1/72 Bandai VF-1J build

[ulvdemon]

Well, I've been meaning to build a Macross model, so here I go.  Haven't build something from the macros Universe in something like 30 years.  This particular model didn't come with instructions and what I was able to print off is all in Japanese, so I am going slow as I try to figure out how the build should come along. 

Enjoy everyone.

Edited August 28, 2017 by ulvdemon

[kajnrig]

Hm... Interesting. Was this part of the transformable kits from back in the day (not Bandai's new 2011?-ish one), or is this a fixed fighter mode kit? Either way, vintage kits are always exciting. Can't wait to see how this goes. Good job so far.

[no3Ljm]

27 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

Hm... Interesting. Was this part of the transformable kits from back in the day (not Bandai's new 2011?-ish one), or is this a fixed fighter mode kit? Either way, vintage kits are always exciting. Can't wait to see how this goes. Good job so far.

I used to have one of this before -- Hikaru VF-1S. It's a fixed mode kit though the legs have articulation.

 

[ulvdemon]

This is shaping up to be an interesting build.  Since I had to find the instructions online, it has been challenge to build.  Escpecially since I am going to paint this in a different type of paint scheme.   Thinking of doing this one in a Have Glass V paint scheme.  Go colorful on my Hasegawa VF-1 or VF-11

[jardann]

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I've got one of these waiting in the stash. I do like these old vintage kits. They had some great detailing for their time. Keep up the good work, and let us know if the kit presents any snags or tricky bits!

[ulvdemon]

 Morning everyone.  Still working on this build, just do not have a lot of time to build.  Everything except for the cockpit and forward section has been build.  As it stands, looks like I will have to paint in sections when it comes   time to paint.  Trying to decide on which version to build since the kit came with heads to make either a A/J/ or an S model VF-1.

 

Edited September 11, 2017 by ulvdemon
Image issues

[Nyankodevice]

i always loved the A and J versions the most...

be interesting to which you go with

[ulvdemon]

I am partial to using the S version head.  Unless it will fit my Hasegawa kit which is a J, then I might us the J version and then use the S version for that.  The one thing I've noticed is that there are parts to make it as Gerwalk version.  So hopefully, there are parts t make it with wheels up.

[slide]

13 hours ago, ulvdemon said:

I am partial to using the S version head.  Unless it will fit my Hasegawa kit which is a J, then I might us the J version and then use the S version for that.  The one thing I've noticed is that there are parts to make it as Gerwalk version.  So hopefully, there are parts t make it with wheels up.

Old kits tend not to provide closed wheel-well doors.

you'll have to cut the tabs off the provided 'open' ones and DIY it.

[ulvdemon]

1 hour ago, slide said:

Old kits tend not to provide closed wheel-well doors.

you'll have to cut the tabs off the provided 'open' ones and DIY it.

Going to get to color myself lucky, this kit has no nose wheel location at all, even though the instructions say so.  So no need to provide surgery.  Guess because the kit can be built as a fighter or a gerwalk.

[slide]

10 hours ago, ulvdemon said:

Going to get to color myself lucky, this kit has no nose wheel location at all, even though the instructions say so.  So no need to provide surgery.  Guess because the kit can be built as a fighter or a gerwalk.

Nice!

score another for Bandai lol

[Return To Kit Form]

I have a new found love for these old kits although these days they are not easy to come by. The only sore point for me is the nose which is why I am making a resin replacement available soon for anyone that wants to update their old kit.

 

Nice clean work on the build so far. Are you brush painting this one?

[ulvdemon]

Thanks, as stated this will be my first Macross build in something like 30 years.  Last one was the R.O.B.O.T.S one that transformed.  Once I get the seams fixed, I will be airbrushing the model.   As it stands, I might gold tint the canopy and do this one in a gray camo style.

[ulvdemon]

Still working on this, had to put it on hold due to life.  Currently attempting to paint the pilot.  (Freakin' small!) Also handling some of the seams.  Since the plane will be a dark gray, was trying to put the color on the pilot.

[MechTech]

That kit is coming along great! The shape of the nose always bothered me too. The extra mini-binder data card that came in each one (that hopefully you got) were really cool too. Mine are framed in my shop. - MT

[ulvdemon]

Coming back to this after a hiatus.  Had to look for some decal instructions since it wasn't with the kit when I bought it.  Definitely will be doing this in a 2 tone gray scheme, so looking into how many of the decals will look good with the model once it's built since they are for a blue/white scheme.   

[Urashiman]

On 8/28/2017 at 6:40 PM, ulvdemon said:

Well, I've been meaning to build a Macross model, so here I go.  Haven't build something from the macros Universe in something like 30 years.  This particular model didn't come with instructions and what I was able to print off is all in Japanese, so I am going slow as I try to figure out how the build should come along. 

Enjoy everyone.

I was thinking about buying one of those old bandai molds as well - how does it build? The old ARII kits were not fitting well, and the old VF-2ss needed much sanding, so how are the old Bandai kits?

[ulvdemon]

I find this a fun kit, even though I can't read the instructions. ( I do cannot read Japanese).  Only required a little bit of surgery since I am building this a wheels up in flight display versus wheels down.  It's been awhile since I compared the sprues to my Hasegawa VF-1, but I do know that I am going to have to paint some of the parts before completing the assembly.

[ulvdemon]

So I just finished priming the parts this weekend. (Vallejo Primer -Black).  In reference to some of the parts that need to be painted such as the boosters and armor, I was thinking of using Blackened Steel or Gunmetal Gray for that.  Natural Steel for the thrusters/feet and some of the some odd and end vents on the VF-11 itself.  Since I am going to be using a two tone gray camo scheme, I think that should work.

Any thoughts?

[ulvdemon]

Here are a couple of images with the build primed.  Not the best of photo's since I was in a rush.  As you can tell, the Vallejo Gloss Black Primer is very shiny for sure.

 

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by ulvdemon

[pengbuzz]

On 11/11/2020 at 9:18 AM, ulvdemon said:

So I just finished priming the parts this weekend. (Vallejo Primer -Black).  In reference to some of the parts that need to be painted such as the boosters and armor, I was thinking of using Blackened Steel or Gunmetal Gray for that.  Natural Steel for the thrusters/feet and some of the some odd and end vents on the VF-11 itself.  Since I am going to be using a two tone gray camo scheme, I think that should work.

Any thoughts?

I think that would be quite interesting; combine that with maybe a silver drybrush for the engine details and perhaps a metallic blu-egrey /gunmetal drybrush for the armor and see how that works.

[ulvdemon]

So, I had some time to work on this build.  I went with the Black Grey for the armor on the legs plus the boosters.  I went ahead and hand painted them because the issue with trying to airbrush regular Vallejo paint.  Not worth the hassle, but I should have thinned the paints.  I might have to sand it down and do it again.  Weird thing that occurred, the Black Grey came out darker during the initial paint, but more gray when I painted the gun and the booster.  I can live with that.  I apologize for the lighting, I am working in an unfinished basement and I can not get the lighting to work right between the light on the bench and the overhead lights.

[ulvdemon]

Was able to work some more on this again.  Having issues with pushing paint through my Paasche H airbrush.  It's slow going but getting there.

The below is from Saturday:

 

 

This is a continuation on Sunday.  The paint is coming along, just very slowly.  Vallejo Air even thinned and my airbrush are not getting along.  

[MechTech]

@ulvdemon Your build is looking good! If you're having problems with the paint coming out of your airbrush, it may be too thick. Especially if it splatters or has a texture to the finish. Some of the guys in my club really thin out the paint and use multiple layers to coat their builds. - MT

[ulvdemon]

Hopefully I will be able to work on this build this weekend.  It's coming along slowly but surely.    I will look into thinking it more, but I had issues with the primer being thinned too much.

[Bolt]

Most excellent job! Mine is still sitting in the box. Lol. 

[ulvdemon]

Haha... I still have a Hasegawa VF-1 and a VF-11 to build and paint!

[ulvdemon]

Still in the painting part of the build, I've attached what I paint scheme I am going for.  I am leaning more towards the second option with the seperate darker gray over the first.  Any thoughts?

 

The images I found on this forum, but I forgot to get the name of the person who provided the line art.  Thank you very much to the person who provided, I will edit to give credit if needed.

Edited December 16, 2020 by ulvdemon

[peter]

Oooooo....I built one of these last year!  Didn't do a very good job of it.  For mine, I tried to fix the nose, and used a bunch of Hasegawa weapons, decals and pilot leftovers. 

[ulvdemon]

Okay, this is strange.  I could have sworn I posted the completed pictures.  So here they are.  I finished this up in February of 2021.  Of course since I wanted to a paint scheme with a slight metallic sheen, then I hear there will be a low viz version coming out in 1/48 scale!   Gotta love it.  

Did have a slight issue with the canopy fogging.  I might have accidentally used superglue and just wasn't paying attention.  Overall I am proud of this one.  Could still work on the seams, but I am happy with getting more practice with doing the paint scheme and trying out the Vallejo Air line for the main colors.

 

Edited May 26, 2021 by ulvdemon

[jardann]

That's a good looking build! Thanks for coming back and posting up those finished pics!

I definitely dig that color scheme! I especially like the dark grey for the boosters/armor parts. It gives an excellent industrial/utilitarian look. Even though you mentioned some airbrushing problems, it looks like you managed a nice smooth finish with the paint. The simple red roundels look good against the grey too.

Seams are the bane of all modelers! Especially on those older kits. Although my experience has shown the Bandai kits are better than the Imai/Arii kits by a landslide! I know I've had kits that felt like I put hours into filling and sanding seams only to see them show through the paint like trenches! As a modeler, there's always room for improvement on your next kit, but you've definitely got a good model for your display shelf there!

Just an idea: I'd love to see some subtle silver or gunmetal drybrushing on those big thruster nozzles and all the little small nozzles. I bet that would really make them pop and look great against those dark grey armor parts!

Keep up the great work!

[ulvdemon]

Something to consider.  I have the model displayed at work, shouldn't be hard to do.  Great thing to do for practice.