Whats Lying on your Workbench MK IV

[derex3592]

@VF-1A Grunt - Do it! It's a beautiful kit! 

[Papa Rat]

Getting closer. Still needs decals, detail paint, top coat, the usual…I’m excited to finish this up but I have to say that this build hasn’t been as fun as some of the old vintage stuff I have been doing. Regardless I’m learning a lot through the process. 
Maybe I’m learning in too hard on the highlight shading thing with my paint jobs? I am on the fence about it. 

A big thanks to @pengbuzzfor the heads up about pilot options. I reached out to @arbit for the digital pilot files. They are tiny tiny and work perfectly for this build. I had a blast painting them and they actually look half decent. ♥️

@derex3592Look! Got one of those stands you plugged awhile back. Super handy, thanks for the heads up. 👍

Edited September 2 by Papa Rat

[SteveTheFish]

@Papa Rat You're coming along very well. I'm still tempted to think you're a phony when you say that you've only been modeling for about a year or so, like you're having us all on. You demonstrate skill that people who've been doing models for a long time do not have. Heck, I know one young man online who has been building models for a long time. He slathers unthinned paint all over his models and lays down expensive aftermarket decals, then sends me pictures and asks me how I feel about them. He has no self-awareness. You, on the other hand, are doing a fantastic job with your model kits.

OK, so I have a question for people who do 3D resin printing. I had a guy print out a figure of Rei from Evangelion for me and some of the parts have a waxy feel to them, as if maybe the UV curing process was cut short. The figure's body and head parts are fine, but the limbs have a weird texture to them. Do these parts need to air dry, sit under UV lamps a bit longer, or do they need to be washed off with alcohol or something?

[Big s]

3 hours ago, Papa Rat said:

Getting closer. Still needs decals, detail paint, top coat, the usual…I’m excited to finish this up but I have to say that this build hasn’t been as fun as some of the old vintage stuff I have been doing. Regardless I’m learning a lot through the process. 
Maybe I’m learning in too hard on the highlight shading thing with my paint jobs? I am on the fence about it. 

A big thanks to @pengbuzzfor the heads up about pilot options. I reached out to @arbit for the digital pilot files. They are tiny tiny and work perfectly for this build. I had a blast painting them and they actually look half decent. ♥️

@derex3592Look! Got one of those stands you plugged awhile back. Super handy, thanks for the heads up. 👍

Looks really great so far and love the little dudes

 

11 minutes ago, SteveTheFish said:

@Papa Rat You're coming along very well. I'm still tempted to think you're a phony when you say that you've only been modeling for about a year or so, like you're having us all on.

He’s definitely come a long way, but I do gotta say that people new to the hobby these days have far more resources than people starting out before the age of the internet. There’s also been a lot of innovation in tools and tricks that weren’t around a decade or so ago. I think community has a lot to do with newer builders compared to the lack of community back in the day.

There’s also a certain amount of natural talent that some people have for learning a hobby or music or art. Some people just catch on to these things much faster than others 

[Papa Rat]

32 minutes ago, SteveTheFish said:

 You're coming along very well. I'm still tempted to think you're a phony when you say that you've only been modeling for about a year or so, like you're having us all on. You demonstrate skill that people who've been doing models for a long time do not have. Heck, I know one young man online who has been building models for a long time. He slathers unthinned paint all over his models and lays down expensive aftermarket decals, then sends me pictures and asks me how I feel about them. He has no self-awareness. You, on the other hand, are doing a fantastic job with your model kits

Hey thanks. Yeah, I love to push myself and try new things. I also read up on how to approach things that interest me so I am prepared to dive in. Maybe it’s making sourdough bread, learning to drywall in my home, fixing my bicycle or whatever it happens to be.

Reading about how to do something and the actual doing are so wildly different. I still learn the most by the doing part and all the mistakes I make are great opportunities for learning. I have a good enough sort of attitude with the hobby for the most part but I pay attention to the process and outcome. There is plenty of room for improvement, growth…

I wish I had started building sooner but better late than never. I think that getting older and having a family has changed my priorities quite a bit. I go out way less and I find that I’m more of a homebody and this hobby just dovetails into my lifestyle at this point.
Also having a place like this with a great community is an amazing resource for creativity, insight, and inspiration!
✌️

Edited September 2 by Papa Rat
Spelling

[Papa Rat]

5 minutes ago, Big s said:

Looks really great so far and love the little dudes

Thanks. The pilots are my favorite part. 😊

[pengbuzz]

5 hours ago, Papa Rat said:

Getting closer. Still needs decals, detail paint, top coat, the usual…I’m excited to finish this up but I have to say that this build hasn’t been as fun as some of the old vintage stuff I have been doing. Regardless I’m learning a lot through the process. 
Maybe I’m learning in too hard on the highlight shading thing with my paint jobs? I am on the fence about it. 

A big thanks to @pengbuzzfor the heads up about pilot options. I reached out to @arbit for the digital pilot files. They are tiny tiny and work perfectly for this build. I had a blast painting them and they actually look half decent. ♥️

@derex3592Look! Got one of those stands you plugged awhile back. Super handy, thanks for the heads up. 👍

Glad I could be of help; Arbit deserves the lion's share of the credit though, as he did the work on them!  All I did was to point you in the right direction.  

[tekering]

3 hours ago, Papa Rat said:

I have to say that this build hasn’t been as fun as some of the old vintage stuff I have been doing. Regardless I’m learning a lot through the process.

Dude, you're a machine!  I can't believe how much progress you make with every post in this thread. 😲

I hate struggling with the limitations of vintage kits, and much prefer the accuracy and ease that comes with modern engineering.  I think perhaps you enjoy the challenges of surface prep. and painting more than I do. 😅

2 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

I'm still tempted to think you're a phony when you say that you've only been modeling for about a year or so, like you're having us all on.

Yeah, but look at how much time he's putting into it.  He's accomplished more in a month than most of us do in a year!

I've only been 3D-printing for a year or so, but I've dedicated so much time to it that I know my equipment better than some professional printers do.  The more focus you put into an activity, the quicker you gain skill and expertise.

Oh, and speaking of which:

This cost me a great deal more than @LocusPocus paid for his, I'm sure, but it's still cheaper than what Bandai would charge for the Hi-Metal R toy they teased (but will never release). 🙄

48 minutes ago, SteveTheFish said:

The figure's body and head parts are fine, but the limbs have a weird texture to them. Do these parts need to air dry, sit under UV lamps a bit longer, or do they need to be washed off with alcohol or something?

Sounds to me like a bath in isopropyl alcohol is warranted.  After that, a little air drying in the sun will ensure the parts are completely cured as well.

[SteveTheFish]

3 hours ago, tekering said:

Sounds to me like a bath in isopropyl alcohol is warranted.  After that, a little air drying in the sun will ensure the parts are completely cured as well.

Thanks! I went ahead and soaked the parts in IPA as you said, then washed them off with water. That did the trick! They are no longer tacky. So should all 3D printed parts be washed off with IPA, or just prime them as-is?

[Cheese3]

I just finished my imai, 1/144th vf-1a, it wasn’t my best work but it’s done. I bought the kit again as a re-do. Also! Here’s my 1/144th collection 

[Papa Rat]

5 hours ago, tekering said:

Dude, you're a machine!  I can't believe how much progress you make with every post in this thread. 😲

I hate struggling with the limitations of vintage kits, and much prefer the accuracy and ease that comes with modern engineering.  I think perhaps you enjoy the challenges of surface prep. and painting more than I do. 😅

Hahahaha. I tend to buckle up and hit it hard with projects and shi* gets done. Lol

Those old kits though. I think you are right about surface prep. I like overcoming a challenge to a certain degree. It just feels good in the end. I also adore the smaller scale of those kits compared to the huge, let’s say VOLKS KOG kit with the buster. That box sits on my shelf which I haven’t had the courage to start yet. One day. 

Also that Nousjadel-Ger looks great! That’s a mouthful. 

Edited September 2 by Papa Rat

[Big s]

1 hour ago, Papa Rat said:

Those old kits though. I think you are right about surface prep. I like overcoming a challenge to a certain degree. It just feels good in the end. I also adore the smaller scale of those kits compared to the huge, let’s say VOLKS KOG kit with the buster. That box sits on my shelf which I haven’t had the courage to start yet. One day. 

I like the small kits as well. One of my favorites and sadly discontinued line of Macross kits were the tomytec vf-1 models. I really wish that line would get a revive cause they were great for the size and came with cool decal options if you didn’t want them as is. I would’ve loved for them to have done destroids and zentraedi mecha to go with them

[Big s]

2 hours ago, Cheese3 said:

I just finished my imai, 1/144th vf-1a, it wasn’t my best work but it’s done. I bought the kit again as a re-do. Also! Here’s my 1/144th collection 

Love the little collection 

[tekering]

2 hours ago, Cheese3 said:

Here’s my 1/144th collection

Oh man, those vintage Valkyries are rough, but that Gundam... 🫣

2 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

So should all 3D printed parts be washed off with IPA, or just prime them as-is?

I suppose that depends on where you're getting them. 😅

I'd never send anyone parts that hadn't been thoroughly washed, dried, and cured first, but I suppose you can't expect that kind of professionalism from everybody.

If you've got the IPA, it certainly wouldn't hurt to wash any resin parts before priming. 

1 hour ago, Papa Rat said:

I also adore the smaller scale of those kits compared to the huge, let’s say VOLKS KOG kit with the buster. 

No way!  The bigger, the better.  I have the 1:60 KOG with buster on pre-order. 😋

1 hour ago, Papa Rat said:

Also that Nousjadel-Ger looks great! That’s a mouthful. 

FYI, it's pronounced "New-Jar Dell-gar." 👌

[Papa Rat]

15 minutes ago, tekering said:

No way!  The bigger, the better.  I have the 1:60 KOG with buster on pre-order. 😋

🤯 

oh and thanks for the pronunciation. 👍

[pengbuzz]

57 minutes ago, tekering said:

FYI, it's pronounced "New-Jar Dell-gar." 👌

Sounds like something you'd order in an NYC Deli

[Gabe Q]

1 hour ago, tekering said:

FYI, it's pronounced "New-Jar Dell-gar." 👌

I've always wondered how to pronounce that! I just shorten it to N-Ger and pronounce it like 'anger'.

@Papa Rat That Elint is looking good so far! It looks like you're in the home stretch.

@Cheese3 I love your classic kit lineup! I've built a few of those you've got pictured there. I have such a big soft spot in my heart for the classic kits. It feels good to know someone is still working on bringing those to life!

[505thAirborne]

Not Macross or Anime related, but these custom Vietnam M1 helmets are on my workbench at the moment. 

Mospeada related, I'll be working on a Dark Tread/Shadow Beta soon, I'll be using the MPC Beta that never was as my guide. I'm just waiting for the paint to arrive. 

 

[Papa Rat]

18 minutes ago, 505thAirborne said:

Not Macross or Anime related, but these custom Vietnam M1 helmets are on my workbench at the moment. 

Mospeada related, I'll be working on a Dark Tread/Shadow Beta soon, I'll be using the MPC Beta that never was as my guide. I'm just waiting for the paint to arrive. 

 

Love that skull design. Very cool. Also best of luck on the Beta. 👍

[Big s]

4 hours ago, tekering said:

No way!  The bigger, the better.  I have the 1:60 KOG with buster on pre-order. 😋

I wish I had the space, but unfortunately, it’s the 1/144 version for me

[pengbuzz]

On 8/22/2025 at 3:54 PM, Papa Rat said:

Hahahaha. Love that little fella ♥️

Need parts? Found this on EvilBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226948256646?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

Edited September 2 by pengbuzz

[Cheese3]

Pretty much the whole thing!

[derex3592]

Started knocking back the pre-shading on the Cat's Eye 👁️‍🗨️ and the Blackbird on Monday. I'm determined to make the SR-71 not just look BLACK... but like they do in reality...which isn't easy. 

[Papa Rat]

11 minutes ago, derex3592 said:

Started knocking back the pre-shading on the Cat's Eye 👁️‍🗨️ and the Blackbird on Monday. I'm determined to make the SR-71 not just look BLACK... but like they do in reality...which isn't easy. 

Oh yeah!!!! Looking good

[Papa Rat]

16 hours ago, Cheese3 said:

Pretty much the whole thing!

Diggin the wild color schemes. 

[Big s]

5 hours ago, derex3592 said:

Started knocking back the pre-shading on the Cat's Eye 👁️‍🗨️ and the Blackbird on Monday. I'm determined to make the SR-71 not just look BLACK... but like they do in reality...which isn't easy. 

Not black is tough. Gotta go dark, but not too dark and then shading is rough cause it can just disappear and then lighter highlights can look too light and then certain weathering products turn darker with top coat. Good luck and I’m sure you’ll get a great looking kit done as long as you take care and definitely take a little time to test things out.

[Thom]

Looking good @derex3592. And a real nice bit of Macross @Cheese3.

[SteveTheFish]

11 hours ago, derex3592 said:

Started knocking back the pre-shading on the Cat's Eye 👁️‍🗨️ and the Blackbird on Monday. I'm determined to make the SR-71 not just look BLACK... but like they do in reality...which isn't easy. 

Your Blackbird is looking great! I used Tamiya XF-69, NATO Black. I've built two so far: an Italeri one and a Hasegawa one. Oh yes, and a Hasegawa Eggplane one. Yours is an Academy by the looks of it, am I right? What you're doing is great. My advice from my experience is to mask off corners of the panels with some sticky notes, then shoot the corner very quickly and lightly with some medium or light gray paint. I actually used chalk, but the lighter-colored chalk seemed to disappear after the clear coat went down. If I was to do it again, I'd use some gray paint in an airbrush instead since it won't disappear on me. 

[Papa Rat]

I can almost see the finish line. It’s been a journey and actually not my favorite one. I think it’s looking ok for my first 1/72 scale aircraft, but I’m not stoked on it. I managed to scratch the nose while applying decals. Oof… Not sure how it happened but I don’t want to fix it. I say it’s weathering/damage while on duty. Hahahaha.
I just need to do some small detail hand painted gloss paint here and there along with final assembly including painted clear parts.

I still need to get a generic stand. At this point I might just drill out a 3mm hole on the bottom and make my own? Not sure. 
 

I do enjoy the side profile of this build. I think it will be even more dynamic with the upper and lower radar attached  

Edited September 4 by Papa Rat

[derex3592]

10 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

Your Blackbird is looking great! I used Tamiya XF-69, NATO Black. I've built two so far: an Italeri one and a Hasegawa one. Oh yes, and a Hasegawa Eggplane one. Yours is an Academy by the looks of it, am I right? What you're doing is great. My advice from my experience is to mask off corners of the panels with some sticky notes, then shoot the corner very quickly and lightly with some medium or light gray paint. I actually used chalk, but the lighter-colored chalk seemed to disappear after the clear coat went down. If I was to do it again, I'd use some gray paint in an airbrush instead since it won't disappear on me. 

Yes, it's the Academy 1/72 bird. I'm going the NATO Black now, going to mask some panels as you suggest with some very dark greys and then try some light oil washes for streaks and white chalk, but like you mentioned, I've had that disappear with clear coat. 

 

@Papa Rat - I still say you're waaaaay more experienced than you let on!  But if you aren't, you have some serious God given talent for modeling!  That Elint looks GREAT! 

[Papa Rat]

55 minutes ago, derex3592 said:

- I still say you're waaaaay more experienced than you let on!  But if you aren't, you have some serious God given talent for modeling!  That Elint looks GREAT! 

Hahahahaha. Hey thanks. A little history background tangent…I have always liked drawing and sculpting/pottery since I was little. I have a BFA focused on printmaking, mostly intaglio “etchings” and have done a little oil painting, but no prior model experience until I joined this forum over a year ago. Visual art is a huge part of my life and I have had a few art shows over the years.  I work full time as a letterpress printer and it involves very tight registration and a high level of attention to detail with inking and impression etc… 

Here’s a few non model related Image, some for clients, group art shows/print exchanges and some  cause I can’t help myself etc…

 

Edited September 4 by Papa Rat

[Thom]

Real nice art and a lovely looking Elint @Papa Rat!

[Papa Rat]

2 minutes ago, Thom said:

Real nice art and a lovely looking Elint @Papa Rat!

Thanks

[LocusPocus]

Yes @tekeringmy Ger was roughly 30 clams and it shows. Very brittle PLA I think and odd to work with. That being said, I got it to cut apart and learn some articulation skills (and rid it of the gimme- a-hug pose it came with). The hasegawa one will likely arrive before I can button this guy up! Like the mospeada kitbashes, it will most likely be relegated to WIP skill builders of which are invaluable to me 🤗

[nightmareB4macross]

A quick comparison of all the ill shaped backpacks and their off positions.

From a manufacturer’s standpoint their offerings make production easier, but a little more effort could have made the backpack a bit more condensed and folded in the proper GERWALK position.

Just my two cents.