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This is the build summary for the 1/1000 Yamato Arduino Custom, in case anyone needs some ideas: First I tested all the wiring and sounds with the Arduino on the breadboard one at a time, until it grew to this mess. All the effects are directly from the existing Arduino libraries. This can all be set up in a few minutes on the breadboard even if you have no electronics background what so ever. Everything you need to learn Arduino, and the add-ons and power requirements, is on the Adafruit website. They also have soldering tutorials and the best led resistor tutorial. You don't need to know anything to start except to get an Arduino Genuino Uno starter kit. I was a complete beginner and learned Arduino as I went for this build. Hollowed out the engine as needed and used candle flicker leds. Hollowed out the bridge with a Dremmel, used a marker to color desired areas in order not to touch the exterior. Hollow styrene tubes for the guns... Couldnt find hollow brass tubes. Slow Flash SMDs for the warning lights. I used flashing SMDs because it is too difficult for me to program the Arduino to continuously flash a light, while doing all sorts of other effects at the same time. Recast third bridge and port lights in clear resin. Eduard 1/1700 IJN Yamato photo etch set. Really flimsy stuff. But I fell in love with ship photo etch. So much fun. Drilled about 20x 0.5 mm holes for fiber in the Pulsars (Kind of a short cut due to the small scale, but my favorite effect!). Fiber optics drilled. I used 0.5 drill and 0.5 PMM fibers from the Fiber Optic Store. I used the exact same wiring as planned on the Arduino, but I switched to a smaller Adafruit Pro Trinket for minimizing space. Every centimeter of the interior hull is hollowed out with a Dremmel for space. I installed styrene tube tracks for the moving leds cables leading to the turrets. The turrets have smds, small enough to fit in the tubes. Wiring electronics for leds is actually easy, but when you introduce moving parts like servos, everything becomes more difficult. I used the tracks to allow some movement without messing with other wires. I also customized Styrene blocks to hold 3x micro servos for moving the guns. Magnets connect servos to the guns, not permanent connections. I started priming and painting only when all the customizing, drilling and wiring was done. Still, I ended up drilling more to hollow out the hull till the last minute to help all the wiring fit. Streaking grime wash and dry brush gun metal everywhere. 15 hour soldering marathon to put it all together (Not fun!). I used styrene trunking to lead wires for speaker, amp, battery and other stuff from the hull to the base. In retrospect, I should have put ALL the electronics and boards in the base, and lead all the wires down there, because it is too difficult to solder wires to the Trinket inside the model. Micro USB out the side to recharge battery and reprogram Trinket. With the Pro Trinket (mini Arduino), I have control of about 10 functions plus the sound on an SD card. I can change the entire "sketch" by reprogramming and uploading it, without opening the model. And Done. Overall, 1/1000 is too small for this project. I barely pulled it off and it needs a lot of maintenance due to the cramped space messing with the connections. The kit itself is also flimsy, I don't recommended it, neither as a kit, nor for electronics. 1/500 would be perfect for wiring. 1/350 even better!

This project is up and running. Please visit the workbench for updates.

So you need one for yourself, with fiber!

Yes, lets see some valks. Personally I find them to be the most difficult. Anyone know what this magical compound he is using to clean up enamel wash? He uses it AFTER using the enamel thinner with a q-tip.

Nice!!! I thought you must have. More photo angles please. Great job on the weathering and panels.

Only if you light up a Millennium Falcon.

Thanks. Need to work on my photography. But I "felt her up" as you advised.

I'm thinking... + =

Looks really good!

A little better video after the touch ups. The opening brings a tear to my eye...

Nyankodevice, whatever you dream up, I do hope it has a Macross color scheme. Here is an embarrassing close-up of the photo-etch. I'm thinking of a rust wash for them.

My favorite view. And a little bit of chilling.

Ok. Cleaned up the wires and battery. I guess this is final (no hands version).

The spoon must pay the price.

Reminds me of the Fokker emblems.

Maybe it will be a VF-35? I agree. Hand-drawn days had a softer touch. I thought Frontier pulled the CG off great, but I don't know what happened with the Valks in Delta. Were there any valks? I don't know, they passed by so quickly.

Truly beautiful. I was just wondering how will you paint it? But I think you should have a story first, and then paint. Is each part a different color based on original color? Is it desert weathered? Is it heavy metal? Or steam punk? No idea.

So this is where all the old geezers like me hang out! Great to see Yamato has so many fans! Maybe we get regular series into the future. Remedy to combat MOE.

I know how you feel.. 4 kids buddy. Just got back into modeling a couple years ago. Good news is there have been some serious advances in the kits, tools and paints; and best of all you can learn anything on Youtube to save time and stress. Go for it.

No, I posted in the wrong thread.

Could you link us to pics of your SDF-1? Oh, It's in your Album. Does the 1/2700 transform? That base came with the kit. But it is customized to hold the hull tightly. It also contains the battery and speaker. I have some touch up work left to do on her: Tuck wires in to seal it up better, add aluminum foil inside to oculate internal leds, paint touch up and weathering... Look Mom, no hands!

Im also a geezer, and I want to see Delta wrapped up and done right. Its all about good story development, and the series lacked in that department. One thing occurred to me, although I prefer a gritty war drama, Zero was kinda dour because of that, so maybe its better to not forget the kiddie fun. Maybe if they made Macross just for the old guys, it would die with the current fans and go no where: no toys, no figures, no concerts, no HM-R.

Thanks. But if you value your sanity, don't do it in 1/1000!

SiP Dolls anyone? Not my cup of tea. http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=FIGURE-027546&page=top

Lookin good. Did you stick to our friend's recipe, or make some adjustments?