Mike Delano

Do any cable companies out there still carry NASA TV? I remember as a kid Comcast (or whatever it was called then) carried it, but I cant find it anywhere now...

Now, that would make a great post-prequel sequel to Trex XI! I guess my biggest complaint about the film is that it takes 40 years of cannon and trashes it. Alternat Relality, Changed history in a single continuity, whatever you want to call it, I still expected something more. Still a good flic though, and it wont make me turn my back on being a fan of the Frachise (exactly what Paramount wants, right?)

It's more of a melding of the TOS Enterprise and the Refit Enterprise / Ent A though I'd say it has more in common with the Movie / Refit Enterprises. It has an outward dish in the front like the TOS version, but blue in color like the Refit versions. It also has torpedo launchers like the Enterprise / Ent A from the movies (located on the neck that connects primary and secondary hulls). Phaser Turrets are nearly identical looking those from the Refit Enterprises as well, except you get a better picture of how they work. The nacelles are a totally different story though. Overall, the lines are very similar. The picture below is from the film

Well... the good thing is, everything from 'Star Trek: Enterprise' is still canon (for the most part)... and yes, that is a hint of sarcasm you smell... I was excited about this movie. After seeing it, I'm not dissapointed, but I'm not overly excited either. The plot mechanism they used to reimagine the franchise is old and tired, I really expected more creativity in that department - especially from J.J. Abrams. And while there wasn't a lot of technobable in the movie, it seems that they went to extremes in not explaining the science behind certain aspects of the film where, at least I think it would have been appropriate. What the hell is 'Red Matter'?. Also, I thought the idea (SPOILER AHEAD) of the Big E being built on Earth's surface interesting - would liked there to have been a launch scene explaining what that would have looked like... Again, I enjoyed the movie for what it was and I'm curious to see where they take the franchise from here. I guess they could fit in the whole Temoporal Cold War arc from the 'ST: Enterprise' series into it. By the way, my favorite part of the movie has to be Karl Urban's portrayal of Bones - I felt like his portrayal most paralleled that of the original character without seeming like an obvious imitation - the whole scene where Kirk and McCoy meet for the first time was great and I think he really played it like DeForest Kelley would have. Either way, I'll still buy the model if someone makes it.

This is actually the kit I started for 'National Model Day' some weeks back. I started by adding some more detail in the form of spare parts and photo etch pices from my stash of armor kits. Additionally, I drilled out all of the cannons to give a more realistic look. The base color is Floquil Lettering Gray with additional panel variances of Floquil Weathered Black and Lark Light Gray. It had been years since I did a sci fi kit and this was a nice break from 1000 + part armor kits. I must say, the Revell kit is very nice and the major sub assemblies are designed that major seams are hidden for the most part - makes the process of pre painting much easier. The color red I have used is Gunze 'Wine Red' which matches the red in the supplied decals perfectly. I still have quite a bit of work to do on this one.

This is actually the kit I started for 'National Model Day' some weeks back. I started by adding some more detail in the form of spare parts and photo etch pices from my stash of armor kits. Additionally, I drilled out all of the cannons to give a more realistic look. The base color is Floquil Lettering Gray with additional panel variances of Floquil Weathered Black and Lark Light Gray. It had been years since I did a sci fi kit and this was a nice break from 1000 + part armor kits. I must say, the Revell kit is very nice and the major sub assemblies are designed that major seams are hidden for the most part - makes the process of pre painting much easier. The color red I have used is Gunze 'Wine Red' which matches the red in the supplied decals perfectly. I still have quite a bit of work to do on this one.

Yeah, I realized that after I got done with the major assembly - I haven't worked on this thing in a few weeks, but since the photoes were first taken, I removed the extra rods from the rear deck. I need to get back on this thing, but I started a Republic Star Destroyer kit for NMD and have been working on that one since...

I fully expect there to be a letter to the editor in one of the upcoming issues as to why they didn't get the nacelles right... Newsweek, you really dropped the ball on this one...

Has anyone seen the cover of the May 4th, 2009 Newsweek? If you have, you'll know what I'm taliing about...

Even though it's not Trek XI, I've read where R2 is also going to do a 1/1000 Akira Class.

I just watched it last night (dont ask) I thought it was great - given, there's not as much of an epic space battle element to it, but it was still a great pilot. Interesting that Graystone's first name is 'Daniel' and the supposed No. 7 Cylon was also refered to as Daniel. Who knows....

I think someone made a resin Skyraider in 32nd - can't remember what the name of the company was, but I definitely remember it

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=mod...le&sid=5138 It claims to be a completely new tooling. I don't think it's a trap.

Thanks for the words of encouragement all - because of the obvious issues with this old Tamiya kit, I'm not aiming for 100% accuracy (or even 90% at that). This thing has turned into more of an avenue for some creative license. I'm in the process now of cleaning everything up prior to priming. Another grip about this thing - the kit-supplied roadwheels are horrible. Glad I had enough left over from the DML kit to replace them.

I got bored today on my last day of vacation and decided to pull down the old Tamiya Panzer IV D kit from atop the closet. I figured it'd be a nice quick build. I was wrong. At the risk of sounding like a blasphemer, this kit has alot of problems.... I'll leave it at that (I won't say how I really feel about it). I guess I've just been spoiled with DML kits. Either way, I decided to scaveng from all of the extra unused Panzer IV parts included in the Geschutzwage IVb and the upgunned Panzer IV D kit (which is actually a review kit I'm finishing up). Either way, I decided to use the DML roadwheels. I would loved to have used the DML trucks as well, but didn't have enough in the spares box. Additionally, I'm replacing all of the OVE and spare track. Since I won't have DML inner sprocket halves or final drive housings, I'll have to somehow reconcile the difference in the offset of the Tamiya sprockets with the DML roadwheels and return rollers. This has turned out to be more of an experiment than anything else. Definitely a work (and a lot of work, at that) in progress...

Amazing how well preserved it is, even down to what appears to be the turret propaganda

I still haven't seen mention of Trek XI kits either. I have, however, seen mention that there will be a rerelease of the Polar Lights Enterprise A in 1/350 along with a TOS Enterprise in 1/350 as well. In addition, I read where there is a forthcoming 1/1000 Akira Class coming out too. My understanding is that R2 doesn't have licensing rights for Trek XI base merchandise, so if the models come out, I don't know who'll make them

Yeah, Panzer IV, I meant... About the hull - I'm thinking that might be the problem. Remember how the Tiger kits had slightly inward bent hull sides (I know this is resolves itself when the rear hull is installed). I'm thinking the same might be the case with some of the Pz. IV hulls.

Maybe the defect was in the original Panzer V they used to get measurements from...

I've noticed the same thing - and it's not a slight outward toe - it is clearly noticeable. I first noticed it on the Geschutzwagen IVb... Forgot to mention that in the review I wrote...

I see where Dragon sells individual sets of DS track for the Tiger and the various Sherman track types, but I cannot seem to find a listing for the DS Track for the Panther. It's obviously already available in the Panther D and Panther G zimmerit kits - does anyone know if they have plans to sell the Panther DS Track sets as they do the others?

Just read the review... And I want one. I could kick myself in the rear for not buying a Sotar 20/20 when they have them for 90 bucks in the Badger Garage Sale section last year.

If I'm not mistaken, Future is still made, albeit with a name change - it's now called 'Pledge with Future Shine'. It's still widely available here in Georgia and as far as I know, it's still being made, just under that different name.

If you're still in need, I can make some Hi-Res scans available - Is it Kit No. 35096 you're looking for?

For all interested - Liberty Belle will be at Peachtree DeKalb this weekend (14th and 15th) and again next weekend for viewing. Neat article on CNN about it here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/12/flying.fortress/index.html