Mobius 1:32 Colonial Viper MkII

[bfrd]

My first entry into the Summer Sci-Fi is the Viper Mk II. This will be an OOB build with nothing too fancy.

[RangerNeil]

If you can find one I recommend the "Enhanced Decal Set". If its like the original Viper I built the other year the kit set is on the sparse side. DEKLS DFS-32025 is the info I have.

[aur0ra145]

I'm very interested to see how this one comes out. I used to love watching the 1970's version when I was a kid.

[bfrd]

I'm very interested to see how this one comes out. I used to love watching the 1970's version when I was a kid.

Me too, the launch tube sequence was mesmerizing.

I wish there was a decent kit of the MkI Viper. I would love to have all of them lined up. I did the MkVII a while back.

[RangerNeil]

I'm very interested to see how this one comes out. I used to love watching the 1970's version when I was a kid.

Me too, the launch tube sequence was mesmerizing.

I wish there was a decent kit of the MkI Viper. I would love to have all of them lined up. I did the MkVII a while back.

Hunt around and you should be able to find the Mobius edition of the Viper Mk 1. Probably a bit pricey these days. I built it for the 2020 Sci-Fi group build.
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 85b3a6f904

A quick google revealed this if you are interested @ $69:
https://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/b ... 17954.html

[bfrd]

I should have said affordable. The one you listed is sold out. I found two on eBay, both over $100.

[RangerNeil]

I should have said affordable. The one you listed is sold out. I found two on eBay, both over $100.

Be happy you aren't after the Galactica! If the wife ever found out what I paid for the 1970's version divorce would the least of my worries....

[bfrd]

Ok, first real update.

Also, a box shot for posterity.


FRAKKK!

I don't recall the kit being this bad the first time I started it. Perhaps I have just grown too accustomed to the likes of Tamiya and Bandai...

Here is the figure. I think I am going to need to buy some more putty!

I also got two right arms.

While the glue (copious amounts) was drying on the figure I moved on the landing gear. Oh wow, things do get worse.


Keep in mind those parts are supposed to be flat and touch. I decided to drill out a hole in each half and use some round styrene to make a pin to help hold the pieces in place.


The rear landing gear was better, but not by much. Also, all of the detail is a bit soft, I think the molds may be shot by this point.


I decided to cut off the hydraulic arms on all of the gear and add them back in once I get the main parts sorted out. I may also 3D print some new ones.

I also got a start on the cockpit tub, which surprisingly isn't too bad.


Now here is a feature of the Mobius kit parts that I like, they put the part number on the back of the part! However, if you are going to do that, make sure you know which is the back? You can see the number on the side wall since sanded out.

[digger303]

Could be a challenging kit to say the least.

[RangerNeil]

Gawd - sounds much worse than the Mk 1 version. Best of luck (not that it will be needed) in bashing this one into shape!!

[DBMiller]

A challenging build to be sure. It looks like putty will be your friend for this one.

[Tomcat64]

Wow - I wasn't expecting that "quality" of moulding inside such a great looking box.

Scalemates has it down as a 2009 release so you wouldn't have expected it to have deteriorated that much would you?

Anyway - hope you can knock it into shape with some 3d printing and a truckload of filler.

[bfrd]

I made some progress on the gear. I filled and sanded the main parts. I used Mr. Dissolved Putty and disposable micro-brushes for the small bits and Apoxie Sculpt for the large gaps. I removed the soft-detailed "bolts" and replaced them with sliced styrene rods. I know why they sell those little razor blade chopper things. I must have sliced two-dozen wafers to find 6 that were usable. I drilled a couple of holes to represent something that could be removed.







I also have been printing some replacement struts for the parts I cut off earlier. I am not sure if I like the design and may change it again. Here is the original and the reprint.

[Twokidsnosleep]

They are not even comparable items
The printed one is so much better

[bfrd]

I have Apollo painted up. Not the best, but not too bad either.

[digger303]

[Kingdan]

i likeeee verrry nice

[Tomcat64]

Great work on the replacement part - as Scott already said it looks a world apart from the original.

It's coming along nicely

[bfrd]

I got this hot mess back on the bench.

The fuselage halves fit decently, but the cockpit wouldn’t line up. I had to cut in some access hatches to get it set.



I also started the process of filling the mounting hole.

First I added a piece of styrene to help contain putty.






Finally got the halves mated up.

[digger303]

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ok that is some happy gapping
Nothing like precision moulding.

[RangerNeil]

Looks like the Mk1 was an easier build if doing it OOTB. Mine just got complicated because of the LED's and PE in the cockpit. Never had the problems you've had with the fuselage mating and the slit for the display stand had to cut open if you wanted to use it.
This one is looking good so far though - well done!

[bfrd]

I got the landing gear primed in Ultimate Gloss Black

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Patience and skill for this kit which seems to be good on the box art but not for its parts, you've done already a good work on it!

[bfrd]

The main body is mostly together. I just have the bottom that is still off. I am trying to figure out if I can wait and add it last to avoid masking up the landing gear.

[digger303]

The viper looks seamless. It's going to look very good once painted up.

[Tomcat64]

Nice work sorting those gaps out - the landing gear looks really effective as well

[bfrd]

While it doesn't look that much different from the last picture, the main body has been primed in Stynylrez gray and then painted in Vallejo Insignia White.

[Twokidsnosleep]

She is getting there

[bfrd]

The next step is to mask her up and paint the red stripes. I have decals, but I think painting is a better option. I plan on using Vallejo Ferrari Red.

[bfrd]

It took me about 2.5 hours to mask up the Viper.



Helpful hint: if it takes 2.5 hours to mask a model, take a break before you paint.

I didn’t.



I sprayed from the wrong side of the tape and it lifted.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh dude

[Tomcat64]

Ouch hope you can tidy that up without too much pain.

[bfrd]

It didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would!



It's not great, but I will have some touch-up work to do today. I hope the Insignia White will cover up the overspray!!

[digger303]

looks good I can't see the over spray.

[ulvdemon]

Looks sweet, can't wait to see the finished product.

[bfrd]

looks good I can't see the over spray.

Creative positioning (mainly on the other side).

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Great color, it'll be a beautiful kit!

[RangerNeil]

Looks a good job of masking to me.
I've used polishing compound to remove overspray before, got to do it again on the Hind at the weekend. Maybe worth a try for yours??

[aur0ra145]

Looking good!

[bfrd]

I have a few more bits done.

Heat staining on the engine exhaust.


I also did a black/yellow "warning" type pattern on the inside of the landing gear doors on the Mark VII that I did a few years ago. I wanted to do the same.

The first step is to mask off the outside of the bay doors.


Then paint the lighter color which in this case is Vallejo Air Medium Yellow.


I'll mask that off and spray some black when the yellow has had a chance to dry more.

I cleaned up the overspray with more Insignia white and am very happy with the results. Since that went well, I masked off the exposed internal parts and sprayed Vallejo Model Air Gunmetal.




I was a little too aggressive in removing the tape and pulled off a large chunk of paint/primer. I sanded the edges down in preparation for re-painting.


I should have some more updates later today (I hope).

[bfrd]

The repair turned out ok. I can still see it, but it isn't jumping out at me.


To paint the stripes on the inner side of the gear bay doors I layed out some thin tape and cut 45° angles. Note that you do have to put another set of 45° cuts in the other direction. I took the picture below before doing that part.


I then placed the first piece of tape down and then the second piece right next to it. I then put the third piece next to that one and removed the second. This allows me to keep fairly consistent spacing.




Make sure to keep your parts oriented in a mirror so your stripes match up and aren't all going in the same direction. I used Vallejo Nato Black for the contrasting color.


Looks like one of my tape masks fell off, but I am happy with the results. They won't be very visible, but it makes me happy.

Decals are going on tomorrow. I want to give all of the paint several hours to dry.

[digger303]

Well thought out.

[bfrd]

She is up on her feet!


To paint the ship the way I wanted, I needed to build certain pieces out of order. I must have put some parts in a little wonky because the bottom floor doesn't fit correctly. I had to trim off some plastic to get close. Luckily, the most significant gap isn't in a very conspicuous spot.

P.S. The red looks quite harsh in the photos. It isn't quite that stark in person. I hope that weathering will tamp it down even more.

[ulvdemon]

Definitely have to say that this is a nice solid build. Outstanding work. Just saw your Viper Mk VII build, also very nice.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Battle damage, use it as battle damage laser blasts !!!

[Kingdan]

its looking sharp mate and remember its make believe so you can go to town

[bfrd]

I am keen to try laser blast damage. Decals are going on now.

[bfrd]

The decals are done.

I want to hit them with more solution before a satin clear coat.

Heiko Peterson posted his build on Scalemates, and I like the look of a battered and beaten-up ship.

Here is a link to the whole album; it is worth the look.

[Stokesy44]

That's a cracking paint and markings job.

As for the weathered example? That's a bit too much for me. Its well done for sure but I think that Viper would have been space dust long ago!