NCSX to offer pre-painted Skygirls Vic Viper Anime Ver.

[SFKhoa]

Play-Asia gave me an email an hour ago saying it has already shipped. I can't wait for it.

[greg]

So who has the model yet? I just ordered mine at Play Asia, along with the figure of Gradriel from Princess Crown.

[SFKhoa]

I should be expecting this tomorrow. I should've received this in the mail since last week, but I have no idea what's going on now.

[Battlesmurf]

Please post pics : )

[SFKhoa]

Please post pics : )

[shoe-sama]

are u gonna break this one too?

[postman]

I just emailed NCSX, and they claim that theirs still comes already assembled, but they don't have them ready yet....

Hope I get this soon!!!!

[Sword]

News: Some colour variations of this kit will be released next month.

[SFKhoa]

current status

[shoe-sama]

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WANTS TO FLY

[comtar]

Hello, I'm new to the forums, but I've been a long time reader. Broke 210 Million in Mushihimesama so am proud of myself, and actually got 10th place on Konami's Gradius V contest. Got my letter and shirt to prove it.

But bragging isn't why I've suddenly decided on commenting...

But help with this model is.

I recently just got the model from Play-Asia and the instructions are all in Japanese, so I was wondering if you SFKhoa managed to have translated the paint colors needed to paint the model. I noticed the instructions mentioned some suggested colors but I can't read Japanese. So I am kinda stuck. I've been searching the web hoping someone had some information or translation on the instructions, and can't find anything. This is my only lead I have is in the Shmup forums.

Any help would be appreachiated, and I'd be happy to post my progress on the model as well with you guys.

[Zeether]

I don't think you have to paint it...

[shoe-sama]

you glue or stick or w/e those flat things on the yellow paper are on for color lol

[comtar]

I can assure you it needs to be painted.

If you look at the second photo of SFKhoa's post when he first got the box in the mail, you will see it's a sheet of instructions, if you look at the instructions carefully on the bottom left corner of the instructions sideways are the words "Color Paint". And it has some shades of color in boxes next to some words describing what colors are needed.

Also the black lines on the ship itself you see on the "so far completed" photos he has posted are not on the ship itself normally.

[bcass]

Use a gundam marker for the panel lining. If the plastic looks cheap, it would obviously look better painted.

[ReKleSS]

I recently just got the model from Play-Asia and the instructions are all in Japanese, so I was wondering if you SFKhoa managed to have translated the paint colors needed to paint the model. I noticed the instructions mentioned some suggested colors but I can't read Japanese. So I am kinda stuck. I've been searching the web hoping someone had some information or translation on the instructions, and can't find anything. This is my only lead I have is in the Shmup forums.

Paint names are usually in katakana, so if you grab a chart you can figure it out - it's all phonetic. Otherwise, post a scan here and I can probably do it. Mine is coming from HLJ, so it's not going to arrive for a while.

[SFKhoa]

I recently just got the model from Play-Asia and the instructions are all in Japanese, so I was wondering if you SFKhoa managed to have translated the paint colors needed to paint the model. I noticed the instructions mentioned some suggested colors but I can't read Japanese. So I am kinda stuck. I've been searching the web hoping someone had some information or translation on the instructions, and can't find anything. This is my only lead I have is in the Shmup forums.

Are you really intending to paint it? Anyway, Gundam marker didn't seem as good as I would think on the model, but it 's much better than having to stick in decals as a substitute.

Anyway, from the katakana provided in the colour chart on the top left of the page. This is in order from top to bottom.

[1st color] Indy Blue (70%), Cobalt Blue (20%), White (10%) <== Why it says that, I don't know, I just use the blue from the gundam marker set.[
[2nd color] For the wing flap: black-grey.
[3rd color] Engine intake - フタロシアニン(Phthalocyanine) blue <== no idea wth that is.
[4th color] Dark - Grey. It says something in regards to the force field and the option, but I don't know kanji to fill in the rest of the info.
[5th color] White, obviously...
[6th color] 'Clear Red', probably talking about the transparent red pieces on the two prongs.

[comtar]

Ah cool thanks. But am confused... (I'm just a graphic designer and gamer, not at a model maker so sorry for the silly questions) are you saying it doesn't need to be painted?

Reason I ask is because my white pieces have no black lines on them, but yours does. How did you get the lines on there without painting them?

[SFKhoa]

Ah cool thanks. But am confused... (I'm just a graphic designer and gamer, not at a model maker so sorry for the silly questions) are you saying it doesn't need to be painted?

Reason I ask is because my white pieces have no black lines on them, but yours does. How did you get the lines on there without painting them?

I used a 0.05 mm marker. For the first statement, you can choose to paint them if you wanted to, but if you don't have paint, stickers are included as "substitutes".

[comtar]

Are you really intending to paint it? Anyway, Gundam marker didn't seem as good as I would think on the model, but it 's much better than having to stick in decals as a substitute.

Okay cool, tiny markers sound best when I look at what needs to be done, second silly question is you refer to the Gundam Marker set. Are these like paint markers that are used for miniatures like this normally?

If so where would I find these kinda markers? Guessing like a hobby store or a place that sells the Gundam stuff or tiny Warhammer figures you have to paint?

[SFKhoa]

Okay cool, tiny markers sound best when I look at what needs to be done, second silly question is you refer to the Gundam Marker set. Are these like paint markers that are used for miniatures like this normally?

If so where would I find these kinda markers? Guessing like a hobby store or a place that sells the Gundam stuff or tiny Warhammer figures you have to paint?

Gundam markers are actually paint in the form of markers. Best place to find these are in a hobby shop, indeed.

[greg]

lots of pics of the model here.

I just got my Vic Viper today. It certainly needs painting. The stickers are a big disappointment. They aren't even decals (the dip in water and apply kind)... they're just peel off and apply stickers. Very juvenile-looking. I'm going to use the control panel sticker and keep the rest in the box. I recently got an airbrush finally, so after I get some practice with some cheaper models, I'm going to get started on this one. I'll mask off sections with Tamiya masking tape to get the blue.

If you want to do the panel lines right, get a Gundam marker like this one. I've bought from this seller and he's great. You don't want to get one of the fat Gundam markers for precise jobs like this. If you make a mistake while using the marker, lick your finger and rub it off right away. However, I know a better way.

One excellent tip to use for detailing the panel lines instead of using the fine-tip Gundam marker is to use flat black enamel paint mixed with Zippo lighter fluid. The lighter fluid kills the surface tension, and the panel lines pretty much draw themselves. Wipe off the excess with a paper towel and some ligther fluid. Watch a demonstration of this technique here. I've only used this technique on non-painted surfaces on HG Gundam models, and it's magically delicious. It takes a lot of patience to get the right mixture of paint and lighter fluid, and unfortunately the lighter fluid evaporates rapidly, making it even more difficult to maintain that right mixture. When applying this technique to a painted model, make sure you paint the model with acrylic paint because if you have painted it with enamel, it will ruin the paint job. However, it is probably safer to apply a finishing clear coat to the model before applying the Zippo/paint for the panel lines.

I think I may paint this model a grayish white. If so, I think I'll do the panel lines in gray instead of black. I think I may wait a while to start in on this model and see if I can learn some weathering techniques with my new airbrush. Fortunately I have an uncle who is into modelling, so he can show me some tricks. I have a cheap Snowspeeder model I can try out some weathering tricks on.

[bcass]

Yeah, it takes a bit of practice to get used to gundam markers. Try practising on something else until you feel confident you know how to do it. You've got quite a bit of leway before the paint dries, so don't be scared of making mistakes. Oh, and don't just twist the ship parts off the sprues - use a craft knife or a scalpel to cut them off cleanly.

[greg]

Oh, and don't just twist the ship parts off the sprues - use a craft knife or a scalpel to cut them off cleanly.

I recommend getting a Tamiya side cutter tool for that. A decent hobby store (one that specializes in plastic models and not so much of the stupid remote control cars) will have one. I recently got one to replace the cheap piece o' crap one I had, and this Tamiya cutter is awesome. I can even cut my fingers' hangnails with this thing. Very sharp and precise. Then an X-Acto knife to get any remains of the plastic nub (if any).

[comtar]

Okay I went to a hobby store and checked into how to paint and build something like this. And since I'm dealing with American paint shops and miniatures, most the stock they had was in Warhammer Miniature painting kits and colors. The guy there showed me some great tools and colors that will work and is willing to color match me some stuff but it's all for Warhammer stuff. I'm sure the colors will match well, but do you think this should be sufficent?

Although even this guy admitted the straight lines on the plane itself should be done with a paint pen of some kind to get them exact as possible.

What was weird was he suggested primering the white of the jet, but everyone I've talked to said it would loose the shine look the plastic would naturally give it.

Anyway, this is just other input I've gotten and wanted to get some opinions. I'll look into Ebay for the markers... because of my photoshop with a pen mouse and coloring with inkpens history as a graphic designer, I'm much more comfortable with that then I am paint in a vial.

[bcass]

The Warhammer paints will be fine, they are just normal acrylic paints, suitable for all types of models. Make sure you get an undercoat/primer and apply that before appying any other colours.

[bcass]

Oh, and don't just twist the ship parts off the sprues - use a craft knife or a scalpel to cut them off cleanly.

I recommend getting a Tamiya side cutter tool for that.

To be honest, if you walk into any hardware store, you can get a small pair of wire cutters for something like $5 that will do the job just as well. In fact, my pair cost me £1.50 (approx $3).

[spadgy]

Oh, and don't just twist the ship parts off the sprues - use a craft knife or a scalpel to cut them off cleanly.

I recommend getting a Tamiya side cutter tool for that.

To be honest, if you walk into any hardware store, you can get a small pair of wire cutters for something like $5 that will do the job just as well. In fact, my pair cost me £1.50 (approx $3).

I see you're talking pounds sterling. Are you coming to the London Meet in March? You should, as should all UK shmuppers...

[bcass]

Possibly. I didn't realise there was going to be a meet. I live in Cheshire, so it's a bit of a trek.

[spadgy]

Check it out on the shmupmeets section. People are coming from overseas even.

Anyway. I do apologise. I'm taking things off topic.