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Scifi and Fantasy / Re: Zakurello (Gundam Mobile armor. Sort of.)
« Last post by Buzzbomb on June 22, 2026, 05:18:22 AM »Not a Mech you see everyday, that is for sure.
Nice work Craig
Nice work Craig
... where imagination trumps reality
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42
Scifi and Fantasy / Re: Zakurello (Gundam Mobile armor. Sort of.)
« Last post by Dr. YoKai on June 22, 2026, 05:16:02 AM » Thanks, Frank! It is, in my fevered imagination, an atmosphere-capable platform. Drag coefficients need not apply. 
And now, the stunning conclusion!
DSCF1344 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
DSCF1346 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
DSCF1342 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
The backstory: Mid-way through the One Year War, Zeon decides to seize the Helium-3 mining facilities at Jupiter, and form Mobile Armor Division Six to undertake the operation. Mobile Armors have been giving the Earth Federation forces merry hell in local space in the meantime, leading to the creation of Gundam-based Mobile armor Destroyers, so M.A.D 6 vs. G-MAD.
Thanks for looking-I need to build some bookshelves in the workshop, but I'll be back at the bench before the end of June.
And now, the stunning conclusion!
DSCF1344 by VileDr.Yo, on FlickrDSCF1346 by VileDr.Yo, on FlickrDSCF1342 by VileDr.Yo, on FlickrThe backstory: Mid-way through the One Year War, Zeon decides to seize the Helium-3 mining facilities at Jupiter, and form Mobile Armor Division Six to undertake the operation. Mobile Armors have been giving the Earth Federation forces merry hell in local space in the meantime, leading to the creation of Gundam-based Mobile armor Destroyers, so M.A.D 6 vs. G-MAD.
Thanks for looking-I need to build some bookshelves in the workshop, but I'll be back at the bench before the end of June. 43
Scifi and Fantasy / Re: Zakurello (Gundam Mobile armor. Sort of.)
« Last post by Frank3k on June 22, 2026, 04:42:13 AM »Your mods to the Zakurello (especially the wings) are a HUGE improvement. It looks like an angry, evil beetle.
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Tips, Tools & Techniques / Re: Heat-Shrink" Tubing Material
« Last post by Frank3k on June 22, 2026, 04:35:42 AM »Jeff, removing the heat shrink was easy (but I have decades of experience...) just a long slice along its length. heat shrink without adhesive would just loosen itself after this. With the adhesive, I had to pry a bit, but once I out some alcohol in the cut slit, it peeled off in a sec.
A couple of layers of Tamiya tape should work; just a strop as long as the barrel, then cut off the excess. It would look just like the seam in most thermal blankets.
A couple of layers of Tamiya tape should work; just a strop as long as the barrel, then cut off the excess. It would look just like the seam in most thermal blankets.
45
Scifi and Fantasy / Re: Zakurello (Gundam Mobile armor. Sort of.)
« Last post by Dr. YoKai on June 22, 2026, 04:02:19 AM »Thanks!
In the last picture, you'll note the, ah, 'tounge laser' in the mouth. This was another extrapolation-many suits and armors in the series use cable controlled beam weapons, maneuvered by mental command. Here's an example from the original Gundam, used on a different Mobile Armor, the Braw Bro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Au5MXP1RE
Here's the part prior to paint. I used the original beam cannon part from the kit and made a little wedge shape from scrap and tacked a mess of thrusters at plausible locations. (More WAVE option parts)
DSCF1325 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
and the wings were cut and beveled for a bit more visual interest.
DSCF1321 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
While all this was coming along, I decided to make this a "Dogfight Doubles"* build by adding an in-scale Gundam on the same base.
Which brings us to another odd chapter in this saga-as I mentioned, the main kit is 1/250 scale, which Bandai did not repeat, but enlarged slightly, going with a line of 1/220 scale suits fro the Zeta Gundam kits, and then abandoning the scale altogether in subsequent series.
Bandai did release a few mobile suits in 1/250, but these were more miniatures-completely fixed poses, albeit poses that would not be possible with a more normal articulated kit. I happened to have a couple of ordinary Gundams from one of those releases, and modified it with a bit of extra armor and speed for a proper adversary. Amazing what you can do with a couple of disposable razors...
DSCF1329 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
Some sanding and painting allowed me to get ahead pretty quickly.
DSCF1339 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr
In the last picture, you'll note the, ah, 'tounge laser' in the mouth. This was another extrapolation-many suits and armors in the series use cable controlled beam weapons, maneuvered by mental command. Here's an example from the original Gundam, used on a different Mobile Armor, the Braw Bro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Au5MXP1RE
Here's the part prior to paint. I used the original beam cannon part from the kit and made a little wedge shape from scrap and tacked a mess of thrusters at plausible locations. (More WAVE option parts)
DSCF1325 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickrand the wings were cut and beveled for a bit more visual interest.
DSCF1321 by VileDr.Yo, on FlickrWhile all this was coming along, I decided to make this a "Dogfight Doubles"* build by adding an in-scale Gundam on the same base.
Which brings us to another odd chapter in this saga-as I mentioned, the main kit is 1/250 scale, which Bandai did not repeat, but enlarged slightly, going with a line of 1/220 scale suits fro the Zeta Gundam kits, and then abandoning the scale altogether in subsequent series.
Bandai did release a few mobile suits in 1/250, but these were more miniatures-completely fixed poses, albeit poses that would not be possible with a more normal articulated kit. I happened to have a couple of ordinary Gundams from one of those releases, and modified it with a bit of extra armor and speed for a proper adversary. Amazing what you can do with a couple of disposable razors...
DSCF1329 by VileDr.Yo, on FlickrSome sanding and painting allowed me to get ahead pretty quickly.
DSCF1339 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr46
Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Playing with Polikarpovs
« Last post by apophenia on June 22, 2026, 02:28:36 AM »Love the Polikarpovs - there was 2-seater but what about a stretched twin-fuselage one - tailess !
Cheers raafif. But now I have a twin-fuselaged UTI Polikarpov stuck in my head!
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Scifi and Fantasy / Re: MaxxPro MRAP After the Apocalypse
« Last post by apophenia on June 22, 2026, 02:25:24 AM »... Wait for this to get wildly over engineered and out of control ...
Living dead versus "wildly over engineered"? Can't be done!
Fortunately, since your saw disks are 3D printed, more can be cranked out when they are (inevitably) required
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Scifi and Fantasy / Re: Zakurello (Gundam Mobile armor. Sort of.)
« Last post by apophenia on June 22, 2026, 02:20:54 AM »Very cool, Doc! Good call on replacing the 'salt and pepper shakers' but I especially like the extended arms
Watching with interest
Watching with interest
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Aero-space / Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 - 771 Naval Air Squadron (Royal Navy) - Italeri 1:48
« Last post by apophenia on June 22, 2026, 02:12:50 AM »Nice! And looking suitably well-used
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Aero-space / Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 - 771 Naval Air Squadron (Royal Navy) - Italeri 1:48
« Last post by Rod The Fixer on June 22, 2026, 01:35:59 AM »Cockpit completed ...
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr
by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr