VF-1AG (Armored GERWALK) 3D Printed Prototype!!!

[ChristopherB]

@MommarPlease check your inbox for details!

@Spark-O-MaticPlease check your inbox for details!

[djivaldi7]

Is Tom a forum member?  If he's a Chicago person (near me) and he's a model painter I'm really curious to know if he's attending IPMS Duneland or IPMS Butch O'Hare which coincidentally are both coming up in just a few weeks!  The major paint vendors are there too, so I'd be curious to know his recommendations for brand/type/finish so I can pick up the right stuff while I'm there...  

[ChristopherB]

@djivaldi7He has an account on MW and posted before, but it's been so long I can't recall his username anymore.  I'll ask him if he's planning to attend either one, and I can also introduce you so that you two can communicate directly.  Tom's very good, I can send you some samples of his work.

Please check my For Sale Post for an update when you get time:

https://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/topic/51943-armored-gerwalk-1100-armor-kit-for-bandai-hi-metal-r-vf-1-valkyries

[sh9000]

I think mine should arrive on Thursday.

[Dark Skull]

2 minutes ago, sh9000 said:

I think mine should arrive on Thursday.

Mine should get to me the day after

[Test_Pilot_2]

Mine is getting here today... hopefully soon! Excited!

Any 1/100 Milia Q-Rau's I can pair with my shenanigans out there? Maybe I can snag a 1/60 and make a play on perspective... Then need to figure out how to create an effect that shows Milia's shot bouncing off the armor :P.

Then I need a Battle-7 with Kakizaki colors.

[vladykins]

Mine is currently out for delivery.  EDIT: Mine is here:

 

 

 

Now to figure out how to put it all together. 

 

 

Edited September 25 by vladykins

[Test_Pilot_2]

https://tenor.com/n6evU6N32Uy.gif

I failed hard at inserting a gif.

Edited September 25 by Test_Pilot_2

[Dark Skull]

20 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

https://tenor.com/n6evU6N32Uy.gif

I failed hard at inserting a gif.

 

[Test_Pilot_2]

So... chonky... can't figure out where the two little gray squares go.

[Dark Skull]

5 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

So... chonky... can't figure out where the two little gray squares go.

Looking at the pics in the first page, what's the other side of those two square pieces look like?

[magicsp00n]

40 minutes ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

So... chonky... can't figure out where the two little gray squares go.

Those are optional hard points you can use instead of the cannons on the arm. So you can do an Operation Bullseye-type setup with reaction missiles. Or I suppose the smaller TV style missiles as well.

Edited September 25 by magicsp00n

[Test_Pilot_2]

7 minutes ago, magicsp00n said:

Those are optional hard points you can use instead of the cannons on the arm. So you can do an Operation Bullseye-type setup with reaction missiles. Or I suppose the smaller TV style missiles as well.

Sweet! Poor stand is holding on for its dear life... use an HMR with stiff joints! My only shenanigan is the left leg armor doesn't want to stay together, but sorted that out.

Privileged to have one of these, it's so cool!

[sh9000]

I think I'll put the HMR Armored Valkyrie feet covers on mine.

[ChristopherB]

Honestly, I just have so many different emotions seeing these pictures...seeing everyone's excitement, anticipation, etc!  I feel proud and a bit misty eyed to see this armor set a reality, when at times I had given up hope.  Nervous about whether you guys would like the kit, the quality, paint job and so much more. 

Thanks so much for the amazing pictures!  Please post more when you guys get time.  I've suffered from depression/post traumatic stress disorder for many, many years and have a hard time just feeling happy or even appreciative of all my blessings.  But Macross is something that takes my mind off of it, and it's nice to have a sense of accomplishment being a toy/model kit creator.  I couldn't have done it without Tony and Tom though.

The childhood remembrance of Christmas evening having trouble falling asleep in anticipation of what Santa would bring.  Is still alive within every member of Macross World, otherwise we wouldn't be here.  For me it's the time I received a Matsushiro Jetfire and it led me on a journey to learn more about it's origins.  It's all about the imagination and never growing old!

Sad to say I don't have my own Armored GERWALK kit, because the prototype was used for the photoshoot.  But I'm happy to wait.  Since I haven't personally held the armor I cannot speak to it's strength or resilience.  With that said, please be careful with your armor sets take care putting them on and don't use force.  The last thing I want is for anyone to experience damage or scratches.  haha

(5) unfinished kits were shipped to Tom today to make the custom AG sets that (2) customers ordered, they should arrive soon.  We don't yet have a firm paint scheme for the customs, but between Tom and I we'll come up with something that looks nice.  For Max & Milia having one part from each such as a wing since it has the blue or red & light gray would be a huge help so we can match the colors as closely as possible.  Likewise we'll need to do the same for other customs.  I also placed an order for (5) more unfinished kits.

Edited September 26 by ChristopherB

[Test_Pilot_2]

2 hours ago, ChristopherB said:

Honestly, I just have so many different emotions seeing these pictures...seeing everyone's excitement, anticipation, etc!  I feel proud and a bit misty eyed to see this armor set a reality, when at times I had given up hope.  Nervous about whether you guys would like the kit, the quality, paint job and so much more. 

Thanks so much for the amazing pictures!  Please post more when you guys get time.  I've suffered from depression/post traumatic stress disorder for many, many years and have a hard time just feeling happy or even appreciative of all my blessings.  But Macross is something that takes my mind off of it, and it's nice to have a sense of accomplishment being a toy/model kit creator.  I couldn't have done it without Tony and Tom though.

The childhood remembrance of Christmas evening having trouble falling asleep in anticipation of what Santa would bring.  Is still alive within every member of Macross World, otherwise we wouldn't be here.  For me it's the time I received a Matsushiro Jetfire and it led me on a journey to learn more about it's origins.  It's all about the imagination and never growing old!

Sad to say I don't have my own Armored GERWALK kit, because the prototype was used for the photoshoot.  But I'm happy to wait.  Since I haven't personally held the armor I cannot speak to it's strength or resilience.  With that said, please be careful with your armor sets take care putting them on and don't use force.  The last thing I want is for anyone to experience damage or scratches.  haha

(5) unfinished kits were shipped to Tom today to make the custom AG sets that (2) customers ordered, they should arrive soon.  We don't yet have a firm paint scheme for the customs, but between Tom and I we'll come up with something that looks nice.  For Max & Milia having one part from each such as a wing since it has the blue or red & light gray would be a huge help so we can match the colors as closely as possible.  Likewise we'll need to do the same for other customs.  I also placed an order for (5) more unfinished kits.

I know that journey well (and all its ugly permutations), my friend. Understand that you are not alone, ever. I'm lucky in that I'm part of the military community (all past, present, and family) so it's easy to know we're not alone - the military is the largest fraternity in the world. If you ever need back-up, holler, at the very least I can listen and would be glad to do so.

I personally am thrilled you pulled this off. This set is so niche that I don't think it would exist otherwise. It stands up there with @M'Kyuun's Lego Variable Glaug. In fact, it fits really, really well with it because the color scheme of my variable Glaug matches the armored gerwalk :).

You creators are the most amazing people, anywhere. You take fleeting thoughts and make them reality and the process is spectacular. Watching @ImChris5115 build what I think looks like the next generation of variable fighters after Kawamori makes me feel like I'm watching history in the making. Someone has to pick up his torch when it's time for him to rest and I have never seen such compelling evidence of a successor as what's going on in that thread.

You guys are the future that keeps this stuff alive, literally. You're the best of us fans, picking up the material, making it real, and helping it grow. I wish I had a fraction of ya'll's talent, but then there would be all kinds of idiot boobjob Valkyries out there - everyone would be very afraid.

Again, it's a privilege to be able to even have this stuff. All of it is a labor of love. You didn't have to share it, but you did and that makes you (and folks like you) awesome.

Thanks man, you and your team that made this happen - thanks guys. You all rule!

On that note, one thing I do create are custom nameplates for creations, see example(s) attached and what's on them. If you could PM me some basic information on the project and its creators to put on the nameplate, I'd like to credit you guys' work in my collection display so people understand what they're looking at.

Edited September 26 by Test_Pilot_2

[vladykins]

7 hours ago, ChristopherB said:

Honestly, I just have so many different emotions seeing these pictures...seeing everyone's excitement, anticipation, etc!  I feel proud and a bit misty eyed to see this armor set a reality, when at times I had given up hope.  Nervous about whether you guys would like the kit, the quality, paint job and so much more. 

Thanks so much for the amazing pictures!  Please post more when you guys get time.  I've suffered from depression/post traumatic stress disorder for many, many years and have a hard time just feeling happy or even appreciative of all my blessings.  But Macross is something that takes my mind off of it, and it's nice to have a sense of accomplishment being a toy/model kit creator.  I couldn't have done it without Tony and Tom though.

The childhood remembrance of Christmas evening having trouble falling asleep in anticipation of what Santa would bring.  Is still alive within every member of Macross World, otherwise we wouldn't be here.  For me it's the time I received a Matsushiro Jetfire and it led me on a journey to learn more about it's origins.  It's all about the imagination and never growing old!

Sad to say I don't have my own Armored GERWALK kit, because the prototype was used for the photoshoot.  But I'm happy to wait.  Since I haven't personally held the armor I cannot speak to it's strength or resilience.  With that said, please be careful with your armor sets take care putting them on and don't use force.  The last thing I want is for anyone to experience damage or scratches.  haha

(5) unfinished kits were shipped to Tom today to make the custom AG sets that (2) customers ordered, they should arrive soon.  We don't yet have a firm paint scheme for the customs, but between Tom and I we'll come up with something that looks nice.  For Max & Milia having one part from each such as a wing since it has the blue or red & light gray would be a huge help so we can match the colors as closely as possible.  Likewise we'll need to do the same for other customs.  I also placed an order for (5) more unfinished kits.

I have it sitting on my desk at present but will have to take some snaps and post them. Definitely enjoying this, so it hasn't gone back up on the high shelf with the rest of the HMRs. Likely going to put it next to one of my OWL armor sets. 

[ChristopherB]

@Test_Pilot_2 I appreciate your message, offer of assistance and kind words!  Thanks also for your service.  I'm a veteran as well, from a military family going back several generations.  I'm a member of the VFW, DAV, FRA and worked as a NSO representing veterans at the DVA in DC and other states.  (We love our acronyms.  haha)  You have an amazing collection, is there someplace I can see the pictures?  I recall his Lego Variable Glaug, it's a work of art and I think he only made one.  I'm sure you paid a pretty penny for it and I would love to have that Mecha in my collection.  It's definitely going to be a future project!  I love your nameplates, let's work together on the details you need and I would love to have some for my display if that's possible.

@vladykins Sounds good, excited to see your pictures!

Some reminders, the armor pegs on our project are designed for regular VF-1 hands that all releases come with, not the large GBP-1 style hands.  Although I'm sure that you can get them to stay on by adding something inside the larger holes.

There's a technique for attaching the armor, especially the leg sections due to the fin.  Please watch the YouTube video Tony made and there's also a nice set of PDF instructions.  The parts don't need to forced on otherwise the tabs can break.  If you're having any trouble getting an armor part on, please message @magicsp00n the 3D project manager.

VF-AG Instructions.pdf

Edited September 27 by ChristopherB

[Slave IV]

Love to see this kind of passion put into anything. Thank you for doing so much for this great community of nuts (in a good way)😜

[sh9000]

Thanks for posting the pdf instructions @ChristopherB.

It might be cool to make a similar pic for Armored Gerwalk.

[Test_Pilot_2]

1 hour ago, sh9000 said:

Thanks for posting the pdf instructions @ChristopherB.

It might be cool to make a similar pic for Armored Gerwalk.

That would be an awesome way to display it! I love the dynamics of the armor-purging scenes. The logistics are a struggle, all the arms and stands needed are solved for - Aliexpress has really inexpensive base and arm sets making it a better value, but the space needed is another story.

I can always build another cabinet. That doesn't mean I can survive telling the boss of the house that I ordered yet another cabinet. I think she's started keeping a count of them and what magically appears inside of them so I'm gonna have to start performing the "car parts voodoo," magic.

@ChristopherB I figured there was a chance of that, but didn't want to assume. I'm thankful you're well-supported. Since you're already part of the fraternity, you know what I was talking about, so we'll leave it at that. My collection is a perpetual, janky work-in-progress, but I'll upload pictures somewhere, Consider it like the 80's "B-Movie" version of a collection, complete with SpaceBalls backwards ass moments. This one is essentially the third revival of a collection, the first two falling victim to the fact that you cannot eat Valkyries to survive.

Regarding the name plates - absolutely. As far as the Armored Gerwalk nameplate, I think I have some of the info on the box (bottom right corner), but I don't think it's complete. I can snag the metrics from the Mecha Manual, I think. The rest I'll noodle out. If you have specific figures and content you'd like on a name plate, PM them to me and I can start working on them. Full disclosure, it takes longer than normal for me to do anything because I'm on "Dad Time," which is the opposite of "Bullet Time," where you only have about 10 seconds for something a day, but instead of 10 seconds becoming 10 minutes, the 10 seconds are actually 3 seconds, because science and reasons.

@M'Kyuun offered the files for me to build my own variable glaug at no cost. I tried to pay the man and he just wouldn't have it, lol! I ultimately settled on if I ever bump into him at an airport, I'd buy him a beer or coffee or something. I also learned he is a really dope dude outside of this stuff - crazy humble for his level of talent. He spent the time going over his design to help me be successful and in the process taught me alot about what I needed to know to engineer my Endymion. The Lego parts weren't that expensive - I ordered many from online stores and I also hit all of the local Lego shops with open bins, supporting small businesses locally and abroad. I roped in the whole family to dig in bins to find the needed parts. The family time, meeting cool people along the way, and journey traveling around to gather up all of the parts was priceless. The biggest investment was time and it was well-spent.

We have a nice community here @ Macrossworld. @Shawn and @Graham - thanks guys (and all who do what you do). I'm thankful for all of you.

[sh9000]

Cool.

[M'Kyuun]

Been reading through these posts and felt I should probably chime in. First and foremost, a magnitude of thanks to both @Test_Pilot_2 and @ChristopherB for your generous compliments on my behalf. You're far too kind and I appreciate it immensely. Too, from one old retired MSgt (USAF) to two fellow vets, an enormity of gratitude for your service and all the sacrifices and high points that a career in the military entails.

@ChristopherB, your work is nothing short of excellent. For my part as a Macross fan, I humbly admit that I wasn't even aware that a GERWALK armor even existed. Moreover, I wasn't aware that a little unsung design company named Matsushiro was behind many of the amazing 80s transforming toys sold through Takatoku. I had to employ my Google-fu, but it was an interesting read (Toybox DX to my rescue). Anyway, for the knowledge of both tidbits to expand my own useless Macross knowledge, I'm ever thankful. As to the Variable Glaug, a unique valk that absolutely deserves a toy, should you ever feel compelled to take it up as a project, I humbly request that you keep me in the loop, as I may have some small interest in such a thing. My thanks and again, brilliant work on your GERWALK armor.  I hope you find a home here on MW.  I've been roaming these halls for probably close to twenty years now, and I've found it an inviting and helpful refuge when some others have become cesspools of invective and negativity. We've managed to maintain our civility in no small part due to @Shawn, @Graham, and the many mods over the years who've cleaned up after us and put those in need into time-out, as it were. Welcome to our little corner of fan(atacism) and I do hope you'll prop up your legs and stay awhile. Cheers!

-Bill (M'Kyuun)

Edited September 29 by M'Kyuun

[jvmacross]

Fantastic job on this snap-on kit....some pics....

 

I am sure you have ideas for your next project....but I would like to suggest a snap-on armor kit to convert a VF-1D into a VEFR-1....

 

[Dark Skull]

Sad to say....that I got mine in. And Christopher B was top notch with the after sale support as I had two front leg armor pieces that needed replacement. I got those in!   However...another thing happened. As I put the left leg's armor together, the small little tab in the outer leg armor piece (for the left leg) became stressed. Everything seemed to fit together nicely until I heard a snap/pop. It fell apart. I tried using loctite superglue to re-attach the tab onto the outer armor piece. I let it set just long enough to test it....and it popped off again. This time the entire armor on the left leg just fell off except for the rear leg armor piece. That stayed on nicely to the valk's leg. I had the valk on a stand so that I would touch it, but again...it didn't last long. Oh well. I can only think that something in the way the particular leg's armor sat together caused that tab to get stressed. Oddly enough, the right leg armor is all good though. Absolutely nothing wrong with that nor the rest of the armor pieces.

I'm glad everyone else who got theirs are looking good   But for mine, I think I'll just take the armor pieces off and put it back in the box....and chalk it up as a loss.

[Graham]

I must admit, I haven't been following this closely.

But after seeing the recent pics, I need to ask is the finished version still available to purchase?

[sh9000]

@ChristopherB I will be emailing you probably tomorrow about the VF-1AG.  Please check when you get the chance.  Thanks.

[Dark Skull]

Well, I have to admit I'm a bit stubborn. I wanted to see if there was a way to salvage what I had. I didn't want to bother @ChristopherB to make any more parts whether at his and his team's expense or mine. So, I managed to use some loctite in a certain spot, let it set and then carefully re-assembled the left leg's armor pieces together afterward. The good news is, it worked! The whole kit is just gorgeous and I didn't want to just pack it away without at least enjoying it as fully as I could   So, here's the pic of it in a display box along with a Calibre Wings valk:

 

[ChristopherB]

@M'Kyuun Hello Bill, I sincerely appreciate your message it meant a lot to me.  Thank you for your service and I'm sorry for taking a while to respond.

@jvmacross I love your pictures, they're really dynamic and interesting!  It makes me happy to see that you and other fans are enjoying your kits.  A VEFR-1 is an excellent idea, I'm definitely going to pursue it along with additional armor kits like the Stampede and so forth.

@Dark Skull That's something else we have in common, we don't like to give up.  You and I shared quite a few messages, because I know your AG armor set means a lot to you.  Thank you for posting the pictures, it makes a great addition to your impressive collection.

@Graham We're all here because of you and Shawn.  You've been an inspiration to me for more than 20 years with your knowledge of and dedication to Macross.  So even if no more sets were available, I would find a way to get you one.  I'll send you a message with more information.

@sh9000 Thank you for contacting me and I'm glad we were able to talk about your Armored GERWALK kit.  I'll keep you posted!

[ChristopherB]

Please check out my for sale post of the @Xigfridcustom assembled 1/60 Heavy Soldier Vajra (HSV) when you get time.  I also have his drones and so forth available.  I'm having his HSV 3D printed in another scale for a diorama scene.  The proceeds will be used for another armor project similar to the AG set.  So, your help will be greatly appreciated!  I hope to start a poll soon and request feedback and suggestions.  We have a lot of ideas for projects.  If someone is a 3D designer with a printer and interested in working on Macross projects please message me.

https://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/topic/52014-xigfrids-custom-160-heavy-soldier-vajra-hsv-macross-frontier-3d-printed-very-rare/#comment-1718037

A MW member and I are also working on the Super Heavy Soldier Vajra, it should be done soon:

https://www.mahq.net/superheavysoldier-vajra/

I worked with Xigfrid and hired a 3D artist to complete his Asuka II aircraft carrier from Macross Zero, it includes the Valkyries and mech for the flight deck.  We ended up starting from scratch though:

https://macross.fandom.com/wiki/CVN-99_Asuka_II

Here's some progress pictures for the MW members who ordered custom Armored GERWALK (Max & Milia) sets:

Edited October 20 by ChristopherB

[Radioguy]

I went with a standard set, but those look great, and make me want those too. 😄

[ChristopherB]

I hope everyone is doing well and had a nice Halloween!  Here's the completed Max & Milia Custom Sets.  They've been shipped out to their respective customers.  I'm excited to make a M & M set for myself, and I have some other custom Armored GERWALK sets planned.

[sh9000]

Nice work @ChristopherB.

[Mommar]

I messaged you @ChristopherB

[ChristopherB]

Based upon customer feedback, we made some changes to how the leg armor attaches plus improvements.  Thanks to Tony @magicsp00nthe 3D designer and to Tom @AchtungMacrossthe model building artist for his suggestions.