Macross VF-1S

VF-1S piloted by Roy Focker before Hikaru Ichijo took over. I did the panel lining and weathering for this model back in 2008.

The main issue with this toy is the head. There is a distinct seam line right through the middle of the head. It's as if Voltron had cleaved him right through the middle of the head using Voltron's 'blazing sword'. The fix for this is rather simple. Just apply model cement on the seams. Compress the seams tightly together such that they form a permanent bond. Then file the part smooth and spray the area. The tricky part is that the body and the head is no longer of exactly the same white tone :(  Luckily after some 'dirtying', the colour difference is not obvious.

I also 'drilled' holes into the head machine guns. It's not difficult to do, just need to do slowly and with care so as not to break off the thin plastic.

As with VF-1J, panel lining was done by doing a grey wash, followed by a white wash to produce the smoky effect. The weathering was done using pastel chalk, silver model kit paint and colour pencils.

Fireburst Optimus Prime

Fireburst Optimus Prime from Transformers DOTM - the notorious shelf warmer...

I must admit the only reason why I got this was that there were lots and lots on clearance at OG. This mould is terrible. The legs are too long, the torso too short, the forearms too bulky, in a popeye kind of way. And the worst thing is the drab, unpainted plastic grey all over the figure. The head is nicely detailed, however, but Hasbro effectively removed the light-piping effect by painting the eyes light blue.

The first thing I decided was to do a panel line wash. It's very easy and fast, and it brings out all the little details in the dull grey plastic.

I didn't bother to spray the smoke stakes and font grilles silver. Looking at the pics, maybe I ought paint some parts... nah... maybe not. I don't really like this mould that much.

Here are some more pics.

Toransuformu!!
The transformation is quite intuitive. I don't really like the fake chest windows and the fake wheels. Leader class ROTF Optimus Prime, this is not.

I don't remember DOTM Optimus ever wielding an axe in the movie...