I have finally started repairs to a highly modified TOS Gouf that was damaged in a "Homer Simpson falling off a cliff" type of accident. (You know: OW! OOH! ARHGH! OUCH! EE! OOF! UGH! AAAAAGH! CRASH!) I couldn't figure out how to fix a broken internal shoulder joint without tearing the body apart, but I learned a lot in two decades.
I ripped out the remaining structural elements of both shoulder joints from the body, including the undamaged one. Pieces of square section tubing were used to create new mounting points for the salvaged polycaps.
Here the new joint has been installed. 5mm plastic pipe segments were drilled out and used to secure the polycaps in place. I'm undecided yet whether or not I will leave the raised edge of the tubing. There is a lot of sanding dust covering the model in this photo. Don't worry, he'll be cleaned up.
And here is where the Gouf stands as of last night. (Pun intended!) I still need to fabricate small items like the short spikes for the shoulder armor, the power conduits (the ones on the head are temporary), and some replacement fingers. I am planning on adding some additional details that were not in the original plan, like a rear skirt mount latch and maybe a side grenade rack.
The reason this oldie was rolled out to work on is that our model club's theme this month is "frosting the turd", and the original kit was very turd-like. Plus I added a lot of frosting, in the form of scratchbuilt midsection, cockpit hatch, hip, hip armor, upper arms, elbows, hands, and shield. I plan on repainting the Gouf in a camouflage pattern inspired by the comic "The Dogs of War", which ran in B-Club magazine in the early 90s. Hopefully this project won't stall for another twenty years! (I know I'll be getting a comment from Bsyamato about not working on my Gundam GB models!)
Anyway, hope you likee.
Neal