Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: raafif on July 04, 2026, 01:12:30 PM

Title: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 04, 2026, 01:12:30 PM
Note: - For some reason, perhaps because Australia is thought of as a largely empty continent, Kow Yokoyama set the SF3D / Machinenkreiger universe in Australia, space & the Moon.

One day some military pilots got nostalgic & asked why aircraft pylon-racing died. These pilots remembered seeing as children the modified jets like F-18s & Mig-29s jousting before the now settled war over the Moon between the USA, Russia/China & India.  So a new race race using recently obsolescent equipment was set up.  The new race would start at the space centre on Cape York, Queensland, Australia and proceed to the Moon, circling it twice then back to Cape York.

Starting with an original SF3D (MaK) SAFS Racoon suit bought in the 1980s. Assembly started as per instructions. I added the lower torso from an old (Imai ?) Xabungle robot to mount the rocket bells.  These bells were enhanced with small internal bells, which from memory were from inside old VHS tape cartridges.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 04, 2026, 11:47:23 PM
This looks like fun! Carry on!
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Old Wombat on July 05, 2026, 01:10:58 AM
Pity you've finished this, you could have used it for the upcoming ANZAC/Antipodean GB over on What If Modellers.

Are you going to build another, as a competitor? If not, you should!  :smiley:

Starts on 1st August.

No prob's getting it accepted by the Mod's, I am one!  ;)
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 07, 2026, 07:17:27 AM
I only have one more suit & have a firm idea for it.  Other Sf3D stuff I have are 2 walkers, a flyer & Sundiver to do later, so maybe.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 08, 2026, 07:53:27 AM
Hmmmm, some sponsor decals from a car kit and a fancy paint job on the next one?
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 08, 2026, 08:14:39 AM
Hmmmm, some sponsor decals from a car kit and a fancy paint job on the next one?

Well, this is NOT finished - it's only about half way.

And yes, I am thinking about a paint colourful scheme & decals.
More when I settle on colours.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 08, 2026, 11:20:42 PM
Lots of options if you check out NASCAR pictures. The problem will be picking out one.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 12, 2026, 12:35:34 PM
A bit more assembly - the right arm is straight from the kit & the left arm combines parts from another SAFS kit plus a greeble.  Paint has started – don’t ask what the final scheme will be as paint is very hard to get here so I've had to start using Citadel stuff.  Matt orange is apparently no longer available in Australia ! You have to use gloss then a clear matt over it, costing twice as much $.

Fuel tanks are in progress – I did want some “peanut” wasp-waist ones but that would require getting some 3D designed & printed (probably take 6-9 mths).
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 12, 2026, 12:53:14 PM
Interesting! Some dark red accents might be fun.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 12, 2026, 10:49:52 PM
That blue paint makes it look like you have created an Armoured Mecha Smurf (aka Schlumpf)
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 21, 2026, 07:24:26 AM
Added the skirt panels, a radar dish & comms aerial.  The number for Contestant “6” is from an Italeri truck kit & is quite thick so lots of Solvaset was used – not perfectly snuggled down but OK.
Just a few more parts to add plus the fuel tanks.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 21, 2026, 08:16:24 AM
The gloss blue and the decal number look much better! Will there be any sponsor logos plastered all over?
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 22, 2026, 05:45:22 AM
The gloss blue and the decal number look much better! Will there be any sponsor logos plastered all over?

Thinking about that - I don't have much in that vein, I'll have to dig out some very old car stuff I got in the 80's.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 22, 2026, 09:50:52 AM
The gloss blue and the decal number look much better! Will there be any sponsor logos plastered all over?
Thinking about that - I don't have much in that vein, I'll have to dig out some very old car stuff I got in the 80's.
The space available for your "corporate sponsor" markings is going to be rather limited but it would be nice to see some "Moon Eyes" somewhere on it to connect it with the unlimited class of drag racers from days long past. 
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 23, 2026, 06:23:40 AM
it would be nice to see some "Moon Eyes" somewhere on it to connect it with the unlimited class of drag racers from days long past.

Damn, Jeffry ! You've been reading my mind again !
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 23, 2026, 08:17:24 AM
it would be nice to see some "Moon Eyes" somewhere on it to connect it with the unlimited class of drag racers from days long past.
Damn, Jeffry ! You've been reading my mind again !

I plead "Nolo Contendere" to the charge.  :smiley: 

I was going to suggest NASCAR Race Number 3 (Dale Earnhardt) or 43 (Richard Petty) but I doubt there is room to fit either number on your Mecha-Smurf. 
So, it had to be the Moon Eyes as the best choice. 
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: raafif on July 26, 2026, 10:29:54 AM
Done !
Fuel tanks are from a 72nd Mustang (silver) & a 48th F4U Corsair.
Markings are from various 80’s kits.
Mr “Lucky” came from a Revell boat kit, three decals from a Tamiya sheet - two Castrol & a Recaro (pilots need a good seat in these things).  All others were from swop-meet bulk-buy decal packs.  Strangely, the older the decals, the better they went on. This guy is a Champion (see his right arm) but nearly wasn’t as the “C” in the word separated & split in two ! (managed to rejoin it).
The shoulder flaps contain the Red, Silver, Green navigation lights.
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Frank3k on July 26, 2026, 01:53:12 PM
Love the fuel tanks and contrasting colors!
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Kerick on July 27, 2026, 12:21:53 AM
This looks great! The colors, decal and the tanks really add visual interest. Awesome job!
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Dr. YoKai on July 31, 2026, 11:19:08 PM
Excellent work from concept to execution!
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: apophenia on August 01, 2026, 06:22:26 AM
Excellent work from concept to execution!

Agreed. Love the overall effect ... but it is those 'Moon Eyes' that break me up  ;D
Title: Re: Race around the Moon.
Post by: Buzzbomb on August 01, 2026, 01:19:13 PM
Nice work  :smiley: