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Natsu-Rokka posted an update in the group
Advanced Modeler – Modeling Competition 2013 9 years, 3 months ago Slogging along on the Kampfer build. I did a test to see if I could get a movable lit mono eye to work. By drilling out one of the pivot posts for the mono eye holder and gluing a clear sprue stub into the head structure to act as a retainer plus a light conductor, I was able to get indirect light from a LED glued to the top of the clear sprue. The amount of light is reduced, but I wanted a dim diffuse light, not a JJ Abrams lens flare spotlight! The kit mono eye will be tinted with Gaianotes Fluorescent Pink. I plan on storing the batteries in the cockpit space, using them as the on/off switch.
I am finishing up the little added details on the body. I decided to replace the molded-on round pads on the feet with Kotobukiya Minus Molds. The hollow toes were filled in with some ribbed styrene strip.
A little more to go before the paint starts going on. Hurry Star Force, there are only three weeks left!!!
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Advanced Modeler – Modeling Competition 2013
Nice trick with the monoeye. Seems like a really good use of the available space. Though with the clear peg angled the way it is, wouldn’t the amount of light coming out the lens vary depending on the direction the monoeye is pointed? (With the Kampfer’s limited range of monoeye movement it may not matter…)
I’d normally approach something like this by using a surface-mount LED and mounting it directly behind the lens – but it seems like there are advantages to using light guides, too.
Tetsujin,
As you noted, the Kampfer has really limited eye movement, so the brightness of the light does not change when it is swung to the side. I plan on lighting my Zakus, which may require a different approach as they have a greater range of eye movement. This was my first attempt to light a model so it was all trial and error. I took one of those Bandai MG lighted head sets and modified the contacts to hold a pair of small button battery cells in the cockpit. I am very pleased with the results, and like photo-etched metal, it is addictive! 🙂