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AlfaZagato

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  1. AlfaZagato

    OO Gauge MR 700 Class

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilt
    Just received this lug in the mail from TMC.  If anyone remembers, I have a penchant for ugly locos. 

     
    I lucked out, though.   Built, running, painted not only in the right color for my collection, but numbered correctly as well.   About the only disappointment is the builder made absolutely zero provision for a rear coupling.   I have ideas.  
     
    Main problem is that there is no substructure behind the rear tender axle.   Nothing to drill into, nothing really to glue to. 
     My first thought was to add a block.  I've had bad luck with such arrangements before.   Even 5-minute epoxy doesn't quite grab well enough against a train.  
     Second thought is an L-bracket, soldered at multiple points.   That then brings the issue of my lack of talent at soldering.   
     Third thought is running a long bolt up through the footplate.   Probably the best cross between strength and simplicity.   Problem there is how to disguise the top of the bolt.   I thought of fabricating a toolbox to cover it.   I've seen no evidence from what few pics I can find that such a toolbox was ever carried by the class.
     
    She runs OK on the test plank.  Won't have access to a layout until next month for a good run, though.
  2. AlfaZagato

    Astray Turn Red

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Been a minutes since I updated this.
     
    Workbench has been almost exclusively Gundams for almost two years.  I picked up too many too fast.   That, and the fact that I don't paint them means I can rattle them off fairly quick.
     
    Current one is called the Gundam Astray Turn Red;

     
    From here, it's arms and two frankly ridiculous swords.   Should finish in the next couple of days.   No work last night, as I had to check my new Booster.
  3. AlfaZagato
    Like it says on the tin.  Couple of pics from this year's show.
     
    First, British Train Society's T-Trak layout.  I believe with two of my locos, Earl of Dunraven & my 5600

     
    Next, my current pride & joy on.the European Train Enthusiasts layout, DSB E 991

     
    Finally, starting a Parkside Dundas L&B four-wheel open. Debating whether seeking brass bearings will be worth it.

     
    The open will get Dapol NEM pockets from the outset.  Have a pack of them.  Eventual goal is to fit all 9mm gauge stock with Easishunts.  Distant goal as of now, though.
  4. AlfaZagato

    'New' Coaches

    By AlfaZagato,


    Ready to Run
    I purchased a coach lot off that auction site.   Lot was listed as 'LMS Coaches,' and at a reasonable price.
     

     
     
    Here's the row.   I needed to have looked closer before committing.  I'm not certain on how much use any of these will be.  Reasoning there, I'm looking for coaches for a preordered Improved Precedent in LMS black.   I don't fancy buying more kits right now, either.
     

     
     
    Two Lima vans.   I'm pretty certain the CCT on the right does me no good.   I've read somewhere that something can be made of the bogie van on the left, though.   I think it was Railway Modeller earlier this year.
     

     
     
    Two Hornby items.   The TPO is a little goofy.   The BK, I don't know.   Looks an awful lot like a Mk. 1 to me.   Not much use either way here.
     

     
     
    Dapol here.   The composite looks reasonable.   Not a mainline coach, I don't think?   The brake, again, looks like a Mk. 1 to me.   Also, the brake would need new bogies.   Wheelsets won't stay in the existing bogies.
     

     
     
    I believe this was a Triang.   That roof is painful.   Just, really painful to my eyes.
     

     
     
    Mainline, here.   Coach on the right I'm pretty certain is what I was after - Mainline's Period 1.   Looks decent to me, too.   That other coach.   Such heavy lines on the roof...
     

     
     
    Finally, my mystery coach.   No make on undercarriage.   Looks like another Mk. 1. 
     
    So, is there anything else here that I could really use?
  6. AlfaZagato
    A few more shots from the show.

     
    Scratchbuilt model of the AT&SF's Topeka station.  I do forget what the builder was telling me, sadly, but I believe there is either no or minimal compression on the size.   Even more impressive, the builder wasn't 20 yet.   I'm very happy that there are younger builders at all, much less in the US.   
     

     
    Brass South Shore collection, in HO scale.   Spoke with the collector.   He's having them painted by a professional.   It was cool to see so many South Shore models in one place.   Interurban modelling is sadly thin.   This collector was also younger.   I think he's my age, about 30 or so.
  7. AlfaZagato
    Here's a little more
     

     
    A couple of my ETE chapter's new layout.   Only shot what was already sceniced.  My fault it isn't finished.   I'm in charge of scenery.   Spent most of my time trying to make a styrofoam mountain.   Not going well.
     

    N-scale drive-in.  Tiny screen usually works.   This club normally has Looney Toons running.
     

     
    More a shot for me.   I like T-Trak.   Cutaways and other 'low' features are of strong interest for me.
  8. AlfaZagato
    Another member's multigauge demonstration layout.  Mostly a way to gather interest without bringing the main layout.
     

     
    Same member's 009 demonstrator.  The L&B stock is mine.   I've followed this parish's thread to fettle the Taw.   She ran the whole eight-hour show with now fuss.   Very happy, though I still get leery of Heljan's quality control.
     

     
    Another member's shunting puzzle.  Didn't garner too much interest, sadly.   He may have been positioned badly, but American shows tend towards a lot more 'hands off' feelings.   
  9. AlfaZagato

    All-American Railroad Show, Part 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Ready to Run
    I'm back.   Lack of blogging is resultant of new phones that my boxes won't detect as drives, & use of a fancy new Canon DSLR that I've been too lazy to pick files from.  I have a series of shots from the last show I'll publish in the next few posts, dependent on my file size.   
    Here I have a couple of shots of our new club T Trak layout.   All Metcalfe I think for the buildings.   Given my somewhat vast 1930's stock collection, I haven't done jack for this layout.  Happy we have it, though.   When Baltic birch becomes available again, I'll pick up a couple of kits to add to the set.

     
    And an obligatory shot of a member's private tram layout.  An actual Englishman built it.  More of a sceneryman than a stockman.  I think all his trams are powered by another gentleman on his behalf.
     
  10. AlfaZagato

    Valentine 3

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    So, the Valentine is at a pausing point;

     
    As I mentioned before, the tracks that came with the kit are worthless.   I will be picking up the aftermarket tracks for this at some point.   Not right away, though.   I just bought an old Celica.   That's going to be a money sink for a minute.   Shame it's still winter.   Doubly shame I haven't a garage.   Working on the Celica is going to be fun.    We'll see.
  11. AlfaZagato

    Valentine 2

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Not much done in the past week.   I think we've had snow every day the past three weeks.   I tend to burn myself out shoveling.

     
    I have fitted many of the small details.   Common logic is to omit many such details until later.   I, personally, hate trying to satisfactorily attach small parts after paint.   I'm mostly dawdling until I pick up the Bronco tracks.   I have two more stores I wish to visit.   If neither has the kit, then I'll order it.   We'll see.
  12. AlfaZagato

    Valentine 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    As mentioned last week, I finished the ReZEL.   As also mentioned last week, I didn't have a chance to fit the a-parts before I went to press.   So, here's the ReZEL with a-parts;

     
    I don't much like the a-parts.   The giant sword is neat, but it can't hold the thing.   The missile pods look way too awkward for my taste, too.   I highly doubt I'll mount the parts again.   Still needed a shot with the parts for posterity.
     
    Here's a fun glamor shot with a surprisingly related suit;

     
    Y'all might remember the orange one from last year, the Gray Zeta.   So, in-universe, the original Zeta was a prototype for a high-performance unit.   Several were built, but never to full production.   The Zetas all had MSZ-xxx model numbers, such as the orange Gray Zeta being MSZ-006B-3.   A decision to design a cheaper, producible Zeta led to the Refined Gundam Zeta series of suits, or RGZ.  The RGZ series eventually led to the RGZ-95C, what I built most recently.   If I remember correctly, the RGZ-95 ReZEL was the first of the RGZ series to return to full transformation - earlier RGZ's used simplified systems, often requiring auxiliary units for the 'waverider' modes. 
     
    Honestly, I just thought it was neat.   It was also the only Master Grade kit the local had that wasn't over $100.   Didn't feel like dropping multiple bills on another kit right way.
     
    I did play with my layout a small bit; see my thread for the work.
     
    Realizing I needed parts for the layout, I turned next to an old enemy of mine - an RPM Valentine III.    I dislike this kit.   The hull has gone together without too much fuss;

     
    This all was done tonight, except for the turret plate.    I've also finished the lower hull, some years ago in fact.    Why haven't I finished the kit in 15 years, you ask?
     
    This:

     
    NO
    NOPE
    NADA
    NOT HAPPENING
    SCREW THESE STUPID INDY LINKS
     
    These particular individual link tracks are bad.    Looks like some mold shift, meaning every link requires significant cleanup.   That couples with no positive fit, nor concise directions on how many I need a side, to make a thoroughly unenjoyable experience.   Working at these Tuesday night only reinforced my aversion.   I've decided I will acquire aftermarket tracks.    The Bronco set I'm looking at is still individual link.   Bronco's set, though, is a reasonably recent molding.    They're also click-fit.   That I can tolerate.   Maybe I'll eventually finish a tank!  We'll see.
  13. AlfaZagato

    ReZEL Type C 3

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    The ReZEL Type C is built.

    Impressive beast, isn't it?   What you can't see in this shot is the 'kickstand' the kit supplied.   This thing is very back-heavy.  Even with a forward-canted dynamic pose, It just doesn't want to stand straight.
     
    It transforms, too;

    This form, called 'waverider,' is awkward in many ways.   Firstly, it doesn't want to hold this mode.   There are not many locks, and what few there are are weak.   Mounting it on this spare stand was also sketchy.   Very top-heavy.   It just doesn't like this stand, though.   I think this stand was set aside for some reason, other than being surplus.   I don't remember.   The stand doesn't hold the model in robot mode well, either.   Oh well.
     
    Both of the other pictures are done up with the b-parts.   This kit also supplied the a-parts, many of which are visible in the previous two pictures.     These are the most noticeable components;

    These replace the long 'binders' that flank the cannons.   The white panels open to missiles.   A lot of missiles.   There are also two more missile pods, seen on the waverider form, that attach inboard of the binders.   These inner pods also mount very large laser sword handles.   I might have pictures of the a-parts installed next week.  We'll see.
  14. AlfaZagato

    ReZEL Type C 2

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Work has continued on the ReZEL;

     
    All this becomes...

     
    This!  Tall s.o.b., too.   Probably nine, ten inches as it is.   I still need to finish the back...assemblies;

     
    This kit comes with parts to build two versions of the backpack, so-called Type B & Type C.   Type A is not available in these colors.   I still really don't know what-all is going on with the packs, though.   None of the art I've found really shows that these variants look like.   Types B & C did not appear in the show, nor the main comic.  Sort of a what-if.   I'll find out when I'm done.   We'll see.
  15. AlfaZagato

    ReZEL Type C 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    If you've not seen any news, 'lockdown' in the US has been a joke.   Seeing the punchline, I've maintained spending time with a friend of mine.   We watch anime, play video games, and build Gunpla.   It's fun!  Also, I'm 30.   Make your judgements.
     
    I like to have a kit for building at my friend's house.   I finished that last such kit on Sunday;

     
    I broadly need to improve my photography.   This was a Bandai Master Grade 1/100 Gunner ZAKU Warrior Lunamaria Hawke.   Kind of a mouthful.   The rouge-pink comes from the last bit.   These colors were a custom scheme for a character in the series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Lunamaria Hawke.   I dig it, though.   Like the gun, too.   I have a taste for oversized weapons on giant robots.   Always fun.
     
    The kit itself was a slightly simpler offering for a MG.  Still has internal frame details like other MGs.   It built like one of the older kits, though.   With much improved fit & flex, though.   No polycaps, either.    Always a plus.
     
    I did start another kit, though I started it at home for my stream;

     
    Here we have the beginnings of a Bandai MG 1/100 RGZ-96C ReZEL Type C.   No name, per se.   It's not actually a 'Gundam.'   Plot-wise, it was a much refined version of the Zeta Gundam - an orange example I've posted before.   The ReZEL is also a transforming suit.   And also garishly colored.  Should be fun.  We'll see.
  16. AlfaZagato

    Gundam Variety

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    I had to put away the Tau.  I just did not have the patience.   The whole operation became very daunting very quickly.
     
    Instead, I bought some new Gundam kits to settle with;

     
    The larger box is a so-called Master Grade, or MG kit.   Excellent levels of detail, well-thought colored molding, & intricate assembly that attempts to affect 'realistic' poses.  I favor the kits.   Larger scale, too, at 1/100.   The other three are so-called High Grades, or HG kits.  All three are from a series known as Gundam Build Fighters.   Gundam Build Fighters poses the concept that people can scan their kits into a video game & battle them.   Loosely based on an older video game series, Custom Robo.   I loved Custom Robo...
     
    Anyways, the HG kits are much simpler than the MG kits.   HG kits are a smaller scale, at 1/144, as well.   Detail & flexibility can suffer, though.    I built the Hi-Mock first;

     
    Quick build, still fun.   Not the most posable.   I've built worse, to be certain.
     
    The Powered Arms Powerder (I'm not joking)  came next.   Here they are in progress;

     
    A lot more tedious.   Lots of two-part joints to be assembled first, then combined to form arms.  
     
    Finally, I built the Gunpla Battle Arm Arms (again, not joking.)  I did not take any pictures of this kit separately.   I did, though, mount the lot to the Hi-Mock

     
    He doesn't stand well on his own at this point.   Both arms sets were meant for overloading suits.   I think they did the job.   I was slightly disappointed the Powered Arms Powerder only accommodated the included weapons.   No claws or manipulators.
     
    I will probably start the MG kit next week.   We'll see.
  17. AlfaZagato

    Bulk Tau 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Sorry for another gap.   Christmas was busy.
     
    Just before Christmas, I assembled what Kadees I had to hand.   Kind of just felt like building them.   I need to fit them, now.   I have plenty of stock waiting;

     
    All these clamps, I certainly had a hold on the situation.
     
    Wanting to build something well-designed & straightforward, I started the Toyota AA kit.

     
    Very clean molding, very well designed assembly.   Only bit that took any time was holding the lever-shocks in place while the glue set.   Tamiya Extra Thin made sure that wasn't long.   The kit is from Tamiya, by-the-by.   I highly recommend their kits if you're moving from snap-fit or RTR to glue assembly.   Very forgiving.
     
    I picked myself up a somewhat humorous model on my birthday;

     
    Yes, it's a fat Asian man on a chopper with a fake beard & presents.   Box included a pair of socks, as well.    I probably won't build it anytime soon.    Maybe to clear another box off of my shelf.
     
    Finally, I purchased some second-hand Warhammer 40,000 Tau from a friend;

    This was me cataloguing what I received.   Much needed repairs.
     
    Some of the bigger stuff was unfinished.  Some still is.   I had sadly found I was out of magnets when I went to add them;

     
    I used a very oversized lighter to soften that clear stand, then bend it.    Worked fine, especially as I used my iced drink glass to set the angle!   The model on lower left was assembled from parts in the pile of sprues.

     
    These were also cut from the sprues.  Excepting the pile of Kadee's, of course.   Given how I've magnetized certain models in my collection, most of these piles will need magnets as well.    We'll see.
  18. AlfaZagato

    Gundam XXX 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    I actually did a little bit of work this week.   Massive improvement over November.
     
    Firstly, I made the correction I mentioned in the last blog;

     
    With this correction, I have another whole soldier...whom I can find no current rules for.   Oh, well.   She's a proxy now, I guess.
     
    I also started on another project I've been considering for a while - the Gundam XXX.

     
    Making her look more like a Gundam.
     

     
    Part-through the upper torso.   She's a little...absurdly built.    Not impossible, just unlikely.
     

     
    More Gundam parts, including an idea I had that I've not committed to, yet.
     
    Finally, her built, though with a lot of putty-work needed.

     
    This is a stupid project, and a play on words.    The Gundam parts are sourced from a type called the Gundam XX.   I'm combining those parts with a model girl.    I hope most of you can make the connection.   Maybe next time, I'll have made it more absurd.   We'll see.


  19. AlfaZagato

    Yu Jing 3

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    This is the sum total of modeling work I have done in the past month;

     
    These two are probably as far as they'll get for a while.   I just burned out after the last entry.   We've also lost the season here in Illinois.   I can't commit to any more air or spray painting.   At least, not unless we get some 'Indian Summer.'   Shame, really.   Maybe I'll actually work on the shoebox for once.
     
    When it comes to the Yu Jing, though, I need to break one of the others.    I finally found pics of some of the 'bonus' models I had.   I managed to swap an arm.    I just need to sit down and do it.   Let's see how long I keep motivation this time.
  20. AlfaZagato

    Yu Jing 2

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    I made more work on the Yu Jing for Infinity.
     
    Firstly, I finished building the Shaolin Warriors;

     
    Kind of dynamic looking.    The heads were all separate and finicky.   I hated it.
     
    I had another box, labelled Imperial Service Starter Pack.  Only supposed to be six figures in the box.   I found 12.  Firstly, what wasn't supposed to be there;

     
    Thankfully, the bottom three were one piece each, and therefore complete.   The top three were each missing at least an arm.   It took texting a friend with the picture to help identify what they were.   Apparently, this comprises the contents of another box, the Yu Jing starter pack.    OK, though, still more minis than I had accounted for.
     
    Next, the actual contents of the box;

    Somehow, this was also missing some pieces.   Namely, both the dudes with coats on the bottom-left are missing arms.   Wonderful.   This is out-of-print, too, so slim chance of support.   I spent so little on the box, too.   Pursuing replacements would not be ideal. 
     
    I built up the complete minis, though.   I did lose another part for the guy on the right here;

     
    I doing just wonderfully with this.   We'll see.
  21. AlfaZagato

    Yu Jing 1

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    As a quick diversion, I built a Sister of Battle;

     
    This was a stand-alone, special-order model.   Kind of neat, though without special rules in the game.   I have a deliciously wild paint scheme for this army.
     
    I also started on another army for Infinity the Game, Yu Jing

     
    These are Xiaolin warrior monks, according to the box.   Kind of neat.   I have found, though, most table-top games make it somewhat aggravating to close into close combat.   My tube of superglue was dead when I took this picture.   I need to pick up more.   We'll see.
  22. AlfaZagato

    Infinity Bonus

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Finally had a chance to play a game with the sci-fi Japanese I finished back in April.   Over the course of the game, I was informed that model facing is important.  Cue the following;

    I painted roughly 180 deg. of the base red.   Quick & simple.   I used Model Master enamel, having found it coats well enough in one go to not waste time on such a simple job.
     
    As painting the red took so little time, I started on another gaming model.

     
    This is a special model for Sisters of Battle, an army in Warhammer 40k.   Some time back, I had built another singular model.   I suppose some time over the coming winter I will build the whole of the army.
     
    Finally, I built another small Gundam at a friend's house on Sunday;

     
    This is an RMS-117B Galbaldy Beta.   When I watched the movie this is from, Zeta Gundam: A New Translation, I just thought this thing was cool.    Surprisingly detailed kit, too.  The shoulders were well executed.
     
    I finally looked to Paasche's website.    They do sell parts for the VLS still.   I didn't jump on them when I looked, though.   I didn't remember which tips & needles I had.   I'll need to add such to my list.   We'll see.
  23. AlfaZagato

    8th Army 4

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Finally got around to painting the bases for my half-squad of Bolt Action 8th Army;

     
    Just the one coat.  Don't want bare plastic, but I also didn't want to spend two weeks layering color.   I mounted the figures and based them, too.   All done;

    I have no idea why the photos are so yellow.   Whatever.    Maybe a little glib with the sand.   If it bothers me, I can pick them clean.   Gets them off of my bench, though.     Airbrushing is on hold at this point, though.    I managed to damage the tip I was using.   My one spare tip did not match either needle I have.    I haven't encountered Paasche parts in-store in years, either.    I guess I'll need to order parts.   We'll see.
  25. AlfaZagato

    Kaempfer 3

    By AlfaZagato,


    Kitbuilding
    Eventually I'll break my slump.   Eventually.   The clear on the Heavy Gundam did, in fact, orange peel.   I guess I'll need to knock it down.   I hate sanding.
     
    I sprayed another coat of gloss white on the Kaempfer;

     
    I think it's about there.   Better be, too.   I'm running out of season and gloss white.   My airbrush was acting up, too.   Drying in the tip.   I've never had that before.   This is Model Master enamel, too.   Ended up wasting half a cup of paint when the thing completely clogged.   Frustrating.   I may have damaged the nozzle trying to separate it to clean it, too.   I need parts...
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