tekering Posted August 16 Posted August 16 13 hours ago, captain america said: What could have been. What SHOULD have been! 😁 On 8/15/2024 at 11:34 AM, CoryHolmes said: They're here! They're here! Congratulations on being first! My kits have been languishing in Richmond for the past two weeks... 😐 In the meantime, I've gotten a male pilot painted. I really hate using brushes. 😒 Quote
Big s Posted August 16 Posted August 16 7 hours ago, tekering said: What SHOULD have been! 😁 Congratulations on being first! My kits have been languishing in Richmond for the past two weeks... 😐 In the meantime, I've gotten a male pilot painted. I really hate using brushes. 😒 Then try water color pencils. They’re way more fun and more precise.use them dry to lay out edges and then get them moist for areas that need more coverage. They’re great on small parts and pilot figures.just gotta start with a white primer base and lightly topcoat them when you’re done. Mistakes are also super easy to deal with since you can just wipe them away with a little moisture before the topcoat is applied Quote
captain america Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 The destructions are ready!! 55 HANDS.HEIC54.HEIC53.HEIC52.HEIC51.HEIC50.HEIC49A.HEIC48.HEIC47.HEIC46.HEIC45.HEIC44.HEIC43.HEIC42.HEIC41.HEIC40.HEIC39.HEIC38.HEIC37.HEIC36.HEIC35.HEIC34A.HEIC33.HEIC32.HEIC31.HEIC30.HEIC29.HEIC28.HEIC27A.HEIC26.HEIC25.HEIC24A.HEIC23.HEIC22.HEIC21.HEIC20.HEIC19.HEIC18.HEIC17.HEIC16.HEIC15.HEIC14.HEIC13.HEIC12.HEIC11.HEIC10.HEIC09.HEIC08.HEIC07.HEIC06.HEIC05.HEIC04.HEIC03.HEIC01.HEIC Quote
Shawn Posted August 20 Posted August 20 Wow-incredible box art! We just needed some Artmic art and an Imai sticker and it would have sold like hotcakes. Wow. Quote
Shawn Posted August 20 Posted August 20 Sorry the board doesn't do HEIC images by default. It is super annoying. I'll look around again for a plugin that might be available. Quote
captain america Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 8 minutes ago, Shawn said: Sorry the board doesn't do HEIC images by default. It is super annoying. I'll look around again for a plugin that might be available. Hey Shawn! Thanks for the kind words, it's still a work in progress. I actually think it's not a bad thing with the HEIC images not loading, since the instructions need to be downloaded anyway. It's actually wonderful that all the instruction plates can be crammed into one message with this format, as opposed to having to post 5 different times to upload them all in JPG. Quote
Shawn Posted August 20 Posted August 20 oh...sorry...I can delete the ones I did I downloaded and posted from Irfanview...the pics are amazing. again sorry, I can delete my 2 posts with those pics if you want! Quote
captain america Posted August 20 Author Posted August 20 Just now, Shawn said: oh...sorry...I can delete the ones I did I downloaded and posted from Irfanview...the pics are amazing. again sorry, I can delete my 2 posts with those pics if you want! No worries, might as well leave them up. That way people have the JPG option if HEICs are troublesome. Quote
tekering Posted August 22 Posted August 22 2 hours ago, captain america said: Maybe blue is better? Definitely better. The red chin is also an improvement. ☺️ Quote
tekering Posted October 10 Posted October 10 In hindsight, using a mysterious alien biomass as a power source might not have been the brightest idea... 🤨 Quote
Big s Posted October 10 Posted October 10 2 hours ago, tekering said: In hindsight, using a mysterious alien biomass as a power source might not have been the brightest idea... 🤨 Awww, he’s cute when he hungers. Just feed him a couple of useless pop stars now and then and he’ll be happy. Quote
CoryHolmes Posted October 11 Posted October 11 7 hours ago, tekering said: In hindsight, using a mysterious alien biomass as a power source might not have been the brightest idea... 🤨 That's adorable 😍 It's a good joke, but part of what I like about the Robotech version is that while we managed to reverse-engineer some of the technology to make mecha work, there are still some downsides and things we just don't know. It tickles my fancy. Quote
tekering Posted November 3 Posted November 3 Cap' may want an apology for what I've done to his parts: ...and perhaps I owe him one, for completely disregarding his clearly-illustrated intentions for these parts. His configuration just doesn't match the animation, much less the line art: ...which is why I've made these modifications. Of course, I know he'll forgive me because our goal remains the same: fidelity to the source material. 😇 Quote
captain america Posted November 4 Author Posted November 4 On 11/3/2024 at 9:42 AM, tekering said: Cap' may want an apology for what I've done to his parts: ...and perhaps I owe him one, for completely disregarding his clearly-illustrated intentions for these parts. His configuration just doesn't match the animation, much less the line art: ...which is why I've made these modifications. Of course, I know he'll forgive me because our goal remains the same: fidelity to the source material. 😇 That's a cool mod. The heel looks like it was pushed a tad rearward while the Walker Cannon foot has a new pivot at the toe and its anchor joint is located higher on the calf. I'd have to see more to know if it hampers the Battle Sniper knee bend. Quote
tekering Posted November 5 Posted November 5 12 hours ago, captain america said: The heel looks like it was pushed a tad rearward while the Walker Cannon foot has a new pivot at the toe and its anchor joint is located higher on the calf. I also had to remove a chunk of plastic from the bottom so the whole Battle Sniper foot would sit flat: 12 hours ago, captain america said: I'd have to see more to know if it hampers the Battle Sniper knee bend. Nah, knees are unaffected. 😇 Quote
captain america Posted November 5 Author Posted November 5 (edited) I hate to break it to you, Ted, but the reason you had to remove a chunk of material from the bottom of the foot is That said, know that I'm paying close attention to your mods with the intention of implementing (most of) them on a future re-issue of the kit. Edited November 5 by captain america Quote
tekering Posted November 6 Posted November 6 10 hours ago, captain america said: Those sneaky Ammonite bastards. Not only did they steal Shinji Aramaki's Mospeada/Legioss toe design, they flipped it over to hide their crime! 😠 I've drawn, built, and played with so many Alphas and Cyclones over the years that the shape of the foot is deeply ingrained in my subconscious. Any Mospeada fan would've surely made the same mistake. 😅 10 hours ago, captain america said: I'm paying close attention to your mods with the intention of implementing (most of) them on a future re-issue of the kit. In that case, I'm happy to suggest a few more improvements: These parts (stock parts on the left, modified on the right), that hang down over the hips in robot mode, were both too large and entirely the wrong shape... They should form overlapping triangles in vehicle mode. Also, since the forearms are a completely different shape than in robot mode, I had to cut them down considerably. These modifications make the vehicle modes much more accurate. 👍 Quote
captain america Posted November 6 Author Posted November 6 *Takes notes* The forearm mod being specific to a given mode would be challenging to implement, as it will increase parts count, overall cost and leave the builder with more unused parts, but the Walker Cannon heel/toe mod and throwing in extra side-skirts is feasible. I will also alter the foot and heel joint to something more user-friendly. I think the best solution is to have two different anchor points for the foot, so the modeller can select the appropriate one for the mode desired. This will allow the robot foot to sit flatter in WC mode as per the line-art. Two things I'd like to pick your brain for are the hands and elbows: despite searching, I wasn't able to find adequate aftermarket round hands, posable or otherwise, and wonder if there's a specific product you would recommend. I also think the kit elbows could be improved and look forward to seeing your solution--as well as the final build pics! Quote
tekering Posted November 15 Posted November 15 On 11/7/2024 at 4:13 AM, captain america said: The forearm mod being specific to a given mode would be challenging to implement Nah, just encourage the customer to cut it down to the appropriate shape, as I did. ☺️ On 11/7/2024 at 4:13 AM, captain america said: I wasn't able to find adequate aftermarket round hands, posable or otherwise, and wonder if there's a specific product you would recommend. I found the fixed-pose hands that came with my Master Grade MG-09 Dom were the closest match to the Spartas, both in size and aesthetics. Unless you have some moral compunctions against it, I'd just make molds of those and apply whatever minor modifications you deemed appropriate. On 11/7/2024 at 4:13 AM, captain america said: I also think the kit elbows could be improved and look forward to seeing your solution--as well as the final build pics! The annual modeling exhibition is happening downtown this weekend, and the Tanku-Robo kits will be making their Japanese debut there. After that, I'll take the time to photograph the models properly. 😎 As to the elbows, as you correctly surmised, I was not going to stick a chunk of rubber in there and call it a day... 🙄 Instead, I decided an entirely different set of modeling skills was called for. To preserve the proper oval shape I cut the curved surface off your parts... ...and glued them onto my own. A Dremel was required to hollow out enough space for the upper and lower segments to fit into: I also utilized the typical brass rods that are indispensable in holding Moscato kits together: One end goes deep into the upper hinge of the elbow, and the other fits into the ball-jointed shoulder piece. Once painted up, I think the elbow is an improvement both functionally and aesthetically. 😇 Quote
captain america Posted Friday at 07:51 PM Author Posted Friday at 07:51 PM OoOooOoOoOh, I like the sneak-peek!! I think yours is the very first "normal type" Spartas model I've ever seen. Yes, I think you're right about the hands: as much as I wanted to have posable units, fixed, cast round hands just look way better and are more faithful. I see what you did with the elbow and you just gave me a great idea! With a bit of tinkering, I believe I can improve even upon what you did. Quote
Boobytrap Posted Friday at 09:50 PM Posted Friday at 09:50 PM 1 hour ago, captain america said: I believe I can improve even upon what you did. And you will make it available to all of us other Spartas owners right ? Quote
captain america Posted Saturday at 05:16 AM Author Posted Saturday at 05:16 AM 7 hours ago, Boobytrap said: And you will make it available to all of us other Spartas owners right ? In the event of a reissue, I would incorporate improvements. Quote
CoryHolmes Posted Saturday at 07:07 AM Posted Saturday at 07:07 AM 9 hours ago, Boobytrap said: And you will make it available to all of us other Spartas owners right ? Don't be greedy! 😒 ... I'm glad you asked so I didn't have to... 😉 Quote
Boobytrap Posted Monday at 08:27 PM Posted Monday at 08:27 PM On 11/15/2024 at 11:07 PM, CoryHolmes said: Don't be greedy! 😒 I wasn't trying to be greedy . I'd more than happily pay for it. I just don't have the skills and resources that Cap and Ted do. No machine workshop, no 3D printer, no CAD skills, etc... I get super envious over here seeing people having those things and taking a stellar product to yet another level. Just throwing it out there that I would love to have an opportunity to purchase those upgrades if they are ever done. And hopefully be able to purchase it individually without having to buy a reissue. But it's all a good natured request. I know the hard work, on multiple levels, that goes into producing these. I also know the passion that Cap has for his work and his desire to give us the best product possible. If there is some reason that he can't offer it individually it is a good one and I completely accept it. Quote
CoryHolmes Posted Tuesday at 02:06 AM Posted Tuesday at 02:06 AM 5 hours ago, Boobytrap said: I wasn't trying to be greedy . I'd more than happily pay for it. I just don't have the skills and resources that Cap and Ted do. No machine workshop, no 3D printer, no CAD skills, etc... I get super envious over here seeing people having those things and taking a stellar product to yet another level. Just throwing it out there that I would love to have an opportunity to purchase those upgrades if they are ever done. And hopefully be able to purchase it individually without having to buy a reissue. But it's all a good natured request. I know the hard work, on multiple levels, that goes into producing these. I also know the passion that Cap has for his work and his desire to give us the best product possible. If there is some reason that he can't offer it individually it is a good one and I completely accept it. I guess you didn't see my little addendum at the bottom. I was gonna ask, but you beat me to it Quote
Boobytrap Posted Tuesday at 05:10 PM Posted Tuesday at 05:10 PM 14 hours ago, CoryHolmes said: I guess you didn't see my little addendum at the bottom. I was gonna ask, but you beat me to it All good, I saw it. That's why I put the smile in there. It was more of a second poke to Cap that if he does make any improved parts that I would really like to be able to buy them. Quote
Major Tom Posted Tuesday at 08:56 PM Posted Tuesday at 08:56 PM Don't sweat it guys. I think this is similar: STL file MG GUNDAM v1.5 ARM + ELBOW joint 🤖 (OBJ)・3D print design to download・Cults Quote
tekering Posted yesterday at 01:11 AM Posted yesterday at 01:11 AM 4 hours ago, Major Tom said: I think this is similar That's precisely where I started. ☺️ After a little trimming, resizing, and proportional adjustment, I'm now adding the oblong shapes to the sides to match my earlier sets. I can print out completed Spartas elbows for anybody who needs 'em. Quote
Boobytrap Posted yesterday at 01:22 AM Posted yesterday at 01:22 AM 7 minutes ago, tekering said: I can print out completed Spartas elbows for anybody who needs 'em. That would be freakin' awesome of you! I'll get two sets please. Whenever they are good to go just let me know where to send the check. Quote
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