Ma.K Group Build 8/2010-8/2011

Had time today to apply the main suit color, Japan Uniform, Vallejo 923.  All paint except primer has been Vallejo.  Will allow to dry f/a few hours and start the rub process.  Decals to follow.  Have a few other parts now able to assemble to the suit to fully complete the assembly.  I am well pleased with the results I have received from using Vallejo paint system.  You will see in the photo my ole friend, my trusty Paasche single action AB, this thing is nearly as old as I am.  But still lays even coats of paint when called upon to do so.

Worked on another project yesterday, but spent some time this AM working and mocking for the overall color coat of the AFS MkII.  The Mecha Skunk Snake Chain is tha bomb.  I think it looks way better than a spring, has personality too me.  I also like how when I sprayed hair spray onto the figure, it roughed up the surface a bit, a added bonus.  Hope to before the day is out post a photo of the AFS in the main color! 

Klik

Wow, thanks to Cosmic J, I now  know how big that Nutcracker is...and it's a whole lot bigger than I thought.

What Scale are you building, GM? Is it 1/35th (like my Lunadiver and S.A.F.S. suits)?

Keep up the great work, GM, Cosmic J. 

Thanks for your kind words, and it is Cosmic J that inspires me to try to do the best I can w/the Ma.K models.

GM

The old Nitto Nutrocker kit is 1/76 scale(about HO scale).

 There used to be 2 1/20 scale kits available a Full-Resin kit and a Vac-form/Plastic kit.

Hasegawa announced a 1/35 Nutrocker in the same scale as the Lunadiver but be prepared for some sticker-shock.

Wow, thanks to Cosmic J, I now  know how big that Nutcracker is...and it's a whole lot bigger than I thought.

What Scale are you building, GM? Is it 1/35th (like my Lunadiver and S.A.F.S. suits)?

Keep up the great work, GM, Cosmic J. 

Base coat of  Tamiya TS-4 German Grey applied to Nut.  I have also purchased the following Tamiya colors, AS-23 Luftwaffe Light Green and AS-5 Luftwaffe Light Blue.  Still deciding on how to apply these next two colors.  The Light Blue will probably be used as a color for the ID Band on the Hover tank.  I use the German Grey for many apps in model building as a base coat for over sprays of other colors.  I like it better than using black for this pre-shading.  If you have not used Tamiya's paint yet, boy, you will be in for a surprise when you do.  This stuff lays down nice an smooth, for a truly slick finish.  I luv the stuff.  I hope, time permitting, getting ready for a big cat fishing trip tomorrow as well, to get the next color on the AFS.

Hey Cosmic J, how about telling us what you did to the Nut in additions.  Others may be interested in doing another build of a Nut and whatever U did to improve, maybe of great help.  The photo is so small and hard to make out details.  I see stuff, but can not make out just what it is!!!!!!! 

Nice build Cosmic J, I like the color scheme.  I looked @ and spotted a few areas that had additions, the most obvious was the barrel of the laser has been replaced.  Thanks for sharing.

I read on another forum about your building of the Nut.

I thought the base looked nice.

Gunpla Master

Hey Cosmic J, I seem to remember reading somewhere about that Nut you built and if I remember right you added about 70 additional parts to that puppy.  Would sure like to see some photo's of it.

That's right, I did. Where did you hear that?

Here's a picture of it from the Starship Modeler's Wonderfest coverage, still w/ the original base under it. Like most of my build ups, you probably won't recognise the mods I made to it unless you're familiar with the kit - see how many you can spot.

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/events/wfest2k2/v_silver_nut.JPG

Notice that it's very clean. I built it in 2001 or 2002, back before the Spanish modeling style became popular. When I build a new base for it, weathering it will be something I'l want to do. I'll probably repaint the SAFS too...

Had some time to put a coat of hair spray on the AFS and now am letting it dry.  I also was able to spray Mr. Hobby 1200 Primer on the nut.  Still thinking of a color scheme.  For some reason, I keep thinking a solid Panzer Gray finish w/a Dark Yellow ID Band.  Don't know yet.  I got another coming from a friend in Aussie land, so I can kinda play w/this one to see how to finish.

I like how the extra texture for the cast armor is showing thru.  This was what I was going for on those locations I applied the Mr.Hobby 500 surface primer.  I also varnished the poly joints, that's why they look shiny.

Mad-Modeler

Gimme about 1month to join this GB, still looking for a kit that I want to build for this GB.

Gimme about 1month to join this GB, still looking for a kit that I want to build for this GB.

Hey Cosmic J, I seem to remember reading somewhere about that Nut you built and if I remember right you added about 70 additional parts to that puppy.  Would sure like to see some photo's of it.

No the high dollar, hand made/turned burl walnut base is for the Snowman, I just had the Nut settin on for sum pictures.

Speaking of photos, will be posting a up-date of the AFS MkII ASAP!

So much to cover…

Klik: I didn’t guess the camo pattern correctly, I thought it might be an Arctic Aggressor scheme. It looks good. I like the color schemes on the little SAFS too.

Gunpla Master: Good work so far on the Nut. I like the wooden base too, but I really do think it’s too small for that model. That Snowman however, might fit on it very nicely indeed. 

 A bunch of years ago I built the NR, but the base I had it on was too large. I tossed the base out after a few years w/ the intent of building another, but for the life of me I can’t think of a suitable display for it. I know I’ll make it out of sheet styrne, I just can’t figure out what will be on it. If anyone has any ideas…

Havoc: Very fine work on what look to be some real PITA seams. That’s the one thing I hate about MaK.s, all the filling and sanding.

Ponch: That PKA is looking great, and nice progress shots of how you did the joint covers. Base is coming along nicely too. However, I’m afraid you're building your kit too fast, and making me look bad by comparison. Therefore, I must ask you to slow down. Sorry to do you like that, but it’s just the way it’s gotta be.

Finished my S.A.F.S. suits over the weekend, at least to my satisfaction. (Next up: finishing the Lunadiver.)

Pics:

Hallelujah, back up and running.

ponch, your work is coming along nicely, really like the panzerfaust ammo crate, and I am looking forward for this base build you are teaching us how to do and don't know it.  So keep the info/photo's a coming bro.

I have primed all the subassemblies in preparation for the painting stage

I dug out some more neopanzerfausts from my spares box, the idea being that the PKO will have a small cache next to him just in case things get "complicated" .  I made a wooden crate with balsa wood to hold the unused panzerfausts:

Also started to work on the base.  It's a round piece of wood that I sprayed with textured paint.  I stapled wire mesh over it and will use spackle to model the ground.  The bits and pieces under the mesh are there to give the ground some relief:

Gunpla Master

ponch:

Thanks for the kinds words GM

I used Milliput this time, but in the past I have also used Aves Apoxie Sculpt with similar results.  Both are very easy to use and set hard as a rock overnight.

 

Thanks for the quick response, another question: Milliput comes in 3 flavors, which one would you say works the best, and the local HS in my home town carries Aves as well, so both are available, but in your opinion, which one is the most forgiving to work with.  If there is away to use wrong, I will find away!

 

Howdy GM,

I have used both the standard and superfine versions of Milliput and both worked equally well for this.  But if I had to choose one I'd go with the superfine just because it's less grainy so it is a bit easier to smooth out.

Finished the assembly of the Nut today, all but the radiation shield has been attached to the tanks hull.  Added a few little pieces to make more visual.  Overall this has been a wonderful little kit to build, but does have some little areas you have to pay attention too as you build.  The gray areas you see around parts is Mr, Surfacer 500 being used as a filler around those parts.  It is great for this use as well as adding texture.  The Burl Walnut base the Nut is setting on was won off of eBay @ a premium price, but well worth it.  However I just have the Nut setting on it for it's fashion shoot!  Look into the back ground and you will see the suit that will stand on this base, a Limited Edition,  Irisawa SAFS Snowman.  Said I would not get this one, but as we oft do, we eat our words.  No I have not stopped on the AFS MkII, wify picked me up sum extra hold hair spray today and as soon as I get a chance, the suit will get a good spray down of it, allow a couple hours to dry and ready for the main suit color.  I have not sprayed this week because we keep getting blessed with cooling rain and I would rather see that than painting anytime!  So with all that said, I also hope to have the nut primed before the weekend is over too.  (Footnote: tickets f/Bullring in Bristol fell thru, did not get to go, instead, wife is making me go to a wedding this afternoon ).

Wow. There is some really nice work happening in this thread. Thank you gents, and please keep them coming.

Seeing some really nice work from all of you, very inspireing. I cant wait to get me one of these to build for the build. Still not sure which I wanna do though. For anyone interested head on over to the armor forum and check out my latest, a Firefly VC.

Nice work on those "sleeves" Ponch. You make it look easy, dude!

Keep those pix coming!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

ponch

Thanks for the kinds words GM

I used Milliput this time, but in the past I have also used Aves Apoxie Sculpt with similar results.  Both are very easy to use and set hard as a rock overnight.

Thanks for the kinds words GM

I used Milliput this time, but in the past I have also used Aves Apoxie Sculpt with similar results.  Both are very easy to use and set hard as a rock overnight.

OK guys, this is one of those mods one can do that will improve the looks of that AFS dramatically.  It also keeps from having to deal with trying to get paint to stick to the poly plastic joints as provided in the kits.  Out freaking standing ponch.  You did a great tutorial on how to do this.  I for one needed some insight on how to do this, water is the trick and that I did not know.  just one question:  there are several types of putty out there, what was this and what do you like the best for doing the joint covers? Wait a min. take was 2 ?'s.  GM's 3 thumbs up rating.

Howdy everyone :)

I sculpted the elbow joints.  As promised, this is a step by step description of how I do it.

First, I join the upper and lower arm with stiff wire (in this case I used some 19 guage steel wire I had lying around).  The wire is flexible enough to allow me to position the arms how I want them, but stiff enough to hold that position through the whole process:

Then I just fill the space between upper and lower arm with blobs of 2-part epoxy putty.  It doesn't matter if it looks lumpy at this point:

Then I use a wet finger to smooth the lumps out:

Next step is to carve the "folds", using a sharp toothpick.  It's important to keep the toothpick wet, otherwise the putty will stick to it.  At this stage things look a little rough still:

Now I use a wet finger again too smooth out the rough texture left behind by the toothpick:

Sounds like a lot of work, but it really is a quick process.  Doing both arms up to this point took me about 20 minutes.  Here I let the putty harden overnight, and then I go back with a needle file and clean up the folds some more to get the final result:

And there you have it :)

Heya, Gunpla,

Ha! If only I truly could make seam and putty work truly easy, my friend --- and just tell me where to send the check, by the way!  

Like I said, this one goes together like a dream... Just seam-work to deal with.

I like the arm joint poly caps supplied --- will have to hit 'em with some primer to see how they look. Was thinking of adding a little something to them to make 'em look like they are starting to rot/peel.

Yeah, I do think I've seen an AWACS version of this guy with a cool dome (or perhaps a French beret?) --- probably a re$in kit... I barely got ahold of this one before they disappeared --- for some reason the raised dome/hatch cover really appeals to me. And Link's paint job definitely took me over the top in terms of buying this one! They all disappeared from the online shops and I was lucky enough to grab one off of Ebay at a very reasonable price.

Agreed on Mig products, Gunpla.  Love 'em but they cost you. I have used but have not figured out the filters quite yet --- man do they STINK when I open the jar... woof!

Will keep you all posted! Take care, amigos!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Oh yea baby, that's what I'm talkin about, this is a much tauted Wave kit for the amount of seam/putty work, but you make it look easy.  I was wondering, I see you used the poly joints as comes in the kit, will you cover w/putty and form or will you go with like they are.  I just think this thing says "I am a bad boy" to anyone coming up against it in combat.  I am not sure, but I believe there is a AWAC's version of this thing, maybe Cosmic J will know.  Thanks for posting and I look forward to more of this Ma.K WIP.

Nice work, Ponch! Never thought about the backing plate when I built the PKA many moons ago! I can see you calling the diorama, "Halt! Who goes there!"

Here are a couple of pictures of my Snake Eye build... Spending most of my time filling the seams, which is my least favorite modeling chore. Going to be stock except for replacing the hoses. 

Threw down some white Tamiya primer and the big seams on the back of the suit are close to disappearing... Making some progress, but there is more puttying and sanding to be done...and of course, I ran out of primer! Woof.  

That's all for now, folks! Hope that all is well with my fellow Mak builders and their "Mak-inations"! ;)

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

PS About to update my Lunadiver pictures as well... 

Like it very much!  What type wire do you use for the arms and legs and what do you use to fill and hold the wire with in those locations.  I get a chuckle when I hear panzerfaust and non-threatening in the same sentence.  The thing just looks deadly, period.

The sheet plastic backing plate is a great idea for this problem you have pointed out, I will remember this.

I just love this type AFS,  I always think how much like a walking egg it looks w/eyes on top of it's head.  I think that's cool you are building on sentry duty, I can tell you from my past time in the military, sentry duty, or guard duty, is a thankless task but a necessary one that all get a chance to enjoy at one time or the other.