The Dragon Shrine

here's what I plan to do for the Ronin's diorama.

 

I used plastic tubes, hollow beams and HIPS to construct the Torii Gate. I plan to carve the Dragon (credit goes to All-Silhouttes.com for the original dragon vector art) and Yin-Yang onto a whole sheet of thick HIPS and enhance it with sand, modeling dust and gravel. I'll be hand-painting this mostly...

More Revelation: The Dragon Ronin Reborn Part II

The Dragon Scale Shoulder Guard

Though I've made two sets of these, I ended up using just one set for the right shoulder, because I decided to mount the Dragon Head on the left shoulder. I've detailed the lower guard with scales, and will be detailing the upper one with tribal flames.

Revelation: The Dragon Ronin Reborn

For the Original Dragon Ronin WIP, check it out at http://mxgs.blogspot.com/p/projects.html.

The Dragon Ronin was one of my most ambitious attempts at full-blown modification and scratch building. It was originally intended as my entry to the 2009 BAKUC, but I ran out of time and abandoned the project after a frustrating bout with plastic not "molding" the way I wanted to. So, I moved on with other projects, like The Ice Queen, and thenafter, The Chimera.

I decided on a total redesign of the custom armor, removing the articulation thereby simplifying the construction and overall feel of the armor. Though I've simplified how the armor looks, how it's assembled is a different matter.

Waist, VFin, DragonBow, Back Pack and Skirts

First, I modified the waist articulation and added about 5mm or so to expose the pistons (not necessarily to give it additional height).

MAC is Making Waves

Just a little over a year old and MAC has grown much, mainly with top name and highly-skilled modelers in our ranks.  And in 2012, when everyone else (who believes in that crap) would be preparing for the end of the world, MAC will have the biggest and baddest online Mecha Competition to date.

Rules and Regulations v1.0:

1. EVERY entry must be submitted with a photo demonstrating the kit was started after January 1st 2012. Use the "ENTRY PASS POSTER" available here.  Please note that no other forum logos must be present in any of the photos to qualify.

2. Contest will run until July 1st & you can enter more than one kit.

3. Any MECH style kit is allowed (if unsure please pm me or sneeper1980) example: Zoids, Ma.K, Gundam, Robotech, Super Robot Wars, FSS, etc.

4. RESIN kits & RESIN conversion kits are accepted

5. Kits that are UNCHANGED (physically) Such as Modifications or Physical Damage but are solo painted belong in the "OOB PAINTED" Category.
-Custom paint jobs are accepted.
-Seam line removal is accepted.
-Waterslide decals are accepted.

6. Kits that are changed from their original form (physically) such as modifications, physical damage or Kit bashing belong in "MODIFIED PLASTIC" Category.

7. Kits that feature a base or diorama setting are to be placed in the "DIORAMA" Category.
-Multiple kits may be used.
-Resin is accepted in this category.
-No size limitations (only we ask you provide evidence of when the diorama was started. See rule 1.)

8. Resin kits and/or Resin Conversion that are straight painted or have been modified are to be placed into the "RESIN PAINTED/MODIFIED" category.

9. When entering the "CONCEPT" category. Entrants must follow the rules below:
- Kit must at least be 70% Scratch built (judges can review and give feedback on this)
- Parts from other kits maybe used but ultimately the build must be scratch built by the builder.
- Entrants MUST create a WIP thread on the MAC forums giving pictures and description of there build showing the "ENTRY PASS POSTER" (see rule 1)

10. When submitting entries, please see (example Entry link)

11. If you have any questions, please see the "2012 Questions & Answers" thread and an admin will
respond asap.

Categories and Prizes (Subject to change):

CONCEPT:
1/100 LED Mirage w/Boomerang Unit System (HLJ.com)
1/100 MG Sinanju + Water Slide Decals
1/35 METAL BUG SLUG SUPER TANK

DIORAMA PRIZES:
1/60 Perfect Grade Gundam RX-78-2
1/20 Gans Panzer Aufkalarungs SK602
1/72 Reyleonard 04-Alicia White Pearl Ver. (HLJ.com)

MODIFIED PLASTIC:
1/100 MG Full Armor Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka (HLJ.com)
1/72 Lineark White Glint
1/24 Tachikoma

RESIN MODIFIEID/PAINTED:
1/60 Perfect Grade Wing Gundam Zero Custom
Kotobukiya Kit (Greattoysonline.com)
Master Grade Kit (Greattoysonline.com)

OOB PAINTED:
1/72 VF-25F Tornado Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom
1/100 MG OO Gundam Seven Sword /G (GGinfinite.com)
1/12 RAcaseal Eleanor Ver.APSY

JUDGE & SPONSOR PICK:
KAMMS CHOICE: *TOP SECRET*
STEVES CHOICE: *TOP SECRET*
HobbyMate's Choice: ONE HobbyMate ACE airbrush

RANDOM PRIZES:
8 x Tool Sets (HobbyMate)
10 x Mode Lock Kit
3 x Tool Sets from (Toolbox23)

TENTATIVE PRIZES:
Tool Set and/or Bandai Kit (MatX Modified Plastic Pick)
Scale Model Tank Kits (Hummingbird's Pick)
G-System 1/60 Zaku Resin Kit (Matt Mrozek's Pick/People's Choice)

We may have additional sponsors and prizes as the preparation for the competition progresses and we continue to generate interest from all over, so watch out for it, only at The MAC Forums!

The End?

It's actually another first, another beginning, another big leap from the year-old Sun.  Watch out for it...

Something Crimson This Way Comes...

MAC Musings

First and foremost, a sneek peak of what I am currently working on, with another version on my MXGS favicon:

This is another waist extension modification for one of my previous projects which I have revived.  Since I haven't had much time to work on Gunpla, I had to forego WIPs because it takes a considerable amount of time to make modifications and take step by step photos.  I can actually work fast with crucial and critical modifications on articulations and extensions when I no longer have to worry about the WIPs.


Also, I've been contemplating this for the longest time, and incidentally, a few guys at TheMACForums are discussing a group build using hte RGM ball.  I'm planning to do a quick build SD using my SD Char set.

Never touch my Birdie!

I also seem to be experiencing my first "obsession" with the Delta Plus, along with the Jesta, which is the FIRST grunt unit I ever liked off the bat.  This one deserves an MG treatment. 

And MAC, even only a year old, has made waves in the online competition arena after the success of EUGC.  Congratulations to all who have won.  At the tail end of the competition, MAC is at it again with several projects, Including the Zaku Group Build (with Aulon, being the GB head, bugging me to join with my Shin Matsunaga White Wolf), and probably the biggest multi-sponsored forum-hosted online competition to date, the 2012 Mecha Contest. 

Hobby Link Japan, HobbyMate, Great Toys Online, GG Infinite and DC23's very own ToolBox23 are sponsoring the event with Major, MAJOR prizes at stake.  Headed by Kamm and Sneeper, this will prove to be another first for MAC (or any forum for that matter).

Who said an upstart on its first year can't do big things?