In order to accurately replicate the shape of aircraft canopies, model companies have had to mold them in halves. So more often that not, what we end up with is a full length seamline running along the middle of the canopy. Here’s how I get rid of it. Do note that most folks do basically the same thing as me so it’s not rocket science or anything 
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Monthly Archive for May, 2010
These are so cool. IMO, the definitive versions of Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Kaiyodo’s Revoltech line! Just check out the features!
- 150mm tall. 17 points of articulation, 15 Revoltech joints used.
- Eyes can be moved using a tool included, creating an wide range of display possibility.
- Two types of easy-to-remove facial expression part included: Smile and evil smirk types.
- Name of the owner from the movie “Andy” is printed beneath the boot (with the reversed ‘N’ faithfully reproduced).
- A microphone is included.
- Comes with a binoculars plus a bonus left hand unit for Buzz Lightyear. The binocular can be attached to either Woody or Buzz’s left hand.
- Woody’s signature cowboy hat is included.
- The shirt and jacket are produced with details similar to the fabric design as seen in the movie. Because the joint is designed to be beneath the belt, bending the figure forward and backward will be natural-looking.
- Accessories: option face part x1, option hand unit x5 (for Woody x4, for Buzz x1), cowboy hat x1, binoculars x1, mic x1, nameplate x1.
- 195mm tall. 19 points of articulation, 16 Revoltech joints used.
- Eyes can be moved using a tool included, creating an wide range of display possibility.
- Name of the owner from the movie “Andy” is printed beneath the shoe.
- The shoulder joint can be pulled out from the body, helping to create a wide range of movement for the arms.
- Thumb and the other four fingers can move.
- Wings can be attached to the backpack.
- Can pose with the binoculars using the bonus left hand unit from Woody (sold separately).
- Comes with three miniature soldiers to help to create scenes from the movie.
- Accessories: option face part x1, wing part x2, miniature soldier x3, nameplate x1.
A ton of pics can be found on the official site: Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
Well the inevitable has happened. Kotobukiya just announced it’s next HMM Zoid and it’s the Dark Horn, which is a tricked out version of the already released Red Horn. Basically just a different color scheme and a TON of weapons attached to its back. It’s coming in Fall, price unknown for now.
I like the Red Horn, not so sure about this one actually. The weapons pack looks too heavy to be realistically possible (well, as realistic as 10 meter tall giant dinosaur mecha can be :p)
Geez… the legs are very complicated. And they are covered by a ton of seamlines. Yippee. The claws need to be done completely separately and since the judges at the competition actually FLIP the entries to see whether the bottoms are fixed, I will need to fix the bottom of the claws. Heh.
I’ve also been testing out color schemes for the kit. For now, the most likely scheme is the last one: Blue Splinter. I actually quite like the orange scheme (I tend to like bright colored mecha for some reason) but the canopy is already orange. Pity.
Kit Info
Manufacturer: Kotobukiya HMM
Scale: 1/72
Media: Injection Plastic
I’m trying to see if I can quickly finish this one up so I can submit it for Peter & Partner’s Jakarta Model Competition 2010 as my sci-fi entry. As per the rules, this will be for the ‘All Plastic‘ category.
This is how it looks like in all it’s snapfitted glory. I have to say HMM Zoids build up into very nice representations compared to their original toys. This is also the pose that I’m probably going to go with unless I can come up with something more dynamic.
The pilot is nicely detailed for a 1/72 figure. However, it has a static pose and with a big canopy like the Shield Liger’s making it very obvious, I decided to modify the arms so they reach over the controls.
I first separated the arms into 3: forearm, elbow and lower arm. Then it’s a matter of reassembling them into an straight arm.
I also shaved a bit off the back of the pilot so the arms can stretch out more.
While nice, the Shield Liger is made up of more than 400 parts. All of which are supposed to be snapfit. However, that many parts lead to fragility in some areas which I need to address with cement. First up though, I decided to separate the parts into manageable subassemblies. I try to keep the subassemblies in the same colors to ease painting. I also sand as much of the seamlines and spruecut marks as much as I can at this point.
Out of all these, the most complicated is the head, which will require cement for strengthening AFTER I’ve done with painting. Otherwise, it’ll be a masking nightmare.
The torsos are surprisingly almost 1 color affairs. Nice.
I foresee I’ll need to do a lot of work on the tailgun. There’s a ton of seamlines here.
Next up, the legs!
Very good news for me, inevitable bad news for my wallet. Bandai’s Tamashii Nation division has announced a new series of mecha toys to be labeled under the title Super Robot Chogokin. These are supposed to be smaller in stature (about 14cm) and cheaper than their counterparts in the Soul of Chogokin line. It also looks like these won’t be able to transform which is perfectly fine with me since I almost always display my robots in robot form.
What’s most exciting for me personally is that finally, there will be Super Sentai robots represented in this line. I’ve always wanted decently designed Super Sentai robots which forgo their transformation. It’s the transformation that tends to warp the proportions of these toys. Plus, they tend to not look like their TV counterparts. First up for these are Sun Vulcan Robo from Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan and Shinken-oh from Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Good stuff!
The line will start in August with Mazinger (obviously) although I’m not sure whether this will be limited production toys because of the Tamashii Nation label. We’ll just have to see.
All images from Amiami Blog.
