magicsp00n

I got my shipping notice. Now I only have to wait 7 - 45 days.

So what's the scoop on shipping? Anybody who preordered get a shipping notice yet?

I'm sold on the Megahouse. Though I keep looking at those headlights... it looks like little LEDs in there, even though I know they're not. I keep expecting to see a photo with them lit up.

I agree with all of winterdyne's input. You will be much happier if you get the right equipment now. A good airbrush will last you forever (I've used the same one for about 15 years now). I was a cheapskate and only had a couple of paint jars up until last year. I finally spent a few dollars and got six or seven more, and now I wonder how I ever got by without them. I also use Tamiya acrylics pretty much exclusively when I'm airbrushing a model. They're good quality, have a nice range of colors, clean up easily, etc. I used rubbing alcohol for awhile but once I tried Tamiya thinner I never use anything else. So many problems in airbrushing come down to the paint mix, it's worth it to use the stuff that works best. A straight 50-50 mix usually does the trick for me.

Looks like it was the CMs sent by mistake. So still no MH on the way yet...

That first link looks like a set of Badger brushes, but without it actually saying Badger, I'd get more info before bidding. If they are Badger, that's a good price for all that. The moisture trap on that last one is on the air hose. You can probably reverse the hose so the trap is next to the compressor. Or get a different hose.

There's a second page showing them combined. Click the link on the bottom of the first.

I have to say, I'm not too mad at the CMs, now that I see the pictures. I like the poseability and proportions on the rider. The thing I actually like the least is the feet. That bit around the ankles turns me off.

I sure would like to see more finished photos of the CMs. Like others have said, CMs toys are often of amazing quality. With regard to the screw holes, CMs has previously included little plugs to cover those up; I would expect that on these as well. And who knows with Toynami? They did do a bang-up job on Voltron... The thing that freaks me out the most is popping off the rider's head for the transformation. It's probably unavoidable if you want the armor to fit well, but it still creeps me out.

I really like the hands on this guy. The hands were the weakest part of the 1/48, in my opinion.

Jeez, I don't think I've ever seen so much topic activity in a single day. My only comment is thank goodness that they appear to be starting with the VF-1S, instead of making us sit through the traditional first release of the VF-1A DYRL again.

I'm with the other fans. Max TV 1A is my favorite color scheme. I'd buy one in a second. I haven't made a custom because I have the fear that Yamato will put one out the second the paint dries on mine.

Can't say I'm a fan of these paint schemes. I'd much rather see one of the yet-unreleased TV models.

The usual retail price that I've seen in Japan for new valks is about 14800 yen. So that's a pretty good price. I've seen certain valks (like the stealth 1J) for as low as 10900, but for the VF-1S you can feel good about that price.

I'll try to get down there to check it out. Is there any door fee for non-contestants? I didn't see anything on the website...

I've used Windex for cleaning my airbrush, but I don't know that it'd be good to mix with paints; it's got that blue tint. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol works very well for cleaning or removing paint. If somebody else claims that it's a good thinner for spraying, I'd believe it. Though really, the best stuff to mix with if you're spraying is probably the Tamiya thinner. I know you're looking to save money, but every time I skimp on something like this I end up wishing I'd spent the extra couple of bucks to get the result I wanted.

One thing about the IMAI design is that you have to pull the rider's head off in order to get the armor to fit over his torso. It's sort of forgivable (but still creepy) for a model, but I wonder if that'll be the case on the toy. Looks like the opening in the pictures is too small to fit the helmet through, decapitation may be required...

There's actually an import shop near me (Orlando) that still has a 1st edition Hikaru for sale. But that's because they grossly overpriced it - I think $200 - and nobody will pay that much. So it's been collecting dust on their shelf for a few years now.

TV Max 1A. Why has there still never been a TV Max 1A?

Merry Christmas, everybody.

I'll agree on the clippers. I grabbed a pair of Baby Nippers from Yodobashi Camera a couple weeks ago and they're much nicer to use than the old wire cutters I had been using. Any kind of clipper is better than the X-Acto knife I used to cut parts off the sprue with. I managed to stab myself with that far more times than I can comfortably admit. It's much easier to build a kit without bandaids on your fingertips...

I still wish for a TV Max VF-1A. That's all I want. They made Angel Birds... howzabout a Max?

Hey guys, I had a quick question. I'm in the home stretch of finishing my PG RX-78-2, and I'm looking at that sticker sheet. I know it's pretty commonly agreed that the standard Bandai stickers are not so good, but can I find custom decals for this kit anywhere? I was in Japan last week and saw plenty of MG decals in the shops, but no PG, or 1/60. Searching the web hasn't revealed much, either. Anybody know where I can get my hands on a set?

That was fantastic, the bit where Space Gandam shoots the demon guy in the junk with his head guns.

From dannychoo.com today, a shot of one "in the wild" from the Plamodel Radicon Show.