1/55 Mods - Let's list them all here...

[Skull-1]

I'm curious to know what all the mods for the 1/55 are. I'll list mine (and a few that I have seen others do). I hope the rest of you will join in.

1) Poseable Thigh (SPO)

2) Paired Gunpods (SPO)

3) Tapered Foot Thrusters (SPO Version)

4) Notchless/Free Floating/Friction Tailfin (SPO)

5) Collapsing Gunpod (SPO Version / KK Version)

Others:

6) Clear Canopies (Beers)

7) Custom Cockpits (Beers)

1/55 Pilots (Jung)

9) Custom Head Turrets (Beers)

10) Swivel Hips (Fulcy)

11) Custom Nose Cone with Pilot and Canopy (Takatoys)

12) Decals (Jung, Anastazi, etc.)

13) Foot Pose Mod (KK)

14) Ultra Flex Thigh (KK)

Any others?

Edited October 7, 2003 by Skull-1

[kidkorrupt]

crap, we should get xstoys to post.

he basically modifed EVERYTHING on a 1/55.

all our stuff is child's play

it is just sick.

[Skull-1]

I wish he would do it. I would love to try and make a custom that has *EVERYTHING*. Does he have a website?

My latest is still ongoing. I am shaving the hip bars so they are very thin. I may end up replacing them altogether with flat titanium or steel plates/strips. I don't know how strong this pot metal will hold up once it is thinned out. Stay tuned.

Edited October 7, 2003 by Skull-1

[kidkorrupt]

what are you using to grind? dremel or heavy duty machinery?

on the one's fulcy did for me i had to fill in the blank spaces with epoxy, its on my ostrich...page2 has a arm mod i stole from xstoys from the yamato 1/48:

http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...&f=4&t=1099&hl=

on the one i did myself with the dremel i did not shave it down enough to require any filling.

and rob does not make any 1/55 pilots. people moslty use hasegawa's or Jung's

Edited October 7, 2003 by kidkorrupt

[Skull-1]

I'm using a bench grinder.

Damn, KK, you and I think alike (except that I am always a few months behind you). I guess great minds and all that....

I want to make mine thinner than yours, though. I am wondering if it can be done.

That Ostrich is freakin' BEAUTIFUL man. I am stunned.

[Skull-1]

I just realized I can use the tips of a BIC pen as thrusters for the legs.

I am going to try this over a Koku kit as it's cheaper.... Let's see what happens....

[kidkorrupt]

hmm, if you want to go thinner may as well just make a whole new custom piece...if you want it like credit card thin no amount of epoxy will keep that from snapping.

what do you mean panel decals in your PM? on the wings? the paneling was done with a pencil...the rest is anasazi's decals.

[Valkyrie]

One more for the list... sort of

Back in the day, I did a fighter-mountable gunpod. It had a modified head that didn't hang down so low, to give it the clearance it needed. The gunpod had the middle section cut out (to give it its 'compressed' form), and I installed a T-shaped bracket to let it hang from the arms.

It was kinda cool. But I wasn't happy with it and wanted to re-do it. So I sold the prototype on EBay (got about 50 bucks for it), and never got around to building a new one :/

And then, of course, there was my ill-fated Strike cannon project...

But I hate to say it, but I pretty much don't care about the 1/55's anymore. Back when the Yamato VF-1's were just starting to surface, I really had to question everyone's efforts in creating mods for the 1/55's. Everyone was putting all this effort into improving the proportions, detailing, and mobility of the 1/55, when Yamato was putting out a product that was technically superior to all of them right out of the box. It just seemed like they were fighting a losing battle that didn't need to be fought.

Anyway... I'll shut up now. I don't want to turn this into a 1/55-bashing thread.

[kanata67]

I think it was kid how gave me a link to making the colapable gunpod. Lots of mods... You guys seem to think inside the box though. All I can really say is...

"You want a piece of this?

Edited January 21, 2006 by kanata67

[Myersjessee]

Did Takatoys do the original cockpit/nose and canopy? I thought that was someone else (Erik?) Are they one and the same?

[kidkorrupt]

Did Takatoys do the original cockpit/nose and canopy?  I thought that was someone else  (Erik?)  Are they one and the same?

takatoys is erick =D

the molds are proefessionally done as in they are made out of metal!

on jerry's old site there were some other customs he did with prototypes of the cockpit he eventually designed and settled with.

ken, i do agree with you. but part of the fun for me personally IS all the effort put into customizing. it like those crazy guys who put in 20k to turn a corrolla gts into a ae86 instead of just going out and buying a better car with all that cash. Either they enjoy doing the mods and putting in the sweat or they are just initial D hardcore fans =P

tony, i know your reading this. i know "1/55 mods" in the topic caught your eye. post some words, or better yet pics. and thank you again for the help on my car, hope you finished your real work ok.

Edited October 7, 2003 by kidkorrupt

[Skull-1]

hmm, if you want to go thinner may as well just make a whole new custom piece...if you want it like credit card thin no amount of epoxy will keep that from snapping.

what do you mean panel decals in your PM? on the wings? the paneling was done with a pencil...the rest is anasazi's decals.

What if you reinforce the piece with a thin titanium or steel plate? Even aluminum alloy would work I would think.

How thin can you go with those hip bars?

[Skull-1]

The paneling details on the wings... They look like Anas' decals. Spoilers, etc.. They came out looking really slick on that Ostrich. I just wanted to know how you did it. What did you use to prep and finish them.

[xstoys]

Hey KidK,

Ok, you caught me. =P You know I can't resist a good 1/55 post.

Oh man, you want me to list all my 1/55 mods... but they're not all finished yet. =( I actually haven't had much time to work on my "ultimate" 1/55 custom valk in awhile. I'll need to re-examine it to remember what I did to it.

but from what I do remember:

• Yamato style collapsable gunpod/ handle & the gunpod does hang underneath in fighter mode

• No more ugly gun clip. Gun now clips directly to the arm on either arm; through a custom fit negative cavity.

• Proportioned articulated hands with semi posable fingers that do retract like the 1/48 with opening for arm panels

• 1/55 TRANSFORMABLE heatshield intact during all transformations

• Vented/ resculpted intakes on chest (more than just a cutout; it has been totally resculpted)

• Wings with multiple lights & folding panels (you have to see this one to believe it)

• Resculpted extended nose cone & repositioned nose lasers

• New resculpted detailed "accurate" 2 pilot cockpit (not like the VE-1 or VT-1) like the VF-1D extended cockpit

(And they said it couldn't be done... =P)

• Triple Vac-formed canopy with frame, canopy, & custom heat shield

• Pivoting pilot seats , so the head in Battroid mode can flip over & the seats can push upward to pop out of the top opening

(I believe this is a first for any transformable Valk; the 1/76 scale head flips, but it doesn't transform)

• Negative contour scoop intakes on the chest for VF-1D (replacing the 4 black trapazoids)

• Fulcy "modified" hips & feet

• Accurate Gerwalk "A- style" stance

• Accurate VF-1D Chest without step at the top.

• Working airbrake hatch

• 1/55 posable action figures of Hikaru & Minmay

That's all I can remember right now... but there are many, many, many more mods that slip my mind right now.

Thanks for looking.

xstoys

[kidkorrupt]

and how were you going to activate the lights again?

all that and not even one pic? heh, now im just teasing ya.

jas-for the decals i just did the standard formula. paint, high gloss, decals, , high gloss, matte. on the legs i tried a decal softner to make the "UN SPACY" recess into all the cracks but anasazi' clear coat prevented the decals from softening. or i'm using the softenr wrong, lol.

[Skull-1]

Xtoys, where are the pics of these mods? I'm salivating here!

KK, thanks. I guess you and I really *are* amateurs (me more so than you).

[Skull-1]

I just pulled off a variation of KK's Yamato-style hand retraction mod. I simply sanded the parts off the back side of the hands and slid them inverted into the arms. I'll fill the holes in with putty. Voila. It's not as nice as KK's but it works. They're tough to get out though.... Hmmm.... Guess it needs more work.

Edited October 7, 2003 by Skull-1

[Skull-1]

I just figured it out. I'm going to use a refrigerator magnet. I'll use the magnet as the back side of the hand. That way I can use another magnet to "pull" the hands out. WOO HOO! This is fun.

Now if I could just figure out a way to make nose gear doors....

Edited October 7, 2003 by Skull-1

[xstoys]

Ok, Ok, here is a pic from MW Con 3 of my "ultimate" VF-1D 1/55 custom. As to whenI'll finish... who knows?

Enjoy!

BTW - the name is "xstoys"!

[Skull-1]

NICE! YOU MUST FINISH IT SOON!

Tell me how you modified the thighs to pivot. I have a first try variation of it but I don't like it in any mode but GERWALK.

[kidkorrupt]

the arm mods are xstoys!!!!

he did it first!!!!!

just want to make that clear =D

if you look very closely at that 1D you will see many things amiss. the mods are subtle and beautifully done so it doesn't look too modified. but that thing is a damn monster.

the chestplate alone would have taken me months to do.

[Skull-1]

How did you guys do it? I would love to see an overhead view of the arm in the open position as wel as one with it taken apart (if you can). I just can't visualize what you are using to pivot everything with...

You know me, my first thought is "paper clip."

[Skull-1]

Man, I just carved up one of my Bandais to build up a set of chest intakes.... There's no way to do it that I can see. Once you core the chest plate out you have to core the fuselage out behind it. Only problem is, there are too many contours and screws in the way.... I cored them out and it still looks like an abandoned warehouse inside....

How the hell did XS do that...? I think I need a closer view of it...

Edited October 8, 2003 by Skull-1

[Graham]

Hey, I thought all the Macrossworld Mods were 1/1 scale real people.

I didn't realise we had any 1/55 scale Moderators here.

Guess I'll have to start calling them Mini-Mods

Sorry, saw the topic title and couldn't resist.

Graham

[xstoys]

Ask & ye shall receive... more pics of my VF-1D. Work in progress, of course. I don't like showing unfinished work, but here it is anyways.

[xstoys]

Another shot...

[xstoys]

Last one. Thanks for all the interest & support; especially to KidKorrupt, keep up the good work.

Good luck to all you customizers out there!

Tony

xstoys

[xstoys]

Oh, I almost forgot ... here are the humble beginnings of my custom scratch built 1/55 "Thunder Hammers" armor. Sorry about the glare from the flash.

[Skull-1]

Good stuff. Thanks for the shots. I am working on a version of the chest plate intake. I hope I can make it work....but I have my doubts....

[Black Valkyrie]

Nice custom, I was wondering these hands belong to which model or toy cuz it looks very good for this Valkyrie

[ChristopherB]

Hello,

Cool thread!

Some more, if they were covered already, ignore, I'll think of more and post when I get a chance.

1.) The leg intakes are always in the closed position on a 1/55. Lupricas made the stock covers removable, placed turbine blade detail inside with scratch built "open" grills in the up position. (Lupricas)

2.) Modified resin 1/48 to 1/55 Strike Cannon from Club M Ultimate Strike Valkyrie. A million times better looking than the stock 1/55, and they are actually look like they belong. (Jung and Mslz22)

3.) Missile pod modification so it attaches to booster via magnet. Same with Strike Cannon. In addition, a magnet hidden in the booster keeps the Strike Cannon firmly against booster while cannon is flush against it. Allows wicked barrell rolls. (ChristopherB)

4.) Using magnets for leg armor attachment. Thought of before MPC was released. All magnets hidden. (ChristopherB)

5.) Cut out fake missile covers on 1/55 missile pod, and scratch build small missiles inside for accuracy. Used on 1/55 Hikaru Strike, similar to Club M 1/48. (ChristopherB)

6.) Alternative attachment for boosters so that non-realistic 1/55 backpack clip does not have to be used. (ChristopherB)

7.) Just to clarify, I believe Rosario love made the first custom nosecone. At first he develop a resin piece that could fit over the end of the stubby Jetfire version, but later created a complete nosecone and the first framed canopy. I currently own the original and only one made. (Rosario)

8.) Hinged tailfins that realistically fold in the middle allowing backpack assembly to lay flat instead of hitting against top of valkyrie. (Lupricas)

9.) Hinged front landing gear cover. (Lupricas)

10.) Booster thruster nozzles mounted on ball joint allowing them to swivel. Similar to Yamato, but used prior. (ChristopherB)

11.) Underside backplate detail as opposed to just seeing the manufactures name. (Rick the Hunter)

12.) Poseable hands for battroid mode. (Either Jung or Rick the Hunter)

13.) Lighted wing tips, wing root lights and canopy cockpit display lights. (ChristopherB implemented by Mslz22)

14.) Hinged cockpit canopy. (Rosario)

15.) Hinged chestplate airbrake. (Rosario)

16.) Open chestplate intakes. (Rosario)

17.) E-seeker Radar dome that actually rotates via balljoint. I know that Kidkorrupt implemented this on the arm radar of his E-seeker, but I am not sure about the main radome. (ChristopherB and/or Kidkorrupt.)

I've got more, but I'm tired, and the self-proclaimed "Custom King" will sleep on it and hopefull add some additional modifications. I too want to try out all of these ideas I have swimming around in my head, and the ideas of others, but time is of the essence. My next MW Convention entry will be built by me as opposed to me paying someone to turn my ideas into reality.

Sincerely,

Christopher B)

Edited to Update List:

18.) Selectable missile armament that attaches to underside of wings via very small magnets. (Rick the Hunter and Mslz22)

19.) Moveable/hinged wing flaps. (Rick the Hunter and Mslz22)

Edited October 13, 2003 by ChristopherB

[Skull-1]

Man, we really need to try and do one Valk with all of these mods on it.

Any links to the mods you've listed? I lost all my good custom websites sometime back...

[Skull-1]

Ok, Ok, here is a pic from MW Con 3 of my "ultimate" VF-1D 1/55 custom.  As to whenI'll finish... who knows?

Enjoy!

BTW - the name is "xstoys"!

34099[/snapback]

Whatever happened to this thing???????????????

[LL Cool VF1J]

yes, I like this thread. Please dont let it die.

I have some 1/55 mods, but mostly the stuff on KidKorrupts website. Some others I did are:

Installed butane tanks in the legs so it would shoot a blue flame out of the feet, works great but melts the plastic feet real fast. Also makes it non-transforming

Installed lights in the fastpack thrusters.

Painted all the panel lines with glow in the dark paint, You cant see it but when I turn the black light on all you can see are the panel lines. Look like a tron figure.

I only used bootlegs for my experiments since this was before the bandais came out. Ill have to find my prototypes. I know these are buried somewhere.

[promethuem5]

Wow. This thread is awesome. Whatever happened to KK anyways?