1/72 Launch Arm for Hasagawa kits

[Gundamhead]

Hello,

First a bit of tiny history. Models are my passion. For some it's books, cars, bikes, or boats. Me, it's models.

Myersjessee, a friend and fellow modeler of mine said to me one day a few months back, "Hey, I've got a 1/72 launch arm I picked up from Japan but it's very plain, especially for the amount I paid for it. Would you be interested in seeing what you could do with a copy of it?"

When I stopped giggling like a school girl about getting the opportunity of just seeing the kit, I replied in my best manly, non chalant voice, "Sure Jesse. I'd love to see what I could do to detail it better." Then I quickly went into a giggling fit again causing my wife to worry.

When I finally got it it, I wasn't really giggling anymore. It's really plain. The claw assembly was nice, the size was nice, but I couldn't stop thinking it was just a 'stick' for a Valkyrie. I was actually pretty bummed that it was so 'blah'. It was about 20 parts, vague instructions, and not much for detail. It didn't really resemble anything from the animation or the line art. There are quite a few differences in the line art and animation, but still, it was just a 'stick'.

I started with the parts of it I liked, but then got into ideas for it. It needs a base. It needs detail. It needs a signal arm. I got into it, then life happened and it got shelved for quite a bit. But, I recently finished it and showed what I had done with it to Jesse. He seemed to really like it.

This project went from making a nice stand for a Hasagawa VF-1 to becoming a model itself. That means it becomes a nice project to accompany your Hasagawa instead of just a add on to your Hasagawa. As long as the molding and casting allow it, this kit is around 50 peices at present.

Anway, here's my vesion of the ARMD carrier Launch Arm from 'Macross DYRL'. I'm sorry for the bad pics, I'm a modeler not a photographer, so try to bear with me. Jesse said he will try to get some better pics soon.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p...12296&members=1

The first picture is the original Japanese resin kit of the launch arm, and the rest is what I did with it.

The ruler in the pics is 18". The base is 15" x 6", and the launch arm is about 15" tall.

The kit just went to Jesse, who is very busy, so this is still at least a month away from getting started. We just wanted to see what the general interest in it will be. We estimate the cost for the kit will be about $65.00, but it could change a little. When I get a kit back from Jesse, I will finalize the instructions, and build one completely for pictures. I'm hoping that it will be wall mountable also. I'd like to try it myself before claiming it can be first though, but I see no reason yet to think it won't be able to be hung on the wall like a picture. (Keep in mind that it's gonna stick out about 20" from the wall) So either as a wall mount or as a mini diorama base, it's pretty cool all assembled supporting a VF-1 ready for launch.

Please feel free to post any and all questions or comments and your interest in owning one.

[cobywan]

You got my interest. I may have to get two of them. The list of stuff members of this board makes that I need is growing.

[AlphaHX]

You got my interest. I may have to get two of them. The list of stuff members of this board makes that I need is growing.

I agree. IMO, we're extremely lucky to have such talented people who share the same interest in Macross. The scratch builts on this board is just getting better and better. I hope it stays this way.

I would probably be in for at least one if this happens. I remember reading about this awhile back and wondered what happened to it. Well, now I know... and I'm glad its back.

[azrhino]

And is your day job painting the ceilings of chapels?

Gundamhead, that is one beautiful sculpt, and a great idea for an accessory kit

for a valkyrie. And I love the idea of hanging it from a wall. It would

give the entire diorama a totally different feel than sitting on a table.

How does the arm attach to the super pack, i.e. glue, screws,...?

I would be in for two whenever they become available.

[Grayson72]

Oh I am soooo in.

[neptunesurvey]

I'm interest in 2 kits.

[Valk009]

My ears are all open, put me down for one or two sets please

Also, any chance of incorporating the arm with enough space for placements of tiny super magnets, so that the valk can be taken off to recreate that opening scene of DYRL

[Ido]

I'm interested in one

Edited April 21, 2005 by Ido

[Valk009]

One question, are the base and signal arm anime true? I mean are they based from what Macross material you could gather or clips from the DYRL movie?

Just curious

[Myersjessee]

Hey All...just wanted to say...I have this baby...and the pictures don't do it justice. It reminds me of the Spiderbug...looked okay on film...looked unreal up close. Like the bug Joe has packed this baby with detail. Hes got a slew of pictures from various sources that he used to create it. The signal arm is accurate, and the whole thing is impressive. My favorite part about it is the idea of mounting it on the wall. If your like me, you have limited shelf space...now I can have this baby up high away from the kids with my Super or Strike just about to get the green launch light.

This weekend Ill take some more pics of the masters to show them off.

Joe, if you get a chance you should post up the pictures you have from the lineart (or a couple of them) It's really a nice match! Does anyone have some good screen caps from the movie? I know Joe watched in a million times! If no one does Ill get those this weekend too.

Cheers!

Oh...and one other point...the thing I love most about this is the little details he added. Things like the pistons and accuators which are clearly visible in the art, and were not there in the kit. I can't recognize any of my original kit...this is a pure new sculpt. Wonderful work Joe!

[wm cheng]

Woohoo!! I'm so relieved that this is back...

This is my most awaited kit for the Hasegawas!! And it looks like you've done a fantastic job with it! I am still hoping that I can modify it to use rare earth magnets to make the Valk removeable after construction. Is there still some type of metal re-inforcement inside the main struct?

I'll take 2 or 3 (any deals Jesse? - I'd be happy to build one up and take some proper photos of it for your box or advertisment?! )

Thanks again!

[THOR]

This thing is awesome!

Put me down for 2 kits!

It amazes me how much our hobby and the people in it rock!

[ChristopherB]

I'm definitely interested, but then I have been since Noel first posted pictures of the original kit from Wonder Festival.

I'm glad that this project has finally reached fruition, because my Hasegawa's were built with the launch arm in mind.

I'm curious about the attachment option(s).

[JoLe727]

Oooo...I'm in. Put me down for one or two kits. Thanks in advance.

[RTHK]

That's totally awesome man!

I'm in! Put me down for one please

Edited April 20, 2005 by RTHK

[HWR MKII]

Must resist. Need to get 1/72 monster and BSG Viper first. Resistance becoming futile.Wallet crawling out of pocket.

[zeo-mare]

more awesome stuff i must try to resist

[jorawar_b]

count me in

[Gerwalker]

AT LAST!!! I want it!!! Being waiting for it a loooong time!!

When do you start making it?

[Robert S]

put me down for one.

thanks

[akim]

Hello,

I'm interested in one.

Thanks.

[broadshore]

OH! I'm turned on... What is your asking price for that?

[Myersjessee]

We are looking at $65. Thats not bad considering the original was around $100 at WF (and much more outside of it) What drove up the price is Joe went crazy with parts. The original was so spartan it didn't include any panel lines or even the bare pistons clearly shown even in their sales mockup. (they just expected you to scratch build everything) Joes has tiny pistons for each finger, and every other detail...but its over 50 pieces and the base is MASSIVE! Youll see when I take some pics. Frankly, it's a deal at $65...and only around for a while...

[Gundamhead]

You got my interest. I may have to get two of them. The list of stuff members of this board makes that I need is growing.

That's a lofty compliment Cobywan, thanks! Your work is incredible.

[ef500mm]

Put me down for one, but I want 2 if you can give me a discount.

[Gundamhead]

And is your day job painting the ceilings of chapels?

Gundamhead, that is one beautiful sculpt, and a great idea for an accessory kit

for a valkyrie. And I love the idea of hanging it from a wall. It would

give the entire diorama a totally different feel than sitting on a table.

How does the arm attach to the super pack, i.e. glue, screws,...?

I would be in for two whenever they become available.

Chapel painter? Hardly. Ask WMCheng that one. Me? I'm a factory rat on 3rd shift who loves models and Macross.

Like I said I don't see a problem with being able to mount it on the wall. BUT I still haven't actually tried it. When I get a copy I will, and I'll tell you how well it works. I don't have a kit to work with yet.

[Mechleader]

FINALLY!!!!!

I have been waiting for this for a LOOONNNGGG TIME!

I want one!!!!!!

[Gundamhead]

My ears are all open, put me down for one or two sets please

Also, any chance of incorporating the arm with enough space for placements of tiny super magnets, so that the valk can be taken off to recreate that opening scene of DYRL

I've heard the talk about these magnets, but I haven't actually ever tried them. The claw assembly has a center umbilical piece that connects directly to the VF backpack. It is a small 1/4" square. If the magnet is small enough, and strong enough to support the VF in that area, then maybe. I just don't know. You'd have risk it to find out, but I doubt it would work.

The weak point of the whole connection is the backpack to the fighter. It's very frail on the Hasagawa.

The safest and strongest method I've found is to pin the backpack, fighter, and umbilical/claw together with a small peice of wire. It's pretty easy, and the wire is not seen.

The 4 fingers clamping the Fast packs don't really support the VF, the umbilical does. The 4 fingers act more as a way to stabilize and detail rather than support.

[Gundamhead]

One question, are the base and signal arm anime true? I mean are they based from what Macross material you could gather or clips from the DYRL movie?

Just curious

Well if you really start to look at all the reference of the anime and line art, you're gonna find that they all differ in some ways from each other. The anime and the line art especially. I had to interpret and try to make sense of the things that differed. So, yes and no. I tried to pick all the parts I thought were cool.

[Gundamhead]

Woohoo!! I'm so relieved that this is back...

This is my most awaited kit for the Hasegawas!! And it looks like you've done a fantastic job with it! I am still hoping that I can modify it to use rare earth magnets to make the Valk removeable after construction. Is there still some type of metal re-inforcement inside the main struct?

I'll take 2 or 3 (any deals Jesse? - I'd be happy to build one up and take some proper photos of it for your box or advertisment?! )

Thanks again!

It never went away, I just got slapped around some in the game of life.

These magnets sound interesting, but I don't know.

There will be a metal tube in the arm to prevent any warping.

There's none to build yet. I've been itching to just say "Screw it! HAHAHA!!!" and glue the master all together just to see it in one finished peice. I think I have demonstrated great self restraint. But being completely, honest it got tough a few times. I can't wait to see what yours will look like.

[Gundamhead]

Must resist. Need to get 1/72 monster and BSG Viper first. Resistance becoming futile.Wallet crawling out of pocket.

Yeah... I have that same problem. But from most anime, modern aircraft, tanks, things WWII... I've got a true addiction and keeping up with all the cool stuff is nearly impossible let alone getting time to actually build any of them. I'm not complaining or saying I want a cure though.

[Gundamhead]

AT LAST!!! I want it!!! Being waiting for it a loooong time!!

When do you start making it?

It will be a little while before any money is requested. I still have the instructions to write up, and I need a kit to build up for that. That's probably a month or so out yet. This was to give Jesse an idea of how many to expect people might want. He's also busy right now. That whole family and job thing, plus his beautiful Viper project.

For people who are unfamiliar with how making a kit goes, there's a lot of trial and error. This is the basics.

The sculptor makes the masters. The trick here is trying to keep the parts castable, and how the kit will be assembled.

The mold maker then takes the masters and figures out how they will work best to make casts from. Where will the seam line be easiest to remove. How and what parts will lay best in the molds. The cost of the materials. The trials, and the fixes.

Clean up. Instructions packaging. All this has yet to be done.

Jesse works magic casting, and enjoys it. But once it becomes strssfull like work, it ain't fun and he's not gonna wanna do it. So please be patient people. This is our hobby, and it is fun. There is a lot of work involved though.

[Gundamhead]

We are looking at $65. Thats not bad considering the original was around $100 at WF (and much more outside of it) What drove up the price is Joe went crazy with parts. The original was so spartan it didn't include any panel lines or even the bare pistons clearly shown even in their sales mockup. (they just expected you to scratch build everything) Joes has tiny pistons for each finger, and every other detail...but its over 50 pieces and the base is MASSIVE! Youll see when I take some pics. Frankly, it's a deal at $65...and only around for a while...

Crazy with parts...

Me?

I like options. Parts=options.

I did try to warn you.

I kept going over the mantra playing in my head, "Man, Jesse's gonna kill me...Man, Jesse's gonna kill me...But I think he'll like it!...Man, is he gonna flip about all the parts...all the tiny parts...He's just gonna say '#@$$' I'm just building this one."

By the way, I don't have any pics of the arm at the moment. I stuffed them in the box with the master, so i can't show them. Plus I don't have a scanner.

[Viceland]

I'll take one as well

[Gundamhead]

To everybody else, thank you for your interest in this kit! Since there's a little time still I plan on building my VF now. I've got a slight advantage over you though, cause I know what to expect.

If you guys also start building a VF, just to try and save you a little work, I'll offer these tips. You can all but finish the Super/Strike VF.

1.

Don't glue the backpack to the VF yet,

2.

Don't attach the fastpacks yet,

3.

Don't attach the arms yet.

When you get your Launch Arm, it might make it a little easier for you. But if you go build happy, it will still work, but you'll need to be a little careful.