Nice work Aaron, will be nice to see some paint on Dredd.

I got the bottom piece of darth tunic fitted. Its not perfect, but I was afraid if I kept trimming it to fit, I would have nothing left. But the cape covers all but the sides of it. I got a coat of primer on and then the flat black painted. I was going to use the airbrush, but I started on the cape and it was taking for ever, so I went and got a couple of tins of Humbroal spray Matt black. Its just drying at the moment, so wil get some pics up later today.

Aaron: Looks cool, looking forward to seeing you slap some paint on him.

Jack: Thanks, a little sore but ok. I think Red looks great, maybe the photos don't really show the paint build-up. Just seems to be a shame to strip it when it looks that good.

Gamera - sorry to read about your incident, but thankfully you are alright.  As to your question regarding Red's face, no plans to further highlights.  I find going too much contrast limits acceptable viewing angles at this scale.

Marc - it's alive, and he's back.  Look forward to more of the Creature.

Tim - the belt made of lead foil looks perfect, and it's something I might borrow for Red as well.

Aaron - as you say, closing in on the paint booth - excellent prep work btw.

---------------------------

I'd probably choose the mug too as it is constantly on display, unless it's in the dishwasher.

Good move on the extension, as this GB was straddled with the big holiday.   I'm hoping to be done this month, but you never know.  As I'm writing this, seriously considering stripping Red's face due to paint build up...

regards,

Jack

Guys,

Another update on Dredd. I sprayed the parts with Valleje gray primer:

It revealed a few flaws that will need to be fixed, mostly sanding and minor filling. I hope to start serious painting next week.

It appears the mugs have the winning votes, so I'm saved the embarrassment of being swiftly and painfully defeated by Tim at arm wrestling.

Cheers, Aaron

My Mrs will live that, another mug. I think my mug collection is approaching the size of my stash . I got my last one from a site called your design, if anyone needs the link, let me know. They don't do black, so I think it will have to be blue this time.

I am defiantly going to work on Darth tonight, main aim is to get the bottom part of the tunic right and then get a coat of primer on it. But a month extension defiantly takes the pressure off.

Hey Marc, thanks for putting things in perspective, just need to get it pushed though my thick skull. Hope you're able to finish in the extended deadline, I know what it feels like to start something and then lose steam as you work your way though it - way too many times here.

Tim: Thanks for the extension!

I'm in a somewhat better mood, airbrushed the red on Picard's uniform last night. Now I need to do all the shading etc. Both figures are pretty close to done other than the detail painting. I need to post more photos but both figures are wrapped up like the mummy right now so there's not much to see but the masking.

Marc! Good to see you!

OK. It seems that we should go with the mugs again. Like last time, we'll put together the image file and email it out to all the participants. We use Cafe Press here, but I think we had a couple of other guys (Bish for sure) use similar companies in the UK, EU, and Canada.

As for the deadline, we'll push it back to March 31. It's space, but not a lot, so don't slow down! Push onward! Whip the beast!

Er ... yeah.

Gamera, while totaling the car totally sucks at least YOU are not totaled and that's what's important.

It's a rare thing for me to put a model on the back burner.  Just twice in the 9 years back in the hobby... well... 3 now...  The big green guy wasn't motivating me and on top of that I have a case of  "109 FEVER"  A March end would be great and hopefully I will get the 109F-4 I am working on done and go green again.  And I don't mean separating my recyclables.  I have been lurking here though and keeping tabs on the great work. 

Chalk me up with a vote for the mug.  Besides, shouldn't be hard to work it in an editor into something that will work for a shirt too.

Eagle, nice work on Scotty. Nice pic with the backdrop as well. As for the gadget, well, that's interesting.

Greg, that's nice work on Superman, those eyes look really good.

Jack, wow, nice.

Tim, Aaron, that's some beautiful work there guys. And Tim, I am sure we realise you guys have a lot to do there, so I am sure you will be forgiven. As for the T-Shirt/Mug, this is a bit of a cop out, but could we not do both. Are you guys planning on printing the t-shirts and sending them out, or giving us the design. If the former, could you not give us the design for the mug so we can do our own.

I know, I am being greedy

And I think I need to put my 88 to one side and get a move on with darth.

Thanks guys, we only get weather like this in Virginia a few weeks out of the year. Physically I'm fine, just really honked off. Most of the ice had melted by noon, if I'd just called in to work and told them I couldn't make it I'd still have a car. Guess I'm just mad at the weather and myself. I should be able to make the deadline without any problems- it's just I'm not really in a constructive, creative mood right now more irritable and grouchy . I spent last night playing a computer game hacking up monsters and doing other angry anti-social things. Just need to cool off a little and I'll be back to painting.

Sorry to hear about your ride, Gamera.

Guys I have to say the work here is fantastic.  I'm learning a bunch of stuff, including the fact that these figures aren't as straightforward as they first seemed.  The only thing I've managed to start on Zorro is some major hip surgery for his horse.  I haven't been able to get back at him because of other required modeling (hey...I'm not complaining).  Therefore, for completely selfish reasons extending the deadline gets a big thumbs up from me...I might actually get something done.

As for t-shirt vs. mug, I will withhold my vote on the likelihood that I won't actually finish.  I will say, my WW1 mug is cool.  I will however gladly add my vote to a final wrestling vlog.

Take care everyone...I'm a watchin' you!

Hey Tim,

Sure sounds like some of these guys could use a break!  

Sorry to hear about all the troubles everyone is having, but glad to hear no one is seriously hurt!  We'll be thinking of ya'll!

Eagle90

Very sorry about the wheels Gamera.

But I'm happy that you are ok. Us Californians have it easy in that regard, my friend Bill from Chicago used to get out the popcorn when it rained on the hilly streets here.

Tim an extension is your call but it seems a good idea. I could use it.

I like T shirt.

Gamera - That sucks. I know what you're going through. I've been parted from two cars like that.

Heal up. Your health is the most important thing.

That's two down with injuries. I'm thinking I might give us an extra month for completion. Make it March 31. What say you guys?

Hey guys those look great! Guess I'd have to go with a mug too.

I'm hoping to get in under the wire, I'm close to done on both. Unfortunately I totaled my car yesterday due to this horrible weather. I'm ok other than being bruised, sore, and really ticked off right now but I probably won't be getting much done for the foreseeable future.  

Tim and Aaron great job on the Vlog. As for the cold I feel your pain or lack of due to frozen extremeties. Up here in Toronto it has been averaging -16 celcius guess about -5 faranhiet.

For the mug or t-shirt idea I have to put my vote for the mug. Can start a collection. It will look great beaide the WW 1 mug. No matter which wins though will you two still have the arm wrestle match and make it the final Vlog?

Bish

Tim, no worries, hopefully soon I will have some decent progress to go in. I will check it out tonight, it will help me catch up, which I have a lot to do. One of these days I will find the rigt balance between building and seeing whats going on with the site.

Hi Bish,

I don't think there's a balance to be found! 

Honestly, Aaron and I feel terrible about the vlog thing along with our pace on this one. But between the holidays, getting whipped by the sick stick over and over, and a torrent of deadlines for the past three months, we had precious little time to head home and sleep before coming back in.

However, here we are, pouring the coals on. I just hope we can get our compatriots back in and doing the same.

Anyone seen RuddRatt lately?

RuddRatt?

RuddRatt?

And no one better tell me their best friend's sister's boyfriend's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw RuddRatt pass out a 31 Flavors last night and that it's pretty serious.

Hey Tim and Aaron,

I like both ideas, but will cast my vote for the mug.  The one for the WWI GB was awesome and I'm thinking the mug will last a lot longer than the T-shirt (I'd wear it everywhere!).  Besides, nothing better than a hot mug of Java while building!  

But..........can we have a third option?!  I think it would be awesome to see you and Aaron arm wrestle!  

But if that isn't a viable option, then I'll vote for the mug!  Thanks again for a great GB!  And all the lessons learned while building!  That's what this site and these GB's are all about! 

Eagle90

GMorrison

Kidwell- Conan looks good. A lot of fine detail at that scale. I would strongly recommend that while you are putting him together you start learning how to paint his skin. That swore me off John Carter.

And I REALLY don't want to know why there's that big socket on the front of his loin cloth.

Thanks!

Luckily, I'm no stranger to painting skin. Uh, I'm not sure that sounds quite right, but ... you get my meaning.

As to Conan's "depression," it has been the subject of many a quip here at the office. 

AN ANNOUNCMENT

As all of you know, Aaron and I ran the WWI Aeroplane Group Build last year and we designed mugs and made the are available to all of the participants so they could order one as a momento of the build. With this build, we'd like to do the same. However, we're debating doing the mug design or doing a "concert" T-shirt design instead, with the logo (or a modified version of it) on the front and a list of all the participants on the back.

So, we're going to turn it over to you guys - which would you rather have, a T-shirt or a mug? Just shout out your preference here in the thread and we'll tally the votes at the end of the day. If it's a tie, I guess I'll represent T-shirt and Aaron will represent mugs and we'll arm wrestle to make the final decision.

I see a lot of scratchbuilding going on from the Squawkies in Milwaukie...

I think that's key for large figures.

I haven't quite achieved panic level three where the to-do list comes out, but...

The kit came with a rubber band to make his scuba harness, what-the-heck tank on his chest straps, weight belt and boot straps.

Uhh-huuh.

Thin aluminum is needed. Open that Cabernet and save the capsule, Albert.

All of the lug nuts on his carapace/ helmet got carved off. Time to make some new ones, but they are slicko little fittings like Dzuz.

Oh and his scuba tanks and regulators hadn't actually been invented yet, so massive Steam Punk design required.

His rubber suit: I'm relying heavily on that excellent job done on Hans' shirt.

And the base? My sis is a deep sea diver on free weights, down to 120 feet. Asked her if she noted what the bottom looked like.

"Not so much, brother. I was looking up".

Of course in the movie they are in maybe 20 feet of water, out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Kidwell- Conan looks good. A lot of fine detail at that scale. I would strongly recommend that while you are putting him together you start learning how to paint his skin. That swore me off John Carter.

And I REALLY don't want to know why there's that big socket on the front of his loin cloth.

Tim Kidwell

Gentlemen!

A new vlog from Aaron and me!

Sorry it's taken so long to get a new one out to you guys. Expect one every week from here until the end of the GB.

P mitch - How's your recovery going?

Bish - We haven't forgotten you! Expect to be in the next installment.

Tim, no worries, hopefully soon I will have some decent progress to go in. I will check it out tonight, it will help me catch up, which I have a lot to do. One of these days I will find the rigt balance between building and seeing whats going on with the site.

And now, a quick update from me before dinner ...

I made the sword belt from Verlinden lead foil. The loop buckles was made from wire shaped around a mandrel. 

Here's the belt's across Conan's back.

And then some progress on the sword. I've begun making the frog with a bit of lead foil wrapped around the blade. I wrapped the hilt with Green Stuff rolled into a thin snake. Once it's fully cured, I'll shape it and sand it smooth. The bands should give the hilt an interesting texture. Last, I'll find a suitable bauble for the pommel and call it done. 

Guys,

Here's my latest work. I replaced the poorly molded feathers on Dredd's shoulder eagle with strip styrene. You can also the green stuff on the chest and the carved zipper:

Here's the completed pauldron:

And while I had the Green Stuff out, I filled some more pinholes in the vinyl as well as gaps around the kneepads:

Cheers, Aaron

Gentlemen!

A new vlog from Aaron and me!

Sorry it's taken so long to get a new one out to you guys. Expect one every week from here until the end of the GB.

P mitch - How's your recovery going?

Bish - We haven't forgotten you! Expect to be in the next installment.

Yeah, the deadline is coming up fast. I hope to see all our participants cross the finish line! I'll post it to the web in the morning.

GMorrison

Just watched the Vlog- and realized only 5 weeks to go!

Awwww, poor guy!!!! 

Dunno if it would be the same thing or not, it's just I've noticed that if I don't thin the Gunze Sangyo lacquer just right it comes out of my airbrush with this weird spider web type consistently. The first time I sprayed a model and got this effect it looked like I had dropped the model in a bunch of spider webs. Darnest thing to figure out till I tried more thinner.   

Just watched the Vlog- and realized only 5 weeks to go!

Jack- seriously scary.

She has that "It's your ex-wife" look going on.

Gamera

GM: Ack, I've had that happen with Gunze Sangyo lacquer but never with anything else. Good luck cleaning it up, I hate it when stuff like that happens.

GM: Ack, I've had that happen with Gunze Sangyo lacquer but never with anything else. Good luck cleaning it up, I hate it when stuff like that happens.

Jack: The eyes just pretty darn perfect to me and same with the necklace. Are you still working on her face? I guess you could still add a little more highlights but she looks pretty close to done to me.