1/48 Hasegawa Hikaru VF-1A Super w/Launch Arm and Base

[mslz22]

Got the molds for the 1/48 Launch arm done and i have been doing some work on and off on the 1/48 Hasegawa kit since i got it all those months ago.

Couple of quick pics to start. One of the most important parts of the launch arm to pin is the "swing arm" thingy to the "grabber" thingy. It's actually the connection that i am the most concerned with. I centered a 3/32nd brass pin to go thru the meat of the grabber thingy and the swing arm along with a 1/16 pin on the side for a little extra reinforcement, that along with the CA on the unpainted resin should provide a strong connection.

Few pics to start.

[Jefuemon]

I am purposely waiting on starting my Super VF-1A until you get the launch arm finished and available. Looking good so far.

Edited June 28, 2014 by Jefuemon

[Benson13]

Will it support a 1/48 toy or is this only intended for a model?

Edited June 28, 2014 by Benson13

[mslz22]

It's just for the hasegawa model, the toys are too heavy and you would need to drill a hole thru the backplate/rear wings etc to attach it. The attachment point is not the actual "grabbers" those a just for show, the attachment is made via a screw that will attach to a reinforcement plate under the chestplate/backplate of the model thru the backpack and into the grabber unit.

I do not plan on selling the launch arm and base until I am SURE, that it's a reasonably strong connection. I am pretty sure at the moment, the Hasegawa kit is actually pretty light, and the launch arm has brass cast into it, the connection of the launch arm and the base is very strong, the above model to grabber unit is very strong, the only one i have a tiny bit of concern about is the one in the pics above.

I sized up a print out of the line art for the launch arm to get the proportions, it's actually a fairly elegant design, which is another way of saying it's got potential strength issues in that connection.

I do think it will be fine as long as it's pinned the way i have it, and CA'd before painting or priming, the bare resin to resin connection is very strong as long as there is no paint.

mike

[mslz22]

More done today between other stuff.

The main boom has extra length on the brass than is needed for the assembly. I did this for a couple of reasons. 1. The extra length assures the proper placement in the boom castings. 2. The extra length extends beyond the mold so no resin gets in the tube, needed if you plan to run any power up to your valk.

You will need to trim a bit off, be sure to get as much of the brass into the swing arm as possible.

Also seen here is what i call the receiver unit. You can see that the screw is cast into the part. This is so that this part has threads in it, that is it has threads in it once you back the screw all the way out.

It will become clear why that is important later on, but it has to do with not only strength but the ability to tweak the high of the whole launch arm assembly relative to the valk later on.

mike

[mslz22]

Here is the reinforcement plate for the chestplate area, this will require a little modification to the bottom of this assembly. It will require a trim to how the wings attach as well, but more on that later.

It's as big as it is to distribute the weight of the valk to launch arm assembly over the biggest surface in attempt to minimize any possible "tilting" or distortion of the valk once attached.

You will see a dimple on the plate, you will need to drill a 5/32nd hole thru the resin part, then CA the resin plate to the top chestplate with a very even coat of CA to get the maximum advantage of the reinforcement plate. The hole that you drilled will be your guide to start the drilling in the chestplate.

[vincemoto7]

Great work so far... Just wondering if you have anymore updates on this project and if you have an idea on what you'll be selling it for?

[mslz22]

I won't be finishing my own build until the weapons set is released. I was planning on making my own UMM7 to finish this but there is no point in that now, I can wait a bit.

I just want to do a stress test on the arm then i can start selling to you guys. I am almost 100% that it's fine, but want to make sure. Ultimately it would be up to the builder to make sure that the arm and components are pinned and secure, but i want to be sure that it won't be my fault if anything goes astray.

The mold for this are 100% done, so I will try to get around to a quick test soon so I can get it in your hands soon. Price is up in the air but will be very reasonable for something as big as the arm and base are in 1/48.

thanks

mike

[mslz22]

Stress test looks good!

I have about 80% of the weight on it and it looks pretty darn solid. I will likely start a for sale thread over the weekend.

thanks

mike