SDF: Macross Gnerl

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As my first casting project I will be producing this kit which was originally sculpted by John Moscato. John was getting out of the hobby so I have arranged to purchase some of his patterns.

Line Art:



Screencaps:





Patterns:





Right now I am just sorting out the parts and grouping them for moulding. Hopefully the first of moulds will be done this week.



Wish me luck!


Brett

[Wes]

Very cool Brett

Where will we be able to buy this beauty?

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If you are interested Wes then I'll be selling directly and using the funds to purchase the next set of masters. So far I have six or so people interested and need 11 to break even on materials.

On another not I have commissioned some box art for this one which I'll post up when I get it.

Brett

[deafpanzer]

Looks like another fun build for you... please count me in too!

[chris0423]

Count me in too. Happy to pay up front to help fund the project.

Chris.

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Jan 25, 2016 15:03:59 GMT -5 chris0423 said:

Count me in too. Happy to pay up front to help fund the project.

Chris.

Thanks for the offer Chris, but I have seen too many GK makers take money up front and then take years to deliver. I refuse to be that guy but thank you very much for the vote of confidence.

That goes for everyone else too - thank you for the support! Be warned this is a big kit in 1/72 scale. But it does come with cockpit, pilot, landing gear and optional open or closed missile bay and decals (hopefully).











At this stage the kit will likely cost USD300 + shipping from Australia. And as mentioned I am hoping to release the regults next some of which have not been released since 2008.


Cheers

[chris0423]

Cool Brett.

Chris.

[wbill76]

Jan 25, 2016 17:13:42 GMT -5 Return_To_Kit_Form said:

At this stage the kit will likely cost USD300 + shipping from Australia. And as mentioned I am hoping to release the regults next some of which have not been released since 2008.


Cheers

Just wanting to be sure about that quoted price...$300 USD + shipping? Either way, sounds like you've got a great project for you to be involved in Brett!

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Jan 28, 2016 12:38:08 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

Jan 25, 2016 17:13:42 GMT -5 Return_To_Kit_Form said:

At this stage the kit will likely cost USD300 + shipping from Australia. And as mentioned I am hoping to release the Regults next some of which have not been released since 2008.


Cheers

Just wanting to be sure about that quoted price...$300 USD + shipping? Either way, sounds like you've got a great project for you to be involved in Brett!

That's right Bill. And at that price I need to sell 12 kits just to break even on materials. If I can do that I'll be happy as I am having fun just learning new skills. :-)


Brett.

[dierk]

Best of luck Brett! Looks like a great kit, and I hope you make some dosh on it.

[wbill76]

Definitely a big hunk of resin! Hope you can get the sales you need to break-even. 12 units shouldn't be too hard to meet as a break-even threshold depending on the communities you advertise it on. Sci Fi builders are very loyal to their chosen areas of interest. Hope you can pull it off!

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Thanks Bill. I'm getting pretty close to that point now. At least with interested people anyway.

Macross modelers/ collectors are a nutty bunch. Some will drop USD250 - 300+ for a 1/60 toy. Then buy variations as well!

At least with this kit it is the only game in town, in any scale or medium


Brett

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Damn. Minor setback today as some material separation had occurred in one part of the resin I used for the first cast out of my two new molds. Pretty sure the molds will be shot so I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Oh and new Facebook page:

m.facebook.com/RTKFMODELS/


Brett

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Ever wondered what happened when the constituent ingredients in one part of the resin separate?

Well take a look - that's one ruined batch of molds:

[Leon]

OUCH!!!! Hope you can get the issue resolved Brett.

[John Everett]

Good God!
What brand are you using?
How old is it?
Is it stored in a damp area?
If you can order it in your location, I've never, ever had chemistry problems with Smooth-On.


Shame about the molds. Are your masters still in good enough condition to make another set?

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Feb 27, 2016 7:45:41 GMT -5 Leon said:

OUCH!!!! Hope you can get the issue resolved Brett.

Thanks Leon - all sorted now. I didnt spot the pale sediment in the white bottle. Once remixed it worked fine. Funny thing is I didn't have any of these issues before and that was the first pour in a brand new mold. Oh well.

Brett

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Feb 27, 2016 15:39:25 GMT -5 John Everett said:

Good God!
What brand are you using?
How old is it?
Is it stored in a damp area?
If you can order it in your location, I've never, ever had chemistry problems with Smooth-On.


Shame about the molds. Are your masters still in good enough condition to make another set?

John, I am using Barnes ProCast as Smooth On is pretty pricey down here as much as I would like to use it. You northerners are spoilt like that :-) There weren't any storage issues and I have nailed the issue so it shouldn't happen again.

Cheers,

Brett

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Well I am making some progress, here is a pull from the latest successful mould of the nose cap and guns. I am pretty happy over all as this mould also does landing gear feet and some small cockpit parts.



On the other hand this mould of the fuselage main rear section just will not do:





I know where I went wrong so it's back to the drawing board for me

Cheers,

Brett

[kaytermarram]

Sad to see and read! Maybe doing the part as a two-part piece? Casting can be hell!

Frank

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Mar 13, 2016 13:59:18 GMT -5 kaytermarram said:

Sad to see and read! Maybe doing the part as a two-part piece? Casting can be hell!

Frank

Thanks Frank. I'll be doing the next one as a two part for sure. I'll have to wait until the weekend before I can try again.

Cheers,

Brett

[kaytermarram]

Good luck! And write what happens!!

Frank

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

G'day Lads, it's been a while between updates but right now it is all about sneaking in a pull from one of the many moulds when ever I can. None the less the parts bins are filling up and now it is time to prep.



Above is an image of the 12 "nose cones" that I have removed the pour stubs from. As an incentive for folks to jump on board with a new (read numpty) caster I have decided to remove all the pour stubs and touch up and major blemishes on this first kit. Of course that means a heck of a lot more work for me but I don't mind as I am still doing something I love and really want to deliver something that I would be impressed with in a resin kit. Unlike some of the soap lumps I have been suckered into buying over the years. I really don't care if it takes me all year to get the kits out. That why I don't want to take money up front (and plenty have offered) I have enough to worry about without deadlines too


Cheers,


Brett T

[deafpanzer]

I am anxious to see the update but I don't think the photo came thru. Try again?

[Return_To_Kit_Form]

Oh man. Not this again!

[Leon]

I can see it just fine!

[deafpanzer]

Awesome I can see the picture now. Pretty cool!

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Another quick update.

I had a bit of spare time at work today so put together a mock up an example from some of my test shots:





Cheers,

Brett

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G'day guys. Visits to the boards have been few and far between but I am glad to say that the first kits will be available for shipping as of the 1st of August. If you are interested kits are US$350 + shipping. For that you get a 1/72 Gnerl with full cockpit, pilot and weapons, brass reinforced landing gear, detailed instructions and decals. For this first release I will be providing all parts already cleaned of pour stubs with only minor finishing required before assembly. If there are any questions post them here or email [e-mail]

Cheers,

Brett

[Leon]

Great news on the shipping date Brett!