captain america Posted August 28, 2023 Posted August 28, 2023 Hello, all. As Brett over at @return2kitform has been teasing over the last several weeks, I would like to announce that @moscatohobbymodels and Return 2 Kit Form are back, but in a slightly different way. As such, we would like to offer a re-issue of the massive 1/72 Tacticar Pod Graug kit, which I would be molding and casting myself. This is one of the largest kits I've mastered, and it hasn't been available since 2009. Because of the awkward design, this kit would feature certain load-bearing parts cast in high-strength polymer with inserts for optimal strength and rigidity. Other features include: -faithful cockpit detail -a seated pilot figure included -full color decals (not included in the original release.) In order for this project to go forward, we need a minimum of 10 orders. If you missed this kit when it was first released, the opportunity is before you now, 14 years later. Also, and this is VERY important: I will only producing enough kits to fill pre-orders. If you don't get in by the cutoff date of September 18, no other kits will be available. If you're interested, please send me a private message. Posting in the thread only will not be construed as interest. Base kit price w/o shipping is $510 cad. Countdown begins now! Quote
Raikkonen Posted August 28, 2023 Posted August 28, 2023 Does "Hyper joint with no mobility" means it's not posable? Quote
captain america Posted August 28, 2023 Author Posted August 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Raikkonen said: Does "Hyper joint with no mobility" means it's not posable? Correct. Quote
Bolt Posted August 28, 2023 Posted August 28, 2023 Love this kit! Very excited to see this version. I have the previous release. Would love a pilot! Quote
captain america Posted August 29, 2023 Author Posted August 29, 2023 17 hours ago, Bolt said: Love this kit! Very excited to see this version. I have the previous release. Would love a pilot! The original issue came with a pilot. Quote
Bolt Posted August 29, 2023 Posted August 29, 2023 48 minutes ago, captain america said: The original issue came with a pilot. I need to recheck mine then ! Don't recall seeing that . Bought it off another MW member.. Quote
captain america Posted August 30, 2023 Author Posted August 30, 2023 (edited) The MOQ for this project was hit barely 24 hours after the launch--I'm floored! I think it's safe to say the project is going ahead, so I'll be sending payment requests early next week. If you're still putting funds aside, be at ease: the order window is and remains open until September 18. Thank you to all who are supporting this project! Edited August 30, 2023 by captain america Quote
captain america Posted September 5, 2023 Author Posted September 5, 2023 For those who weren't around back in the day, know that this is a BIG model!! Quote
captain america Posted September 5, 2023 Author Posted September 5, 2023 1 hour ago, Bolt said: Is that the Arii kit , for comparison? That's the Matchbox toy. I have pic to compare with the ARII 1/72 box. Quote
captain america Posted September 7, 2023 Author Posted September 7, 2023 Captain's Log: September 7, 2023. Time flies! I find myself unpacking a box of master-patterns I haven't seen in 14 years—the Tacticar Pod Graug! Oh, the memories of things long past. To my knowledge, they'd been sold to someone who tried to get a run of kits going, but may not have been entirely successful, so Brett over at Return 2 Kit Form was able to acquire them for a reasonable price. Upon inspecting the parts, I can understand why. Some of the patterns had become damaged with use, and repairing them wouldn't be an obvious task, given that much of the detailing was done with my own custom-made tools. With Brett's approval, I had the masters sent to me for inspection and refurbishing. Aside from a few missing components and molding fractures on the hull, most of the damage was minor, but scattered across multiple parts. Not an easy task, but not impossible. I was able to restore the surface rivet detail using the same custom-made punch I used 14 years ago, and with a little elbow grease, all the little dings and cracks are repaired. One component which probably didn't survive the molding process was the pivoting armored face shield for the helmet. It was a rather thin part to begin with, and what came in the box was a very crude casting of the part which looks like it had been filled with a generous amount of putty to plug the eye holes and make the casting thicker and easier to manage. Thankfully, the resin is forgiving, so I was able to re-carve and shape the component to where it now fits on the helmet and looks the part. The next step will be to prep and seal all the parts for molding, and the construction of some custom mold boxes to handle these massive components. Stay tuned! Quote
captain america Posted September 14, 2023 Author Posted September 14, 2023 (edited) Final call for this baby! The deadline to get in is noon September 18th Eastern time and I'm closed Sundays, so move it or lose it. Edited September 14, 2023 by captain america Quote
CoryHolmes Posted September 15, 2023 Posted September 15, 2023 This... is... How big is the finished kit? And since this is a rather... older... product, do you see any differences from your more recent work, engineering or casting-wise? Quote
captain america Posted September 18, 2023 Author Posted September 18, 2023 On 9/15/2023 at 7:33 AM, CoryHolmes said: This... is... How big is the finished kit? And since this is a rather... older... product, do you see any differences from your more recent work, engineering or casting-wise? Roughly 35cm tall. I think the (over)engineering holds-up fairly well. The struggle is in that middle ground where you want to make things as easy to cast as possible, but still have enough of a parts breakdown to facilitate painting. Quote
captain america Posted September 27, 2023 Author Posted September 27, 2023 Captain's log: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 Apologies for the long silence, I've had some logistical challenges to overcome, but I've been diligently working on the molds, which are in full-swing. Because some parts are not only large but oddly-shaped, I've had to construct custom mold boxes to hold those parts. A task hindered by the fact that the intermediate owner of the masters failed to give Brett the master-castings I made for all the duplicate parts—requiring more time and effort for preparation. Alas, things are moving along well. Proofs the decals look fantastic, so a massive thank you to Devin for being able to print these on such short notice. Assuming all goes to plan, I should have the molds done by the end of next week. Stay tuned! Quote
Shawn Posted September 27, 2023 Posted September 27, 2023 If police ever raided your workplace they wouldn't have any clue what you are doing there-they'd probably call an explosives team and wait for the all-clear. Love seeing the behind the scenes shots at your bakery Quote
CoryHolmes Posted October 1, 2023 Posted October 1, 2023 I am always mesmerized by the pink goo Quote
captain america Posted October 6, 2023 Author Posted October 6, 2023 Speaking of pink goo, I haven't drowned in it yet!! The long silence is merely due to the utter volume of mold material I've had to pour over the last week. 16 molds and > 20 lbs of pink goo. Test-shots have come out great, but pics will only come early next week. Quote
Shawn Posted October 6, 2023 Posted October 6, 2023 If you put the pink goo in the toaster and play some music does it start dancing around? (Bad Ghostbusters 2 ref...sorry) Quote
CoryHolmes Posted October 9, 2023 Posted October 9, 2023 On 10/5/2023 at 11:15 PM, Shawn said: If you put the pink goo in the toaster and play some music does it start dancing around? (Bad Ghostbusters 2 ref...sorry) Now I'll never be able to unthink this when looking at the Pink Goo. I hope you're happy with yourself! Quote
captain america Posted October 11, 2023 Author Posted October 11, 2023 Captain's Log: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 When I'm quiet, it means I'm busy! After completing the molds using almost 30 lbs of silicone, the casting is now fully underway... Well, sort of. I had one mold (forearm cannons) split on me. The result was buckled castings, so it needed to be redone, much to my ire. With that out of the way, the actual castings look excellent, and I should have all the parts cast in the next couple of weeks. 17.HEIC 18.HEIC 19.HEIC 20.HEIC Quote
captain america Posted October 23, 2023 Author Posted October 23, 2023 Humungous and glorious!! Quote
505thAirborne Posted October 23, 2023 Posted October 23, 2023 Looks amazing Captain!! However, I spy with my little eye something equally cool in the background. Quote
tekering Posted October 26, 2023 Posted October 26, 2023 On 10/24/2023 at 3:44 AM, 505thAirborne said: I spy with my little eye something equally cool in the background. Looks like a Monstrously large set of arms... 😲 Quote
Delta-One-One Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 On 10/23/2023 at 7:44 PM, 505thAirborne said: Looks amazing Captain!! However, I spy with my little eye something equally cool in the background. Probably need a bank balance equally as big to afford it. Judging by what I can see, the overall size would be approaching that of the table it's sat on! Quote
captain america Posted November 1, 2023 Author Posted November 1, 2023 Kits are now shipping; should have the rest out by Tuesday at the latest. Quote
tekering Posted November 3, 2023 Posted November 3, 2023 On 11/2/2023 at 4:01 AM, captain america said: Kits are now shipping; should have the rest out by Tuesday at the latest. Probably a good time to repost the destructions, then! ☺️ Quote
captain america Posted November 3, 2023 Author Posted November 3, 2023 There are some minor changes to the instructions, but all easily recognizable. Quote
tekering Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Man, this kit is a bear. Moscato Hobby's come a long way since 2009. 😬 The cockpit's finally ready to paint: Testing colors... Quote
tekering Posted March 21 Posted March 21 It stands! It's quite monstrously large. 😋 Now, if I may be permitted to preach to the choir, I'd like to address the issue of scale: Official stats (and actual onscreen interaction) establish the Glaug at 16.55 meters high, meaning Moscato's model is really 1:48 scale: Official stats also claim a height of 11.85 meters for Quamzin, which makes Moscato's figure a reliable 1:72 scale. However, the seated figure barely squeezes into the hollow shell of the Glaug, and in an awkward pose not consistent with the animation. After putting the pilot into a proper seated position, I had to cut off his legs at the shins just to fit him in. Note how the 1:72 pilot is much larger (and more deeply recessed) than what we see depicted in the anime: Experten's 1:100 Quamzin 03350 figure is much more accurately-scaled to the mecha. So logically, Moscato's Glaug should actually be considered 1:100 scale. Of course, that would put the Glaug at about 34 meters tall, over twice its officially-stated height. 😯 That's one hell of a scale discrepancy! 😬 Quote
Bolt Posted March 21 Posted March 21 Woah! Looks awesome. But now you've just peeled the scab off and we're going back down the rabbit hole..! Quote
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