RX-0

This is my Unicorn. There are many like it but this one is mine. I finished my OVA RX-0 Unicorn Gundam finally. Took a long break for NaNoWriMo. Ended up writing over 30,000 words, but that's a topic for another post.

There aren't many kits that I've built that I've said, "I can't wait to build that again". Unicorn was one of those kits. And for building again, there's lots of variety. There's the ver Ka, Full Armor, Banshee, Phenex, and probably a Banshee Norn before too much longer.

The only real annoying part during the build was the shoulders. The transformation is interesting and relatively well done (save the knees). The head transforms with very little part swapping, more remove, rotate and reapply. I use the swappable v-fins and not the openable one. I think it looks better. Its actually painted in Vallejo Gold because paint > stickers. I don't think I'll end up painting the Unicorn, probably just top coat and call it a day. I hate painting white.

WIP 2: MG RX-78 3.0

Work continued the next night on the arms. Specifically the shoulder joints which were built in pairs. With the tiny white pieces and their microscopic dots, I'm glad I lined on the runner. It looks good.

WIP MG RX-78 3.0

For my next project I picked this up from Crunchyroll. They had it on daily deal and I couldn't exactly pass up the chance to have the RG RX-78-2 in 1/100. Plus, everyone should have the Gundam in a 1/100 MG form. I decided to experiment with panel lining on the runner with this kit because why not. Once the panel lining was complete, the build started like any other...

WIP: RG GP01fb

You may remember before the Nu Ver. Ka. was show that I had picked up both of these kits. I finished the GP01 Zephranthes snap fit the other day and almost immediately began work on the Full Burnen. There were a few parts of the Zephranthes build I missed capturing on film digital. I really need to get a tripod for my camera. Or at least a monopod.

GAT-X105 Strike

Finally finished my GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. Took the time to panel line and decal it properly. Once the weather stops being so ridiculously humid, I'll top coat. I don't particularly like the look of the Aile pack, so I'll probably display it without most of the time. But I'll keep the beam rifel and shield equipped, even though that's non-canon.

WIP: RG GP-01

As hinted at before the Nu ver. Ka., these two were going to be my next project. After unpacking the first one, I decided my workspace wasn't quite large enough to tackle both of them at the same time. I decided to start with the normal model then tackle the Full Burnen after. Read on for the full build log.

WIP: RX-93

When we last left off, I'd finished the torso of the Nu Gundam's inner frame and had already started to mention how much I hated the foil stickers. Next up was the head. Its the second MG I've built with a full inner frame. The first being the Sinanju. With the head completed I moved onto the arms.

The glorious Nu hands.

Completed arms, minus hands

Completed upper torso

With the not too complex, but more PITA foil sticker filled, arms completed, I called it a night. The next day I tackled the legs...

New kits and a new WIP

I picked up a few more kits thanks to the deals ModelGrade was running for /r/Reddit. Fast shipping and reasonable prices, I think a lot more of my kits will be coming from there in the future. I've been a huge fan of the RG line and decided to add a few more to my collection.

Since my last post I did pick up and build the MG GAT-X105 Strike ver. RM. Twas a fun build, however I don't really like the design of the Strike and I'm not sure why I've built it twice and am considering a 3rd (RG). I did take pictures but haven't had a chance to post them. They'll probably go up sometime this week. After the current build is finished and ready to be panel lined.

I'll probably be passing on the RG Strike Freedom that's coming out soon. Not really a fan of the design and I've already built the RG Freedom. Plus, I've got something else that will be filling my time along with the GP01 brothers above until the MG Proto Zero comes out. Read on to find out what...

ZGMF-X42S

ZGMF-X42S Destiny. After about a day of furious snapping, the Destiny is finished. Also, I got some new lights for my photo booth so the lighting is a bit more even. I think I need one more to properly light the Gundam. The build was pretty straight forward, in the RG style, legs, torso, waist, arms, head in that order. Backpack and weapons came next and were much simpler to build than those of the Freedom. I do not miss putting on each wing individually

The Destiny doesn't seem to suffer from the same back-heavy issues that the Freedom had. It seems to be relatively poseable without a stand for ground poses. I'm starting to dislike RG hands as they seem to get more and more fragile with each new kit.

I'll be pane lining and stickering this kit with the included stickers. Except for maybe the stickers for the shield, I may end up painting those. I've still got the beam rifle and shield to build for this kit, but the backpack's weapons (anti-ship sword and gun) are complete along with the wings.

Examining the sword

RG hands are way too easy to break.

WIP 3: MSN-06S

Continued to work on the Sinanju. The legs were a bit more complex than I was expecting. Coming from Real Grades, I wasn't used to building the inner frame of the parts as much as just having it. I forgot one of the inner frame parts on one of the legs, however its not visible once the armor is on. I'll just attach it later when I've removed the armor for painting. 

I'm not sure when I'll actually be adding the color, or what color it will be. I know it probably won't be until I've bought an airbrush, however.

WIP 2: MSN06-S

Continued to work on the Sinanju. Parts for the arms, shoulders and wrists. Quite an involved build but it made me fall in love with the Master Grade even more. As they say, once you go MG, you can never go back.

WIP 1: MSN-06S

Started on a new and slightly ambitious project. Its going to be my first fully-painted build, inner frame and all. I’m still trying to decide if I want to keep it red, do a metallic blue, or a gloss black. I’ll probably end up doing a gloss or metallic red with a gunmetal inner frame and weapons. I’m planning on hand-painting the sleeves and trim with a gold paint and a tiny brush.

Suggestions on a brand? I’ve already got Testor’s Gold enamel and Vallejo Gold acrylic. Is Tamyia worth picking up? The main body will be done with canned spray paint for a smooth finish. An airbrush is on my “someday” list to buy.

Also, is it better to paint the inner frame after building it, or paint it before? Additionally, since its the new PS plastic, does it still need priming like the ABS did?

OZ-00MS

Finished the OZ-00MS Tallgeese. Panel lined with gray enamel and applied the included stickers and dry transfers. Let me just say, now that I know what dry transfers are and how to apply them, I'm a fan and wish all kits came with them.

WIP 2: OZ-00MS

Almost done with the Tallgeese. My painting workstation out in the garage, less smell from the paint out there compared to my main construction area inside.. Primed parts on the right on skewers, parts undergoing painting in the middle.

WIP: OZ-00MS

Started working on my first Master Grade kit, the OZ-00MS "Tallgeese". The plan is to do a TV-esque paint scheme with black in place of the light gray and dark blue pieces. And because I want the Tallgeese to look a bit more regal, I'm going to be painting the yellow parts gold.

ZGMF-X10A

RG ZGM-X10A Freedom Gundam. A pretty straight build, my first experiment with using thinned enamels for panel lining. Light grey for white parts, and black for everything else. Stickers took forever to apply because of how tiny they are and the sheer number that a RG includes. Freedom definitely needs a stand because those wings are extremely heavy.

GN-0000 + GN-010

Finally finished my HG 00+Raiser in a midnight color scheme after three weeks of painting. For future reference, Vallejo acrylic paints are excellent for hand painting and Krylon matte makes an economical top coat. Also picked up an action base to make it easier to display.

Adventures in Gunpla! Launching!

Lets kick this off right with a picture of where it all began: The RX-78-2. First Real Grade kit I've built. Straight build, just panel lining and most of the stickers. I'll probably top-coat it eventually.

As far as the picture setup, its a piece of posterboard, and a cheap desk lamp.