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A little Antiques Roadshow on my workbench. I purchased this lighter around 25 years ago from an antique store in the Middle East. I never made much of it, except that I liked to have an ugly old zippo. After years of research and much Googling, I was surprised to find out it is an antique S.T. Dupont made to honor returning soldiers from the French Foreign Legion in the Indochina War in the 1950s. The military insignia for each unit was made by Drago, which exclusively made all the regular military insignias as well. My lighter is for the 2nd Muogo Battlion. And after lots of clean up and repair this week, I was surprised that I had the valuable silver-plated version! I had always thought it was just cheap brass.

What's it worth? To sell to others?

Thanks. I didn't think it would work either. Now that we have solved most of the wiring issues, I have ordered a new motor from gizmoszone which I hope will be quieter. Final gear set up complete. I added some screws to lock the arms on the body, and a track for the gear to run, for sideways display on a launch arm.

I think that with all the 3-D computer design now, we'll never get the organic feel of the original anime magic.

One of the all time great vocals. So sad.

Or, we could file a groove in the canopy and mount on the inside. Will have to see when they arrive.

I don't like being a downer, but that's also my feeling about Bandai transformable valk kits. Rather than suffer any more pain, I have decided to avoid them altogether and pretend they don't exist. Great job on yours!

I've seen different photo etch hinges I want to try on a cockpit. These look as small as 1-2mm. https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Mini-hinges-workable.html

No, I am referring to a different product called Mr. Mark Setter. The image above is of a different brand called Micro Sol that I have not tried in the way you want, so I can't vouch for it. But Micro Sol is definitely great for decals. Neither are to remove: one is to set decals, and one is a solvent for a different use, to shrink the decal to conform to uneven surfaces. Google a "how to" in youtube.

I have used Mark Setter for decals on toys/models that I didn't want to top coat. With regular handling they will not come off.

Have you ever used mini hinges for your canopies?

You've got a huge stash there. I did my first resin models last year, so as a fellow newbie I suggest you start with the smaller non-transformable kits. You'll feel like a pro after you have a couple under your belt. Plus they are addictive as hell. Just wear a gas mask and work near an exhaust fan, because you will have a lot of sanding to do and the stuff is noxious.

Too much wiring for the electric EL Strip, but you probably mean the stick on tape. Good idea, that would give it some originality.

Yes it seems the same for the wing lights, but with these modern fighters, some have red warning lights on the right tail fins. So I was wondering if there are standards, or a mish mash.

Thanks for the video. Pretty cool. Im referencing the below video for lighting my valk. I noticed that the wing warning lights are full on during landing. I think only the tail fin lights are strobing. For naval battleships, the oldstandard was that the warning lights are red on the port side (left) and green/white on the starboard side (right). What is the standard for warning lights on aircraft?

Maybe the panties of the mecha... Not my thing, but I would be interested in seeing some classic SDF repaints. Maybe have her as one of the bridge bunnies. That would be cool!!!

Epic! Those small details are something else. But of course I don't know a pitch deck from a pitch fork. I need to go watch Top Gun right now...

Looks great. I would love to see a set for HM-R.

Thanks! The noise is from the motor and some vibration... the gears don't make any noise at all. I can speed up the motor with a higher voltage. I am doing my best to keep all parts hidden with a clean valkyrie on the outside, but given the tight space, I am willing to sacrifice a bit if necessary.

Those were made to break. Maybe they should have been die cast. Can Shapeways make them for you in metal?

Great photos. Is that actually you? I couldnt imagine standing there while the engines roar in my face before the plane takes off. Must be quite a ride!

Thanks Urashiman. I will test shortly and let you know how it goes. It's great to have electronics geniuses on the boards! For everyone's benefit, this is a circuit to reverse the motor with NO limit switches. Urashiman has been kindly trying to solve this problem, since really small limit switches seem to only come NO, as opposed to NC as required in the typical reversing circuit displayed previously.

Nice work. But looks to me like Red Shirt needs to get his tail back on the job!

+1 Good job knocking out the whole set!