Thom Posted January 15 Posted January 15 It's hard to stay ahead of the curve sometimes. Your Macross Zero F-14 looks great @Urashiman Quote
Bolt Posted January 15 Posted January 15 Those look like Macross The Ride inspired paint schemes. More of a civilian flavor. Quote
Thom Posted January 16 Posted January 16 5 hours ago, Cheese3 said: The logos did so tiny! All 1/72nd scale It is a very small fighter. Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 16 Posted January 16 13 hours ago, wm cheng said: Weathering looks great! Yes, I have 2 of the FineMolds kits and 2 Hasegawas and now I'm going to be collecting the new Tamiyas all of which haven't been built - looks like I may never get to my old Hasegawa. That's the problem falling in love with this plane and not getting around to building them till a better company puts out a better kit to put the older stuff to shame. I even have all the old Verlinden resin upgrades from the 90s - argh, now with the Quinta 3D printed cockpit controls or MCC nozzles and landing gears with hydraulic lines, it just makes the old stuff laughable. I have a similar, though slightly different issue: most times, the only kits I can afford are the older, more inaccurate ones (example: my version of the TOS Galactica). The challenge then becomes: how close can I get mine to the newest ones in terms of accuracy and detail. Most times I fall short, but I take it as a challenge to see if I can do with my materials what they did with theirs. Did this with CVAN-65, my 1/537 Refit Enterprise and my Ertl X-wing (1/43). Stuff needs hydraulic lines? Paper clips! I have a cockpit that needs better controls? Stretch some sprue and use my xacto knife to make buttons, then sand down the surfaces and spend 20 hours gluing buttons in place no one will see! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA(cough, sputter, wheeze!!!). Sorry...where was I? O.o Quote
Thom Posted January 16 Posted January 16 You take old kits @pengbuzz, and lift them up to a whole new level! Quote
tekering Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Well, today was a productive day. 😁 Kitbashing random decals to enhance detail is my favorite part of this process, and the most creatively fulfilling. I look for shapes and colors that complement the topography of the model, and apply the waterslides wherever it seems appropriate. Sometimes I find decals that suit the model so well, you'd think they were designed for it! In this particular case, I'm trying to match the decals I used on the Biopsycher a couple years ago: However, trying to source more of the Bandai decal sheets I'd used in 2023 has suddenly become prohibitively expensive, as they now command at least TEN times what they'd cost only a couple years ago...! Frankly, I'd rather just make do with whatever I have left over from those days. The secondary market is nuts, man. 😒 20 hours ago, wm cheng said: not getting around to building them till a better company puts out a better kit ...or even a completed F-14, with little assembly required...? 😎 Who doesn't love the Tomcat? 😍 Quote
lochness Posted January 16 Posted January 16 1 hour ago, tekering said: Well, today was a productive day. 😁 Kitbashing random decals to enhance detail is my favorite part of this process, and the most creatively fulfilling. I look for shapes and colors that complement the topography of the model, and apply the waterslides wherever it seems appropriate. Sometimes I find decals that suit the model so well, you'd think they were designed for it! In this particular case, I'm trying to match the decals I used on the Biopsycher a couple years ago: However, trying to source more of the Bandai decal sheets I'd used in 2023 has suddenly become prohibitively expensive, as they now command at least TEN times what they'd cost only a couple years ago...! Frankly, I'd rather just make do with whatever I have left over from those days. The secondary market is nuts, man. 😒 ...or even a completed F-14, with little assembly required...? 😎 Who doesn't love the Tomcat? 😍 Super cool! Gotta love the classics. Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 16 Posted January 16 2 hours ago, tekering said: Well, today was a productive day. 😁 Ah... leg day, I see. :D Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 16 Posted January 16 @tekering That blue!!!! This is going to look amazing bookending that previous build. Love it. Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 17 Posted January 17 5 hours ago, electric indigo said: The propeller is working 😄 That came out great! Such a neat idea with the prop. I remember you posted some tests you were doing with those. It really came out great and does convey a sense of movement/energy. The photo composition is also wonderful at that angle ♥️ so vibrant too. Quote
Big s Posted January 17 Posted January 17 5 hours ago, electric indigo said: The propeller is working 😄 It’s definitely a great effects pice. You’re gonna have to try it on a helicopter kit someday Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 17 Posted January 17 8 minutes ago, Big s said: It’s definitely a great effects pice. You’re gonna have to try it on a helicopter kit someday Yeah that’s a great idea! Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Since I’m getting a better grip on using my phone camera I took a few glamor shots of a previous build I’d like to share. This is the 1/144 IMS LED. I’m a sucker for these fancy paints yet they allude me when trying to take a photo. Quote
derex3592 Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Great little prop effect @electric indigo! Over here the BUFF is getting some decals today! Those lines on the rear were slightly stress inducing but I decided to take the discretion is the better part of valor, easy-er route and slice them up before applying... But they look EXACTLY like they are supposed to look so YAY me? Academy thinks you're going to do them in 2 parts... Yeh.... Right... LOL 😂 Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 17 Posted January 17 2 hours ago, derex3592 said: Great little prop effect @electric indigo! Over here the BUFF is getting some decals today! Those lines on the rear were slightly stress inducing but I decided to take the discretion is the better part of valor, easy-er route and slice them up before applying... But they look EXACTLY like they are supposed to look so YAY me? Academy thinks you're going to do them in 2 parts... Yeh.... Right... LOL 😂 NICE!! BTW: you can see the pre-shading on the craft, it's just a bit more subdued but I think that really works here! Looking really good here man! Quote
505thAirborne Posted January 17 Posted January 17 (edited) So many awesome builds & projects going on!! A little progress on my GALACTICA. For me, this is the oldest of the Battlestar's being retrofitted/updated for modern service with the Colonial Fleet. Eventually it will have lighting, canons and other extras added. I'm still deciding what to name it, Pacifica, Atlantia, Prometheus...? Not sure how much of the detail I'll ever see inside the landing bays/flight pods (with lighting), but it's nice to know the detail is there. Edited January 18 by 505thAirborne Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 17 Posted January 17 (edited) UPDATE: 1) Wife is finally home; however, her hemoglobin level is low (medical staff got in trouble for letting it get to that point; still talking with hospital admin over that) and she's taking time to recover. Playing things by ear ATM; building her levels back up slowly (so she doesn't go into shock). At least the house doesn't have that deafening silence that grasped it for nearly all of December. 2) Found this on ebay for a couple of bucks (and I had a coupon for free shipping from the holidays), but the wings were busted: The underside hinge was mangled (particularly on one side), so I had to repair those. Since it was beat to hell anyways, I did some... renovations: I decided to modify it to more closely resemble his smaller, regular Gobot counterpart: Comparison in robot mode: And for anyone wondering.... how Leader-1 compares to our favorite whining psycho- sycophant, G1 Starscream: Third: got the repair decals for the Weefit (thanks Thom!) and got her restored. I also finished painting and did a wash, although it didn't go quite as expected: Still some overly black areas to remove, but doing to much WILL remove paint (had to repaint it a couple of times already!), and trying to cover it with white looks like crap, so may have to just "live with those". Couple of more projects also were donated to me by some kind folks IRL who caught wind of my family's situation. I'll post those in a bit. Stay tuned... Edited January 17 by pengbuzz Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 17 Posted January 17 7 minutes ago, 505thAirborne said: So many awesome builds & projects going on!! A little progress on my GALACTICA. For me, this the oldest of the Battlestar's being retrofitted/updated for modern service with the Colonial Fleet. Eventually it will have lighting, canons and other extras added. I'm still deciding what to name it, Pacifica, Atlantia, Prometheus...? Not sure how much of the detail I'll ever see inside the landing bays/flight pods (with lighting), but it's nice to know the detail is there. Looking REALLY good! One recommendation: use clothespins or some other kind of clip on the pylons while the glue dries: on mine, they kept trying to separate! O.o Quote
Big s Posted January 17 Posted January 17 9 minutes ago, pengbuzz said: 1) Wife is finally home; however, her hemoglobin level is low (medical staff got in trouble for letting it get to that point; still talking with hospital admin over that) and she's taking time to recover. Playing things by ear ATM; building her levels back up slowly (so she doesn't go into shock). At least the house doesn't have that deafening silence that grasped it for nearly all of December. The fact that she got released is a good sign. I know there’s always unknowns, but I’m hopeful like a lot of the rest of us here that she’ll have a good recovery and keep the deafening silence away. I wish you and yours some good luck for this new year Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 17 Posted January 17 (edited) 1 minute ago, Big s said: The fact that she got released is a good sign. I know there’s always unknowns, but I’m hopeful like a lot of the rest of us here that she’ll have a good recovery and keep the deafening silence away. I wish you and yours some good luck for this new year Much appreciated! ❤️Although I had to fight them to release her: they argued that she "wouldn't recover at home", and I argued that she wasn't recovering there. After reviewing her charts and talking to the doctors involved, admin saw it our way and let her come home (where she has been recovering quite well). Edited January 17 by pengbuzz Quote
Thom Posted January 17 Posted January 17 That plane is looking ready to soar @electric indigo @Papa Rat That looks more like a piece of medieval art! Glad the BUFF is finally on final. Those decals look nicely settled @derex3592 @505thAirborne Holy cow, that Battlestar is looking good! Looks worlds apart from its simple Monogram origins! Nice find with the Leader-1 @pengbuzz. Really liked that cartoon as a kid, and we know it is in good hands. Enterprise is looking ship-shape too! And so glad the Mrs is home and doing better! Tell her, we all wish her well! Quote
505thAirborne Posted January 18 Posted January 18 5 hours ago, pengbuzz said: Looking REALLY good! One recommendation: use clothespins or some other kind of clip on the pylons while the glue dries: on mine, they kept trying to separate! O.o Oh, I have brand new clamps and clothespins on standby; those pylons are screaming they're going to be a total pain... but I am prepared! Quote
pengbuzz Posted January 18 Posted January 18 (edited) 3 hours ago, Thom said: Nice find with the Leader-1 @pengbuzz. Really liked that cartoon as a kid, and we know it is in good hands. Enterprise is looking ship-shape too! And so glad the Mrs is home and doing better! Tell her, we all wish her well! Thanks; I just told her! 23 minutes ago, 505thAirborne said: Oh, I have brand new clamps and clothespins on standby; those pylons are screaming they're going to be a total pain... but I am prepared! Cool! I especially needed them when I split the middle one! O.O Edited January 18 by pengbuzz Quote
electric indigo Posted January 18 Posted January 18 @Papa Rat Your finish is excellent, and it really shows in the new photos. One suggestion for your next build: Try grey panel lines instead of black - it gives a softer, more integrated overall appearance while still emphasizing the subtle details. Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 18 Posted January 18 (edited) 5 hours ago, electric indigo said: @Papa Rat Your finish is excellent, and it really shows in the new photos. One suggestion for your next build: Try grey panel lines instead of black - it gives a softer, more integrated overall appearance while still emphasizing the subtle details. Thanks so much. I know there is a completely transparent armor version, but I like the milky one. I just wish the armor was slightly more transparent so the frame could show through a little more. There are some nice lavender elements that would add more interest to the overall appearance if you could see them. Also the red cockpit. I have been using multi gray Mr weathering oils for my panel lines. I agree it looks too dark and almost black on the light translucent armor and maybe a bit cartoonish. Even after vigorous shaking the particles in it are a little rough which isn’t ideal. What panel liner are you using? That Berlin SR2 is beautiful! Love it. I agree, the softer panel lines created by light gray liner looks way more natural like a subtle shadow which is the goal. I’m currently lining up a few resin kits for spring delivery. The 1/100 scale MK2 which has such a simple clean design. I am also getting a couple old ones which are recasts since they are impossible to find. One of which is the Neptune like the one you shared awhile back. I think it’s a 1/144 scale? The other is this beauty, the Babiron and is 1/100 scale. I might be bugging you for any advice you may have once I dig in. Very excited to be overwhelmed. Looking forward to it Edited January 18 by Papa Rat Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 18 Posted January 18 (edited) 16 hours ago, Thom said: That looks more like a piece of medieval art! These FSS designs are so unique. I agree that they have this medieval knight in armor motif vibe. I think that’s a huge draw for me. I am into a BFG and they do appear in the series but prefer the sword and shield armaments for most of these mech. Edited January 18 by Papa Rat Quote
Cheese3 Posted January 18 Posted January 18 Base coat, now I’m gonna hand paint stuff, clean up overspray etc. fun little kit! Quote
Urashiman Posted January 18 Author Posted January 18 @tekering nice progress, awesome huge F-14. is it RC? @electric indigo I wanna see a video of the prop moving. Some work in progress pics. F-14 decals… love applying 0.5mm decals… not. Some masking and airbrushing on the VF-171 Quote
Big s Posted January 18 Posted January 18 I think the panel lining can really be up to interpretation. Personally I kinda like dark greys and browns rather than lighter colors, but I’m kinda looking at black a bit differently lately since the life size gundam and for smaller mecha, I’ve been looking out at cars in my work parking lot. Still haven’t tried going to pure black, but maybe it’s not as unrealistic as I once thought. Quote
electric indigo Posted January 18 Posted January 18 (edited) @Big s It's an artistic choice after all. Nothing is better per se. If you happen to like the expression the panel lines create, emphasize them with black. @Papa Rat I use gouache colors for the panel lines, they're odorless and can easily be corrected with a damp fingertip. I also tried Ammo washes, which flow nicely, but their light grey is actually brown. Nice choices for your next kits, though the Neptune and the Babylon are tough ones IMO. @Urashiman It's moving without movement 😄 Edited January 18 by electric indigo Quote
Papa Rat Posted January 19 Posted January 19 5 hours ago, electric indigo said: I use gouache colors for the panel lines, they're odorless and can easily be corrected with a damp fingertip. I also tried Ammo washes, which flow nicely, but their light grey is actually brown. Thanks for the info. I have used gouache before on paper. Never consider it on models. I’ll give it a try. Quote
MechTech Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Sorry guys, I've just been busy and not online enough to post. @pengbuzz NOTHING better than getting your wife back and some model building! Congrats. I pray for a solid recovery for her! I ran out of "likes" trying to like all the awesoe work you guys have been working on! Quick post. This is my "living room model" I build in the living room while watching TV with my wife. That way she's not a "hobby widow". This is Bandai's Shin Musha Gundam. Mostly stock. Redid the shafts for the staffed weapons and the matchlock styled canon. Also added a steampunk styled weapon from an older Gundam model that fit this style perfectly. I'm putting it in this case my wife got for me years ago from the thrift store. Gotta get going! - MT Quote
Chas Posted January 20 Posted January 20 (edited) Calling the Arii Bronco II done. Had a bit of a hiccup at the finish line. The matte coat before the chipping orange peeled on me and when I was wet sanding it down I went through the base coat in some spots. Luckily my base coat was very close to the colour of the plastic, so I was able to just even it out in the most affected areas using thinner to remove the paint and redoing the dot filter on the bare plastic. This worked, but made the finish a little dirtier than I wanted, so I ran with that and made her really weathered. Turned out passable, but much more weathered than I wanted. Added some blast marks to cover up some excessive chipping, and all in all I OK with the final result. Final pics Fighter: Gerwalk: With the mechanical arm extended: Don't think I mentioned it before, but like the legs, that door for the mechanical arm closes with a magnet. Thanks again. Hope you enjoy the pics or this rarely built retro kit. Edited January 20 by Chas Quote
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