MechTech

My advice is to cut out cross sections in styrene (thin sheet) and then fill them in with clay. The plastic will keep your parts even and when the clay is dry you can easily seperate the pieces. You can then either mold the pieces out of resin or use the clay pieces (if smooth) to directly vacuform your parts from styrene sheet which you can easily do at home. Just my two cents, - MT

Awesome work Ron, you are really getting out of hand man! Hey wait, I think I can see my house in there! - MT

Everyone's work looks great! Lot's of creativity and the usual awesome talent on these boards! I work, go to dinner, go home and shower, then sleep. I squeeze this and Skyping my wife in there some place. It's good to vicariously live out the hobby throught you guys - MT

I saw the title and thought and thought you stuck a sound chip in it or something All the same, ,the kit DOES look great! - MT

Cool idea for a diorama and well executed! Oweeee, right through the temples! - MT

OK, my netbook's monitor is jacked up right now (probably loose cable) and this DIORAMA still looks awesome! So like who's going to mass produce this for us Macross fanatics!? - MT

Thank you very much guys!!! I'm actually home a few days from my training course before I head out to my job site for a while again. My school had internet, but it was so bogged down, I could see this website! Anyhow, you know I am going to finish this project! I'm actually bringing some small parts with me to work on at night when I'm chilling out. Take care guys, and I'll keep up as electronically posssible! - MT

I don't have much time to post right now, but I just had to pop in and say AWESOME job! Oh the thoughts of what might have really been... - MT

Thanks Flak for the compliments, I really appreciate it! UPDATE 14 June 2010 Well everyone, this weekend my employer is sending me off on special assignment for most of a year. That means no work on the Daedalus for a long time. I WILL, however, be bringing my small model building kit and some plastic to make either more vehicles or an aircraft that's Macross related.The good news is I should still I just finished putting together one of the ultimate modeler's tool, a CNC router. Here's some photos: I purchased a blank metal case and the rest is all purchased gear pieced together. The routing table is a K2 CNC #KT-2514 (k2cnc.com) and the electronics are from DMM Electronics http://www.dmm-tech.com/Dyn2-Driver.html They are AC servos so they are quiet, need no belts and have no brushes to replace. Both companies have EXCELLENT customer service by the way. The downside, I just finished it and have to go away for a while! Oh well... When I get back I hope to get on with paneling the hanger sides. Take care everyone and I'll still be on the boards sporadically. - MT

Nice work! The Osprey does lend itself to Macross. I think because there was so much controversy and "what if's" when the newer Macross works came out, that they didn't use it for those reasons. It's too "old" for Frontier. I've been in one before, I'd be afraid to fly in it. The ceiling is 100% cables, wires and hydraulic lines. If somebody grabbed the wrong thing in flight... - MT

Absolutely AWESOME work! Needless to say, you blew the other guy (no names please) out of the water! And no snide presidential remarks either If only it was in my scale... - MT

Hey everyone, sometimes life gets in the way and your plans get all messed up! My employer will be sending me off to do some work at a remote site. That means I will probably not be able to get any casting done. I will try and see what I can do. My apologies for NOT getting these casted like I wanted to and said I would. And here I was bummed that no one else got their ground vehicles casted so long ago. I guess the shoe is on the other foot now! I'm hoping I will still be able to post. Currently my employer blocks MW from work so I'm hoping I'll even be able to post! My deepest apologies! - MT

Lots of great stuff as always guys! - MT

Hey Derex, I've always liked Tamiyas's paints. Priming is kind of a choice for some people. I personally normally don't use it unless I've got all kinds of colored putty underneath. Have fun getting back into building! - MT

Thank you guys for the compliments and encouragement! I plodding away at it. I'm also currently building the electronics for a CNC router that I wished I had years ago to help with building this project. - MT

The flo aid and thinning will delay the curing time of the paint. If you can let it sit in some sun (without getting hot) that may help (as long as there's nothing to yellow. I hate using gloss enamels for the same reason. I think as was said, just let it sit. If you have a dehydrator (like for beef jerky and fruits), that may suck some more moisture out too. If it's humid where your at (house conditions) that may be an issue too. Happy drying! - MT

Thanks for the info! I just ordered some of the joints myself from HLJ. I already have some other supplies back ordered from them. - MT

Looks great Blue! Nice details on everything. - MT

Thanks Kylwell. There's actually an engraver by my house. Plus I'm building up a CNC router after dreaming about it for years. Many items I'll still have to build ole' school though! - MT

UPDATE 26 APRIL 2010 - OVER FOUR YEARS - Sounds Like a Marriage I'm finally back on board (no pun intended) with construction of the Daedalus. I'm waiting on casting supplies for the vehicles so why waist time. The two halves of the upper hangers despite all my best efforts don't quite align properly. So I put tabs that align it when put together. The major work was adding the bottom parts to the rear area of the hanger deck. First, what she looks like from the side. Not only did I work on the bottom, I reinforced some of the carbon struts attached to it. Just moving it around I'm starting to have to ask my wife for help. It's not so much heavy, just unbelievably unwieldy to move around. After I clean up the latest underside part seams, I'm on to the sides which will show some serious progress (I hope ) That's it for now. - MT

Did you guys see HP now makes a 3D printer? I hear its about $15,000! If their ink is expensive now, I wonder how much their plastic consumables will be! - MT http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20002947-1.html

Yeah like Skull-1 said. If you want to make it look like a "cartoon" then use black to fill in the panels. Real aircraft DO NOT have that many panel lines as was said. Flying surfaces stand out more, but that's about it. Keep water based for plastic safety. - MT

Awesome work! It has the same amount of dirt as a U.S. Marines plane - MT

I would have looked at it and said, "oh another cool Bandai build." But its PAPER!!!???? Nice work! - MT

The scout came out great Neptune! Congrats. Ron, that Perfect Grade kit is HUGE! I almost got one when I was back home, then I thought of all the Gundam stuff that I DON'T have. Then again, it IS THAT COOL of a kit! The LED's are a nice touch. - MT