Messages

1

Dioramas / Re: JB Weld?

« on: October 30, 2008, 06:41:31 PM »

...But area of concern is the hand.  There aren't much room to implant metal rods AND lay down the wiring.  I guess the easiest thing to do is what you suggested at the end which I was hoping to avoid by using steel epoxy such as JB Weld.

short of casting new hand with the sabre and part of forearm frame as single piece with metal rod inside for the added strength can't think any other way.

one more option albeit not as clean look as others would be putting the clear acrylic rod to support Zaku II.
Also in regards to Zaku II 2.0 I'd personally use Zaku II F2. Surely I can find F2 at much lower price than v2.0.
It's just shame that you will be throwing out much of internal frame...

2

Dioramas / Re: JB Weld?

« on: October 30, 2008, 04:19:41 PM »

I think using ver 1.0 kit would be better in this incident.
the latest 2.0 kits are decked out with internal frames which is very cool but not much of use for the diorama.

I'd use 1.0 Zaku II and replace/reconstruct the arm/shoulder frame for Gundam.
That JB Weld(?) may locked the joint solid but the weight of 2.0 Zaku II will result the entire Gundam frame broken off...
or so I think...

another thing to consider is depending the position the beam sabre won't have to be the only contact point supporting the full weight of Zaku II. Maybe its toe or something slightly touching Gundam and by doing so you can distribute the weight more evenly...

3

Model Gallery / Re: Non-scale Bandai Evangelion unit 00 (Rebuild of Eva version)

« on: October 30, 2008, 03:37:13 PM »

lovely~
just lovely... ^ ^
like others I like the hexagon patterns - great idea and compliment the kit very nicely indeed.

For the rubber arm, when I built mine I mixed the paint to match the colour of grey rubber as close as can so I don't have to paint the rubber part. ^ ^ Still the latest release used the different rubber materials and like you mentioned if you left bend position the rubber will be torn apart after some time.

Now I've seen your model I may pick up theatre version of Eva-01 next time I see it at discounted price... ^ ^

4

Model Talk / Re: Upcoming Gunpla (Post it here, other threads will be locked)

« on: October 14, 2008, 04:23:27 PM »

the inernal 4/4 sale list for the Bandai lineup mentioned MG GunTank ver RC at around 20000 yen. @__@
No mention of normal version of GunTank minus RC bits though. And there will be no PG this year though there will be in 2009 though whether that will be the new PG or just variation of existing PG is yet to be confirmed...

IMHO Bandai is basing that 20000yen for RC GunTank in comparison to Tamiya's RC tank kit. From memory those sell for 18000+yen so they guess RCGunTank should be sold for 20000 yen - NOT! -__-+

5

Model Gallery / 1/144 Bandai RX-79BD-6T Blue Destiny Unit 1

« on: September 08, 2008, 06:17:59 PM »

This build was bit different from my normal build up.
Due to the personal reason I can't use my AB setup so this was done by hand using can spray and hand brushing.
I must say it was nice change since it was a long time ago when I build one by hand brushing... ^ ^

It's just one of what if~ version I often build.
The number 6 on its shoulder denotes that this is 6th unit built by Titanz to trial the EXAM system - among six units first three were half finished test units and the other three, 4, 5, 6 were fully built working prototypes undergoing test at the hand of Titanz Test Team...
well that's my lame explanation... -__-;

The Zaku II FZ head it's holding is from my FZ build.
After testing the pipe mod I decided to stick with the kit items and this left over head becomes yet another addition to my short list of scenery accessories that I use for photo shooting/diorama and etc... ^ ^
By the way this is not part of this kit. It's just being held for the photo shoot only hence its lack of weathering..

6

Model Gallery / Re: 1/144 Bandai RGM-79L GM Light Armor

« on: September 05, 2008, 09:36:54 PM »

Yes I posted the WIP some time ago... ^ ^
That metal thrusters btw is from my supply box - can't recall where I get 'em thouh

7

Model Gallery / 1/144 Bandai RGM-79L GM Light Armor

« on: September 04, 2008, 09:23:41 PM »

Here's the one of first rolled out of my MSV project.
there are still few more to be followed but they will have to wait till I can take picture of them down the track~

After long hard look I've decide to stop without the heavy weathering as I  initially planned.
Next time round I'm definitely going for the heavy weathering though plus different colour scheme~




About the lack of photo, I'm not good at the action pose. -__-;
Did tried couple and all of them looked rather goofy looking and not something I'd like to others to see~ ^ ^;




And you can read all about this build in the write up I did for this build at below link.
You can check out the mod that I did as well~
<How To Make HGUC RGM-79L GM Light Armor>

8

Model Help* (Check Stickies and Search First) / Re: Clear resin water ripple?

« on: August 26, 2008, 08:36:29 PM »

maybe something like this is what you have in mind?
Don't think he used the clear resin though...
[btw according to the explanation it's done entirely by hand brushing...@__@]

Link

9

Model In-Progress / WIP - 1/144 MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku

« on: August 25, 2008, 08:06:13 PM »

The MS-06Z Psycommu System Zaku was the last variant of the Zaku line under the MS-16X [Bishop] plan. The MS-06Z was produced from parts from three MS-06F Zaku II units. All three of these units would be tested at the Corregidor Zone, the same place where the Ace Corps tested the MS-14A Gelgoog. One of the three units would be destroyed by an Earth Federation patrol fleet. The plan was halted due to a critical design flaw: the high energy usage which only would allow 10 minutes of combat. This would eventually lead to the improved MSN-01 High Mobility Psycommu System Zaku. The wire-guided beam arms were identical as the ones which would later be implemented on the MSN-02 Zeong. Because of its wire-guided beam arms, psycommu system, and additional apogee motors to keep up the speed the cost of the MS-06Z was the equivalent of several Zaku IIs.

In continuation to the 1/100 scale full scratch build one from last year this is one of 1/144 kits that I'm working on and off under my MSV project banner. ^ ^
Anyone with sharp eyes will notice there are few areas that I've substitute with HGUC parts.
I should be put the surface primer but since I was out of it I used the cheap green spray can as the substitute. Think it turned out alright and showed the areas that I need to work on very nicely, especially those area where I used a lot of putty...
Although I used the original head from the old kit but I'm in the opinion that fully scratch built head using HGUC part would be more in scale. Standing next to HGUC Zaku II this one's head is just way bigger when it was supposedly based on Zaku II parts according to its spec...




p.s. Click the link below for 1/100 MS-06Z waiting for the custom decal.
Link

10

Model In-Progress / Re: 1/144 MS-06V Zaku Tank> Construction Type WIP

« on: August 01, 2008, 05:46:07 AM »

you are right on the money.
I always mix up 0083 and 8th MS team... -__-;

11

Model In-Progress / Re: 1/144 MS-06V Zaku Tank> Construction Type WIP

« on: July 31, 2008, 10:02:15 PM »

the one in the initial posting is from 0083 series...

12

Model In-Progress / Re: 1/250 Jaburo Diorama WIP

« on: July 29, 2008, 04:55:37 PM »

for the cut if it's deep and you need to stop the bleeding put some super glue~
seriously that's what this stuff was invented for in the fist place if I'm not mistaken

13

Model In-Progress / Re: HGUC Zaku II FZ

« on: July 28, 2008, 05:58:06 AM »

shipping to Down Under would be the killer I'm afraid~

14

Model In-Progress / Battle Field: Fenrir Corp [Part 1]

« on: July 28, 2008, 04:16:30 AM »

Firstly let me said that the idea for this diorama came about with the single illustration.
I saw it somewhere on the Internet some time ago but lost track of it.... till I bought the book about the MS-06 Zaku series.
In the book I found the long lost illustration!
And I knew I had to build the diorama based on that illustration.
Sure I won't be able to replicate 100% carbon copy but the illustration will be the insperation for the diorama.

And here's that scanned copy of the illustration.


Now I know Midnight Fenrir Corps, the Zeon tatical unit was created for PS2 game [Zeonic Front] but frankly do not know whether this illustration has any connection to it...
From little I know they beares a logo of black and blue. This MS team was created by Kycilia Zabi and participated in the capture of the California Base during the 2nd Earth Invasion Plan...


Anyhow the centre piece of this diorama is now completed.
Thanks to the crashed Zaku II kit that I had worked on before the build was relatively stress free.
All I had to do was adding right leg below knee joint plus new left leg's armour and helmet.
The rest is the previous build retouched and re-painted.

The weathering still in progress and won't be completed till all the components are ready for final assembly. Since the diorama is based on the desert setting the entire tone will be adjusted using the Buff...

Then without further ado here are couple of shots on the work desk.
The base is not for the diorama by the way.
Just something for Zaku to sit on~
I know I didn't build the Zeon flag. Well there'll be build at later stage...
Probably using clay template and thinly rolled epoxy putty ~
In the mean time the rifle will do just fine then.






The part 2 will be building Federation Forces Type 61 tank.
No 1/100 sale kit was ever released in either injection nor resin so this will have to be custom built from injection kit.
From the spec I believe the Type 61 is rather large for the tank and my assumption is 1/72 scale tank kit would be about right in scale next to 1/100 scale Zaku and figures.
I'm eying Merkava tank in 1/72 scale as the potential donor kit based on the reference pictures...

Finally here's my futile attempt for extreme close up~
alas~ my digital camera is crap when it comes to macro mode... OTL


p.s. The title of diorama is not decided yet. The one I used for posting is simply working title..

15

Model In-Progress / Re: HGUC Zaku II FZ

« on: July 28, 2008, 04:13:23 AM »

till I find suitable bead substitute this one's on hold.
I experimented with some tubing for the cable but it was way out of scale and to do it properly I will need bead/tube at proper size~

which means yet another trip to the local hobby craft stores to look around~ -__-;

16

Model In-Progress / Re: HGUC Zaku II FZ

« on: July 24, 2008, 07:39:10 PM »

Part 2

just quick snaps before I leave for work this morning.
Pretty much done minus some more painting and decal~
I've switched to the helmet style head as well as few minor mod here and there~



And new machine gun for this soldier...
[it's the bottom one]


sorry about the poor quality of pictures~ -__-;

17

Model In-Progress / HGUC Zaku II FZ

« on: July 22, 2008, 08:04:58 PM »

Part 1

Yet another 1/144 kit I'm forced to work on~ - -;
Anyhow since I so rarely have longer than couple minutes of spare time here and there I've decided to build as the separate complete modules - i.e. fix/build the head inc. preliminary painting...

Here's the what I've done.
Hopefully you can see what I meant by the mono-eye mod.
Simply clean off and fill any gap using the epoxy putty.
Pop in the mono-eye block and voila! you have the working mono eye~ ^ ^
As you can see I didn't bother with the power cable mod and won't do it for the rest of body...

18

Model In-Progress / Re: HGUC Gogg Cold Climate ver Cyclops

« on: June 30, 2008, 08:01:17 PM »

I'm at work at the moment and won't be home for another five hours...
And didn't have time to touch it last night...

after all missus and kids come first~ - -;

19

Model In-Progress / Re: HGUC Gogg Cold Climate ver Cyclops

« on: June 30, 2008, 07:15:49 PM »

This is the write up of the mono-eye modification that I've done with this 1/144 Gogg kit.
This particular Gogg is inspired by the Cyclops platoon featured in the 0080 War in the Pocket. In one of what if situation I imaged thatbefore they gotthe Hi-Gogg units assigned they would've used the Goggmodified for the cold climate...


Here is the close up shot of the stock standard HGUC Gogg kit snap assembled plus the mono eye sticker applied. Given the quality of recent HGUC kits Bandai is producing it's quite disappointed that they opted for the sticker instead of working piece like in HGUC Dom. This sticker look makes the whole kit the toy-like appearance no matter how well the rest of the kit is put together...

This kit was built for MMC June competition but unfortunately the family life meant I wouldn't be able to submit this one on time. The main work of assembling and painting was pretty straight forward however the sticker kept bugging me and after the initial painting and decaling were done I've decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with the modification. That was back in April...

The method I used was called Thermoforming where the thin clear plastic - i.e. PET - was heated and put on the existing mould to form the certain shape. I used the piece of slice cheese container over the small candle flame. It took me about five attempts before I had the suitable one.

In the mean time I also saw away the front section of the inner partwhere the mono eye sticker is applied and cobble together therudimentary mono eye mechanism using bits and pieces from the junk box.
Fortunately I had the scrap HGUC Dom head parts and I used it as the basis of the mod.



However I encountered one slight problem.
The mono eye sits way too high and interfered with the clear cover.
I tried few ways to lower the mono eye but to make it swing around under the cover proved to be too time consuming and it's the time that I hadn't have.
At the end I simply glued the mono eye parts at the lowest position and substituted with the small pink H-eye from my usual supply.


Oh~ Almost forgot.
I sanded away the opening as the frame around was too thick.
After scrapping off bulk of it using the art knife and few swipes of sanding stick remedied it. ^ ^


And here's the result.
I think the effort was well worth the trouble, don't you think?

20

Model In-Progress / HGUC Gogg Cold Climate ver Cyclops

« on: June 29, 2008, 08:54:38 PM »

Other than the full scratch built Mono-eye modification it's OOB~
I know the sticker doesn't stick too well.
I shall give it few more rubbing for the main photo shoot~

Just weathering before June competition entry...
though not sure I will have time to finish since today is the last day of June~