joscasle Posted April 5, 2015 Posted April 5, 2015 Your health is so important because I want to buy more kits from you!!!! Take care please!! Quote
MechTech Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 I was gonna clown about the pinvise stuck in the hand of the model, but real pain- OWEEEEEeeee! Heal up! - MT Quote
captain america Posted April 7, 2015 Author Posted April 7, 2015 It really isn't all that serious guys, I've mangled myself waaay worse in the past and lived to tell the tale. I was already back to work yesterday and will have an update for you all on Friday. Phil: never hurt myself with a pin-vise, but this one time I did have a little incident with a box-cutter... Quote
MechTech Posted April 8, 2015 Posted April 8, 2015 He he, I was talking about the model photo with the pin vise in it, but oweee again. I tore my thumb open disconnecting my shop vac for cleaning when the screwdriver slipped out of the connecting tab. Two weeks later it's finally healed! Glad your back at the bench!-MT Quote
captain america Posted April 10, 2015 Author Posted April 10, 2015 Captain's log: Friday, April 10th. Despite the depressing, rainy weather, I'm happy to say that Norbert-Gerard (N-Ger) is progressing nicely!DSCF5317: a little bit of putty work on the lower legs is the opening attraction for this update. The piece on the left having been sanded-down while the leg on the right is still hardening. One useful trait with polyester putty is that it goes through a rubbery pre-hardening stage whereby you can carve excess putty with a sharp knife to minimize sanding and grinding once it's fully hardened.DSCF5318: one of the thruster balls which is now almost completely shaped and awaiting details.DSCF5319: the hip/thigh/crotch-guard. I took care to try to keep the attachment system for the hip pockets as close to the line-art as possible.DSCF5320: the back-pack with the thruster units temporarily affixed. More detailing and slight changes yet to come.DSCF5321: the forearm unit showing the "bands" that run across the outer portion. I decided to make these vents and spent an inordinate amount of time carefully crafting these to the shape of the arm. I probably could have just scribed them but I felt that the extra touch was worth the effort.DSCF5322-DSCF5323: the hands are another area where I spent significant time and attention. The line-art shows some sort of big knuckle-guard but doesn't elaborate on whether the unit is gloved or not, only that the shapes are rounded. I used the little metal balls that make-up a lamp switch for the knuckles, as I felt that this was a practical knuckle design and they just look cool! Like the 1/32 Legioss, the fingers will be separate.DSCF5324: the main cannon along with the mounting arm. I may shorten the lower arm just a tad to make sure that the cannon sits well centered on the back, but you will have the option to build it with the gun facing forward in attack mode as well.DSCF5325-DSCF5328: this is what it looks like with most pieces hastily-assembled. Most of the big shapes are done and I'm starting to work more on details and the cockpit. I did take a few liverties with the overall dimensions of the body parts. Nothing major, just a little tweek here and there to make it more elegant and less clown-like.I've always felt that this particular mecha was under-appreciated and had loads of potential. I also wanted to achieve a balance of faithfulness to the line-art and the super-elegant, curvy version that I made 22 years ago. So far I think that I've surpassed my own expectations and I hope that you will approve as well. That's it for this week, so until next time… Play safe!! Quote
sbantonelli Posted April 10, 2015 Posted April 10, 2015 God, your model is a gazillion times better than the boring static Bandai version. I'm so glad you decided to do this kit! Quote
captain america Posted April 10, 2015 Author Posted April 10, 2015 God, your model is a gazillion times better than the boring static Bandai version. I'm so glad you decided to do this kit! To be fair, I don't think that Imai (later Bandai) ever really made an effort with that kit other than with the box-art. Side-by-side comparison from left to right: the Imai 1/100 (1/144), my customized Imai 1/100, my 1/72 scratchbuild and the line-art. Quote
MechTech Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 That's lookin' awesome! Love the hand design and use of the pull chain!- MT Quote
captain america Posted April 16, 2015 Author Posted April 16, 2015 Hi guys, I'll have a quick update tomorrow. I'm down to detailing with mostly the cockpit left and a few bits here and there. I really don't know what was running through the designer's mind when he drew this thing, there are so many unusual shapes and details that have been so very challenging to get right. Not enough perspective grids and too much wacky tobacky if you ask me. Thankfully I'm almost there! Quote
captain america Posted April 17, 2015 Author Posted April 17, 2015 Captain's log: Friday, April 17th. It's in the home stretch now that the big stuff is out of the way. The detailing fun is in full-swing and coming along nicely.DSCF5341: underside foot detailing in its initial stages of plotting. I don't need to draft both sides since I can just cookie-cut once one side is done.DSCF5342: the barrel for the glorified flare gun that is the sidearm of the Ger.DSCF5349: more flare gun action. While this thing is NOT practical from a functional standpoint, I do find it rather nifty.DSCF5348: thrusters now have detail, just a few other nick-knacks to add to the backpack unit for it to be complete.DSCF5350: comparison of the Ger unit with a soldier to give you a better idea of the size.DSCF5351-53: typical beauty shots with some added detailing. Rivets and other details will be added once the parts are primed, though I wanted to take some pics before the primer coat to show how very little putty was employed for these masters.So back to the shop I go to do a bit of cleaning… I'll snap a few pics of just how much modeling board ends up on the shop floor in the next update. Until then, play safe and enjoy the weekend! Quote
MechTech Posted April 18, 2015 Posted April 18, 2015 That DEFINITELY blows away any of the other previosly versions of this model! I love the backpack details, especially the engines.-MT Quote
ce25254 Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 So the soldier will theoretically fit inside this? How far down would his legs go into the suit's legs? I imagine he'd be pretty sore after riding in that suit all day — or maybe that's why they need the wacky tobacky! Quote
jardann Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 Hooo! Boy! I've always been a bit "meh" about this mech. Definitely wasn't one of my favorites. But, seeing all of the kick-assery that the Captain is putting into this model is making me more and more excited to get my grubby mitts on one! Keep up the great work Cap! and thanks! Quote
captain america Posted April 20, 2015 Author Posted April 20, 2015 So the soldier will theoretically fit inside this? How far down would his legs go into the suit's legs? I imagine he'd be pretty sore after riding in that suit all day — or maybe that's why they need the wacky tobacky! LMAO! Yes, the soldier "theoretically" fits inside the mech. If you examine some of the line-art, the soldier should be 50% bigger and still somehow be able to squeeze into that iron coffin. The cockpit will be VERY tight in the shoulder area since his arms are not in the mech's arms, but inside the rectangular bathtub area of the chest while the pilot's legs barely go below the calf area. Don't look at me man, I didn't design this thing, I'm just trying to make it work! Quote
Ghadrack Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 To Quote the Illustrious Mr. T. "I Pity the Foo" who would subject his crotch to that suit. As with most of these mecha the hip joints would completely obliterate your junk if you weren't in the fetal position in the cockpit area while piloting. Do you have any idea when you'll be looking for final payments? Wonderfest in Kentucky is at the end of May, I was just plotting out my fun-money budget for the next few pay periods Quote
captain america Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 To Quote the Illustrious Mr. T. "I Pity the Foo" who would subject his crotch to that suit. As with most of these mecha the hip joints would completely obliterate your junk if you weren't in the fetal position in the cockpit area while piloting. Do you have any idea when you'll be looking for final payments? Wonderfest in Kentucky is at the end of May, I was just plotting out my fun-money budget for the next few pay periods If all goes as planned, balance payments will be due first week of May. Quote
captain america Posted April 24, 2015 Author Posted April 24, 2015 A little preview of the completed masters. I completely redesigned the shoulder joint at the last minute to give the pilot a bit more room at the shoulders/arms. I did cheat and carry-over ONE part from the Regult: the back cushion with a few small tweaks. Quote
CHAVAKAISER Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) Awesome!! Edited April 24, 2015 by CHAVAKAISER Quote
captain america Posted April 24, 2015 Author Posted April 24, 2015 Tomorrow has arrived! I didn't get too crazy with the pose to avoid damaging the masters, but it's all there. Little details being added at the last second in my usual, spontaneous fashion, hope you enjoy! Will have a pic or two of the back and the pistol later tomorrow, er... Today. Will begin mold-prep on Monday and the usual updates will follow Quote
milhouse Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 Awesome!! That image is totally what I felt when I saw the completed masters! (also reminds me of my youth and watching that show) Tomorrow has arrived! I didn't get too crazy with the pose to avoid damaging the masters, but it's all there. Little details being added at the last second in my usual, spontaneous fashion, hope you enjoy! Will have a pic or two of the back and the pistol later tomorrow, er... Today. Will begin mold-prep on Monday and the usual updates will follow Criminy, that is one amazing Ger! Those details are superb!!!! (more exclamation points!)... kinda wish I went the 1/72 route instead of 1/100 :'( Quote
captain america Posted April 24, 2015 Author Posted April 24, 2015 That image is totally what I felt when I saw the completed masters! (also reminds me of my youth and watching that show) Criminy, that is one amazing Ger! Those details are superb!!!! (more exclamation points!)... kinda wish I went the 1/72 route instead of 1/100 :'( Thanks for the kind words, I really just build my models the way I think that they would look IRL, which hopefully coincides with the expectations of my patrons. That said, a few more pics of the masters: mostly ancillary details that otherwise are taken for granted. I tweaked the main cannon mount so as to allow not only unobstructed egress/ingress of the pilot, but you can also point it forward in attack mode if you wish. Quote
MechTech Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 I love it all man, down to the last detail! That came out AAA-AWESOME!!! - MT Quote
cool8or Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Oh man, we'll need to build a Moscato Museum!! Every project that you do, it becomes a piece of art!!! Quote
sbantonelli Posted April 25, 2015 Posted April 25, 2015 Incredible! Your models are simply incredible! The problem is that now I have try to aquire them all. Quote
neko_fr Posted April 29, 2015 Posted April 29, 2015 Your work is giving this mecha all its glory back! From the previous kit available I didn't like this mecha, but now it looks as serious as the others (it reminds me when Zentraedi are trying to still a protoculture chamber, in robotech, they're using N-ger, as special forces). I thank you for that! Quote
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