mslz22

Ok, so i am suffering from a bit of scratchbuilders remorse. In short, i have molds for everything but the head, because I need 2 of the legs etc etc. I did not think i was going to offer any castings of this so the legs etc were made with no alignment pins/location marks on them, because i thought that i was just going to cast a couple up for myself and i had a good idea where everything needed attention. IF i was going to go ahead and fix the last few issues with the head and mold it.........would anyone interested in castings prefer that i remold the parts i have to incorporate the location mark etc, thus increasing any pricing, or keep it simple with what i have, do a little extra work yourself and keep it cheap. Any thoughts? mike

Oh and a ? for you scale guys, if i was going to have a pro sculptor make a standing figure in this scale, would it be around 23-24cm? thanks mike

No, but they look like them now that you mention it........

Oh, also just realized that the side view of the legs may seem a bit skinny because the "fins" that go on the back of the legs are not present in the pics

Thanks everyone, it's been a fun project for sure! In regard to to the legs, I think that the pod in general has fairly skinny legs in the line art/animation etc. I think that the yamato has bulkier legs to accommodate the ratchets/mechanisms that are inside them. I did take some artistic liberties with the whole subject and overall i am happy with it. Maybe it's my old age talking but I enjoy some of the leeway that subjects derived from animation affords, at least in comparison to replicating the studio models that i have been doing in years past...........there is almost no margins in those! mike

Right now the plan is to hang out with Steve at his table, he will have some studio scale stuff (likely cast by me!), and i am hoping to bring along some 1/48 goodies....Hope to see you guys there again, I am hoping to not be so stuck at the table again this year..... thanks mike

Here you go, next to the 1/60.....I know that some thought the 1/60 was too big right? I thought it was within the margins of the animation in some places if not the line art. Mine is in the 1/48 ballpark, i am ok with being a bit "loose" about the scale when it comes to the subject because of the variations in the animation etc... mike

Sure, pod vs soda can and pod vs 1/48 cannon fodder.....pardon the wonkiness in these pics, it's all just hot glue tacked together....really need to move that eye cannon over! mike

Either that or a 1/48 Q rau....cool8or's build has my wheels turning! I really wish i had more time to dedicate to macross builds, but life always seems to get in the way.

The Q rau thread got me all fired up about bad guy mecha so thought i would share this WIP, 1/48 pod. I worked on this on and off thru the summer but have been doing so much casting for other people lately that it has been sitting like this since Oct. It's just a little over 19 inches tall. Hope to have it painted up in time for WF for possible entry into the scratch built category, needs a few tweaks including moving the left "eye" cannon a couple of mm in towards center. It needs the acrylic rod until i permanently put it together. mike

Really, really amazing work, i have been really craving to see some bad guy builds and this fits the bill perfectly!

Boy time goes by fast, I have been sooooo busy with casting to help Nice-N catch up that i have not even gotten started on the 2nd build for the guide, I have been doing stuff for him non stop since Sept. I am planning on getting to it around mid Jan and will document it well here, maybe even a separate build thread. I am going to light my 2nd build, i need to order some fiber optics and LED's for the build. I just built up a new work area dedicated to builds and scratchbuilding only, I really hope it will streamline some stuff....i can't believe how much of a mess i make sometimes. Hope everyone has a terrific holiday....and hope to see some of you guys at WF 2012, yes my thoughts turn right to spring after the holidays. mike

All i can do is add to the chorus and say that it's jaw dropping beautiful.......and a terrific original paint/decal scheme. It raises the bar and give us all something to aspire too... mike

Ok guys, looks like he will be willing to do it...I will give this thread a few more days to see how many people want them... more to come thanks mike

Hey Guys, decal update........ I did print the decals for mine but they were kind of "cheat" decals, meaning i did the work in paint and not a vector art program. I have made attempts to play around with vector art with little success. I would print out the decals for you guys from my file for cost, a couple of bucks for paper/ink and shipping....but i just don't think they would be up to par for how nice of a kit this is. So i have sent an email to JT Graphics that i have used before to see if he is willing to clean up my art and print out REAL decals for this, they would be more expensive than what i would be willing to print them for, but in my experience working with him it would likely be in the $10-$13 range for a sheet....but i can't get a real # until i hear back from him. What i would need to know is....How many people need decals assuming the price is in the range above? mike

Please send me a PM to get pricing info... As for the total edition, right now my plan is for between 15-20 total. thanks mike

Hey Guys, it was great meeting everyone at WF....I am still recovering a bit but what a great time! If anyone here wants a kit, PM me, i have a few spots open. Right now the plan is to run only 1 set of molds for this, it may change but my gut tells me to keep this one very, very limited. I would like to do a fastpack add on at some point, if so it will be an add on, no need for another kit. I can't make any guarantee that i will make an add on fastpack, a lot depends on how much time i have over the next year or so.... Once I get caught up a bit i will be starting another macross themed project...... thanks mike

Sorry for the long delay in updates, getting ready for WF is crazy sometimes... Anyway i have a batch that is going with me to WF, i leave tomorrow and will be back late Sunday night (hopefully) Once i get back I will start taking care of anyone here..... thanks mike

Up to about 95% done, gunpod and head lasers attached, but hard to see in these pics. Taking these pics was a bit of a test shot to see how it would look with the lighting/backround set up here...I kind of stink at pic taking and need some practice...Still needs a few odds and ends, especially the clear parts that go on the wing. Some stuff is still not glued down yet, like the tailwings, i will glue those in place after i transport it back and forth from WF, then they can be secured in the proper position, right now they are a bit wonky. Pic with soda can for sizing.. thanks mike

I should be done with this on Friday or Sat, pretty much just need to paint the gunpod and the head lasers...after that i will get some good pretty pics and will be sure to include a soda bottle or can for size ref.. thanks mike

Anyone interested can PM me for pricing info, I did my best to keep the pricing low for something this big. Right now my plan is to bring a few to WF then when i get back start filling any kits here.... thanks mike

Getting sooooo close to done, handful of pics, the painted canopy frame really brings it together.....I am going to start casting a few kits to bring to WF this week... thanks mike

Decals are looking like a good fit so far, getting a bit more done on the test build. For the cockpit display panel, i really toiled over making it a flat panel with a decal or making all the little bumps and switches etc...I think I am pretty happy with the decal, looks much neater than i could get it with the raised surfaces and trying to paint on the details. I am a terrible interior painter when i am in a rush....I bet most of you guys could paint circles around me.... thanks mike

Sorry for the semi blurry pic, the light on the canopy is messing up my camera focus...anyway just a quick shot of the clear canopy. Doing some fitting on the interior and canopy, both need a little trimming depending on how you want to position stuff, but like i said it's easier to trim than add material. The canopy comes out pretty darn clear, right now my finger prints are all over it but with a little buff it should be good...if you want it super, super clear you may want to do a compounding and dip in future, but that will be up to the individual modeler, I don't think i can get it any clearer/glossy than it is right now.. thanks mike Also should be getting my test shot decals in the next day or so...also got the price on them $13.00 sheet...not bad but not cheap either, JT Graphics is doing them and going the extra mile by doing double white on the kites and skulls etc...that is why it is expensive, but the black of the tail fins should not bleed thru...

Ahhh crap....I'm really sorry, i just plain forgot about them....I am going to the post office on Tues or Wed...will send them out then. mike