I saw this kit the other day at my LHS discounted for $11…didn’t know if it was a good idea to pick it up just yet since it’s the chrome version (was there a “regular” version…i’m not sure)
Anyways, it would be a great kit to put next to my Polar Lights LiS Robot, just wanted to see if anyone had any comments on this Robby kit…
It is a decent kit ,I did not build the chrome one.I only had one snag assembly problem.I would cut off the location pins on the leg halves and glue and clamp,even doing this you will have to sand and shape the round leg spheres.I just primed the model and finished it with light coats of Rustoleum"Black night metallic".the finish turned out fantastic.
Couldn’t you just throw all the chrome parts into CSC to dechrome them and make a normal kit? I believe some Gundam builders do this with the plated Gundam kits.
Yes you can, The “chrome” is a lacquer coating and anything that will strip lacquer will work fine.
That’s a very good price for that version of Robby, as they’re now becoming very collectibe–if you both collect and build kits (as I do). Retail was around $17-18.00 as I recall. There should be some helpful hints posted on this site somewhere on various methods of safely stripping “chrome” from plastic. Over the years, FSM has mentioned products that will do the job.
BYW, I built the regular Polar Lights Robby–but with some modifications and additons to “improve” it. I used the Jimmy Flintstone Productions resin Altara figure and lower half legs kits (legs apart stance) to replicate the Forbidden Planet movie poster. (Available from CultTVMan.com) Unlike the poster, I matched Robby’s original color to video-captured images from the MGM DVD. I airbrushed SnJ Spray Metal Silver darkened with black and a touch of blue (as seen in some scenes in the print) to replicate Robby’s original medium gunmetal color. I also scratchbuilt a few new head pieces that weren’t quite accurate in the kit. I topped it off with a resin nameplate (also avilable from CultTVMan.com) painted to match the film’s title logo. Over all, a fun build for this longtime Forbidden Planet fan and collector.
–Ken
So I got the kit, I’m in the process of stripping the chrome. I’m using that Westleys whitewall cleaner, it’s working, but rather slowly…I’m guessing there’s a nice thick sealant over the chrome peices…anyone have any experience with this stuff? How long does it usually take to eat through chrome?
I’m also missing 14 parts of the kit…gotta call PL tomorrow[:(!]
I had the same problem with the gold plating on the 1:32 scale apollo spacecraft,the capsule is actually chrome plated and then a yellow clear-coat is sprayed on giving the models gold tint.I removed the yellow top coat with nail polish remover and cotton balls,once this coating is removed you will have no problem removing the chrome plating.I hope this helps.