mechaninac

You ain't kidding. About the only things I can say look a bit better on the MPC that on Yamato's 1/48 (ducks head in anticipation of rotten fruit targeted at my head ) are the hand sculpts.

In my opinion, it's a custom (a damn good one). Look at the forearms: The new VF-1J has the TV styled, fully cored-out elbow section, and this 1A has the current DYRL forearms.

Alright, one more update on my Orguss Ishkick model...almost there. For those interested, I'm using IRII's 1/48 (more like 1/60 judging by the pilot) kit as reference with added detail extrapolated form the box art. Eventually I'm going to convert this to LW so that I can texture it properly and obtain "realistic" pictures, but for now it'll just have Pro-E colored surfaces.

Rodovan, that looks absolutely fantastic!

For you Orguss fans out there here's a small update to my ISHKICK model. A render instead of screen-cap this time. Any comments welcomed. Moderators, since this thread is not labled "Mass 'Macross' CG project", I thought that this would be as good a place as any to display my work; however, if it is felt that anything other than Macross should be posted elsewhere just let me know and I'll start a new thread.

what cyc said, that kid doesn't learn. That is why I put in the disclaimer that the info was subject to change...

Hi all. Just saw an entry on RT.com concerning the upcoming Alpha/Legioss release dates: Alpha MPC dates - Blue 2-20-04, Red 3-26-04, Green 4-30-04, Shadow 6-25-04. As with anything Toynami, this will most likely change; nevertheless, its good to have a time frame to work with.

And the mostly finished ishforn-ishkick engine module that mounts on the back:

Here's Ishforn's Sensor Array:

And here is the leg for both Ishforn and Ishkick:

Oops, forgot the picture. D'oh!

After looking at all the great models by all the talented artists to this thread I thought I would add my own bit of work. I know it's not Macross or even Mospeada, but I felt that Orguss could use a bit of love too. I've been playing with these off and on for some time now and thought I had enough to post. Unlike most people here, I'm not using a 3D animation program; these things have been created in Pro Engineer. Comments, encouragements, tear-downs, threats of excommunications, confused drunken ramblings...all welcome. First off: Ishkick

The regular (old style) Gundam Marker has a hard tip reminiscent of a Micron pen. The new Sumiire(?) has a fine point felt tip. I've never had a Micron pen clog up; I think you mean a mechanical (Rapidograph) pen with a internal ink well ($12.00+ just for the nib). Those things work great until they gum up and then you either have to clean them in an ultrasonic vat: or, absent one, take the nib out of the pen body, remove the ink reservoir and let hot water flush the nib clean or soak the thing in alcohool. Once that is done you need to blow from the back to make sure that the tip is unobstructed. In the worst case scenario you'll have to dissassemble the nib which has a body, drum with needle and a plastic retainer; once that is done you have to soak, dry, blow untill clean...and good luck getting the needle back into the tiny tip cylinder hole without damaging it.

You can buy Micron pens at any Arts supply stores. They are available in different thicknesses and a few different colors. Their advantage over mechanical pens is that they are self contained and easy to use, whereas mechanical pens have an ink reservoir and nib that tend to get clogged easly, and are a pain to clean; also their inks do not flake off once dry (indian ink or equivalent for mechanical pens sometimes do). Micron's disadvantage is that the ink will rub off and smudge even after it has cured so that if you ever try to clean your Valkyrie with a damp cloth you run the risk of messing up your panel lines. As for Gundam Markers...the fine points are .04" thick and available in black, grey, and copper brown. If you'd like to give them a try you can get them at Gundam Shop or Gundam Store and More. I've used them on all my 1/60s and have had no problems and think they look fine, but that is just my opinion...and if opinions were worth anything they'd be sold and not given. Hope this helps. Edit: Here is a link that may be of help too: Best way to do panel lining....? - topic in the "How to" forums

The VF-1 was named after the XB-70 Valkyrie Super Sonic Bomber of the early to mid sixties, which in turn derived its name from Norse mythology (the Valkyries were super-natural maidens who roamed battlefields and carried the spirits of slain warriors deemed worthy to Valhalla where they would await to be called back to action at Ragnoroch (spelling?).

I agree (make sure to press the stickers into the panel lines as much as possible to make them look more "painted on"; use your thumb fingernail for this as it won't damage the sticker. However, before you do the whole Valkyrie with a technical pen, test it on an small hidden area to make sure you like the way it looks (contrast). Personally, when using pens, I prefer a fine gray Gundam marker; it's a little thicker than a technical pen, but the gray is much more subtle than the black against the Valkyrie's white hide, and the ink is less shiny, more stable once dry, and can be smudged while fresh for a weathered look. It's also easy to clean if you make a mistake. Other people would forego pens altogether and use a wash with diluted Tamiya smoke or something for an even more model/realistic look; but that requires patience, practice, and a sealer to be applied afterwards to protect the panel lining; but this introduces another problem: clear coats (specially flat or matte finishes like DullCote) tend to yellow over time and are very prone to get dirty from handling which on a model is a non-issue, but on a toy that tends to be handled quite a bit it may become unsightly. Ultimately it's your choice which works best for you.

Just got my sets this Saturday. One word: WOW! These stickers are absolutely gorgeous. I'm almost sorry to cut them from their respective sheets in order to use them...almost. I can't wait to see what my yammies will look like all dressed up with these babies. I've seen the low vis expansion set and fast pack sticker, and was wondering if a "expansion" set will be created to account for Yamato's upcoming release of the VF-1J. Thanks Tak, for making these available to the Valkyrie collector community...a wonderful service, and very much appreciated. I'll definately be ordering more sets as further VFs become available.

Now for my 2 cents...those vertical sections remind me of a heat dissipator similar to what you see sitting on top of your CPU chip. So, I would hazzard a guess that the internal structure contains a loading mechanism for the third missile, a recoil suppressor and gas exaust integrated system, some avionics package to control the works since the unit is an add-on and not an integral part of the VF-1 design, extra thick armor as previously mentioned, and, judging by the picture, some small extra unused space.

Remember the last scene in Conan the Barbarian when the narrator says that Conan was destined to become a king...well, it's happened...sort of.

To answer your question...Yes, you ARE nuts; but in a good way. Besides, on the cool scale, the low vis is absolutely off the charts.

"What's keeping you from buying tons of Valks?"...lets see: 1. Money to burn, 2. Enough room to display/store all the crap, 3. Other equaly expensive obcessions...err, hobbies, 4. What's left of my self-control, 5. Sanity (in very short supply at this point), 6. Family (they're beginning to look at me funny), 7. Etc., etc., etc.

Since I did not get the original release, mainly because of the QC issues I've read about, Yamato's re-release of Roy's VF-1S with all the innitial bugs corrected is a boon for me. I can't wait for it to be available, as no Valkyrie collection, in any scale, is complete without the Skull leader's machine. My only question, as voiced by innumerable other members, is weather or not the box will have a distinctive call-out to distinguish it from the original.

My first Macross model was a Revell "ROBOTECH" VF-1J 1/72, and the first ever Valkyrie toy for me...Macross Plus VF-11B from Yamato. I still think it's one of the best looking variable fighter designs of any of the series and Yamato did a fairly nice job with it in 1/72 (actualy closer to 1/68) with the exception of the too-small tail fins and elbow bulges and sliders (too conspicous but necessary in so small a toy I suppose). Man I wish they'd release an ultimate version of this gorgeous vehicle in 1/48 scale...one can dream.

Here's my 2 cents: Just as everyone else has mentioned, the 1/48 VFs are the superlative renditions of the Valkyrie in toy form...nothing else even comes close. However, If you’re strapped for cash then the 1/60 VFs are more than adequate (some can be had for less than $40.00 MIB shipped on eBay); in some respects they look better than the 1/48, especially the canopy and hands. I'm not trying to push the 1/60s but they are really very good, and if you plan on eventually buying a Queadlun Rau female power armor (will come out sometime next year in 1/60 scale from Yamato) or any Destroids (Mac II Monster 1/60 also to be released within a year, I think) that may be made, than you need at lease a couple of 1/60 Valkyries. Ultimately, whatever you decide to buy, welcome to your new hobby. But be forewarned, these things are like potato chips, you can never have just one.

Franklin Mint already makes a museum quality 1/48 F-14 tomcat (about 5 different paint schemes, including the Hi Vis Jolly Rogers form the USS Nimitz) as well as host of other US, Russian, and maybe French fighters. They retail around $90+ USD plus S&H (Click Here to see a picture); that's around 1/48 valkarie range. However, I think they have fixed landing gears, and if Yamato were to make a M0 F-14 and Mig 29 they would make them with retractable landing gears, hopefully. So, I voted a tentative yes on the F-14, price and features would be the deciding factor on actual purchase. B)