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AlfaZagato

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  1. AlfaZagato

    Yeah, More Tau

    By AlfaZagato,

    Getting close to finished with the Tau box.
     
    Second Ethereal-blade is knocked up.   I probably mentioned before, but it is a very simple, useful conversion.   The parts break-down on these kits was intended to allow for easy modification.

    This is all normal Ethereal here.
     

    And the finished conversion.   Different arms, different head, & a backpack.  I've thought about changing the legs, but the torso & legs on the ethereal are a single molding.   I don't think it is worth the time.
     
    I've done quite a bit with the suits, as well.

    All of the clamps.   Waists & what they call 'burst cannons.'   Dirty numbers, these.   Probability scales heavily in their favor.   Love them on the table.   Sadly, not enough in the box.
     
    Everything gets a magnet, too.

    I didn't dawdle this time, either.   Drill still held a charge, so why not?   I am now out of the larger magnet size I use for the suits themselves, though.   I shouldn't need more of that size for a while.
     
    I should have the suits done next week.   I might even be into the next project.   Hell, maybe even the project after that!
  2. AlfaZagato

    More Tau

    By AlfaZagato,

    Not a lot done this week.   Bad weather and bad motivation.    Finished building the next squad, though.

    Probably another month or so to finish this box, I'd reckon.   If the snow would let up, at least.   Then, more wargaming!  Natch.
  3. AlfaZagato

    Photo Op

    By AlfaZagato,

    Train things.
     
    I have some OO9 out.    My Heljan L&B Manning-Wardle, suitably modified per the pertinent thread, and a Bachman USA Skarloey.   I will say, Skarloey is the sweeter runner.   I was double-heading do to constant stalls with the M-W.

     
    This long shot shows the relatively easy load.   Skarloey struggled with it on his own.   Also, the little bit of American I have breaks scale.

     
    Just after Thanksgiving, I ordered a Heljan 1366 when Rails had a flash sale.   Made the thing an actually reasonable price; bill-and-a-half is stupid for a dockyards loco.   I ordered Oxford Rail's Toad as well.   I only had an LMS brake, for the Garratt.

     
    I like both.    The Toad is overdone, and very affordable.   Having an interior is unfathomable to me when the windows are mere mail slots.   I'm happy I read the thread on the 1366 before I tested it.

    A simple check to see if the wheels had any side-to-side showed none.   I proceeded to remove the brake plate as recommended.    Following further suggestion, each screw was backed out up to a turn.   I also fiddled with the wipers in an attempt to enlarge the contact area.    She ran very sweetly after the changes, other than some of the track coming up dud.    A recent purchase begets a new track arrangement anyways.   Stay tuned.
  4. AlfaZagato

    More...Everything

    By AlfaZagato,

    Lots of varied work this week.
     
    Primary focus at home was the Tau.   I finished magnetizing & building the Crisis Battlesuits from the first of my two boxes.

    These get tucked away in a case somewhere for a few months until it is painting season again.
     
    I started building the next box.   Back to basic infantry.

    Only just started, though.   These go together very quickly.   Again, shake-the-box.
     
    I experienced some drama in Dungeons & Dragons.    My existing character died.    Now, instead of writing 'Jr.' next to the dead character's name, I wrote a new character.   New character calls for a new model.   Finding the right model took some work, though.   I decided to be unique in my equipment.   Can you imagine how hard it is to find a soldier with a shield, but leather armor?  Lucked out;

    I equipped a whip as a main weapon on paper, so I modified the mini.   I notched the right arm about the elbow.   I slight amount of force straightened the arm to a more natural pose for a whip.    I clipped the sword the model was originally equipped with.    I drilled the molded handle .033, and fitted a length of .032 solder.   Putty filled the notched elbow.  I think it works.
     
    Finally, Friday and Monday saw me complete the last two snap-fit kits I had on hand.   Friday was a machine from the anime Eureka Seven.

    Eureka Seven is set in a far-future alien world plagued by strong waves of energy.    Of course the natural solution is giant robots that surf said waves.   Why not?  This kit worked out to the same scale as my normal Gundam kits, but boy, was it lackluster.   Joints are oversimplified, motion is limited, and color separation was pretty bad.    I don't know if I want to paint it, or forget it exists.  We'll see.
     
    Monday was Revell Germany's recent Deutz kit.
    I forgot how simple automotive snap kits could be.    This kit definitely deserves paint.   I chose not to apply stickers because of that.  Still, the engraving and fit are both pretty good.    Looks halfway decent as it is.
     
    See the comments below for more.   I ran out of file space.
  5. AlfaZagato

    Quick Giant Robots

    By AlfaZagato,

    It has been slow at work.   I've used my free time to build my gifts.
     
    Guncannon

     
    Acguy

     
    And VeeTwo Gundam

     
    I also reached an impasse with the Tau.   Until I figure out which magnets to use, I can't drill holes for the magnets.   I can't mount arms & torsos until I drill holes.   Shame, really.

     
    Does anyone here know the name for square-tipped drill bits?  I saw hobby-specific ones for a very pretty penny.   Packaging was all in Japanese, so I don't know the name. 
  6. AlfaZagato
    Apologies for skipping last week.    The 26th was my birthday.   I hopped around some hobby/game shops in Chicagoland, then played X-Wing at the local.    Friday got out-of-hand, but that's neither here nor there here, is it?
     
    As of Christmas Eve, I putting the Infinity on hold.    I plan on using some patterned Plastruct sheet to dress-up the bases.   I find myself without a compass or circle-cutter of any nature, though.   Except, may, a brace-&-bit, but that would be excessive.

     
    The lady in green, named a Kuge delegate, didn't come out quite as I intended.   Still, I'm satisfied for now.   She is only an objective marker in the game, anyways.
     
    I turn, then, to a nagging project in the workshop; building more Tau.   Thankfully, these Citadel gaming kits knock together - sort of shake-the-box.   I had the infantry squad built in four sessions;

     
    Done and away for the season.   Next came converting the Ethereal the box comes with into something more useful, a Cadre Fireblade.   Simple job.   I removed a collar, added arms and a head spare from the squad, and mangled the cloak.  Oh well.

     
    In focus just behind him is the next stage of the box; Crisis suits.   They will be a little more involved.   I must add magnets.
  8. AlfaZagato

    Christmas Temps

    By AlfaZagato,

    The holiday season means I get asked to set up a loop at the office.   New office this year means I'm no longer beholden to doubled-desks next to a leaky window.    I have two 4'x8' sheets of chipboard laid in our attic, with about a 3'x8' oval.   Not as much running as before.   I don't like to have it run where I can't hear or see it.

     
    I also found out the Japanese caboose I have (code WaMu, I believe?) has automatic directional lights.    Absolutely cool.   I'm so used to UK outline that lights at all are very novelty, much less on rolling stock.

     
    Lastly, I popped for a new set from Kato.   N scale Chicago & North-Western '400' set.    The '400' was named for covering 400 miles in 400 minutes.  Not this same-said train, but I have ridden these cars before, too.

     
    I'm waiting to be accused of being a Packers fan due to the colors.    I'll have to, eh, correct the opinion.
  9. AlfaZagato

    Infinite Highs

    By AlfaZagato,

    Highlights, now.  Edge or otherwise.    I'm still trying to be conservative with the highlights.   I don't want to outline everything.    All the studio models seem that way, though.   I've been using white mostly.   I mixed something like 10:1 white to neutral gray for the big armored dude's highlights.   Huge puddle of paint I barely used.   Still, he will receive further highlights.    I mean, I'm getting somewhere.

     
    Some corrections will be needed.   As always.   I picked up some Plastruct textured sheet to use on the bases.   I think the packaging was wrong, though.   Hardly looks like treadplate in any scale.   Translucent, too.   I've read elsewhere on this site of a modeler having issues getting translucent plastic sheet to stick to anything.   Not confidence inspiring to me.    I may have wasted $12.
  10. AlfaZagato

    Infinite Depth

    By AlfaZagato,

    I've done more work on the Infinity JSA.   This past week was washes & beginning the highlights.    The tutorial I'm following suggested color-keyed washes, but I couldn't make much use of them.    Everything was washed black instead.    I am following the recommendations for highlights, though.

    I don't know where to start, color-wise, with the woman in the kimono.   I am trying to emulate the studio scheme for the models.   Corvus Belli painted the kimono in a sort of mint color.    I really don't know where to start.    The tutorial offers no guidance on the matter, either.
     
    Sunday was another of my gunpla club's build days.   I began work on a new kit, the Master Grade 1/100 Grey Zeta.   Naturally, the thing is orange.   Interesting build so far.    Which isn't very far.    The Zeta is a transforming model, either a robot or a sort-of cross of a F-117 & an F-22.

     
    Like the past few gunpla, I'll likely only work on this at the build days.   I have too many other projects to devote bench space to this.    We'll see where I get with the Infinity next week.
  11. AlfaZagato

    Infinite Color

    By AlfaZagato,

    Back to Infinity.   I've mostly blocked in the base colors.  Lots of gray, but also lots of variety here-&-there.

     
    What follows will be a plethora of pinwashes.   Highlights will follow suit.   I do have to 'invert' some of the base coats, though.   The tutorial reversed the call-outs for the armor & the clothing.    I'll have to be more careful now, too, so as not to obscure details.   Lovely.
  12. AlfaZagato

    Game Out, Game In

    By AlfaZagato,

    I've finished a couple of projects.
     
    The Tau you have all become tired of;

     
    And the Miles Magister I've mentioned in passing here and again;

     
    I could likely have finished the Magister some time ago.   I was more concerned with finishing the Tau and clearing them off of my bench.
     
    Finishing two projects means returning to another.   I have started painting the Infinity JSA;

     
    The included tutorial was unclear about what needed what color.   Also, the tutorial only covered one type of model specifically.   I'll need to try and find guides for the rest.   We'll see as time wears on.
  13. AlfaZagato

    End in Sight

    By AlfaZagato,

    Almost done with the Tau.   Spent the first few sessions this week putting everything through a dip wash.

     
    The drones were a little heavy on the wash.   I was using Vallejo dipping-formula Sepia.   Kind of thick in the jar for what is supposed to be a ready-to-use project.   I wasn't using a fresh jar, either.

    On the battlesuit here, you can see what I did with all of the optics.   Translucent Blue over Chrome Silver.   I always thought the combo offered a nice pop.

     
    I also managed a basic coat of light gray on the bases.    I'm using the gray as a key for the basing I plan.    I'm going to improvise a snow effect.    We'll see how it works.
  14. AlfaZagato

    Thirty-Seven and 25

    By AlfaZagato,

    Oh hey, I took pictures this week.
     
    Paint continues on the Tau.   I've chromed the optics as a precursor to a translucent blue.   I've always found a good chrome silver makes clears pop.    Muzzles and other 'hot' parts of weapons have received a coat of Vallejo gunmetal.   It is much brighter than I expected, but it'll do.

     
     
    Sunday found me and my friend at the local Gundam club's 'build day.'   Nice events.   I get to chat with others, mostly around my age, who model.   These aren't the hardcases that come with wargaming, either.    Sociable nerdy types, y'know?  I decided to challenge myself, and built this simple kit;

    Yes, I've wrapped my X-Acto in masking tape.   This dude is a '30 Minute Mission' Portanova.   Same scale as the Bandai High Grade line, along with the Real Grade and various 'No Grade' kits.    Not a Gundam per se, though.    These are simple, easily customizable kits meant to be built quickly - sort of a beginner-friendly kit that manages not to insult the modeler.   Locally, there has been semi-comic griping that no-one has been close to a 30-minute build time.   So I took a try at the 'challenge.'
     
    And...
     
    Well...
     
    Not quite...
     
    I managed 37 minutes and 25 seconds.   Seems to be the local record, and that was bad policies all-day.   No trimming or cleaning unless needed for fit.   Just a pair of Xuron flush-cutters in middling shape.   Also found out the Portanova accepts Bandai's other customizing line directly.   This was just a...lark?  I had fun.   Kit was only $12, too.   I can't complain at that price.
     
    Here's a Build Divers add-on attached;

     
    We'll see how little significant paint is added by next week!
  15. AlfaZagato

    Sparkle

    By AlfaZagato,

    Bit of work, not a lot of photos.   Black's done, now picking out the gold.   Last I worked on it, I did some work.   Chicago weather showed up, though.   We just got 1" of snow.    Makes for extra chores.
     
    Here's a dude;

     
    Chest, pauldron, and these little do-dads near the muzzle.    The little drones either have a pair of carbines with similar jobs, or a spotlight that has the same roundel as this pauldron.   You can see a row of the carbines blurred out in the background.  The suits have similar shoulder armor, along with the elbow joints, objects on the backpacks, and a chest medallion.   Only a few more layers, and each successive layer will be less per model.  Awesome.
  16. AlfaZagato

    It's Tau, Jim

    By AlfaZagato,

    Just more work on the Tau.    Onto Semi-Gloss Black.
     
    Admittedly, I think it worked real nice and subtle on the Hammerhead.

     
    Ugh.  So much brush painting.   When will it end?
  17. AlfaZagato

    Guess What?

    By AlfaZagato,

    I seem to be making quicker progress on the Tau.   I am currently picking-out panels and the bodysuits with Vallejo English Uniform.   
     
    My original plan for the battlesuits (big dudes up front) was to use English Uniform on the visible frame.    I felt that the contrast was too sharp.   Painting the frame this color would have been overwhelming.   Instead, I turned to picking out a fixed pattern of individual panels.   There is still variance, but such is present on the model itself.   Below, I have a detail shot of four of the five types of model I have in the army, and how the splits work;

     
    Most of the English Uniform was and will only painted with one layer.    I am losing motivation to work on this project.   This army has overwhelmed my workbench, though. 
     
    I played with Silly putty as a mask on the Magister.   I think it turned out well;

     
    Damn sight quicker and easier, as well.  I did end up with ridges on the dark earth, though.   I'll have to experiment some more.   Still, I couldn't manage these hard lines freehand.   Masking with tape or film is a pain.   We'll see in the future.
  18. AlfaZagato

    More Tau

    By AlfaZagato,

    Partly false title.   Some work has transpired on the Magister!   I laid down the green for the topside.    Currently looking for Silly Putty for the hard-edged RAF camo.   This lot was the last of my RAF Dark Green, though.

     
    Just a little bit more of the Tau needed spraying.   This time, the weapons for the Crisis battle-suits.    Naturally, a different shade of green than the suits.

     
    I started picking out the fabric on the uniforms.    I had decided to use Vallejo English Uniform.   I have a few bottle of the stuff.   My stock of it is a few years old, from when I built & painted 15mm Paras.

     
    And the cruel close-up.
     
    I do sincerely hope I can find the Silly Putty quickly.   I think winter is upon me.  Until next week.
  20. AlfaZagato

    Surprise Finds

    By AlfaZagato,

    I found this line-up by absolute chance on Friday 9/30.  Actually, I suppose to most of this sites' userbase, the date was 30/9.    Either way, seeing an E-unit in the wild is incredibly rare.   I don't recognize the line, though.   Discussion with my one train club suggested a commuter line in Maryland.    Makes this find even more unusual.    I live outside Chicago, and found this on my way home from work.    Still, cool.
  21. AlfaZagato

    Closing In

    By AlfaZagato,

    I'm finally getting close, I think.    The drones are all green now.   I have started on the warriors.  I have yet to figure out how to mount the magnetized weapons, though.   I was thinking a sectioned coat-hanger, but they just spin around.   Maybe some small bar stock?

     
    Yes, there is at least three shades of green present here.   Overall, I think I've used five colors now,   I'm taking advantage of this chance to clear out older paints.    I can live with some mismatched greens.   The lot is getting detail painted, then dipped in a wash.    Not a contest army.
  22. AlfaZagato

    Green, you Dullard

    By AlfaZagato,

    Moved onto color.   A lot of green.   Just a lot of green.   I don't want to be pouring money into paint right now.   I'm going to try to roughly match the color with what I have.  Thankfully, I have a lot similar to 'Russian Armor Green.'   Those matches are mostly older stock, too.    This is a nice project to burn up some otherwise unwanted paint.

     
    Lost the contest I was entered in.   Annoyingly, my actual conversion work lost to a paint job.   I did do some work on an 'away' project.    Master Grade Strike Freedom Gundam.   She will be winged beasty when done.

     
    I also saw this monstrosity in Rockford on Sunday.   Rockford is about 50-60 miles due west of Chicago, IL.   In the US.   I have no idea why a Leyland is parked behind a restaurant in Rockford.

     
    Tune in next week.
  23. AlfaZagato

    More Painting

    By AlfaZagato,

    Just more spay painting.   The battle suits have taken multiple coats of primer to cover their existing paint.    All the drones are in black now, as are all the infantry.   I picked up the infantry already basecoated.   Saves some time.

     
    In keeping with trying to clean up stuff on my bench, I finally primed my Firefly after nearly a year.    I haven't needed it, so urgency was minimal.

     
    Tonight saw the suits under black for the first time.    I need to turn them, and I haven't figured a good way to mount them.   So, each layer needs to dry before I get the next angle.    I'll try to figure something better out for color.

     
    Speaking of color, That's next!   All these Tau are getting Soviet green.   I'll detail from there.   Damn space communists...
  24. AlfaZagato

    Can-&-a-Half

    By AlfaZagato,

    Just a whole host o' painting this week.   Got below done;

     
    Some of the Tau has been done again in black.   I need more before I can spray further.  Until next week...
  25. AlfaZagato

    Failures

    By AlfaZagato,

    Firstly, apologies to the 40 or so people who seem to care about my work.   The past two weeks have been nuts.   We moved office at work.
     
    I'm calling the pirates done.   Off the bench, warts and all.   I could do better, but they're not characters or any special job.   Just grunts.

    And out of focus.
     
    My Magister is coming along OK.   Yellow is a pain, and I'm slogging along with Model Master paint on it so far.   Chicago weather doesn't help. 

     
    Tonight I laid some primer on a squad of 8th army and a weird whippy dude for Wild West Exodus. 

     
    I was going to prime this lot, but the can died after the above.   Too late for a run to the store.   I'll see what I have on Sunday.

     
    ...finally to the title.   To absolute hell with this Aston-Martin.    I didn't decant enough paint for the whole of the car.    In the time it took me to thin another batch, what was in the brush dried.  Enamel!   So, the trash splattered.    Ruined the body.    I've already stripped the shell once.    Too much investment in time for my patience anymore.   I've binned it.

     
    Buffing didn't fix it, either.    I had some bad 'flooding' as well.   I have moved on.   Disappointing, too.   I liked how the interior was coming along;

     
    That's it for now.   I should post again next Thursday.
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