captain america Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Hi all. At the request of Samurai Monkey Models, I'm posting some preview pictures of the 1/72 Launch Vehicle for the Valkyrie Booster. The core of which is the launch pylon/rail, atop which the Valk and booster sit. The detail herein was extrapolated as best as possible from the singular (and minuscule) sketch of the launch vehicle. I've also obviously improvised to fill-in the gaps in the structure that were not visible, and unlike the Booster unit, the Launch Vehicle will be much more "mixed media", making use of not only resin, but also metal cast parts, steel screws and wiring accessories. Cheers! Quote
captain america Posted October 19, 2004 Author Posted October 19, 2004 Pic 2. Though it's not finished, some of the detailing I've opted to enhance are more subtle, like the rough, cast texture of the main pylon; giving it a sturdy, "tank turret" heavy steel cast look. Quote
neptunesurvey Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Its looking good. I can't wait for the finished producted. With the metal, will it be located more in the launching section? Quote
captain america Posted October 19, 2004 Author Posted October 19, 2004 Last pic. The raised, circular locks are designed to mate with the recesses on the lower fuselage of the booster. As the booster kit itself is rather heavy, new-generation polymers will be used in the launch vehicle castings for extra strength. Quote
007-vf1 Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 (edited) WHOA!!! I want one, I want one now..... Edited October 22, 2004 by 007-vf1 Quote
AlphaHX Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 *@#@$*@$*@$%*@*&*&%*#&*!!!!!!!! thats AWESOME!!! i didnt even get the booster and i want the launcher! Quote
captain america Posted October 19, 2004 Author Posted October 19, 2004 Also... It was decided that the launch vehicle, because of its extreme size and cost, would be offered in two components: the first being the launch rail/pylon assembly/podium and then after, the launch vehicle itself. The idea behind this is that firstly, it helps to defray the cost of the whole shebang into much more affordable segments for those who want the whole booster launch system, but also, for those who may not have the means to afford /don't want the whole monty, those customers may simply want the booster and then use the launch rail as an elaborate display base. Quote
AlphaHX Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Also...It was decided that the launch vehicle, because of its extreme size and cost, would be offered in two components: the first being the launch rail/pylon assembly/podium and then after, the launch vehicle itself. The idea behind this is that firstly, it helps to defray the cost of the whole shebang into much more affordable segments for those who want the whole booster launch system, but also, for those who may not have the means to afford /don't want the whole monty, those customers may simply want the booster and then use the launch rail as an elaborate display base. im assuming captain is making the launcher shown in the tv show. heres a thread where i took some screen grabs if people are wondering what the rest of the launcher looks like. http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...topic=10572&hl= Quote
ChristopherB Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Amazing! Your idea to allow people to purchase what they can afford is awesome. Do you plan to include a little driver figure? Not sure how many people are in the cab. Quote
wwwmwww Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 You never fail to impress. Great work guys. Carl Quote
wwwmwww Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Oh... just wanted to ask. Will there be a raffle for this project too? Thanks, Carl Quote
azrhino Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Looks great! I realize this is very early in the process, but is there a ballpark figure for how much each component might cost? Not trying to pin you down on a final price, just need to determine how many pennies I need to start saving. Thanks Quote
THOR Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 I love it! Captain America, thank you for your hard work. You can definately count me in as a buyer for this and any other projects you guys do. We're not worthy! We're not worthy! THOR Quote
wm cheng Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 Fantastic job John!! You come though again! Great interpretation - any chance that it can swivel so that we can adjust the "angle of launch" after construction. I'm sure the Valk with booster would be removeable after construction as well - right? You've got me a little worried, by splitting the cost (good idea) how much more could the vehicle itself be - I may not be able to afford both parts - so I would like to get an idea now if possible. The outlook for the film business in T.O. isn't all that hot - on the bright side, I am hoping to start on your excellent booster as soon as I finish my current job. Hoping to start in November. Keep it up - and thanks for the progress pics - it makes my day! Wm Quote
Less than Super Ostrich Posted October 19, 2004 Posted October 19, 2004 my sentiments exactly. great job, john. Quote
captain america Posted October 19, 2004 Author Posted October 19, 2004 Hi guys. Let's see, where do I start... Firstly, much to my own chagrin, the booster pylon doesn't swivel up or down: because of the relatively heavy weight of the booster unit, and the thin cross-section of the launch rail would have made the model dangerously unstable if I were to allow it to pivot, so I decided to make the launch angle fixed. Also, as the booster unit is VERY back-heavy ( full resin nozzles, versus a VERY light plastic kit at the front) makes the whole booster assembly want to fall on its tailpipes, even in full horizontal. Therefore, I'm designing the whole thing to mount to the launch rail via eight hex-head screws, to hold the booster firmly in place. I suppose that you COULD unscrew the vehicle and remove it once complete, but generally, I'd tend to say that it should be affixed permanently for stability reasons. Price: the launch rail/pylon is seemingly going to be about the same price as the booster; I think it's set at $105, but that will include the paypal fees. The fact that there will be about 14 screws, metal cast parts and wires, not to mention using a slightly more expensive plastic all had to be taken into account financially. Quote
robokochan Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 Oh... just wanted to ask. Will there be a raffle for this project too?Thanks, Carl To answer that question...I would have to say YES! But there will be slightly different rules and prizes this time. Rob P.S. Excellent work as always John! Quote
Cdr Fokker Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 Awesome. Simply awesome. Got my booster a little while back and I'm still in awe of the incredible detail and overall badass-ness of it. Quote
spellbinder99 Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 That certainly looks like great work and will make a logical way to display the booster once complete. I must ask, I understand that what is pictured is the launch rail, but you mentioned a turret/ swivel base? Will that be part of this for the $105 price? Cheers Tony Quote
captain america Posted October 20, 2004 Author Posted October 20, 2004 Hi Tony. Yes, the podium will definitely be included with the launch rail. I'll post some pics of it later this week. Quote
baxojayz Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 Gorgeous. When can we start shipping our money off for one? Quote
wm cheng Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 Wow... I was a bit worried about that. In no way is this any criticism of John's excellent sculpting abilities and all the great effort Rob & Jesse are contributing to this very worthwhile project - but the price is a bit steep for me. So I would assume that the vehicle is a fair hunk of resin (sheer size wise) too, and would probably be in the $100+ range right? $300+ dollars (total before the Hasegawa kit) for the whole booster/launch vehicle is a bit hard to swallow and justify for me right now. Thats too bad, I love what you guys are doing (truely excellent work John), and that this is one of my favourite mechs of all time that has yet to be done. I'd gladly take donations on this Are there any producers on these boards that need an art director for their upcomming film?? I'm so sad... there are lotteries though Quote
wwwmwww Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 I'm so sad... there are lotteries though Do you want to build mine? I'll even let you keep it for a year or two if you'd like. Let me know, Carl Quote
Less than Super Ostrich Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 just out of curiosity... will it stand with the valk+booster on it? Looks like it would be too top heavy and fall over. or does enough of the booster hang off the end to make it stable? Quote
captain america Posted October 20, 2004 Author Posted October 20, 2004 Hi Super O. Actually, the whole point of the launch rail/base is that it MUST be strong enough to support the weight of the finished booster, and it will--> see pics below. Regular resin would've been too brittle and insufficiently strong to do the job, so I switched to a high-impact, high strength polymer in which to cast the base and part of the support pylon. The down side of this is that this material is more expensive than regular resin, but it sands/putties/machines every bit as nicely. The central column part (with the 3 triangular openings) is set to be cast in metal for oprimal strength, but I'm still going to experiment with the new polymer; the stuff is so tough that it might very well be strong enough to cast the main support in as well. Quote
wm cheng Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 DAMN YOU JOHN!! It just looks so good... Quote
jardann Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 That looks awesome! Is that my Booster equipped Valk ready to take off? Quote
captain america Posted October 20, 2004 Author Posted October 20, 2004 That looks awesome! Is that my Booster equipped Valk ready to take off? It suuuure is! Actually, I'm only holding on to your model until I get the pilot figure installed, and I can snap a few pictures with the launch rail. After that, it's going straight to you; sorry for the delay. Quote
AlphaHX Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 brb, i gotta wash off the drool on my keyboard. Quote
AlphaHX Posted October 20, 2004 Posted October 20, 2004 (edited) Â Â Â Â Â Â brb, i gotta wash off the drool on my keyboard. *changes mind* must... glue... eyes... to... monitor... must... stare... harder... must... stop... drooling... ... ... ... ... ... .... *drool* *looks down* $#!T... Edited October 20, 2004 by AlphaHX Quote
nightmareB4macross Posted October 21, 2004 Posted October 21, 2004 Now that is one very beautiful piece of work... Great Work Cap'n NB4M Quote
pfunk Posted October 21, 2004 Posted October 21, 2004 Wow, ididnt care for the booster by itself, but when put together, WOW Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.