Group Build Suggestions

[FichtenFoo]

Still trying to decide what GB4 should be. I have this hankering to do what-if style mecha from past eras... Dark Ages, Industrial Revolution, Wild West, Feudal Japan, etc... using existing technologies from the time... ropes and pulleys, stone, coal, etc...

Also considering anything Macross or AC still.

[Trooper Cooper]

I like that "Dead Pilots Society" idea...

[FichtenFoo]

Just a heads up that we've finally nailed down an idea for GB4 and it's gonna be a fun one that all skill levels can enjoy. It'll great because it can be as challenging as you want to make it. You can OOB something, mod something, or full-scratch something.

More info after we get more into the KKKKK as we don't want to take focus away from that. :wink:

[zerobxu]

Just a heads up that we've finally nailed down an idea for GB4 and it's gonna be a fun one that all skill levels can enjoy. It'll great because it can be as challenging as you want to make it. You can OOB something, mod something, or full-scratch something.

We're still going with the "minimum requirements" idea, right? Each completed kit for the next Group Build will need to include each of the following:
*1 pound of white corn tortilla chips
*3 plastic spoons
*6 feet of Cat.5 networking cable
*1 pencil sharpener
*12 guage copper wire (unspecified length)
*Flannel
*An audio CD made in the '90's (preferrably something by the Lightning Seeds)
*Canned pears
*1 green highlighter
*1 PSone controller (3rd party controllers are okay)
*Ribbon from a VHS tape (Betamax is not a substitute)
*A wallet with velcro
*2 knobs from a radio

Oh wait... nevermind... that's something completely different.  

[Major Blah]

I can't believe you forgot the good ole can of Vienna sausage.

Yeah but this upcoming GB4 is going to be awesome, FF is right it saying that it's one that all skill levels can enjoy.  Stay tuned.  :wink:

[FichtenFoo]

*An audio CD made in the '90's (preferrably something by the Lightning Seeds)

Should I be embarrased? I really like the Lightning Seeds and have several of their CDs. :oops:

[zerobxu]

*An audio CD made in the '90's (preferrably something by the Lightning Seeds)

Should I be embarrased? I really like the Lightning Seeds and have several of their CDs. :oops:

Probably not anymore embarrassed than me--selected tracks from "Cloudcuckooland" and "Sense" are in several of my iPod playlists...

[spiffitz]

Today I was cruising through the toy isles at Target with the kids and noticed there were a lot of nice figures/vehicles from sci-fi land. I was thinking "If these were detailed model kits these would be awesome" then I got thinking about a "modified toy" build. You take an off-the-shelf toy and modify it to your desire until it no longer looks toy-like.

Example. Yes I already bought one for, uh, the kids. Yeah that's it.

[zerobxu]

I was thinking "If these were detailed model kits these would be awesome" then I got thinking about a "modified toy" build. You take an off-the-shelf toy and modify it to your desire until it no longer looks toy-like.

There have been one or two "modified toy" builds in the Model In-Progress section. One that comes to mind involves a Zoid and a Micronaut.

Speaking solely for myself as a modeler, this doesn't hold a lot of appeal for me. The reason being that I view these in much the same way I look at the folks who mold and package their own Star Wars action figures or build their own Transformers. While I admire the skill and technique involved, I consider it similar to--but still separate from--model making. Although their results can be absolutely amazing looking, they started from either a toy, or a snap-together wind-up model targetted at ages 5 and up. So I guess--for me--it boils down to the point of origin of the thing: the model section or the "toy" section.

Again, that's just my opinion. It would be interesting to hear from more folks on both sides of this.

[FichtenFoo]

Some would argue that we're already painting toys. But I'm not too keen on this idea... toys are a bitch to clean up and often lack the detail or are made of weird plastics that make this too annoying for my tastes.

[zerobxu]

Some would argue that we're already painting toys.

Whoever said that never had to deal with fixing the seams on a Fliege...

[angel_ad]

How about a 'battle of the anime' fight scene? Basically, take 2 or more mechs from 2 or more different anime (same scale) and have them battling?

It may be limited by scale though. Any thoughts?

P.S. I love the Junkyard idea. the variations are endless!

[zerobxu]

How about a 'battle of the anime' fight scene? Basically, take 2 or more mechs from 2 or more different anime (same scale) and have them battling?

The main problem with this idea is the difficulty in matching scales between different series. And even if you can match scales, there's some issue of balance (how much would a 1:60 Zaku tower over a 1:60 Patlabor Ingram?). The other problem is--again--limited appeal.

Just because an idea may not get a warm reception as a Group Build suggestion doesn't mean it's a bad idea for individual builds. If you think this is a good idea for a GB, go out there and throw together an example of a completed project. A proof of concept. You might be able to attract more interest that way.

[angel_ad]

I see what you mean. If I can find a couple of models that will work then I'll post some images. It may work better tho merging the idea with the junkyard Idea. e.g. creating 2 junk yard mechs that resemble two mechs from two different anime at the end. Will need alot of thought and planning but may work. Look out for future posts if I ever get around to it!
Cheers for the input though

[amessier]

Still trying to decide what GB4 should be. I have this hankering to do what-if style mecha from past eras... Dark Ages, Industrial Revolution, Wild West, Feudal Japan, etc... using existing technologies from the time... ropes and pulleys, stone, coal, etc...

Also considering anything Macross or AC still.

I like the Industrial Revolution and Wild West idea 1700-1900 is a good time range.  I think Dark Ages is over done but looks great. Feudal Japan is almost to easy seeing how the models themselves are based on samurai's.  

Could go back even further and make something to rival the Helepolis.
http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Helepolis.htm

[angel_ad]

Still trying to decide what GB4 should be. I have this hankering to do what-if style mecha from past eras... Dark Ages, Industrial Revolution, Wild West, Feudal Japan, etc... using existing technologies from the time... ropes and pulleys, stone, coal, etc...

Also considering anything Macross or AC still.

I like this idea. my initial thought was the mechanical spider from the movie "Wild Wild West". That probably didn't stick to the use of "technology from the time" though. Does this kind of thing fit into your idea Foo?

[FichtenFoo]

GB4's theme was decided on weeks ago... not that these suggestions are invalid or anything... keep 'em coming for future ones, but consider what I wrote below when coming up with ideas. My post:

Just a heads up that we've finally nailed down an idea for GB4 and it's gonna be a fun one that all skill levels can enjoy. It'll great because it can be as challenging as you want to make it. You can OOB something, mod something, or full-scratch something.

More info after we get more into the KKKKK as we don't want to take focus away from that.  :wink:

So be patient... we'll probably announce it in May.

[angel_ad]

Thats great to know. It should give me time to learn some of the more professional techniques and materials before, and then use them (I'd like to try a bit of styrene)  Being more of a beginner, I can't wait to find out what it is. p.s. I have 3 gasaraki, 4 Gundams, and an Abrams tank waiting to be built,  hopefully the next GB will have a place for one of them, wink wink

oh and while I'm here may people use the forum to discuss other GB's if people join them? (or was that a stupid question)

[FichtenFoo]

What do you mean by other GBs and use this forum?

(I can see the people at home shaking their heads wondering when Foo's ax will fall.)

[angel_ad]

Group builds, but unrelated to ones organised by the site and yourself. Do mind people using your forums to arrange and discuss them etc?