Nitto 1/20 Ma.K Krote - 3/7 Update

[chromdome35]

So the last couple of months have been difficult around my world. We had a great trip to New England, but while we were on the trip, my 93 year old father fell a couple of times and ended up in the hospital. The diagnosis was that he was at the end and he should go home to hospice. So Dad went into hospice and passed away about a week later. We held his service two weeks later, and later that same evening I got a call that my favorite Aunt had just passed away. Her services were held in Richmond VA this past week. We got home late last night. All of that combined with work stress and anxiety due to a major global reorganization has had my mojo pretty suppressed.

So a couple of days before we left for Richmond, I decided I needed a slump buster.

Ever since I've been a kid, I've been fascinated by robots. When I was in the 4th grade, I read a story in the paper about a man in Illinois who built a robot. Not knowing his address, I wrote a letter addressed to "The Robot Man". The post office delivered it to the right place and he wrote me a reply and sent a few Polaroid pictures of the robot. I was in heaven. I immediately started drawing up plans for building my own. I had a loose-leaf notebook that was full of sketches and schematics I dreamed up for my robot.

Life took me in a different direction, but I always kept up my fascination with big combat robots by reading sci-fi until the computer came along and now I could play games like Mechwarrior, Warhammer and others.

In my stash was a Nitto 1/20 Krote from the Maschninen Kreiger Universe.

To slump bust, I decided to just build it out of box with no aftermarket and no major modifications. I did replace the styrene guard rails with copper tubing for durability. I also added a few little things from my parts bin to add a little more interest.

I still need to texture the hull and add the radio antennas then it will be ready for priming.

Not sure how I'm going to paint it yet, I think it will be heavily weathered, maybe.

Overall the kit went together pretty easily. The hull is comprised of 4 pieces that have to be mated and alignment is critical otherwise there will be major seams. You can see the putty work done to eliminate the seam line.

The instructions are ok, there are a couple of steps where part placement isn't very clear, but a quick google search for pictures of the completed kit cleared up any confusion on my part.

There is an amazing amount of detail in these kits, the detail painting phase of this should be fun. Its pretty cool that suspension actually works. This was my first ever Ma.K kit and I loved it, already looking for my next one to build. This has been just what the doctor ordered. Mojo restored.

[robbo]

I really like these sci fi thingies, looking forward to seeing where you take this

[DennisM]

Sorry to hear about your losses.
That kit looks like a lot of fun in to build and paint.
Don't have to worry about anybody saying it isn't historically accurate.
Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[deafpanzer]

Very sorry to read about your dad and favorite aunt! It is never easy loosing somebody very close. Hang in there buddy!

I always loved the look of that robot and I always wanted to get one but I kept changing my mind every time I had the chance to buy it. Duh! Now I really want it again…

You are off to a great start! Smart move replacing the handles too.

[chromdome35]

Broken down into component parts for painting



All of this undercarriage detail intrigues me, I'm going to get good practice detail painting on this build. To make it easier to paint and manipulate, I used two small magnets to make the motor easily removable.

[chromdome35]

I should take pictures of every angle of a kit before I start painting, I see so many things in pictures that I miss just staring at the model on the bench.

[stikpusher]

kinda reminds me of Robocop's ED-209...

[kyledehart5]

Man, I am truly sorry about your Dad and your Aunt. That is rough.

Having said that, the Robot is really cool. Looks like a super fun little kit.

[tcoat]

Love the weld seams on this. Even in the future welding hasn't changed!

[Real G]

Chromdome35,

My condolences to you on the loss of your father and aunt.  Hard times, especially near the holidays.  Be strong, stay well, and remember that no matter how bad things are today, tomorrow will always come.

I'll be closely following your build of the Krote.  There are so many color schemes to choose from, from Panzer Grau to Dunkle Gelb, and everything in between.

[handiabled]

So very sorry for your loss. I know nothing of these type of builds but this is looking pretty cool!

[mz3]

Sorry to hear about bad times. This time of year is rough for alot of us.

I've always like these kits, but never really looked to get one. I have a Gans in my stash somewhere. Basically the same kit with a little more up top.

[Joe Rix]

Brian, I am truly sorry for the loss of your father and aunt. May strength and peace be your co-pilot. We are all here for you my friend.

You have certainly taken the right path to right your mojo. That is a way too cool robot. You have done a stellar job on the construction. I cannot wait to see your paint job on this.

[406 Silverado]

Brian, you have my deepest condolences pal. I know you've been through a lot the last couple of months and can most certainly understand modeling taking a back seat. This is without a doubt one of the coolest areas of modeling that I haven't tried yet but between you and buddho, you guys are inspiring me to try something like this. Progress looks great and I'm really looking forward to the painting and weathering stages of this build.

[chromdome35]

Thanks for all the kind words guys, I appreciate them very much.

I fixed a couple of seams, added a little more detail, and textured the hull...I think it's ready for paint.

Added some triangle nuts and a handle to one of the side access points


I used the antenna for a Duke anti-IED system and added a periscope block to the top of it to create a little visual interest.


Misc detail from the parts box


An additional handle, because why not???


An overview picture of the hull

[kyledehart5]

That is looking very cool now!! Excellent work. I love the little added details. They add another layer of life.

[tcoat]

[Joe Rix]

Those are some really effective modifications Brian. They give it a bit more depth and "busy". I like it.

[dupes]

Sorry to hear about everything going on. That's never fun to have to deal with. The Krote is looking great, though! Love me some Ma.K.

[sharp]

This is looking really good so far! Nice work!

[Green KreationZ]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved ones. Your build is coming together nicely. I’m excited to see it painted.

[dean48ws]

My sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad and Aunt.
It is a great build, very glad it has restored your mojo.

[buddho]

So sorry to hear of you losses in family. I do love this build. I did one of these many year ago when I discovered Ma.k stuff. Yours is looking fab.

[moramartht]

My belated condolences on your losses, many years ago I experienced something similar (Dad and his elder brother passed within a day of each other) but everyone's experience of bereavement is unique and very personal.

I love the way you have taken an already complex shape and upgraded it with details that blend seamlessly into design but still make it uniquely your own creation.

Regards,

M

[chromdome35]

Thanks for all the kind words guys!!

Started laying down the paint.

Primed it with Black Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 then added a coat of Tamiya Hull Red. Then I gave it a couple of coats of hair spray for future chipping.

I decided I would try a two-tone paint job with Tamyia XF-25 Light Sea Gray as the base. On top of that, I added Tamiya XF-50 Field Blue. I've seen some other Ma. K paint jobs where the builder used bands of yellow or orange to provide some visual interest, so I decided to give that a go using Mr Color 109 Character Yellow.

I'm happy with how the texturing turned out.


The yellow looks pretty garish right now, but I plan to tone that way down as I move through the weathering process.

[Leon]

My condolences on your losses Brian!

This is looking really cool and nice choice on the two tone paint.

[406 Silverado]

This is indeed turning out to be quite the build for such a less intense kit Brian. That paint work is definitely putting some good touches on it as is all the detail that you're putting into it. Great slump buster if I do say so myself.

[handiabled]

The added texture looks outstanding!

[chromdome35]

I have had the hardest time getting this joint to stay together


Things to fix

[deafpanzer]

Totally love the texture you have created and the paint job came out great especially the yellow stripes!