pengbuzz

Speaking of Tomcats, I recently came back to a project that had been pretty much dead in the water: This one had suffered a serious disaster with it's canopy shattering on me (and some other stuff going wrong). After searching around and asking folks if anyone had a canopy for this, I was about ready just to throw it away (I was not interested in doing a "wrecked" version, as this had been a very meaningful birthday gift that meant a lot to me). Losing this one really hurt, so much so I was pretty much in tears over it. Having exhausted all possible answers (I asked on here, Facebook and other places),I finally contacted Round2 Models. While I was hoping they had the canopy parts I needed, I didn't have much hope: I didn't see the model available on their store anymore, and could not find it in the brick and mortars I went to anywhere. That was December of last year I put in the request. 3 weeks ago, I got a box from Auto World, with a new canopy AND an interesting "sheet" that had wax paper over it. 2 days ago, this crystallized: Then I got really bored and started thinking of stuff to add: Stay tuned folks...

Yeah; someday if I find one, I'd like to super-detail it and do it up right. For the one I had years ago, I scratched up a pilot and RIO. Ahh... those were the days lol

Yeah... this would be a dream come true. But finances just don't allow for a set like this in my family, so... I got this one: The thing is though: when you're a pengbuzz (such as I happen to be), and you have paints, tools and parts from a ton of stuff over the years, things, er.... ...tend to happen: Used to be Trendmasters...now it's "PengbuzzMastered"

Okay folks...emerging from out under my rock to show everyone what I've been toiling on: Our intrepid hero when we last saw him... I did some work on the hips and thighs; essentially, I replaced them with a new system that allows the hips to spread out a bit and rotate the thighs so the feet aren't "dead ahead". Also lengthened the thighs a bit to bring it more in parity with the animation version: ] I also took the opportunity to rework blazing sword a bit: I sanded down the chrome peeling on the blade, lengthened the handle and scratched up the wrist guard for the hilt (complete with crest): Little bit of a closer look: Working on the blade now...this pic is before I redid it yet again and baked some chrome paint onto it: The spinning laser blade was a bit of a disaster; the chrome on it (as you can see) looked like someone had tried to sand it off. The sticker in the middle just looks bad...as in really dumb: So, we just nuked all the chrome with easy-off: Then made a new plate for the middle: Did some chrome paint on it and painted the middie in prep for more work: Did out a proper cross center for it: (Painted that) And some detail work: How it looks now (with red center added, just need a clear gem to glue onto it): And where the project stands now (Sword isn't as shiny with chrome paint on it, but shinier than plain silver): Stay tuned folks...

Now you just need a decal on the side of it that says "Judy" lol. Seriously though, very nice!

I did! Thanks so much! I hope likewise for you and your family!

Thanks Thom! I also repainted the red on the chest, as that was a sticker as well (Trendmasters really "cheaped out" on this one!) BTW: did ya ever get the card I sent ya?

Great start so far!

My latest: I got a Trendmasters Voltron for Christmas (had a defect in the Yellow Lion that I've since fixed). it wasn't in the best shape, as the parts all had issues. Well...had. : One of the frst things I did was to replace a peeling chest crest sticker (paper instead of chrome foil like on the Matchbox version) with a custom made crest in styrene with 3d relief and metallic colors: Yellow Lion (after repairing the faulty lock mechanism) got a repaint that took care of the "lime yellow" color they painted/ molded him in, and did the colors according to the cartoon specs: The other first thing I did was to repaint that face!!! It was silver with a blue headband in the show, so that's what I replicated (Seriously, where in the bleep did the blue face with the "rambo red" headband and the silver goatee come from?!): I also made a wrist guard for the sword (per the show as well) with the crest on it as well: And of course, I got the knees to work without dropping a leg or two off of Black Lion: I also repainted the hips (cartoon silver, instead of the "black boxers"): Coming up on the list of things to do is: reducing the size on the "boxes" for the hips and articulating them to have side motion as well (like GX-71), as well as redoing the thighs to make this approach GX-71 a bit more. Also in the works is giving Voltron a proper neck and making him able to look side to side, as well as waist motion. Stay tuned...

I'm gonna pass: I got my TV SDF-1 already, and it transforms, so I'm good.

On my end of things... ALMOST got a replacement 1/72 canopy for my F-14 Tomcat, but the model it came with was too much for me at the time. I hid it and waited for the 50% off sale (today)and would have been a couple of dollars... ...and it was gone from where I hid it. Anyways, money's always an issue (long story, boring with parts of absolute terror interspersed), so buying a new one just for a canopy isn't gonna happen. And with shipping, a vac-formed one is almost as much. Starting to think about just tossing it, as I don't need a "destroyed diorama" Tomcat. -------------------------------------- In other news: I came across an old Mattel 1978 Cylon Raider: No figure, missile launchers shot, so, I did some..."work": Since these photos, the stripes have been corrected and made more "curving" than they look here. While not in scale with my 1/32 Moebius Viper (TOS), it should work for photography. Stay tuned...

Well, did some more work folks: Rocket pack is now attached and painted: And Rom has his neutralizer; just need to build the analyzer and translator: Sill got some more work to do, but he's coming along: Of course, Photoshop is quite helpful:

Currently working on my version of "ROM the Spaceknight". These pics are kinda out of date, as I killed down the scrollwork a bit by overcoating it with pearlescent white. I'm trying for a subtle effect on the armor, as it's a compilation of the "best of" features from the 70's toy, 80's comic and the new IDW version. Proto in tape: "First colors": And of course, helmet off: The base figure is an old ToyBiz LoTR Aragorn, with a "shave" and some repainting of the face to represent ROM"s original human form (I checked the old comics for that one). I want the armor to kind of reflect the old medieval knights armor, but at the same time be true to ROM's. The one concession i had to do was on the eyes, as our apartment is small and she REALLY doesn't like the red eyes on the original. So, to keep peace, I changed them to blue. (I have an "insert" I'm working on for photography for the figure, to put over the eyes and sensors on the armor). Stay tuned folks...

My latest: The old Revel "USS Missouri" model; I'm refitting it to the modernized version, but she still needs the masts (including weather mast on the bow) and a bunch of other work. Just found ti easier to mount her in place in the ocean, then work on the masts and stuff on a nice stable surface. Would you believe the "water" is Styrofoam covered with wrinkled aluminum foil, then painted with car paint?

Let me have it for a few weeks....

Working on a "rescue" model: an F-14 Tomcat in 1/72 scale: Well, while stripping it down to soak in oven cleaner and prepping to make new decals, the canopy decided it was going to shatter on me, front windshield and all. Great. And I just spent my budget on micro-sol. >:( So, I'm trying to find a new one (both pieces actually). Meantime, I'm just gonna go ahead and get this stripped down. We'll see what happens from there. Stay tuned folks (I HATE working with clear parts!!!)...

My latest project: Monogram's 1/48 F-16- Yeah, it doesn't transform. But I wanted something a bit simpler after the SDF-1 and the Zentraedi battleship, and this was a bit of "mindless fun", if you will. I messed up the "USAF" on the top right wing and had to stencil the decal back in by hand (that was a literal pain!). Everything on the paint job before decals was hand-brushed, so it looks...well... streaky (not to mention a light wash that decided to be stubborn in it's removal phase!). At least it isn't brown...

Thanks Xigfrid! BTW, I posted the drawing because Hikaru's face looked so much like a screenshot after I was done with it! I didn't want folks out there to think I simply swiped the animators' work! lol

SDF-1 Project final Update: I completed the stand and gave it a proper (albeit minimal) deco: I also removed and rebuilt the transform linkages for the booms; this time, they are machined out od solid chunks of ABS plastic (scrap from an old printer): That should finish off the project, and finally bring a dream I had years ago to completion: making a transforming Macross out of the 1/5000 SDF-1 kit: Thanks goes out to Kelsain (for the kit), Thom, Arbit, Xigfrid and the rest of the gang here for the encouragement and ideas! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On another project: I'm currently doing a rebuild on the Zentraedi cruiser model I recently built. I was unhappy with the details and whatnot, and tore some of it down as to add cannon emplacement, engine thrust vectors and more. Stay tuned...

Okay; just keep in mind to work SLOWLY. Don't try to rush anything; it's going to take some time. I really wish i could be of more help to you on this one.

I would definitely score it along the separation lines, then GENTLY work it free. That looks like someone didn't want the part to ever move again. If possible, score it from both sides. After you free it, use a needle file to clean the parts back up to their original specs.

I got bored after my last project. So first, I bought a small Statue of Liberty souvenir at a thrift store that had a busted arm. I fixed it, and this is pretty much what it looked like (forgot to take a "before" pic, so I had to find one online): Well, it managed to get separated from its' pedestal during repairs, so that gave me an idea: Same foam slats that went into making the launch arm served to replicate the full pedestal. My plan for this is to make a scale model of the entire complex the pedestal stands on. I might go as far as the whole island, depending upon space and materials (and size!). Then, after taking a break, i got REALLY bored. So I then did this: Just a simple stand for the Macross. When it's done, I intend it to display both cruiser and Storm Attacker modes equally well. We'll have to see how that works out. Stay tuned...

A nice, sharp-looking paint job there, Anubis! Looking forward to seeing the rest!

Thanks! I wanted folks to see Hikaru's reaction when he sees the Macross plow the Zentraedi ship with the Daedalus. I know in the series we see his reaction as he's flying off, but "ghosting it" in the canopy really sells it. I had to get a few stills from the series, then do a pencil sketch and then do the color work on it. It changed a bit as I worked on it in Photoshop, but here's the original sketch:

I would try gently removing the flash with a little bit of toothpaste, water and a soft cloth first so it doesn't wear the paint away. If that doesn't work, then try a bit of color to it.