nightmareB4macross

From what I recall, only the SSF-1 has all the cutouts and actual firing mechanisms along with missiles and ships on sprues.

It’s showtime.

I believe there are stories of the molds not surviving or that they had deteriorated quickly and could not be used any further.

Good Lord!! That’s incredible. Could you list the primers, colors, and washes used? This is what I want to aim for once I begin to paint. Thank you.

WTF. Talk about gouging.

Loving all these new features. - swing plates with actuating pistons - reworked landing gear with 3-piece bay doors - tucked head (more to come on this feature) - spring loaded FLIR connection points for hips at nosecone - extending hip connectors - turbines - hinged intake covers - A-stance joint - reworked chest hinges - smoothed fuselage to chest profile I’m sure I missed a few updates, but many more to come. 😆

Greatest Space Junk Ever! Seriously though, that is coming out great. Plastruct is MEK based. It bonds by melting the surfaces to allow for a really strong bond. For mating surfaces I increase the mating surfaces to allow better adhesion. Contouring parts to fit better makes them strong. And I typically make my own pins from metal rods. As an example, you can see how the tubing is inserted into the flat surfaces of the hinge plates and the leading edges below the intake areas. I file away material so parts can be embedded and increase strength. With tubing I do the same by shaping the ends to lay onto more curved surface of a perpendicular tube. Most times I stagger hinge joints to allow for increased dispersion of stress on a joint. Hope this helps.

Thank you. Using nothing but styrene and PlasticWeld. The parts are plenty strong. This won’t be transformed liberally but will do the job just fine.

That’s really good to know. Thanks for not letting this awesome project get away.

There are so many great projects happening. You guys are all doing a fantastic job! Here is my humble update.

What size magnets are you using to install the arsenal?

Wow. Those look amazing. I will definitely be needed a set of these.

Nah. I will have had more than my fill after the VE-1. Time to finish off my customs list.

Once that happens and I buy the VE-1, my collecting 1/48 / DX figures is over.

Did anyone ever notice this notch. Looks like Bandai improved the arm to leg connection to reduce sagging.

They are reliable. I have been ordering from them since they started. Never had an issue.

Luna Park has it.

I must have got the last one.

Still available at Anime Export.

Anime export has their PO open. I just ordered mine. Go go go!!

Pistons are a go! I have a few details to create inside this cavity. And yes. They actually work.

WOW. The detail is very prevalent for 1:144. The primer lost no details, or at least from what I can see here. Can’t wait to see the full asteroid diorama.

Very cool.

Thanks for the recommendation. It is a strong binder and can be used to recreate parts, but I usually reserve it for items that require more tensile strength. Plastic Weld and styrene ahas been doing the trick for years. Dries quick and strong, of course not like epoxy, but enough to get the job done and last for years. I have several projects that still hold up very well. Love your work.

Yay!!! Swing plates. Matched up the connections from the hips to the FLIRs. I know this build is 40 years late, but there is just so much enjoyment to be had when customizing the 1/55.