MechTech

Congrats NZEOD! It's cool when you can track something down -especially when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Pengbuzz - That's funny about sanding! Concerning surgery, bow stringing effect? That's a new one on me. Electric Indigo - You are totally right! Add air bubbles for more fun! - MT

That's cool. I hear you about carpal tunnel. Right hand is healed, may need to go in for work on the other. ABS doesn't like to sand smooth like styrene. It gets "hairy." Sometimes acetone can give it a nice surface afterwards like 3D printers use to clean up bias marks on their prints. I started building a model in ABS and that was the only model I ever sold "halfway" done. The cements for it are toxic and then there's the whole sanding thing... - MT

Pengbuzz - That Defender is looking great! It must be "fun" working in ABS. I think I have that same toy holed away somewhere in my stash. - MT

Pengbuzz - That's a nice score! Arbit - Like David said, there's not much in the way of flaps down on takeoff. It's not a VF-1, but the next best thing... Flaps are usually for slower flight or landings (fully extended). That Valk diorama looks cool with the spoilers up. I don't think I've seen that before. Also go to Navy.mil (like I did) and under "Media" check out photos. Do a search like landing or takeoff. There are videos out there too. - MT

That's right, 'Murica's got the "King of Beers!" If you get your enemies drunk, you don't have to blow them away! NZEOD - Looking good! Weather can be a drag sometimes, but it looks like your working through it. Derex - Cool with the LEDs. I think it will look great when done! - MT

Thanks for sharing! That's one of my favorite mecha designs too! - MT

Tekering, somehow I missed this thread before. Your build is great! The mods are a great touch and he came together perfectly! Great poseability! But why do I think he looks like a '70's heart throb version of John Travolta? -MT

Some things are definitely worth repeating!!! That is an epic build. The luminescent dots are a nice addition to where fiber optics would be a pain. - MT

Derex - You gonna add a wave motion gun to that!? I got a drill! Seriously though, I think I somehow got an exacto knife or something to "mod" my New Jersey. Arbit - That's cool. I think I did the same. I just wasn't that good at drawing. I sucked! Now it's part of my job - MT

Thanks! Cool to know they are doing more Macross stuff! - MT

Gran modification! Se ve ms realista. - MT

Derex - Thanks for sharing the photos, that's cool! Talk about flashbacks! I know what you mean. I laughed when you mentioned about Starblazers! I did something similar. I had recently built a USS New Jersey (maybe the same kit as you-back in the 70's?) After I saw "Space Battleship Yamato" on a local movie show, I was amped! I took my model New Jersey and drilled a big hole in the bow. I guess that was my first model mod!!! Neptunesurvey - I like your effects! They add a nice touch to your completed build! The lighting looks cool. - MT

NICE splinter scheme NZEOD! That gives the Phalanx a realistic touch! Pengbuzz - And he scores again with masking tape!!! That's cool Derex! That just reminded me of the cardboard SDF-1 I used to have. It was suspended from the ceiling (wouldn't fit anywhere else). I hung a bunch of 1/200 Nichimo Valks around it. - MT

Cool NZEOD! I saw the similar kit being offered with all the under-wing ordnance and was tempted to get it. - MT

Welcome to MW! How can I get cable TV for MY Valkyrie!? Just kidding, that's really cool! What components did you use for the monitor? - MT

WM Cheng - Thank you very much, I appreciate it! Likewise where you are great with finishes, I suck at them! My local club is challenging me to improve though. Maybe this ship will be show worthy. Pengbuzz - STILL the MASTER of masking tape - and cardboard! Cool setup! Do robots need a med center? Inquiring minds want to know. - MT

Congrats Derex, you have a family now! The set looks great and will look especially good as a display in your home! On to Buzz now? - MT

WM Cheng - First off, sorry about your canopy! Crack kills in more than one way! In all seriousness, I feel your pain as the same thing happened to me. Besides that, your model looks awesome!!! For a new canopy, try Hasegawa's distributor in Canada. Odds are they may help you. When I worked for a hobby distributor, they parted pieces all the time. Lightspeed Global: https://www.lightspeedglobal.ca/contact Joscale - That is looking good! I'm sure it will work out. Long story short, the best place to put my crane ended up being on the transom, flush with the deck. So a few modifications later and a large poly-cap to hold the crane, here it is. - MT

CrossAir - That looks great! Nice-n-clean! That paint scheme pops out too. Chavakaiser - Both of your valks came out great! I keep thinking of Vietnam War era paint schemes when I see your Super Valk. - MT

Thanks NZEOD! WMCheng, I'm glad the site helped! There is also their official Flickr page which will have other content too: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/ That paint job and weathering is looking great! That scheme really shows off how it got the nickname "Rhino" to keep the catapult settings from getting confused between the old and new airframes. RTKF - That looks very realistic and the base helps put it in the moment. I'd add the figure in as part of the diorama to give it scale. ALL - Did you guys hear about the Blue Angles and Thunderbirds fly-over at various locations? I heard the Blue Angels are in trouble - for not maintaining social distancing while in formation - MT

NZEOD - Samsung CNT? Not finding it except corporate info. I'm thinking of a new Samsung to replace my 8 year old phone! I'm not an Apple fan due to past security/data fixing issues. - MT

Hi Convectuoso! It will if it gets into the joints. If you can keep the joints masked off, that should be safe. A clear coat on a transformable model IS a GREAT idea since you want to seal down the decals so they do not rub off easily. It's keeping it out of the joints that's fun. IF you can build parts, seal them and then assemble them (masking off the finished parts) that helps. Carefully look at your model and think about where the coating could flow into. I hope that helps. - MT

Cool, post some pictures! Remember, I can stop anytime I want to! - MT

That's a cool idea! - MT

Thanks guys, if you'd like, I can post a quick how-to for the machine I made. It can be relatively cheap to make and easy to use. The louvers were made on my mill. The other machine is not as good for this. NZEOD - That Tomahawk looks great! The photos are great too! Did you use a tiny camera? I'm guessing you were able to shoot from below an edge to get that steep of an angle? WMCheng - We get a lot of Super Hornet traffic overhead where I live. Load-outs can vary. Like NZEOD said - embrace the bomb Since the airframe is dual role, they are not afraid to use both types of ordnance on them at all. The downing of a Syrian Su-22 (2017) was a perfect example of that. They started the mission as a close air support mission in "air-to-ground mode" (sounds like a Valk) and then switched to air-to-air when an Su-27 was spotted orbiting the area. Shortly after, an Su-22 started entering the area and even with flares being fired right up in his face, failed to leave the area. Then started in on his bomb run. They fired an AIM-9X which failed to track the target. Then they fired an AMRAAM which finally did it in. David has some great points on accuracy. I don't know if you've been there, but the U.S. Navy's website has TONS of photos with new ones being added everyday. www.navy.mil - Media - Photo Gallery I spell it out because they have some videos too. A direct search link: Super Hornet Ordnance Try other types of searches too. Just watch the dates. Some searches go way back and may not be up to date for your build. - MT