, definitely one of the better builds I've seen - really great work, especially those tiny nozzle replacements and the clear lenses for the lights, it really adds a lot to the overall impact! What were the tiny nozzles used? They look really great. So did you paint it white? or did you just clear coat the white plastic, couldn't really tell as there were some seams, but the finish was just too good to be bare plastic... great job! The chipping on the decals really worries me, seeing yours doesn't bode well for my build - I really don't think there is any way around it... just transform it less and get multiples to leave in the various modes. I plan on hand brushing additional coats of clearcoats over the edges of the really problematic areas before I transform it, but it would just delay the inevitable. Great warning stenciling decals peppered throughout the aircraft - really good placement too, very realistic. Keep it up, can't wait to see more! I love that you etched/engraved a panel line within the thickness of the chestpiece to reduce the monolithic thickness of the part, it really adds to the realism, I'm too chicken to do that to mine, that's one mode I wished I really did but when it came down to it, I just good cold feet. Kudos to you! and it turned out great! Another area that you did that turned out awesome was the chest intakes, another thing I was too chicken to do (these Gundam models seem so foreign to me - I've never built one before and the transformation process seems so complicated with all the moving parts, that I was intimidated to do much modding). Edited January 20, 2009 by wm cheng Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) WoW! Absolutely fantastic build, definitely one of the better builds I've seen - really great work, especially those tiny nozzle replacements and the clear lenses for the lights, it really adds a lot to the overall impact! What were the tiny nozzles used? They look really great. So did you paint it white? or did you just clear coat the white plastic, couldn't really tell as there were some seams, but the finish was just too good to be bare plastic... great job! The chipping on the decals really worries me, seeing yours doesn't bode well for my build - I really don't think there is any way around it... just transform it less and get multiples to leave in the various modes. I plan on hand brushing additional coats of clearcoats over the edges of the really problematic areas before I transform it, but it would just delay the inevitable. Great warning stenciling decals peppered throughout the aircraft - really good placement too, very realistic. Keep it up, can't wait to see more! I love that you etched/engraved a panel line within the thickness of the chestpiece to reduce the monolithic thickness of the part, it really adds to the realism, I'm too chicken to do that to mine, that's one mode I wished I really did but when it came down to it, I just good cold feet. Kudos to you! and it turned out great! Another area that you did that turned out awesome was the chest intakes, another thing I was too chicken to do (these Gundam models seem so foreign to me - I've never built one before and the transformation process seems so complicated with all the moving parts, that I was intimidated to do much modding). Wow! Lots of compliments from wm cheng. Thanks! For the metal nozzle parts, I used metal tube beads and Stainless Steel Balls. I get them from 'Mechaskunk' and also a Korean site called 'modelup'. They have many metal and glass option parts. modelup's metal tubes actually have better edge cut. That's the one i used on front top and wing edges. For the paint, It's actually lots of layers. The photo just came out a bit too bright under sunlight from window. The actual color has blue-ish grey under tone. The Base layer was lacqer blue grey (Mr. Hobby Navy blue + Medium Blue + SuperWhite) same color as the joints basically. And I did different layers of superwhite (Mr. Hobby) on top. Most parts are 2-coat, but the nose and front bottom I did 3 coats. So they look more ivory white (kinda like old Phantom F-4). And then Lacqer Clear coat, and then lining with enamel (dark earth for joints and dirty brown for whites) + decals. And then Top coat (Mr. Hobby Acrylic). Yeah. the chipping on the decal.... If I do 1-2 more acrylic top coat, maybe it will protect it better. currently I didn't glue all the parts yet (that's why you can see some seams) I need to figure out a couple of things before I finalize this kit and move onto Ozma's. The warning decals are mostly leftover from hasegawa VF-1 kits. They always come in handy The photo etching on chest was actually my second choice. Originally i planned to use strip with straight lines, but I just couldn't fit them correctly at an odd angle.. Thanks for your kind comments. I'm also following your step by step mod. It's always great to see other people's different approach! P.S.: My magnet positions are slightly different from yours but pretty close . Originally I pushed them in and cover the surface with putty, but it half the magnet power, so I ended up exposing them. (I did paint them with metal primer and super white Edited January 20, 2009 by kyekye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojacko Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 rock on......this kit surely kick a$$.....details are great and painting is a winner!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Just the mods to the landing gear are IMO great that was one area I think that Bandai needed to get better. Overall a Great set of enhancements to an already good kit. Bravo!! Thanks! I'll update the images as I find solutions to some of my problems I mentioned on the top. I found a solution for hip gun pieces, so I'm working on that now. Your VF-25 Alto looks amazing!! So does the hangar bay you have it displayed in too and my favorite mode of the VF-25 has to be its Gerwalk mode, super sleek & Sexy!!! Thanks. The hanger bay is just Kotobukiya build bases I use for photo shooting. Usually I use Hasegawa Macross stand for Valkyrie fighters display. but I can't use it for this one since the wings are folding. Gerwalk is also my favorite form as well. Thats looking really good. I gotta get back onto my Ozma soon. But im suck into a 1/32 flanker at the moment. Su 27B? That's awesome. I heard it has serious mold details. I started my Ozma basic mode. I'm thinking about running a WIP if anybody is interested. rock on......this kit surely kick a$$.....details are great and painting is a winner!!! Thanks. Actually I now see some mistakes (like some edges need more sanding..etc) I need to be more careful on cleaning parts. It's just hard to see those when I only work at nights.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechTech Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 All the details make it look much better! That's where building gets separated from art. Great job! - MT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 All the details make it look much better! That's where building gets separated from art. Great job! - MT Nah. nothing beats your 6'-0" Daedalus. That's some serious stuff. If you happen to know any source for tapered metal head lasergun replacement parts, please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 is there any progress pic on how you did all your mods? love the work you did man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 is there any progress pic on how you did all your mods? love the work you did man I don't have WIP images for this one (Alto's VF-25F), but I can do a WIP for Ozma which I'm making now. Give me some time to take pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 O.K. I'm taking some WIP pictures and the topic is up now. Bandai 1/72 VF-25S Ozma WIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 I had some time left and had urge to do some digital painting to use it as my computer desktop wallpaper. This is like 'I wish I had made my VF-25 this way' version. I think it came out O.K. so I'll share with Macross fans here for your viewing pleasure (or not... _) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsain Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Holy crap! That's awesome, kyekye! Did you use your model as a reference for the perspective, or paint on top of a photo? if it's the former, I can't even put my admiration into words. If it's the latter, what an awesome way to make use of a real prop and achieve great results! Either way, incredible work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Valkyrie Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Very impressive, how did you make the pilot like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REbirth Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 That pic is made of win. *saved* Your painting/designing skill is amazing, it feels so fricking real. Man, when the VF-25S comes out, promise us and make a VF25S + Ozma version like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin3060 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I had some time left and had urge to do some digital painting to use it as my computer desktop wallpaper. This is like 'I wish I had made my VF-25 this way' version. I think it came out O.K. so I'll share with Macross fans here for your viewing pleasure (or not... _) That's an amazing picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Holy crap! That's awesome, kyekye! Did you use your model as a reference for the perspective, or paint on top of a photo? if it's the former, I can't even put my admiration into words. If it's the latter, what an awesome way to make use of a real prop and achieve great results! Either way, incredible work! Thanks for comment! I've used one of my VF-25 picture (one from the 1st page of this thread) as a template, but this is complete paint-over. I left some of the background (front circle and panel details) because I got lazy and circles are hard to do with correct perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiriyu Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Really nice work. I had been looking for a new wallpaper.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsain Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks for comment! I've used one of my VF-25 picture (one from the 1st page of this thread) as a template, but this is complete paint-over. I left some of the background (front circle and panel details) because I got lazy and circles are hard to do with correct perspective. Cool... Man, I gotta get back to using Painter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big F Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Good work there kyekye. Come on you painter guys let see some more of this type of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
505thAirborne Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I had some time left and had urge to do some digital painting to use it as my computer desktop wallpaper. This is like 'I wish I had made my VF-25 this way' version. I think it came out O.K. so I'll share with Macross fans here for your viewing pleasure (or not... _) DAMMMMM!!!!! Nice job dude, the aging on your VF-25 looks great. I like how Alto is giving a thumbs up!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westfall Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks for comment! I've used one of my VF-25 picture (one from the 1st page of this thread) as a template, but this is complete paint-over. I left some of the background (front circle and panel details) because I got lazy and circles are hard to do with correct perspective. You are a true artist. If i may ask, what software did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyekye Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 You are a true artist. If i may ask, what software did you use? All Photoshop. With layers and my custom brushes I was using painter for a while, but switched to Photoshop a while ago. I heard Painter is pretty good nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.