"Veteran of Future Wars" 1/20 S.A.F.S.

Hey thanks guys. I'd like to pick up something along these lines in the near future. Just to ... expand my horizons a little bit. It'd be nice to build something where I'm not limited to historical accuracy. I was thinking of just a stand alone figure/ robot w/ the pilot sitting on/ just above the open hatch as if either getting ready to climb in or as if they had just climbed out. Maybe I'll go with the battle weary look w/ a cigarette in the hand.

Griffworks wrote:

I was first exposed to the MaK stuff a while back thru Squadrons mail order fliers.  It looked interesting, but I was much too interested in Trek to seriously consider buying any.  Kinda kewel, but a bit too World War II-like for my tastes. Fast Forward to now.  The first time I actually laid eyes on a complete kit was a model contest in El Paso, TX.  Someone there did the Neurospotter (I think it's called?) Drone.  Pretty kewel.  And now after seeing these at WonderFests over the last several years, I'm even more amazed.  I have a real appreciation for these kits and those who build them.  So, thanks for sharing the pics of the builds, John.  It's greatly appreciated.

Why thank you Jeffery. I know you've been a real fan of my Ma.K.s for awhile now. I still have that PM of congratulations you sent me regarding my Fledermaus.

Appreciate it.

modelchasm wrote:

I'm being drawn more and more to builds like this one. And I especially like this particular model. I've looked on ebay, but they are all $50-60. Where's the best place to get these?

I get all mine off HLJ.com, or else buy them at shows.

HLJ:

http://www.hlj.com/

HLJ's Maschinen Krieger (SF3D) page:

http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist.cgi?SeriesID=968&Dis=2

This particular kit I bought way back when it as first re-issued, like '97 or so. I actually finished it early in '04 I think.

I'm looking forward to the new releases. I'm thinking of pairing a Nightstalker A.F.S. w/ a Neuspotter drone for a dio.

Lastly, when I was deployed, if we were on down time on the tracks we were always siding outside .... too dang hot inside! ...

Yeah, that's what I was going for, a tired soldier popping the lid on his armor to get a breath of fresh air... but the pilot looks so happy, that I don't think it translated.

do these kits come with a full figure? And if not, where would you find 1/20 figures?

ZeroBXU does a good job of laying out what's officially available in the previous post, and the HLJ site has some stuff.

In actuality, the older kits are closer to 1/18 scale, rather than 1/20. 90mm figures look about the same size. In addition, the original modeler (the gentleman whose models this series is based on) used chopped up action figures for his pilots, like those from the G.I. Joe and Star Wars series. I don't know how keen folks would be to cut up a vintage Star Wars figure these days, but it is an option.

Thanks in advance & great job on this build BTW.

Thank you.

smeagol the vile wrote:

Wave just released this kit I think with a female head

The kit Wave just released is the "Snake Eye", which is a space-faring variant of the SAFS, but different from that which is pictured above. It does, however, contain a few sprue trees labeled "SAFS", and it's been suggested  that a newly tooled SAFS is in Wave's plans--just probably not for a year or so.

modelchasm wrote:

do these kits come with a full figure?

Most of the old Nitto kits do not come with a full stand-alone figure. The exceptions are the Fliege, Krote, SAFS, Fledermaus, and the Neuspotter (and probably a few others). None of the new Wave kits have been issued with a full stand-alone figure. However, they are re-issuing the Nitto mold of the Fliege in July, so that should give you a figure. I guess the current-gen exception would be the Falke, which comes with a standing female figure and a pilot.

modelchasm wrote:

And if not, where would you find 1/20 figures?

There's a few options out there. First, there's resin figures (check Starship Modeler and HobbyLink Japan). Second, there's a few (very few) plastic offerings. Nitto made two boxings of Ma.K. figures (Strahl and Mercenary) with three figures apiece. There's also a "Pit Crew" available from Tamiya in 1/20. There's a boxed version (out of production, hard to find, and expensive) and a bagged version which isn't that hard to track down--I even saw one in HobbyTown recently. If I recall correctly, the bagged pit crew had six figures in various poses. In July Hasegawa will be releasing a figure set to complement their Falke, and it will contain four figures.

I'm being drawn more and more to builds like this one. And I especially like this particular model.

I've looked on ebay, but they are all $50-60. Where's the best place to get these?

Lastly, when I was deployed, if we were on down time on the tracks we were always siding outside .... too dang hot inside! ... do these kits come with a full figure? And if not, where would you find 1/20 figures?

Thanks in advance & great job on this build BTW.

I was first exposed to the MaK stuff a while back thru Squadrons mail order fliers.  It looked interesting, but I was much too interested in Trek to seriously consider buying any.  Kinda kewel, but a bit too World War II-like for my tastes.

Fast Forward to now. 

The first time I actually laid eyes on a complete kit was a model contest in El Paso, TX.  Someone there did the Neurospotter (I think it's called?) Drone.  Pretty kewel.  And now after seeing these at WonderFests over the last several years, I'm even more amazed.  I have a real appreciation for these kits and those who build them. 

So, thanks for sharing the pics of the builds, John.  It's greatly appreciated.

Thank you stv. 

They did just release a new one, but I haven't got one of those yet. Too many in the stash already.

This is an old thread from about a year and a half ago, resurrected by the (now deleted) previous respondent. Not that I mind, its nice to dust it off and look at it again. I'm pleased w/ how the photos came out.

I love the large amount of Ma.k showing up on this site. 

You did a Great job on this. 

Wave just released this kit I think with a female head

SG:

Well I agree, although on the damage part I must say I've never seen a mangled MaK that looked like the builder just screwed up.

Heh! I hear ya. I guess what I meant to say is that if I accidentally scratch the finish on a MaK during final construction, no one will think it's a mistake. They might even give me props for it (are the kids still saying that?)

I think the one reason Gundams are easier for me is they are familiar.

I really agree w/ this. I know the things I like to build are those things that I became familiar w/ when I was young: MaKs, Star Wars, BSG...I never even heard of Gundams until I was in my mid 20's, so they are kind of terra incognita to me. I see their potential though, so I'm trying some out.

agentg:

Not my cup o'tea, but WOW! the workmanship was superb. listening to him describe the construction sequence made me crosseyed. Also increased my respect for his skill 10x more than I already had.

Oh yeah, absolutely. I used to think they were glorified toys, until I actually tried to build one. Serves me right for pre-judging them.

Oh, and thanks for the compliments guys. I really appreciate it.

Thanks SG. I appreciate it.

I feel exactly that way about Gundams. With the Ma.K.s, if you make a mistake, well, they're supposed to be a little beat up: mistakes are easy to forgive. Gundams are really clean; even the detail on the battle damaged ones is very sharp. The slightest mistakes are usually obvious.

Construction is another thing. Ma.K.s have very few parts compared to the Gundams, and construction is fairly straight forward. With Gundams, I have trouble visualising the entire painting and construction sequence, so I wind up building them piecemeal, which takes forever.

I am trying to get better tho'.

Well, I got a new camera, so I took some new pictures. Much better than the old grainy ones.

Hope y'all like them.

-CJ

It's not just kindness Cosmic, your work speaks for itself. Can't wait to see more. I'm willing to share some web space if you need a place to host your pictures. 

Cosmic J wrote:

Sci-Fi modelers are the kindest modelers... Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen.

Sci-Fi modelers are the kindest modelers...

Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen.

Man I love a SAFS!

I pulled one of mine out and checked the box last weekend.  need to get some things done and get one mine again.

Great colors you picked for it!

David

kenny_conklin wrote:

excellent work your paint job is awsome

Agreed, very well done.