MechTech

When I was a kid, we used to grow GIANT Zuccini (Aubergines) in our garden about a meter long. Lacquer one of those babies, add a few details and you'd be ready to go! And it's already green! Nice work again Captain! I would recommend you not say you were bored on this website. People will find all sorts of suggestions for new subjects Your sculpt looks a MILLION times better than the ole' styrene kits! - MT

Looking Great Micky! I'm playing catch-up on some threads. Your problem with gloss coats stands out. WM Cheng is right and I had the same problem. I learned to let gloss paint cure for at least a week or two if possible. Humidity will slow the cure rate down too. I've had to refinish models before and I learned my lesson. I also paint a spare piece of plastic with the same exact paint, I paint two models sort of. Then I can mess with the spare and know for sure when the final product is cured. Glad to see your nearly there! - MT

Thanks Olivers! I already have three sets! Maybe four would be good . - MT

I picked up a January Hobby Japan and the 1/48 YF-19 and VF-1 looks great with removable leg panels (on both). The Wave kits look like they should be out (I don't read Japanese) and the newer pictures of the Monster look huge even next to their 1/72nd Tomahawk. There is a whole section related to "Macross 2010" stuff. There were also interviews with trivial information. They had Kawamori sitting in fron of the 1/250th models and a display with some cuties displaying an anniversay sign. I should get the Feb edition, there's probably updates. The $48.00 I spent already on that and two other publiucations kept me from spending more. 2010 will be a good year for Macross fans! - MT

It just goes to show, ther's no school like the old school! The Imai kits were at the pinnacle of model engineering and still aren't shabby! - MT

Not to defend anyone, but I've ordered tons of stuff from HLJ and had it shipped to me all over the world. No damage at all and I was always amazed at their high tech packaging (compared to everyone else's "peanuts"). My only complaint about them is they're in Japan so shipping is costly, but that comes with the territory. - MT

Awesome set EXO! The vending machine is a nice touch!!! - MT

Looking good Jet. If you don't mind the input, I've got a few tips to help you out. It looks like your paint isn't covering well in the corners. I'd suggest washing the parts in dish soap and mildly warm water. The plastic molds are covered with a release compound (waxy substance) and the molded plastic has that on the outside. The paint (especially if it's water based) will bead up and glues are less effective. Also, don't be afraid to tackle the seams. If you put a good amount of glue on the seam where safe (solvent or super glue) the seam will be sealed with a bead of glue or dissolved plastic. Let it dry and sand it off. If the seam is really bad, that will need putty (another topic). You're doing great in the painting and decaling departments. A smooth seam will make life a lot easier on you. Yes, the sanding stinks, but it's the price yuo pay for a quality build. Keep up the good work and DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. Keep it a hobby and not a task or you'll get burned out. - MT

Welcome Ice Blue to MW. If you're using foam core, test the ends with whatever glue you are using. Like EXO said, solvent based glues are bad on thin plastic and will dissolve most foam cored materials weakening the material. Superglue is good but will still dissolve some foam cores. A good hobby shop will sell superglues that are foam safe or sealers for foam. I know Hobby People stock it. - MT

Congrats Mike on the NEW baby! - MT

Has anyone tried this http://www.permalac.com/?gclid=CIfC7P3J-Z4CFQWTzAod92euMw or another product? There's clear sealants out there that are UV proof. I've got toys that are over 30 years old with no yellowing, then I have some that are horribly yellowed including legos. I'm thinking our white finished models could benefit from this too. My testors painted white parts yellowed bad - in the storage box! - MT

Thank you raven6, but I don't collect the diecast models. Plus something that heavy would make the floor of my ship warp . Thanks anyhow! I DO reccomend that you sell it. Someone will want it I'm sure. - MT

Box Set ONE only $15.00 or so on sale 75% off!!! I already have three! - MT

Awesome work deri! It's got that nice "used" look to it. - MT

Thanks raven6, I am interested. Which mecha is it you're in referance too? For those of you wondering what's the hold up, I spent some time doing some Daedalus related work: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=31945 It's all part of the BIG plan - MT

Nice job and a good idea. - MT

Thanks cool8or! I have limited time so I build for the projects I need and when I can, cast extras. This time around I'll be selling my ground vehicle extras. - MT

Thanks Shinagami! - MT

I'd have to second the model choice if you're looking for accuracy. If you need help builing it, there's tons of threads here to help and you can ask us too - MT

Everyone's work is looking great! I'm always happy to another TREAD/Legios kit too! - MT

An old secret I used to get rid of stress marks is to CAREFULLY add heat to the area. If you're good, put a flame/heat source near the stress area and it will "normalize" the plastic coclors. PRACTICE it on some sprue first. You can obviously distort your model. I almost never paint my tranforming models except for trimming them. Just use clear to coat it. IF you have an area that is messed up and you are going with the slightly dirty look, use the same color paint and patch it. The different colored paint resembles dirtied surface AND covers blemmishes. Flat paint really loks like soiled paint. Just my two cents. - MT

Quantity updates: Ranger565 - 2ea Neptunesurvey - 2 ea Cobywan - 2ea Thanks Carl for the photos. I am interested in seeing those. In fact, I'm bringing a cast of a Phalanx that I have for scale comparison. I really am looking forward to seeing you guys. It's been years and the only other Macross fans I know are my two children. I guess you gotta start somewhere ! - MT Thanks for the compliments guys. When I get home I actually have to connect my mom's computer to the network. The old one just doesn't work right anymore. Maybe it's the combination 486 and Windows 95?! So I may have a short communications blackout other than cell phone. - MT

Thank you guys for the compliments. Have you ever seen "Honey I Shrunk The Kids?" Now you know how they got so small A magnifying glass was needed for the tug. The brass photo etch mesh (smallest I could find) was all that worked. I actually have finer meshes, but they're woven and fell apart when cutting cross-grained. I have the following down for orders: Ranger565 - 2ea Neptunesurvey - 2 ea GabeQ-PM'ed answer. I made up a new dashboard for the tug. Both the AGE truck and the tug have dashboards with steering wheels. They just won't "snap" into place for the photos. The AGE truck dash in in the photos.

That's one board member that will never rank "Alaska Base Survivor!" Nice work. I too think it looks like the bad guys got the drop on him.- MT

Neptunesurvey - I hadn't considered casting them on large scale. The other planes are way too large. The VC-33 would not be a problem if there are serious interests. Thanks RuskiiFaussi! - MT