Whats Lying on your Workbench MK IV

[electric indigo]

Everybody's and their little socialistic sisters' favorite bargain Mach 2 interceptor:

[pengbuzz]

2 hours ago, electric indigo said:

Everybody's and their little socialistic sisters' favorite bargain Mach 2 interceptor:

Kinda reminds me of the SR-71 Blackbird's engine, only with a cockpit.

Hmm.... I wonder how this would look if someone took a pair of these, cut the engines off a same-scale SR-71 model and glued these on into place?

[electric indigo]

Go ahead! The experimental MiG-21I Analog would be even better suited:

[pengbuzz]

15 minutes ago, electric indigo said:

Go ahead! The experimental MiG-21I Analog would be even better suited:

Let me see if I can photoshop that one for the gang first!

[MechTech]

@electric indigo Is good comrade! Is much bedder dan deese:

The Soviets didn't have fiberglass yet, so can you believe they built the radar nosecone (radome) out of plywood? That's crazy by today's standards.

The lighthouse is getting there! The original belt drive was quiet and acted as a clutch in the event someone hit the plane as it spun around. The problem, the drive slipped all the time! So I built a whole new gearbox and drive train from scratch with brass - instead of styrene. There is a beefy 8mm steel shaft that spins on bearings and a sleeve bearing. The original circuit board ring was recycled from an old stereo circuit board. There were openings on the board that had to be soldered together. The solder while conducting electricity, also was soft and started to get picked up on the brushes causing them to foul and fail. So I broke down and went to Radio Shack for a copper clad board and milled it.

The next fun part was the shield to cover the lighting guts and keep the light focused (sleeve on right). It is styrene tubes made from old clear tape cores and glued together. It was cover on the inside with metal foil tape for duct installations. The hole will have a clear lens in it when done. Then I painted it silver.

The light window was a clear travel bottle for travel (probably for cream or salve). I was going to make the window panes from styrene, but when the light shined through it, you would see it. So I milled slots into the (bottle) window and placed brass square stock in it and glued it from the top allowing the glue to get in there through capillary action. It took longer to set up the mill than cut the slots!

And finally, everything pieced together. More detail work needed like doors, steps and railing. Thanks for checking in! - MT

 

[Convectuoso]

On 11/16/2020 at 10:21 PM, Ignacio Ocamica said:

Yes I am!! It's my first time scratchbuilding/sculpting a figure. It's my interpretation of a 1/60 DYRL? zentran (I'm doing it the same height as a 1/60 VF-1 v2.

Well, a couple years ago (more than a couple) I started sculpting the Mospeada Iigaa and Gosu, but the Captain also started sculpting the whole Inbit line And Sean can sculpt any subject while he is sleeping so I put them on hold.

Here is a crude mock up (I've done more progress since this pic)

This is looking great, Ignacio. Looking forward to seeing more updates on it

[arbit]

On 12/6/2020 at 9:01 PM, MechTech said:

And finally, everything pieced together. More detail work needed like doors, steps and railing. Thanks for checking in!

That's going to be hilarious with the plane flying around. Can't wait to see it.

Very envious of your gears...

[pengbuzz]

UPDATE:

Well, did some improvements to the Regult to bring it more "in line" to what it should actually look like:

I re-did the front faceplate to sit more flush with the rest of the main body. Additionally, I extended the "chin" on the main body, as it was way too small and was throwing off the look of the entire model.

The feet got a makeover also:

While not as curvy as they should be, they are a vast improvement from the previous ones that were barely there. To rebuild them, I used cardboard tubing and hot melt glue to build the feet up, then drilled a wooden dowel into the shin/ ankle to mount them on. I may do more improvements on them, so this is by no means "final".

Onto the top of the head, now:

Thanks to an early Christmas gift from a good friend ( ), I was able to make the mounting dome for the rearward head cannons. They swivel on a styerene "pin" that I made from a piece of sprue. I just need to outline and detail the main entry hatch for the cockpit, and then "detail out" the various details still lacing on this model (panels, signage, etc).

Stay tuned... don't make Bert (yeah, I named him "Bert"!) angry...you wouldn't like him when he's angry...

 

[Thom]

On 12/6/2020 at 12:01 PM, MechTech said:

@electric indigo Is good comrade! Is much bedder dan deese:

The Soviets didn't have fiberglass yet, so can you believe they built the radar nosecone (radome) out of plywood? That's crazy by today's standards.

The lighthouse is getting there! The original belt drive was quiet and acted as a clutch in the event someone hit the plane as it spun around. The problem, the drive slipped all the time! So I built a whole new gearbox and drive train from scratch with brass - instead of styrene. There is a beefy 8mm steel shaft that spins on bearings and a sleeve bearing. The original circuit board ring was recycled from an old stereo circuit board. There were openings on the board that had to be soldered together. The solder while conducting electricity, also was soft and started to get picked up on the brushes causing them to foul and fail. So I broke down and went to Radio Shack for a copper clad board and milled it.

The next fun part was the shield to cover the lighting guts and keep the light focused (sleeve on right). It is styrene tubes made from old clear tape cores and glued together. It was cover on the inside with metal foil tape for duct installations. The hole will have a clear lens in it when done. Then I painted it silver.

The light window was a clear travel bottle for travel (probably for cream or salve). I was going to make the window panes from styrene, but when the light shined through it, you would see it. So I milled slots into the (bottle) window and placed brass square stock in it and glued it from the top allowing the glue to get in there through capillary action. It took longer to set up the mill than cut the slots!

And finally, everything pieced together. More detail work needed like doors, steps and railing. Thanks for checking in! - MT

 

Looking good. Will the motor have variable speed control so you can really whip it around the tower?

 

1 hour ago, pengbuzz said:

UPDATE:

Well, did some improvements to the Regult to bring it more "in line" to what it should actually look like:

I re-did the front faceplate to sit more flush with the rest of the main body. Additionally, I extended the "chin" on the main body, as it was way too small and was throwing off the look of the entire model.

The feet got a makeover also:

While not as curvy as they should be, they are a vast improvement from the previous ones that were barely there. To rebuild them, I used cardboard tubing and hot melt glue to build the feet up, then drilled a wooden dowel into the shin/ ankle to mount them on. I may do more improvements on them, so this is by no means "final".

Onto the top of the head, now:

Thanks to an early Christmas gift from a good friend ( ), I was able to make the mounting dome for the rearward head cannons. They swivel on a styerene "pin" that I made from a piece of sprue. I just need to outline and detail the main entry hatch for the cockpit, and then "detail out" the various details still lacing on this model (panels, signage, etc).

Stay tuned... don't make Bert (yeah, I named him "Bert"!) angry...you wouldn't like him when he's angry...

 

Good looking update! Ol' Bert is looking better and better!

[pengbuzz]

45 minutes ago, Thom said:

Looking good. Will the motor have variable speed control so you can really whip it around the tower?

 

Good looking update! Ol' Bert is looking better and better!

If I ever do a Glaug pod, I'll name it "Ernie"

[MechTech]

@pengbuzz Bert is looking good! Bert always was the grumpy one anyhow

@arbit Thanks! The gears are from old printer parts and a spur gear experimenters set.

@Thom Thanks! I hate to think what would happen I've already spent waaaaaaay too much time on this thing. - MT

[pengbuzz]

Taking a break from the Regult for a bit... kinda burned out on it. meantime, did a small side-project based on FEXT Hobbies' "Sci-Fi" hangar system (the one I saw in the following pic was specifically designed and printed custom for someone named "Saburo", for a Macross setup:

 

Well, being continually broke, I was left to my own devices (and paintbrush):

I put my own spin on it, doing just a small section with a door (based on the Macross Factory door). I didn't want to totally rip off the poor guy, but it was just too cool a display to not want!

 

[Thom]

4 hours ago, pengbuzz said:

Taking a break from the Regult for a bit... kinda burned out on it. meantime, did a small side-project based on FEXT Hobbies' "Sci-Fi" hangar system (the one I saw in the following pic was specifically designed and printed custom for someone named "Saburo", for a Macross setup:

 

Well, being continually broke, I was left to my own devices (and paintbrush):

I put my own spin on it, doing just a small section with a door (based on the Macross Factory door). I didn't want to totally rip off the poor guy, but it was just too cool a display to not want!

 

By doing it yourself, you're getting far more immediate results and with far more appreciation in the end. Great looking door!

[Photogirl]

Just got this friday.
Going to try and modify some to look like they have UN Spacy flight suits to go with my 1:72 Vf-1Js Max and Miriya

[pengbuzz]

13 minutes ago, Photogirl said:

Just got this friday.
Going to try and modify some to look like they have UN Spacy flight suits to go with my 1:72 Vf-1Js Max and Miriya

I've used that set for pilots before; should be an easy go of it!

[derex3592]

Runabout update! Rear cabin roof and LEDs installed, custom decals printed and installed for lots of screens all over the interior. I'm thinking that this ship would be a tactical command unit, so lots of big screen monitors and LCARS displays. Also sealed up, and puttied light leaks and seams on the impulse engines. 

[electric indigo]

So, how much of your incredible detail work will be visible when the hull is closed?

-

The MiG has entered the painting stage, sporting a fierce baby blue on the underbelly

[derex3592]

@electric indigo - Hopefully quite a bit through all the windows with the lights on full. The Mig is looking quite good! Very -- Russian!  

[electric indigo]

55 minutes ago, derex3592 said:

The Mig is looking quite good! Very -- Russian! 

Yeah, it's like they gave the design job to Kasimir Malewitsch.

I cannot recommend the Eduard kit highly enough, btw. It's a joy to put together.

[MechTech]

@pengbuzz I like your styling and color scheme. It looks great!

@Photogirl It's a Christmas miracle you even got that set; they're always out everywhere.

@derex3592 Your interior looks great! It will really give people something to look for inside. Now you lifted the bar, the outside has to look as good.

@electric indigo Your paint job makes even that gross color look good! The Soviets had some crazy ideas about colors to include their interiors. - MT

[Thom]

On 12/13/2020 at 11:26 AM, derex3592 said:

Runabout update! Rear cabin roof and LEDs installed, custom decals printed and installed for lots of screens all over the interior. I'm thinking that this ship would be a tactical command unit, so lots of big screen monitors and LCARS displays. Also sealed up, and puttied light leaks and seams on the impulse engines. 

T'would be a shame to close that interior up! But it would also be a shame to leave the model unfinished. I'm so confused!

On 12/13/2020 at 11:46 AM, electric indigo said:

So, how much of your incredible detail work will be visible when the hull is closed?

-

The MiG has entered the painting stage, sporting a fierce baby blue on the underbelly

Looking good! Nice modulation in the color.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Thom

[electric indigo]

Thanks, Thom. Here is the top, primed with Tamiya light grey and the weathering pass for the grey parts of the camouflage.

[neptunesurvey]

Derex, Is that the DS9 station?

Some of the latest projects.  Sorry for the out of focus for the SSD.  That is the 1/100000 Bandai and it was a pain to light.  I used 13 pico orange leds and about 15 feet of .10mm fiber optic.  The other model I printed over the weekend, 1/1000 UN Spacy Corvette.  I have another 8-10 ready to paint or almost finished and should have some more finished over the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[Thom]

6 minutes ago, neptunesurvey said:

Derex, Is that the DS9 station?

Some of the latest projects.  Sorry for the out of focus for the SSD.  That is the 1/100000 Bandai and it was a pain to light.  I used 13 pico orange leds and about 15 feet of .10mm fiber optic.  The other model I printed over the weekend, 1/1000 UN Spacy Corvette.  I have another 8-10 ready to paint or almost finished and should have some more finished over the next 2-3 weeks.

 

Wow, love that corvette! Is that your own design?

[sketchley]

2 minutes ago, Thom said:

Wow, love that corvette! Is that your own design?

It's from Macross II.

[neptunesurvey]

Like Sketchley said it is from Macross II.  I have had the files for a few years now.

 

[Thom]

13 hours ago, sketchley said:

It's from Macross II.

 

13 hours ago, neptunesurvey said:

Like Sketchley said it is from Macross II.  I have had the files for a few years now.

 

Cool thanks! Been so long since Ive seen it that I only really remember the Macross Cannon ships, the Hercules and the Gloria.

At about 12 inches long at 1/1000, she's a big girl too! Every thought of doing the Stealth Cruiser?

[derex3592]

15 hours ago, neptunesurvey said:

Derex, Is that the DS9 station?

Some of the latest projects.  Sorry for the out of focus for the SSD.  That is the 1/100000 Bandai and it was a pain to light.  I used 13 pico orange leds and about 15 feet of .10mm fiber optic.  The other model I printed over the weekend, 1/1000 UN Spacy Corvette.  I have another 8-10 ready to paint or almost finished and should have some more finished over the next 2-3 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing tiny work on that SSD! @neptunesurvey!  If you were asking about the screen decal with the space station on it, yes, that is the DS-9 station. I tried to get all DS-9 referenced monitor displays for the interior. I cheated on a couple, but most are from the show at some point, having to do with the wormhole, the Dominion invasion or Runabout systems.  I even photoshoped a tiny Sisco/Dax image into a spot on one of them.  It's the thought that counts right? 

Edited December 17, 2020 by derex3592

[electric indigo]

Second camo pass – time for some greens

Going for some nice speculars with the weathering pass

 

 

[sketchley]

1 hour ago, Thom said:

 

Cool thanks! Been so long since Ive seen it that I only really remember the Macross Cannon ships, the Hercules and the Gloria.

At about 12 inches long at 1/1000, she's a big girl too! Every thought of doing the Stealth Cruiser?

I think that ship only shows up in the final episode.

According to Entertainment Bible No. 51 (Macross II themed), it's called the "Standard Battleship", and is an amalgamation of human and Zentradi technologies (the other human ships basically don't incorporate Zentradi tech to an as noteworthy extent).

Edited December 17, 2020 by sketchley

[electric indigo]

Camo #3:

 

[derex3592]

Mig's looking great! Playing with fiber optics today.. 1st Fiber Optic try.. Green 12volt LED with heat shrink of various sizes and a tiny bit of e tape.. Superglue the fiber to the top of the LED and flush mounted on a piece of styrene.. easy! 

[MechTech]

@neptunesurvey Someone's been busy printin'! Those came out great! Your lighting looks realistic too!

@electric indigo Nice-n-clean paint as usual!

@derex3592 Looking good! That's a cool way of blacking out and connecting your LEDs. - MT

[Thom]

@electric indigo Very cool on the camo!

[MechTech]

Despite the cold, got a couple of rattle can coats of paint on the lighthouse. Then quickly brought it inside to cure and stink up my shop

A long time ago I bought a nebulizer from a thrift store. (if you don't go to thrift stores, I HIGHLY recommend you do). It works awesome as an airbrush compressor. Only problem is I was jerry-rigging the hose for it and it has a slight pulse to the airflow (like most straight compressors do without a tank. With the cold weather, I thought now is a good time to make the compressor work right for its new job. I've seen people add old soda bottles in-line with the airflow to act as a capacitor and eliminate the pulses. So I thought I'd do the same, but more rugged. So I got some 1" copper pipe fittings since they were the cheapest way to make a metal tank (low pressure tank).

 

Then I machined male/female rims into the edges to make them easy to solder together securely.

Here are the two tanks joined together with the ribbed inlet and the outlet tube which is rough until I add the fitting to it. The output will always bleed off, so this is a low pressure sett up. There is a tank connector built into the inside end caps.

Here is how everything will fit into the existing case. The power switch and outlet will all be on top to make it easier to use. I'm adding a handle to the top to make it tactical too.

 

Thanks for checking in everyone! - MT