Thunder Focus Camera Pod

[Jasonc]

For awhile, I wanted to work on my Solidwork skills working on the Macross the Ride Camera pod that is associated with the VF-11 Thunder Focus. I started working on it about 5 years ago (I can't even remember), but it was when I first got the kit. In any case, as I've been working on possibly doing the Orguss Bronco II, I ended up finding this old file, and decided to finish it, with a couple moving parts, like the handle, and a removable slot for the pod to carry in Jet mode. This is it finished, and I'll be printing it out to see how it all fits and moves soon. My biggest concern is the fitting of the attachment for it's jet/fighter. I may need to adjust that, as well as placement of where the 1mm pins will go, but aside from small adjustments, it's done. it has 5 pieces. Only 1 piece, the back end, needs glue. The rest should fit with pins. Depending on how the bottom fits, I may end up making it able to pull out and collapse, but that'd require more work on making it work right, and be able to stay in place depending on what form it needs to be in. Anyways, here it is.

[Jasonc]

I should've also mentioned that this is in 1/60 scale. I'm not sure if it can be scaled into 1/72, as the pin placement might be a little thin, but maybe with a little tapping and widening, it can be done.

[Bolt]

Very nice design work. Definitely want to see this printed. 

[Jasonc]

Thanks. It's coming along. There's already tweaks that need to be made, so those are getting done.

[Jasonc]

As it has had some issues with loose attachments and the sort, which I expected, I decided to revise some parts. This is actually my 4 revision finding parts that need work, and it won't be the last with the bottom handle I'm sure, but I think it's finally getting to the last parts. I was able to thicken the handle swivel by bringing it into the base a bit, and the wing part that rotates now has the pin up further, to guide part of it into the main body. I'm hoping it locks like it should, but this is printed material, and I can't expect it to hold perfectly.  I think the friction hold might do OK, so after the next print, I will give it a go.

[Goodman Models]

This is cool! Could you give me a little background on this model? I'm interested in buying a file.

[Jasonc]

11 hours ago, Goodman Models said:

This is cool! Could you give me a little background on this model? I'm interested in buying a file.

This is a redesign of a camera/broadcast camera that is equipped on the VF-11 D Thunder Focus. It is supposed to be a pod that in essence, turns the Thunder Focus into a broadcast unit Valkyrie. I imagine that it would've been a piece that in the year the story Macross the Ride takes place (I believe 2057 or right before Frontier), this pod with its capabilities would be able to work with most valkyries that have a system up to par with its capabilities. I am working on several attachments now, so that it can fit different valkyries that people may have.

I was able to get the moving parts to now work. The 1mm pin in the handle does work and holds it in with some tension, and is able to roll up and down. I need to widen the handle slot for the hand. The kit as a whole piece is 5 parts, 6 if you count the pin for the handle.