Macross Group Build 2010 - 2011

Thanks, I am new @ the Macross cannon, and I guess I would benefit greatly by looking closer @ what I am building.  I just like Mechs and that is what I keyed on.  I never saw any of the episodes for Macross, all I remember seeing while stationed in FRG on AFN was Gamma Man!  That was in the 70's.  The next closest thing to a Mech movie I would see was the Transformer Movies.  We have here on cable TV Anime Monday, but comes on late and I am in bed.  Guess I need to check out!  Sorry. if'n I get too far out there, reel me back in Phil, hey that rhymes, LOL.

Micro Set/Sol will take care of that.  Good point though and I get what you are seeing, but just as in real AC, the markings have to cover many voids, curves and openings.  Thanks for the heads up.

Gunpla Master

Well, I guess I will continue down the path of making these what I took them to be, gun blisters.  Thats what happens when you are not versed in the cannon of the subject.  But considering I am already planing to be outside the box between TV/Movie, will this be OK Phil.  Maybe on the next one, I will build OOB w/no improvements!

It's easy enough to make the connection because they do resemble the gun fairing on an F-14, which the VF-1 more than superficially resembles. Anyway, like I said, there's at least one scene where one of them is seen firing from the nose blisters, so it's all good. Besides,it's a sci-fi thing and you can make it whatever way you want. 

Really nice work. Those vents looks nice. The hard part will be place the U.N. Spacy decal

Well, I guess I will continue down the path of making these what I took them to be, gun blisters.  Thats what happens when you are not versed in the cannon of the subject.  But considering I am already planing to be outside the box between TV/Movie, will this be OK Phil.  Maybe on the next one, I will build OOB w/no improvements!

Hey GM, I believe the blisters you are working are actually meant to be sensors of some sort, though there is a precedent that in at least one episode of the series, the nose blisters are seen discharging some sort of weapons fire, Whether it be projecttile or beam I can't recall.

As far as I'm aware though, apart from the missiles, the only weapons are the head guns and the GU-11 gun pod.

GM:

Looking Good.

Thanks Phil, great minds think alike, LOL.  I also agree, the backpack does need attention to fix and I plan to do just what you said.  As a matter of fact, I have several areas I intend to improve on.  I am really enjoying building this kit.  I had some time to work a little on the 1st leg and this is where I got too.  The next two components were added and the Vulcan was opened up and a barrel added.  This may not be proto-typical, but is in keeping w/the way it is done in many apps.  As the barrel rotates, only one barrel @ a time is firing.  The barrel rotates that is in firing position and lines up w/the barrel extension of the airframe to clear the muzzle of the weapon.  This happens @ lighting fast speed.  That is why the Vulcan often sound like, ZZZZZIIIIIIIPPPPPPP!  For anyone who has been present when fired, you know what I am talking about.  Anyhow, I thought it would add interest, functionability and dress up a area that Bandai left kind of blank.  The muzzle was a turned HQ Parts piece and I will use @ all Vulcan locations, 4 in total.

Hey GM, it will be interesting to see how the mesh looks behind those vents.

If you are taking it this far, another area which will need attention is the intake on the "backpack". As it stands OOB, it's a flat, featureless blank. You may wish to open it out and put some sort of mesh/grille inside the opening. It's not so critical in fighter mode where the backpack is slung underneath and largely invisible but in Gewalk mode it's quite prominent.

Thought I would post what I have done to the leg of the mecha.  I have opened up radom areas and the cooling vents on the outside bottom of the leg.  I will place PE wire mesh behind this area.

Thanks for the info and I will watch for all the points you brought out.  I am more interested in building a Gerwalk version loosely based as you can tell from what I want to do.  I would however like to also do the Fokker w/the VF-1D nose attached to his arm @ some point.  Would make for a interesting build for the display case of Macross models.

Hey GM, Your summarisation about the VF-1D is  pretty much spot-on and it did only appear in the first two or three episodes of the TV series.

It'll look great whatever you do with it. Strictly speaking, the pilot figs in the weapons set represent "Movie version" pilots, so they don't really fit the "TV" timeline anyway.

Note also that the PE set which comes with the Hasegawa version features the "D-handle" sidestick controller from the movie version which isn't correct for the TV version. The TV version had a centre joystick mounted on a pedestal projecting from the lower front of the main instrument panel.

Hello Phil.  I was curious and went on line and researched this kit and also what it reps in the Macross Cannon.  I like what I read about this kit, the fact it transforms puts it ahead of the others.  But it is long in the tooth compared to today's standards.  This again is as I understood being made available, which means the molds as stated were cleaned up.  So one is to assume if you buy the re-pop of this kit, should be alot more cleaner than this one is.  I also discovered even though the decals are on register and too bright in color, one can correct this by buying the Hasegawa VF-1D TV version, which comes  w/Cartof decals and a PE set for this bird.  Ordered tonight, who needs to eat!  I also ordered from StarshipModeler the VF-1 weapon set, that come with two well molded pilots, the two that come in this kit are just vague humanoid shapes.  Plus I can up-grade the ordinance under the wings. 

I also read the Story behind this color scheme and this Valkyrie which is the prototype that if I read it right is mortally wounded after fighting several battles to save a girl and the young pilot/girlfriend are carried off in the nose of the Valkyrie by Fokker with the nose of the Valkyrie attached to his arm while he dispatches a alien.  Or so the story goes.  So to put two pilots in @ same time is not true to the time line and upgrading the ordinance is not in keeping with this color scheme, but hey I bought it and can build whatever cannon/time line I wish too.

So as you can see, I am building as shown on the box, the Gerwalk w/2 pilots, up-graded ordianance, better and thinner decals and added PE.  Shold turn out  sick, is that the term the kids use now to say, cool.

I know, I am sick

Welcome and join the crazy fun.

I am in!

Hasegawa YF-19 1/72 it shall be. Partial start already completed cockpit though.

Still tempted on picking up the Wave 1/100 VF-1S Valkyrie and Battroid to build a Gerwalk.

Knowing me it will happen after the next paycheck.

eptingmike

I just could not believe my eBay luck!  I managed to pick up these three 1/100 kits for a grand total of $7.00!  Hot dog! 

Nice score Mike. They're not bad as far as the 1/100 kits go. The two battoids are later "DYRL" boxings, The same kits as the original releases with the movie tie-in. The Gerwalk is a DYRL "upgrade" with the Strike Cannon  option  (I've got an "original" TV version with the "Super" add-ons but not the cannon).  I'm not sure if the bonus figure was kit specific or randomly packed. There was a total of six figures which went with this range.

GM - I don't recall having to do that much work to get the seams down.

Phil_H

Hey GM,

The seams on those feet/nozzles look worse than I remember. I will say though, that when I did mine it was nearly 25 years ago when the kit was still relatively new. Perhaps the moulds have not aged well.

 

AFTER

Seams welded w/liquid glue, "Tenax 7R", then allowed to dry well and afterwards, elbow grease w/sanding sticks to get the finial results.

Hello all,

I thought I would just post a pick of the kits I have for this group build.  I am listed as doing a 1/72 Bandai Valkyrie but in the last week I acquired a bit more! 

I just could not believe my eBay luck!  I managed to pick up these three 1/100 kits for a grand total of $7.00!  Hot dog!  I think the auction went well for me as one of the VF-1S kit was listed as incomplete.  I figured I could just use the parts or some such thing.  However, all that was missing was some add on armor.  THe big issue was that the kit was started...and not started well.  I am 99% sure it was a younger modeler as the glue used was that weird orange smelling stuff that I assume is only used by kids as it is described as non-toxic.  I remember my mom trying to get me to use it in the late 70s early 80s...I thought it was terrible and didn't really work!  I pulled apart as many of the joins as I could and plan on cleaning it up and trying to make it nice. 

The other two kits were complete and pristine!  One even has a Roy Fokker vinyl figure in there.  I see on the box there were a number of the cast in these kits.  Any of you folks know if it was a random mix or are the characters associated with certain kits?

Take care

Mike

Hi guys.

I just got an hasegawa 1/72 VF-1A super valkyrie, I want to buil a Max type J TV versión, but for that I need the J head tree. Did any of you an spare one that can sell me?

Thanks

Hey GM,

The seams on those feet/nozzles look worse than I remember. I will say though, that when I did mine it was nearly 25 years ago when the kit was still relatively new. Perhaps the moulds have not aged well.

Looks great. I waiting for a big discount from ebay and build this bandai kit if I have the chance.

Howdy All, well I started work tonight on the Bandai VF-1D Valkyrie Variable.  Started w/step one, which happens to be the Afterburner/Foot.  Made up of 8 parts, 16 total for both Burners/Feet.  They have the ability to open and close, plus pivot for walking.  I first flat sanded the two groups of halves, clamped and liquid welded from the outside.  Once it had dried hard, I began to sand w/sanding sticks, med & fine.  Took a bit of work to square up and to get to set flat footed when standing erect.  I now remember such kits and must admit today's kits have us spoiled.  This one is going to take some work to get to look like a kit from today's standards.  But that is just fine, I like a challenge.

For some reason I pretty much have made up my mind to build in the Gerwalk Mode.  For some reason, this appeals to me, a walking fighter Aircraft, only in the World of Mech's.

Yeah, should turn out nicely looking at my Tomahawk.

Pricewise I don't find it all that harsh as many shops offer a 20% discount. And seeing what the old kits go for on Ebay.

Next kit should be the Phalanx as they all have similar legs, Spartan will be last I guess.

Mad-Modeler

Wave wants to make me bankrupt, just placed an order for the upcoming 1/72 Defender(aka Rifleman) kit.

Now Tomahawk and Defender in 1/72 something screams Diorama here. Like adding the Fujimi 1/72 Ground Crew equipment sets, etc.

http://www.hlj.com/product/WAVMC-72

Granted anything below the waist is nearly identical.

WOW, the defender is very nice but too pricey for me.

But I bet it will turn  into a great looking model.

Wave wants to make me bankrupt, just placed an order for the upcoming 1/72 Defender(aka Rifleman) kit.

Now Tomahawk and Defender in 1/72 something screams Diorama here. Like adding the Fujimi 1/72 Ground Crew equipment sets, etc.

http://www.hlj.com/product/WAVMC-72

Granted anything below the waist is nearly identical.

That base looks awesome TD4438, I might need to scour my Macross DVD's and make a similar base for my Battroid. Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? :D

I've jumped the gun a little too, but only on the arm/leg movable assemblies though. I take forever to make models though, so think of it as a handicap start :D

Phil_H

Gunpla Master:

I am @ a cross roads about the Bug Eye, I am trying to figure out away to fix the really ugly seam down ea side of the body, have some ideas, but just do not seem to be able to get this up and going. 

The worst aspect about that seam is that it's sitting at the bottom of a narrow recess and that makes it difficult o sand. Back in the day I just left it, but if I were doing it today I would be layering on sometihng like Tamiya's Liquid Surface Primer and then smoothing it out with a tissue or paper towel moistened with denatured alcohol. The recess is painted black and will mask flaws to an extent if you're not looking at it too closely.

I was going to suggest something similar - fill the seam w/ Mr. Surfacer 500, then polish it smooth w/ a Q-tip dipped in Mr. Thinner or alchohol. That's what I do on hard to sand seams. With a little pre- or post-shading, it should be invisible when the kit is finished.

Mad-Modeler

Need your input on an idea.

Been frustrating on how to display the Fan-Racer. It don't come with a landing Gear and the display stand adaptor is for an OOP stand.

Standard racing scene background seems a bit boring, so I was thinking of doubling it up with Egg-Plane Valkyrie( in Hikaru Marking).

Something like flying side-by side or similar.

 

What you think?

Don't like the idea, honestly. The fan racer is a very nicely detailed, serious kit. The egg plane... isn't. I think the contrast would be confusing to the viewer, and detract from the fan racers quality, which would be a shame. My two cents.

Mad-Modeler

CosmicJ.

You didn't miss the start-date a few of us just got trigger-happy. ;)

Myself slowed down due to current assignment, don't really like to do them but they pay well. Yesterday we had a dicey moment but all went well without injuries.

Thx, for the decal offerings, I got some 1/60 decals coming in and will work something out on the console, got an idea and sort of an insider joke.

Yes, the Fan-racer is plastic, pilot is resin though.

Okay, kewl. Thank you. I've been chomping at the bit to get started... maybe if i fudged it a bit too...