6 Foot Long Daedalus Scratch Build Up

[MechTech]

UPDATE 20 September 08

First off, thanks Carzooyah and Meninge, (and for reading all that material, 32 pages so far! - and WELCOME to MW).

Ahiachris and Knight 26, thanks as well for the support! It's been brought up a few times for people to do destroid donations. I WILL NOT have enough (despite hording them for years) to fill the ship.

I welcome (and anyone who wants to start a thread) people that want to build and customize a destroid. Put your name or colors on it(hot pink is out of the question ). I think it would be awesome to have a destroid from those members who want to contribute. I've had a lot of support from people here and this is where I spend my short on-line times (other than ordering supplies). I welcome anyone who wants to build a destroid. If I had a prize, I'd put it up for competition donators "best entry" by our MW forum. You know I'll give a shout out to ya!

In short, a LOT of detail and work for three strips of detail. This is for the edge of the upper deck in the hanger bay (labeled 2F in drawings).

GETTING JIGGY WITH IT! If you need to make a lot of stuff, and make it look good, make a jig to help. The jig building is part of the process.

In between the panels are some tiny indentations. An old 220v plug terminal (brass) and a file were used to make the die to be hammered.

Gluing details for the end sections came next (hypodermic needle with liquid glue for good control of flow) and completed strips

And all that work for the edging...

The top decking is just sitting on top in the photo. I still have to make details in the lower ceiling like lights, ladders for destroid entry, etc... and then I can glue it on. The deck is about 1cm thick in case you were wondering.

Here's the line drawing for what I'm working on right now:

That's it for now. I've got TONS more details to do as you can see in the line drawing. - MT

[Fade Rathnik]

You could try a 3D printing service to get the rest of the destroids you would need. I'd get some quotes for you but I don't have any .srt files of the destroids lying around.

[cobywan]

Cheaper to buy the Nichimo kits.

[MechTech]

Thanks, but 3D printing (and in quantity) is expensive; Cobywan is right. I would have never considered it for that reason. Plus I don't have the file made or software/time to do it. The best way to go is modify a kit (fix several flaws) and cast the new parts. Decals will be fun to make up too(in that size).

I can't find the Nichimo kits anymore except the occasional overpriced one-offs. Nichimo's site doesn't have any news on re-released kits except for ships. - MT

[Cache]

how many of each type do you think you will need? (sorry if i missed it in a previous post.)

[MechTech]

Thanks Cache (and welcome). About ten for now (just to populate the front half). Let me know what you have in mind.

UPDATE 29 SEPTEMBER 08

Not many pictures, but A LOT of work. You saw the edges last time, this time its the top and bottoms for those same sections. The bottom is full of lights and access panel-ladders. The top will have a crane on it.

You can see the slots I've tediously cut out on the lower section. Next come thick strips of clear styrene. Theyt actually protrude through the floor enough to look light strip flourescent lighting units. They are glued to thin clear styrene to hold them all together. LEDs bought on sale after Christmas last year (3mm diameter) line it. Next job is to wire and trim the excess. The LEDs are nice "true white" colored. The destroids sit under them so good lighting is important.

That's it for now. More light strips to make... - MT

[TSP]

hot pink is out of the question

Damn, thought of getting rid of my pink colors. Nice progress so far.

[MechTech]

UPDATE 5 OCTOBER 08

It's been a busy but blessed week! Not much work done directly on the ship, but I got other materials and gear. I shopped some more and found/ordered these: http://www.gizmoszone.com/shopping/storepr...ctoverview5.htm they have videos as well on Youtube for the 7mm version.

Tell me these aren't cool! They will power my bridge/mast affects, overhead cranes, and other cool stuff! I got some of the bigger motors too. I want to R/C one of the 1/200 Monsters I have. One of the larger size will fit into the feet and an old micro car R/C unit will work perfect.

Went to the local thrift store and found a medical nebulizer air pump for only $2/1£ ! It has enough pressure to airbrush (tested it) and its quiet (full ball bearing guts - you know I looked inside). For about the same price I bought an old scanner for the cables, belt and connectors. All those scanner parts new would have cost ten times that! That's how the Daedalus is built, with a tight budget (and people who don't want their junk anymore ).

I finished the first half of the mecha bay lighting (the thicker side). The thinner side is next. The LEDs are the same 3mm type bought from Christmas stuff on sale last year-cheaper than buying them unwired. Here's one strip lit up to give you an idea.

When I finish the other side's lighting, I'm on to the overhead crane that traverses this part. On to the smaller lights... - MT

[MilSpex]

Fantastic. Your resourcefulness rivals overtechnology.

[MechTech]

Thanks MilSpex!

UPDATE 15 OCTOBER 08

Still working on that same ceiling bit and the floor covering piece going above it.

Cutting out the side strips.

The side light strips (each one of these takes hours to do, but they're bright and LIGHT weight).

Take a good look, this may be the last time you see under the floor outcrop.

I made nine mecha access doors as in this drawing (left side), only one will actually be open.

Building the screw drive to make the overhead crane traverse (see yellow crane in line art, Sept 20)

Still working away! - MT

[neptunesurvey]

Coming along nicely. Do you know that Nichimo has released some of the 1/200 line?

[Graham]

MechTech, not sure if this has been mentioned already, as I haven't been following this thread too closely, but have you considered the Yamato 1/200 scale Variable Fighter Collection (VFC) for the deck of your Daedalus?

See: -

Yamato 1/200 Macross VFC - Series # 1.

Yamato 1/200 Macross VFC - Series # 2.

You would however need to scratch build some landing gear for the Fighters, as they do not have any.

Graham

[MechTech]

First off, thanks Neptunesurvey for the update! I went back to order some Spartans originally listed, now they're gone - no trace or out of stock symbol !?

Graham, thank you for the heads up too! I actually bought a set and was disappointed to find this out: The VF should be about 14.5 meters high, and the Destroid about 11.5 meters high. The Yamatos are roughly around 1/220 or more, too small. I was really bummed and thought I could save some work! Oh well, I've had to build everything else so far...

UPDATE 30 OCTOBER 2008

I started work on the second fully functional crane on the ship. This one is a gantry crane. Shown are the drive parts for the long linear drive in the deck.

Note in the last picture the motor changed. The gear case I scratch built worked great, but the pitch of the gears made it a little too loud so I swapped it out and made a new unit with spring loaded clutch. It looks ugly now, but will be covered up.

The gantry crane is the yellow piece in the line art halfway down the page HERE

Here's the gantry ends with bearings and clutch parts, really "high tech" friction clutch. Changed a little now.

The part I'm REALLY happy with, a micro gearbox. This is a HIGHLY modified gear case (thinned, cut out) with new gears (two heavily modified) and a worm drive. It's not as quiet as hoped for, but it's TINY and works great!

And the gantry crane frame.

The whole crane has working X, Y and Z travels. You will actually be able to pick up a destroid (or the remains from a meat wagon) and move it around. The gantry and winch will be fed by a paper thin ribbon cable folding over like you see in scanners or printers.

All of this is why three years later I'm not done yet! But I'm having fun. That's it for now. - MT

Edited October 30, 2008 by MechTech

[big F]

Wow you really are going at this, it makes my attempt at the moded 1/55 look lame considering we started at about the same time.

[neptunesurvey]

Looking good and your welcome.

[Ignacio Ocamica]

This is THE Macross scratchbuild!!!!!

[Lord Valkyrie]

MilSpex, the Daedalus is alomost the ultimate amphib! Valks aren't officially mentioned on the Daedalus that I know of, but hey, they're VTOLs, right!? I'll have some on there. That's the only catch. The bridge/crane gets in the way of conventional landings. Helos and anything VTOL will be on there (I've even built a Tunny a few years back).

UPDATE 25 JUNE 07

I got sick of all the cutting, sanding and carefull cleanup of the carbon fiber so I started on something fun (and that's mostly made of styrene). These are the parts for one of the overhead cranes. This one goes from the main hatch nearly all the way back to the first bulkhead (that's a long way in real life).

[attachmentid=43213] The larger gearhead is soon to be the winch.

[attachmentid=43214] I thought I was done soldering brass pieces - yeah right! The winch and guide. The tubes on the guide accomodate the cable loop that will push / pull the winch along. Electrical contacts will connect the motor to the copper lined rails for winch power.

[attachmentid=43215] Lining the rails with copper foil (as used in stained glass window repair/production). The foil is then coated with styrene safe grease to keep it from oxidizing and smooth winch movement.

[attachmentid=43216] Assembling the tracks and rails The center rail is scribed every few millimeters along its length. You can see how it all goes together now. This will be strong enough to haul a Monster model along (just like in the series when prepping for combat).

[attachmentid=43217] The nearly completed assembly. I wasted a lot of time working on gearcases. I modified two I'm not using (too noisy and "toy like." Both gearcase motors hardly make a sound. The gearcase moving the winch and guide has a belt driven motor to cut back on high speed gear noise. I hope to finish this assembly this week. - MT

I just stumbled onto your build thread. Fantastic! It is very inspiring. I have often thought of doing this project or the Prometheus, but in 1/72nd scale. Your enginuity is commendable. In regards to this particular post, however, the images do not come up. I am curious to see how you are doing things. Is there something you can do? Repost them, or something?

[MechTech]

Thanks guys for the compliments!

Big F, get off your bum, it's been about three years man !

On the Yamato size issue, I'm seeing two different heights for Valks in batteloid mode - still researching it!

Lord Valkyrie, welcome to MW. Here's what pictures I still have:

Winch_Moving.MPG

Basically I took an "I" beam and lined the indents of the "I" with copper tape. The part that hooks/slides on the I beam has contacts for a tiny planetary gear drive motor. I've found smaller ones since then (see my signature block under Gizmoszone).

Don't hesitate to ask for help on your project. I've had to work through a lot of engineering issues. One of the next things I have to do are the side elevators - like on a carrier. - MT

[Lord Valkyrie]

MT,

Thanks, for the welcome. Its great to finally be an active member. Have you ever visited the warship models underway website? Your project fits right in over there. They have many different projects similar to yours, yet not as complex. I have seen a 1/72nd scale escort carrier with a high degree of detail and in Austrailia there is a 1/72 scale USS Enterprise CVAN-65 that is about 12 feet long. Its quite impressive. I have even seen a manned 1/20 scale Graf Spee, driven by an outboard motor with the builder driving it from within the superstructer. It is even registered as a watercraft!

What makes your project so special is that there is no prototype to refer to. There are no eye witnesses, former crew members, actual photos, builder's plans, etc to assist. All you have is animated footage (which is sometimes inconsistant) and that Perfect Memory Book (I have the same book, by the way). It truly is a "scratch build" project.

From what I recall, aircraft elevators are lifted via a pully system. Large cables on either side lift and lower it. It is a rather simple affair. One that, with your expertise and experience on this project would have no trouble duplicating. I think that you merely need to make similar mechanisms to the Bow hatch for the elevators, as the ship is "air tight". I don't recall any footage of their operation, though. Hmmm....

Thank you, for continuing to inspire all of us with this grand project. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures and video of this fine UN Spacy ship.

Thanks guys for the compliments!

Big F, get off your bum, it's been about three years man !

On the Yamato size issue, I'm seeing two different heights for Valks in batteloid mode - still researching it!

Lord Valkyrie, welcome to MW. Here's what pictures I still have:

Winch_Moving.MPG

Basically I took an "I" beam and lined the indents of the "I" with copper tape. The part that hooks/slides on the I beam has contacts for a tiny planetary gear drive motor. I've found smaller ones since then (see my signature block under Gizmoszone).

Don't hesitate to ask for help on your project. I've had to work through a lot of engineering issues. One of the next things I have to do are the side elevators - like on a carrier. - MT

[MechTech]

Thanks L-V! I have seen the website you spoke of and seen most of those ships. It reminds me I'm still sane . Your project will need a full sized rowboat for a hull (I've seen it done).

I believe the elevators fold up too to seal off the side hatches (like the old carriers). I'll be doing something similar, more linear drives to build! At least I'm getting good at it . The drive will lift the elevator and when going down, will fold it up when it goes past a certain point.

UPDATE 11 NOVEMBER 2008

And on this day all allied countries are remembering our war dead and and those still alive protecting our freedom! That's what the address is in my Avatar. Here in the UK a lot of people wear poppies or "Poppy Appeal" to "remember, remember, the 11th of November on the 11th hour of the 11th day and the 11th minute." Poppies strung the battlefield of the French countryside. Poppy appeal is a charity for veterans and a big part of British culture (for those of you across the ocean or "pond").

I'm at the cross roads of building a ship and a diorama right now. I FINALLY got to get parts cut and glued together I wanted to do for the past four years. getting other stuff done to ensure these fit correctly came first. Last week they were cut and the last couple of weeks assembled and fitted.

Raw laser cut components for the interior

Here are the walls and control cabin assembled. The cabin still needs interior details and windows.

Here's the assembled outcrop and shown in place (various views). I still have to add details to it too. Note the angle on the right hand side going up. That accommodates the ramp angle and keeps the outcrop wall flush with the ramp.

The detailed walls and outcrop are in this line art, walls on the left and outcrop on the lower right.

No I couldn't leave well enough alone! I got my new motors from Gizmoszone in. They're awesome and only 6mm in diameter! They are so small I had to get a special close-up lens for this shot. They run smooth and quiet, I recommend these guys to anyone. Their address is in my signature block below. So I installed one and made my crane even more realistic and shrunk the gearing on it too.

Here's the ramp installed and folded in the "water tight" position - yeah right it's water tight

I also cleaned up the corner area with a styrene block smoothed into position, it's dirty from my bench

I have a lot of little detail work to do, but most of the components are done of you look at the line art. I can't install the walls until I begin painting. It will be a tight squeeze. The top floor is only three inches high or so. That's it for now. - MT

Edited November 11, 2008 by MechTech

[big F]

Those 6mm motors are insane. Where did you get the laser cutting done ?

[MechTech]

Big F, I talked to a local engraver about it. He was sick of doing plaques and thought it would be cool to do this. He was amazed that his laser could that stuff. The bad news is he's retiring soon! I have to get the control box laid out and engraved before he goes!

I got a second shipment from Gizmoszone. I love those motors (will be in my next post) Order EMS and they are here in about 5 days - faster than HLJ! - MT

[MechTech]

UPDATE 24 November 08

COMPLETED the gantry crane, would have painted it too except for the 40 knot winds

The Gizmoszone gear motors are SOoo cool, I just glued a micro spool on one end and stuck it on the traversing carriage.

The carriage AND crane are both fed by a paper thin ribbon cables, the crane's is 4mm wide and the carriage ribbon is about 2mm wide which goes into the red connector. I stopped building hidden rails like on the top overhead crane due to build up of oxidation on the rail. This way nothing can oxidize except the exposed metal and oil should stop that. I'm building this to last. Soldering onto the ribbon cables took hours until I figured out a system. The exposed hair thin segments were more delicate than you'd think. Just bending them broke them! All in the name of a better looking build!

Another part I was waiting to sink my "teeth" into, the details under the internal ramp and the ramp itself. This took some engineering. The ramp GOES UP AND DOWN with the main ramp extending or retracting so it had to move up and down about 1cm. I bet everyone recognizes the green piece. It's alright, the rest of the model is gone

Sorry about the poor photo quality. The camera warps stuff up close! The ramp is perfectly straight and the lines are all geometrical - pictures can lie after all!

In the line art there are even trucks parked underneath! I thought it was an efficient use of space so...

Ramp NOT permanently secured, top piece overlaps ramp gear and moves up and down according to main ramp position.

A "full size" truck to scale (bad airline food not included ) The truck will be modified to load Phalanx missiles.

NOTHING completed is glued in place yet. Painting will be required first. Nearly done with the front half internal details. Mostly small stuff now - well, really small stuff - MT

Edited November 24, 2008 by MechTech

[claude grant]

I've held my peace long enough...this is pure and utter engineering genius at work here! I've followed this thread from early on, and all I can say is B A D A $ $! Whatever you do MT, make sure that the Japanese publications get a gander at this cause I can see this in Model Graphix, Hobby Japan, Newtype, and just about any other trade of note.

I can't give you kudos enough on this herculean undertaking, other than to say that the day you complete this will be will be almost akin to what occured on Nov. 4, 2008...historic!

[big F]

Claude you are so right, this dwarfs both in size and undertaking anything else I have seen done for the Macross universe.

Coverage in something like Hobby Japan could be the catalyst to get more of the Japanese to realise that we do exist, and there are anime fans outside of Tokyo.

Hasegawa might then actually try and import direct to the U.K and U.S etc. Back in the day the Hasegawa catalogue showed the DYRL Vf's but you just coouldnt order them from the suppliers.

You never know it could be the start of sorting out all the HG Roblowtech problems.

[Berttt]

Hi MT.

Great work so far man - I have been looking for 1/200 destroids ( after all a project like this should be sponsored) but finding any at a edcent price ahs been tough. Right now there is a Spartan for sale at USD$18.70! Bloody stupid, not to mention shipping down here and then back over to you.

How many destroids are you going to need anyway?

Cheers,

Berttt

[MechTech]

First off, the Yamato 1/200 variables are right on the money for scale. I double checked sources for measurements and the Yamatos are right on! In fact, I put the fighter right up to the line art in Perfect Memory and it's dead on except the legs are slightly longer. The VF-1 and Tomahawk are almost the same height! So I bought two boxes of the first edition at Big Bad Toy Store for the reduced price of $42.00 a box. The Nichimo valks are running $14.00 at HLJ so this is good. Plus the "bonus" valk makes four a box I can use. I'll probably have a couple spare YF-19s and VF-3s when I'm done to sell.

Thank you claude grant, big F and Berttt for the compliments! A lot of work is paying off now! This project is a labor of love. I am thinking about sending photos to Hobby Japan or other Japanese magazine. And for the reason that they don't know how much we out West really do love anime! If they published me, I'd say that too!

Berttt, I wouldn't worry about getting destroids if I was you. I know what a pain it is to get and ship stuff overseas!

UPDATE 1 December 2008

ALL of the interior details you see (except for the ceiling) in the line art for the forward section are DONE! Here are some:

The forward space with winch.

I guessed this thingy is a heater in the line art

My ship comes standard with A/C

Control Cabin

Here's everything on the port-side wall, remember, this isn't all glued together yet and my camera "warps it"!

This is what it looks like in place. You can see where I ad-libbed and added air handlers to the "condensor."

There is a huge "blindspot" in the line art that is about one foot long on my model. It's near the ramp on the port side and not shown. So do I leave it empty? No way! The A/C air handlers are part of my "ad-libbing." There will be another, larger control cabin to "see" the front ramp operations and overhead crane. There is nothing around to control those GIANT mechanisms or control traffic coming or going. I'm working on the cabin now. It seemed the best thing to do. That's it for now! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend (where applicable). - MT

Edited December 1, 2008 by MechTech

[Valkyrie addict]

Incredible, I'm speechless...

who cares about a couple of blindspots, with the details you're giving this thing, noone will mind about a little creativity by yourself

[505thAirborne]

Can not wait to see this Daedalus when its all finished!!! An amazing work of art so far!!!

[ahiachris]

Hi MechTech,

PM me your address. I'm going to send you an unpaint 1/220 Spartan. It's a resin kit that I bought many years ago.

[isamu_dyson]

i was gone due to heavy work on a future french science fiction tv series and when i get back i can see all this beautiful work you've done !

congratulations Mech-Tech !!

[big F]

I feel glad that living in the U.K I can actually see this in the flesh when its done. Just a little bit of a drive and I'm there

[Lord Valkyrie]

First off, the Yamato 1/200 variables are right on the money for scale. I double checked sources for measurements and the Yamatos are right on! In fact, I put the fighter right up to the line art in Perfect Memory and it's dead on except the legs are slightly longer. The VF-1 and Tomahawk are almost the same height! So I bought two boxes of the first edition at Big Bad Toy Store for the reduced price of $42.00 a box. The Nichimo valks are running $14.00 at HLJ so this is good. Plus the "bonus" valk makes four a box I can use. I'll probably have a couple spare YF-19s and VF-3s when I'm done to sell.

Thank you claude grant, big F and Berttt for the compliments! A lot of work is paying off now! This project is a labor of love. I am thinking about sending photos to Hobby Japan or other Japanese magazine. And for the reason that they don't know how much we out West really do love anime! If they published me, I'd say that too!

Berttt, I wouldn't worry about getting destroids if I was you. I know what a pain it is to get and ship stuff overseas!

UPDATE 1 December 2008

ALL of the interior details you see (except for the ceiling) in the line art for the forward section are DONE! Here are some:

The forward space with winch.

I guessed this thingy is a heater in the line art

My ship comes standard with A/C

Control Cabin

Here's everything on the port-side wall, remember, this isn't all glued together yet and my camera "warps it"!

This is what it looks like in place. You can see where I ad-libbed and added air handlers to the "condensor."

There is a huge "blindspot" in the line art that is about one foot long on my model. It's near the ramp on the port side and not shown. So do I leave it empty? No way! The A/C air handlers are part of my "ad-libbing." There will be another, larger control cabin to "see" the front ramp operations and overhead crane. There is nothing around to control those GIANT mechanisms or control traffic coming or going. I'm working on the cabin now. It seemed the best thing to do. That's it for now! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend (where applicable). - MT

I have heard in the past of model builders, especially scratch builders, contacting the National Archives or the Smithsonian, or other museums for material on the prototypes they are recreating. Certainly, there must be a way to contact the studio and see if interest can be generated in producing actual blueprints to the Daedalus. Who was the designer? Kawamori????

Its just a thought. Any thoughts? Anyone?

[grimmace]

I think that if there are no illustrations available for areas, then MechTech has full authority to CREATE the area himself just as any artist would have. This is after all just fiction. I say that whatever MechTech creates is what the area WILL look like. Why leave it up to the original illustrators? An artist is an artist. Do whatever you like in areas that have no real data and it WILL be the data to go by. Congrats on a great model Mechtech! Your hull design was astonishing. I build 1/96 scale warships all the time. Nice work so far! Keep up with the posts!

g

[anime52k8]

I have heard in the past of model builders, especially scratch builders, contacting the National Archives or the Smithsonian, or other museums for material on the prototypes they are recreating. Certainly, there must be a way to contact the studio and see if interest can be generated in producing actual blueprints to the Daedalus. Who was the designer? Kawamori????

Its just a thought. Any thoughts? Anyone?

there's a big difference between writing a letter to the national archives and having them send you photocopies of blueprints that already exist and they've got just sitting around in storage, and contacting a animation studio in another country and asking them to draw up schismatics for a ship from a show they made 25 years ago just so that one person can more accurately finish a model.

if you can get a hold kazutaka miyatake and convince him to take a break from whatever real work he's doing to draw up some schetches for the part of the ship that's not shown, or even do a fully detailed schematic, that would be absolutly awesome and probebly the coolest thing ever. but it's not going to happen.

:edit: OMG 666 post! this thread is now EVIL... and apparently I'm a bridge bunny now.

Edited December 22, 2008 by anime52k8