Ghosty-chan / ゴ－スティ－ちゃん

Moved

2010-05-17T17:47:00.001+02:00

Moved the blog to another host - this blog is now located at:
http://ghostygunpla.blog131.fc2.com/

still ironing the layout and such.

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - finished

2010-05-17T15:11:00.000+02:00

Finished my 1/144 PsyCo Zaku.

Check out photos and some text at the BAKUC page.

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - almost done building it

2010-04-17T21:21:00.000+02:00

Sanded all seamlines and clued alot of the remaining parts, like head, 'feet' for the leg-thruster etc. (which need to be sanded,... again)
I was surprised that there is some additional movement for the 'feet', but since not everything is clued together yet, you'll have to wait till it's clued, in order to see what kind of posability I'm referring to.

(I'll paint the black for the eye with enamel paint and remove excess black paint with lighter fluid, however, the stripe on top of the head isn't clued yet, since I don't know if I'll put the eye there - as always, time will tell)

Many parts aren't clued yet. I will keep it that way, in order to paint the parts more easily.

What's left on the agenda, before painting? removing seamlines, and putty some caps, which occured on some parts being clued together.

Also done one simple mod again - installed a PE PolyCap at it's bottom (for an ActionBase of course).

(Basically a 3mm hole and an according polycap - fixed using epoxy putty)

(Comparison with the 1/144 HGUC Zaku II)

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - damn many seamlines!

2010-04-16T22:16:00.020+02:00

Continued working on the PsyCo Zaku, thanks to the sheer amount of seam lines, I was forced to stop working on it and started working on some mods - well, only did 1 so far.

head currently put together using masking tape (how will I paint the eye-piece?)

Clued almost all parts together, but will have to remove the seam lines next prior clueing additional parts onto them.
(I have the feeling that this is the most time consuming part in building this kit)
Also modded it's left arm - I tried to make it de- and retachable, but it's just a way to complicated, so it will have a permanently detached arm.

Added alot of wire for the arm - still able to shorten it, if it proofs to be too long.
Besides the arm itself, I also modded the hands - I don't wanted the slight bend original fingers, so I used parts of the sprues to make my own straight fingers, like on the box art - also drilled holes on the front.

Will either be used for addition detail, or for leftover Beam Sabre effect parts - time will tell.

Well, that's the modding done so far, but how's the posability of this 26 year old Gunpla?
For the arms, they are quiet good -altough no PE for the Polycaps, it still has ~~the same~~ a slightly better posability than the HG GM[G] from the HG 08th MS Team line.

Hard to tell, the shoulders can bend forward/backward a little bit

Arm can bend all the way up abd rotate at the shoulder, and the head can turn 360

Elbow can bend about 60 degree and rorate below the shoulder

Although the ~~legs~~ thrusters arent assembled yet, you already saw all the posability this MSN-01 kit is capable of.

So far for the MSN-01 - might finish building (not painting) it this weekend.

See ya next time!

Oh, regarding the eye piece - currently thinking of clueing the head together, removing seam lines, and painting the eye piece with black enamel paint after everything else is painted.

*Neither waist nor leg thrusters will be able to move - everything below the waist is fixposed, altough posabilty might be possible for a, not available, HG or even MG treatment - or if you're going to mod the according parts, which I'm not going to do.

P.S.:

Did you know that the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam is, technically, a Zaku? (Atleast according to my theory)

Might post a graph showcasing the relation.

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku

2010-04-15T23:05:00.002+02:00

PsyCo, PsyCho, PsyCommu, PsyChommu, or even SyCommu - it's a matter of taste how you call this - I prefere PsyCo(mmu)

Well, anyways, a small update on the PsyCo Zaku.
Since it doesn't feature snap assembly, building will take a while.
I only clue a few parts at a time, waiting for the clue to dry, and sand the excess clue in order to remove the seamline, prior adding other parts to it.
Well, this results that I was just able to get both shoulders and the inside of the head done (the piece where the mono-eye decal will be applied to).

Currently thinking of a way to make the arms detachable (since the arms are like the Zeong's wire guided) and the best way to paint/build the head.

So Far for the progress, now a look on some contents of the box.

Of course you will get the construction manual - it feels surprisingly familiar if you build older High Grade kits like the GM(G). Well, some difference - the construction manual will focus on the construction alone - nowadays, the manual also contains backstory and such. However, You'll get a 'mechanical file' of the 'Sycommu'[sic] Zaku - well, basically just a printed cardboard (this makes me wanna collect more MSV kits). It features alot of backstory aswell aswell a guide on where to apply the decals.

speaking of decals, a small sheet of waterslide decals is included aswell

alot of 2's and arrows - one mono-eye - that's about it.
the MSN-01 at the bottom just seems to help you to recognize that this decal sheet belongs to the PsyCommu Zaku (since the MSN-01 is linked to the BANDAI) - or if you're making a custom display base.

Back to the future!

2010-04-15T14:35:00.004+02:00

More like back to the past

2 weeks ago, I ordere a 1/144 PsyCommu Zaku (HiMo) at HLJ - it was said to be 'out of stock' back then, so I ordered it, hoping that they might get some sooner or later. (Although I had doubts)
Well, 1 day later, checking e-mails, I got mail that HLJ got my money for this item - wow, they had atleast 1 in stock!
Today, I received it - the mold looks good, has a small sheet of waterslide decals for detail, but besides that, it's one old kit (...but wasn't able to find any info about the original release date*).
What does old kit mean?

everything is molded in one color (white in this case), only PS plastic (therefore no PE Poly Caps for the joints). alot of seam lines etc.
Since it's an (almost) all-white kit, painting will be easy, and masking will only be required for details, like the thruster and red stripes.
Not build yet (currently working on the MG Ball base), but I hope, that this kit from the 80's already has the same quality in terms of 'fit', from their nowaday snap fit kits.

(... oh my,... just got a stupid idea,.... which requires a 1/144 zakuI, Hi-Zack, Zaku III, Geara Zulu, Zeong, Jagd Doga, Sazabi and maybe in fall this year Sinanju,...)

*edit: Should have taken a look on the runners earlier - the year this model was first released was 1984 - 4 years after First Gundam and 1 year prior Z Gundam

1/100 RB-79 Mobile Pod Ball 'Ver. Ka'

2010-04-15T11:28:00.000+02:00

As promised, photos of the 1/100 MG Ball, which was codenamed 'two-face' for one particular reason!

Can you tell already? If not, here's another hint

You might notice, that I painted only half of the exterior.

Because it's the Clear Parts campaign version!

I always wanted to paint/build a model like that, and the 1/100 MG Ball was the only Gunpla from the clear parts campaign which featured plenty enough clear parts to accomplish this.
In fact, the Ball has an additional A-Plate (which is clear,... obviously), featuring all parts for the hull of the mainbody.
While removing the masking tape after painting, I was pleased with the results, however - I masked the wrong half on one part (and I first noticed this while assembling the Ball).

And I wasn't able to apply the masking tape at the exact middle of all parts, resulting in some minor inconsistencies.

Also painted the innerframe of course - but sadly, alot of detail got overshadowed by the clear parts and the chrome painted grid.

Besides the clear parts, I installed 3 LEDs (one white and two green), illuminating the cockpit and the side,... windows I suppose.
However, the base isn't finished yet - I gotta find some way to hide the batteries and switch inside the display base.
(And need to practice painting the 1/100 scale figures)

Apart from this and the falsely masked part, I'm satisfied with my work

'Two-Face' finished - to be revealed tomorrow.

2010-04-14T16:25:00.000+02:00

とある地球連邦のパイロット

Just a little teaser picture of a certain earth federal pilot. (to aru chikyuu renpou no pairotto)

I installed a LED for the cockpit to illuminate the pilot figuren.
Will post more pictures of this certain earth federal mecha tomorrow!

Caught in the trap of figurines?

2010-04-13T21:54:00.003+02:00

Recently checked my HLJ preorders and was, to a degree, shocked to see that I have alot of figurines on preorder. Starting with plamo-like figurines:
This month, my first Kotobukiya Plamo will be purchased - the 1/1 scale (OMFG HUGE!!!) RRX-7.8 Combat-san (included model number due the obvious Gundam reference) from the HoiHoi-san franchise.

(source: Kotobukiya.co.jp)

I wasn't able to get some info on the exact release date so far - only able to confirm the april release.
Although I don't have Combat-san yet, I already preordered Pest-X-san awell.

(source: Kotobukiya.co.jp)

Again a Kotobukiya kit, Pest-X-San will be released in june this year - again the enormous 1/1 scale, again towering roughly 13cm for the price of 3.000 yen - well, more expensive than the average highgrade Gundam kit, but let's wait for Combat-san to see, if the figure/plamo is worth the money.

Still taking a look on posable figurines, I pre-ordered one (thinking about a second (one to play with, and one to collect) Figma Black Rock Shooter from Max Factory!

(source: Max Factory (goodsmile.info))

Just 2667 yen excl. tax (2800yen incl. tax) - Kotobukiya,... why is the 13,5 cm Combat-san/Pest-X-san plamo more expensive than the prepainted 14cm Figma figurine?
Anyways - includes the ridiculous large Rock Cannon, the blade, eye effect part thingy, and a 2nd stand for the cannon. So far, it looks really good, and will be my first Figma figurine.

For the fix posed figurines, in the next few days, the Hatsune Miku 'Premium Figure' will be released (or put into ufo catchers for people to spend their money, getting the figure).

(source: sega.jp)

This time featuring a blue color scheme instead of the green/cyan (I prefere the blue one) and it's 24cm in heigth!

Last, and with least information available at the moment, is, again, a prize item from Sega - a Misaka Mikoto figurine from 'to aru kagaku no choudenjibou (reerugan)' ('a certain scientific electromagnetic rifle (railgun)') (July release)

Will I be able to escape the maelstrom of figurines? Who is 'Two-Face'? And why are banana yellow, and not red, like pepper, tomatoes, strawberries, cherries? And will we ever get a MG Geara Doga? This, and similar things, in the next post of 'Gousti-chan no burogu'!

Another HGUC - another OYW Suit

2010-04-10T22:29:00.000+02:00

~~Hello Kitty!~~

~~Hi Gogg!~~

Hy-Gogg

The MSM-03C Hy-Gogg - what a ~~pretty~~ ~~ugly~~ interesting Suit!

Debuted in the first few minutes of the first episode of 'Gundam 0080 - War in the Pocket', it was followed by serveral video game appearances and plamo of course! Currently, the most advanced plamo available for the Hy-Gogg is the HGUC version. I'd like to see a MG version of it, but I'll talk about it later.

Back to the Hy-Gogg itself. The Hy-Gogg is one Suit which, similar to Xamel, Z'Gok, Aguy etc., isn't that much humanoid as Zaku, Gundam etc.

Starting with the height, it's the smallest MS* from the OYW I know of, measuring 15.4m. The main reason for this is the fact, that the actual head was immgrated into the upper torso, which itself has the same height like a Zaku, but fatter (afterall, it also contains 4 torpedo launchers and 2 120mm machine guns).

Two extremely long 'flexible arms' are attached to the torso, covered by two huge shoulder armors, which can act as a shield, similar to the Zaku Shield. At the end of the arm, you'll finde two big hands, each having 4 'vice claws' and one Mega Particle Cannon (explaining the size of the hands).

The hand can also be equipped with a 'Hand Missle Unit', which looks like a huge propellant tank, but actually just seems to cover the missle head, in order to prevent accidental ignitions.

Equipped with hand missle unit or not, the arm can retract and the shoulder armor can fold down, making it more streamlined, improving underwater movement.

The waist and leg aren't that special, so no need to talk about them.

The feet however are shaped like a plus/+. which fold it in order to improve underwater maneuverability.

All those things are what I like about the Hy-Gogg, therefore I had to buy it!

Anyways, (somewhat) onto the model itself!

The Hy-Gogg contains 4 runners (3PS 1ABS) + PolyCap set nr. 123 - well worth 1200yen in my opinion.

One nice feature is on the A-Plate - although the eye is fix posed (-), it's a part, and not a sticker (+), clear red (+), and even fluorescent! (+) - illuminating the dark pink/bright red eye with an UV LED results in some nice pink monoeye - bandai, I know this kit is about 6 to 7 years old already, but please, I want this kind of clear red/pink eye with new model kits!

Speaking of 6 to 7 years, I feel that the mold was getting old, resulting in much more loose parts.

Bending the arms to the sides, they will fall down fairly fast. The left hand won't even want to stay in place - it feels like I missed a Polycap, which I didn't (otherwise the joint wouldn't connect).

The upper knee joint is quiet loose on both legs, making it difficult to perform some nice dynamic poses.

Well, maybe it's just my Hy-Gogg - anyway, since it will be fix posed eventually, I will clue some parts, ensuring that they won't move (that) much after being finished.

So far for the kit - onto what I've done.

-Installed an UV LED into the torso (surprisingly easy task)

-made a custom effect part for a missle from the hand missle launcher

-modified one hand missle launcher container thingy (need to do touch ups)

-drilled holes for the 120mm MG (lower torse), for more depth

-'custom' panel lines (former seam lines on the upper torso, which can't be removed that easily due the lower torso)

I see you!

*spotted*

the modified 'hand missle unit' parts on the left, the original on the right

What to do prior painting/weathering :

-posing the hand missle unit hull parts

-laying the cable for the LED

-removing seam lines

Why Do I think that a MG is possible? Most features of this MS already have been tested/utilized with prior MG kits (the retraction of the flexible arm and the eye movement was introduced with the MSM-07S Char Z'Gok kit, the contractible feet with the MSM-04 Aguy (it's arms))

Why isn't there a MG yet? Probably due difficulties in recreating the hand missle unit hull (6 hull parts + a lot of locks) and due the lack of demand.

So,... somebody who knows a good, cheap way how to create water for a diorama? ^_^'

*excluding Guntank

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 4 - finished

2010-04-07T11:03:00.000+02:00

Enjoy!

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 3 - mounted

2010-04-04T16:04:00.000+02:00

Gotta take some proper photos next

Drilled a hole with 2mm diameter and fixed the feet using a 2,7mm screw from below the display base, nothing fency.
With the feet mounted onto the base, you can do some more dynamic poses (proper photos to follow)

Satisfied with my work, but will have to take some good photo.

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 2 - painted

2010-04-04T11:34:00.000+02:00

Painted the footprint by now.

Well, for painting, I used a mixing dish, water for thinning, some gloss brown acrylic airbrush color, Revell Aqua Color 'Dark Earth' (flat, acrylic aswell) and some brushes of course!

First, I thinned some 'Dark Earth' so it has the same viscosity as the airbrush color (like milk) and painted one layer of paint on the epoxy. Next, painted the the inside of the foot with the gloss brown color.
Well, that's about it.
Why I thinned the Dark Earth color? With a high viscosity, the paint isn't fully covering the epoxy, resulting in some shading of the surface, plus it results in far less (or none in this case) brush strokes, after it dried.

Satisfied so far.
What's left is to mount the, still to be weathered, foot onto the base, which will be done next.

HGUC ZakuII display base

2010-04-03T19:40:00.002+02:00

Returning to Earth after 2 spaceborn Suits

Have been working a long time on my HGUC Zaku II (recently finished painting it), and I'm about to weather the Zaku and mount it onto the display base.
After my Hi-v Gundam, I decided to do again some more dynamic posing for the Zaku, but first of all, I had to build myself a base for it.

Again, I used a base which was included with an HG00 Gadessa kit and such, like I did with my HGUC Geara Doga.
Instead of puttying the holes, I clued a piece of 0,3mm Plaplate on top of it and cut the excess styrene using a design knife.
Afterwards, painted it with a gloss brown acrylic color (the same brown color I used for my old HGUC Dom Tropen) in order to emulate a wooden look - looks quiet good in my opinion.
Anyways, masked the edges of the base, used some spray clue (or how to call this) and applied artificial gras on top of it.
Well, since I will permanently fix the Zaku to the display base, I want to have some footprint-effect aswell. How do I do that?

For my attempt, I'll be using the Zaku foot of course, some plastic wrap, epoxy putty, the display base, some water and of course some tools for sculpting.

First, take some epoxy putty and make yourself a 'sausage'. Once the sausage is completed, thake the foot, wrap it in the plastic wrap, apply the epoxy sausage on the edge of the foot, which should be seperated from the putty with a layer of plastic wrap of course, and push it onto the ground.

Now you can sculpt the putty carefully, but I don't recommend taking the plasticwrap off the epoxy now, until it fully hardened.
Epoxy Putty is quiet sticky and can be difficult to sculpt, however, if you wet your tools, the adhesion of the putty will be eliminated, allowing far easier sculpting.

If you're satisfied with you work, you have to leave the putty to harden for several hours - I will take a break until tomorrow.
See you next time!

HGUC Hi-v Gundam

2010-03-30T15:32:00.001+02:00

Codenamed 'G3'

Finished my HGUC Hi-v (nu) Gundam I've been working on - not much of a wip, since there wasn't really any worth mentioning,... or I am just to lazy for such (or both).

Although I used chrome color before on my O-Gundam, I wanted to know what my major mistake was.

Basically, what I read, is that I sprayed the chrome color using a too high pressure. Usually, I use 2 bar for ordinary colors, and 2,5 to 3 bar for surfacer - however, back then, I used 2 bar for the chrome aswell. Last week I read somewhere that chrome colors should be applied with about 0,8bar. With that in mind, I painted the silvery parts with my Mr. Color Super Metallic Chrome Silver. The result still isn't perfect (I don't know how good the mirror effect can be done using (this) chrome color), but by far better than the O-Gundam has.

(Click Image to enlarge)

Since it's the expensive 'Super Metallic' Color from Mr. Hobby/GSI Creos, the color won't come off that easily, and you don't have to 'buff' them to get the chrome effect (polishing the chrome color with a q-tip)

(Click Images to enlarge)

You might notice some defects with the black paint - but small model, and using the black enamel paint and lighter fluid for details won't work very well all the time - looks like I need some smaller sized q-tips v_v'

(Click Image to enlarge)

Why G3? Why a gray Hi-v Gundam? Since I'm into Gundam, I agree with Yoshiyuki to have the Gundam painted in with a 'low visibility gray' color scheme. With the white/blue Hi-v, I wanted to have it in some kind of 'G3 Colors' like the the older MG Gundam G3. On the other hand, I don't like the tradition of Gundams with some pure white dedicated to the protagonist, and gray one for the villains (like Gundam 0083, with the captured GP02 having a gray color tone instead of white like the GP01).

This is the first model I applied the decals using Mr. Mark Softer - I'm really Satisfied with the results, espacially on uneven surfaces or similar, like the LB on the front skirt.

All in all, I'm satisfied with my Hi-v, but by far not as satisfied with my Geara Doga,

HGUC Geara Doga - slightly weathered and now with action pose!

2010-03-24T11:40:00.000+01:00

Fresh off the factory - non-weathered HGUC Geara Doga

2010-03-23T12:25:00.001+01:00

Painted and satisfied, except that again some paint came off while removing the masking tape (The clear color I use seems to be responisble for this) - anyways, still looks good so far, and I will start weathering this Geara Doga soon - although I don't know how to weather a spaceborn MS yet. (I only can think of scratches on the surface, but not much else)

Anyways, 360:

And now some shots on some detail:

You also can see the Doga spinning on youtube:

HGUC Geara Doga - final spurt

2010-03-21T22:54:00.001+01:00

Geara Doga is roughly finished in terms of painting - what's left?

Gold for pipes/thrusters
Sensors for the BackPack Camera and BeamRifle Targeting Sensor
Pistons

How do I paint the camera/sensor? Masking and painting would be one way, but like with the HGUC Gelgoog Marine, I experienced some Issues with removing masking tape after clear gloss was applied (although I left it to dry 2 days!!! T_T ) therefore I'll stick with another method.
For this, I cut pieces of PlaPlate (0.3mm type) in the shape of the sensors - clue them on masking tape and will paint them with chrome and clear red/blue (trying to get a pink tone).
(atleast chrome will be applied with my Airbrush, since I will use it for the pistons anyway)

Cutting itself isn't that difficult, but since they're small, you should breath carefully - otherwise you might lose the part you trimmed for about 5 minutes.

How small? Here's a comparison with a 1 Euro coin.

(click to enlarge)

HGUC Geara Doga pt. 0

2010-03-17T18:25:00.001+01:00

Starting from the bottom

I built myself a base for my currently under construction HGUC Geara Doga (Rezin Schnyder ver., but will be painted in the original green colors)
Basically, I used a base which is/was included with either HG Gadessa, Gaddess, Garazzo, Arios, Susanowo, Masurao, puttied one hole (more or less well,... more less), painted it black, applied one layer of clear, applied 4 water slide decals ( Gundam Decal vol. 72 - Neo Zeon Char's Counterattack - the MS name, it's model number, faction it belongs to and the plamo manufacteurer) and finally applied another layer of clear, sealing the decals.
Depending on the angle and the lightning, you won't notice the defects, but if you want to see the defects, check out the picture below.

Well - next time gotta take more care with that (honestly, even with mr. surfacer 1200 I didn't noticed the defects)
Still looking good enough for a display and bad enough to be a reminder to work more carefully the next time.

Gundam - heading out!

2010-03-16T14:18:00.003+01:00

Et voila, like the French say.

Weathered my RX-79(G) Ground Gundam only by whashing it, drybrushing the weapons and thrusters, some additional dust on the feet and finally some soot below the thruster and knee vents. enjoy!

click on an Image to enlarge.

You might notice a crack on the face mask - I was shocked to see that!
besides that, my only complaints that I have - should have done a better job with masking the knee spikes and vent, but besides that, I'm totally satisfied with the work.

RX-79(G) painted...

2010-03-13T21:30:00.000+01:00

...and again hated that the masking tape released itself on some locations

Painted the parts of my RX-79(G) Ground Gundam - currently waiting in boxes for weathering and panel lines.

Will be done tomorrow,... I hope that I can fix some minor painting defects during that process.

Detail up #3!

2010-03-07T14:42:00.000+01:00

I just can't stop

Added 2 pipes to the right upper leg and 'stretched' the lower waist

For the pipes, the usual hole drilling and brassrod bending - nothing fency.
For the waist, I clued about 10 layers of 0,3mm Plaplate together and clued this plaplate stack on the lower end of the torso. Drilled a hole for the peg and sanded everything to fit and look quiet natural, after being painted (I hope).
Last but not least, I scribed some lines on the additional waist, which are continuing the original panel lines. - well, I find the the Gundam now to have a more sleek appearance.

In comparison, the original Ground Type Gundam (Image from Dalong.net)

Detail Up!!!

2010-03-06T16:10:00.001+01:00

PlaPlate and BrassRod Detailing!

Some photos on the added detail I mentioned in my last post.
Front total:

Close ups:

For the shoulders and chest, I added some plaplate. I applied them in a way in order to emphasize the asymmetric design of the chest and helmet of the RX-79(G)
Also added some ~~brass~~ aluminium rod I had left, which has a slightly larger diameter. Placed above the chest vent, giving it a bit of steampunk in my opinion.

Plaplate for the center waist unit and brass rod for the front skirts

PlaPlate for the knee and ankle covoer, aswell some brassrods below the knee vents, meant to be some kind of pipes.

Rear total:

Close ups:

Pipes on the rear of the right shoulder - need some touch ups

Machine Gun mount on the backpack - needs some touchups aswell

Plaplate and brassrod for the rear skirt.

Still need to sand some excess cement away - unless I can think of some other detail ups, this is the final version of my RX-79(G).

Lust, but not least, a picture of the fully weaponized Gundam.

It's waiting time!

2010-03-05T20:15:00.001+01:00

As you might know, I recently finished my Type 61 tanks - with the desert type waiting for reinforcements.
I started working on the RX-79(G) Ground Type Production Gundam - I removed the seamlines and clued some hands, because they're really loose. Well, the trigger finger/hand is holding a HyperBazooka, which is NOT included with the HGUC RX-79(G) - it's included with the old RGM-79(G) Ground Type GM.

I have to say, it fits almost perfectly.

Well, besides seamlines and weapons, I added some brass rods to his head (additional antennae, and a pitot tube, so the Gundam Pilot knows, how fast he is jumping ^_^

besides the modifications on the head, I'm currently not planning any other mods, except for one - I'm trying to build a mount for his regular machine gun.

Another reason I'm currently working on the Gundam - I ordered mr. mark softer and setter to improve my decals, but unless they arrived, I don't want to continue/start working on models I have waterslide decals for ^_^'

edit: Ok, I added a bit of pla plate by now :o

Tanks moving out!

2010-03-03T15:42:00.005+01:00

Finished the weathering of my 2 M61A5.
...and realised that I need a better brush.
Instead of just painting the panel lines with enamel paint + lighter fluid, I 'washed' them.
well, still looks good in my opinion.

(Upper picture taken with flash, latter one without flash - click on enlarge!)

If you want to see the Type 61 in action, be sure to check out my BAKUC-entry!
>>> http://www.bakuc.com/modeler/ghostychan/6242 <<<

Tanks!!!!

2010-03-02T20:58:00.003+01:00

Currently working on a/two somewhat not that usual gunpla kits - 2 1/144 HG type 61 MainBattleTanks - which were included with the zaku ground war set.

So far, I just painted them (one in sand color and one in gray), applied decals and did some dry brushing with chrome for the roof mounted MG and the tracks.

next up will be panellining/sumiire/スミ入れ, followed by weathering (dry brush on the whole body and a more dusty/muddy look)

Why do I have 2 different colors? The Gray type61 MBT will be used for a small sized diorama for one of my HG Zeon Suits - currently my recently finished Gelgoog marine.
Although the Gelgoog Marine was mainly used as a space combat suit, the EFF used a capture Gelgoog Marine on earth for training/maneuver in the final scene of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083.

(click to enlarge)

Nothing fancy - just a square shaped piece of plywood with some artificial diorama use gras (or how to call this), and a tree. The gray type61 will be used as a defeated tank here (it can take a while to open the hatch of the turret - drilling, sanding, cutting and some clueing)

last but not least I have a (well, I will call it medium sized) diorama.
'What's that?!' - dunno, the color scheme and the planting were inspired by a level of Mobile Suit Gundam Senki 0081 for PS3 - it's meant to be part of a mountain.
Although it's a mountain, I will display my sand colored type 61 here which will, sooner or later, be reinforced by a RX-79(G) ground type Gundam.

(click to enlarge)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn mode)

2010-03-02T11:36:00.002+01:00

Finished my Unicorn Gundam quiet some time ago - it's painted with flat Revell Aquacolor white, blue and tankgray + gloss clear for all white and blue parts

I again put it on my Turntable, but now for about 2:24minutes, instead of just 26 seconds - enjoy!

For weathering, I just added a bit of soot near the (hidden) verniers.

HGUC Gelgoog Marine - finished!

2010-02-23T13:18:00.002+01:00

Sorry if you expected any action poses - as mentioned in my last post, it'll just be standing around, collecting dust (well, I weathered it to have a dusty look to begin with)

However - a 25 second video of my HGUC Gelgoog Marine on a turntable - so you can see it from every angle - enjoy

Music: 'Distorted reality'by zero-project

HGUC Gelgoog Marine

2010-02-22T21:22:00.004+01:00

Not really a WIP

I'm finally into modelling again, so I didn't really take photos during assembly/painting - however, I might should have slowed down a bit.

Anyways - the HGUC Gelgoog Marine kit is the 16th HGUC kit - it's old, lack in posability, no ABS for the joint parts and such. Since I will have it just standing, lack is posability isn't really a disadvantage in my opinion - however, the peg to connect the upper leg with the knee joint is loose - this means, the lower leg is falling off all the time!

The HGUC Gelgoog Marine also has a lot of tiny parts - like some thrusters on the backpack, not bigger than about 4mm in diameter! You better don't drop such parts!

Well - I painted my Gelgoog. Instead of the original gray and green color scheme, I sticked with a darkgraygreen/darkgreen color scheme, and some gray parts for joints, thrusters etc.

I painted all green parts first, and masked them later to paint the gray areas (mainly thrusters), but after I removed the masking tape, it seemed that the green colors didn't completly dry - as a result, some paint came off, espacially on the rear.
Due the dark Color scheme of the inital color and the applied paint, I find it hard to spot the locations where the color came off - however, knowing that there are those certain spots is kinda disturbing.

Trivia: According to the manual, the 'Marine' from it's name is NOT English - instead, according to the katakana and therefore the official reading (in my opinion) - it's 'mariine' in roumaji - I find it to sound like the German word 'Marine' (It still means the same, just the way to pronounce the name is different) - like the Dom Tropen and Kaempfer, it's again some German MS name.

Can you see them? (should be 2):

(click image to see the solution)

I'll try to cover those spots with some weathering, after I applied a coat of flat clear to eliminate the shininess and to secure the decals.

What's the next model going to be, after the Gelgoog Marine is finished? My Zaku? Unicorn Gundam? GN-X (yes, I have it by now)? Let's wait and see!

Even more sale!

2010-02-17T10:21:00.003+01:00

So many models to get,.... this kinda sucks.

Anyways, HLJ launchend Part 2 of their 'Great Gunpla Sale', again, it features alot of MG and HG models - check them out!
Well, for Part 2, my personal highlights are as following:

MG MS-06J ZakuII ( Clear Parts ver. 30% off / 'First Gundam Campaign' ver. 40% off)
MG RX-78-3 'G3' ver. 2.0 (35% off)
MG MS-07B Gouf ver. 2.0 (Clear Parts ver.) (30% off)
MG RX-178 Gundam Mk. II AEUG Ver. ver. 2.0 (Clear Parts ver.) (30% off)
HGUC FA 7th Gundam (40% off)
HGUC Sazabi (Metallic Coating) (35% off)

A lot of Sale

2010-02-15T20:47:00.002+01:00

Currently, HLJ seems to want to get rid of some PlaMo and GunPla

Last Friday, they started a 'Mondo Macross Sale!'. They also have some models from Macross Frontier, including the Ozma Custom with 35% off (R10 'just' offers 20% discount).
Well, I ordered this one on Friday - Anyways, today HLJ started a 'Special GunPla Sale!' - Featuring (more or less) alot HG and MG kits!
There are, in my Opinion, quiet some highlights, for example the

MG YMS-14 Gelgoog 2.0 Char custom /w clear Parts (30% off)
MG Exia Ignition Mode (30% off)
HGUC Hi-v Gundam (30% off)
1/100 NG Arios Gundam (both regular and designer colors ver.) (both 40% off)
1/100 NG Cherudim Gundam (both regular and designer colors ver.) (both 40% off)

To bad I ordered the Ozma VF-25 Valkyrie last friday - otherwise, I'd have bought the Gelgoog.

Anyways, I'm happy starting next week, I'll have some time again to paint my models. A lot of my models are completed despite the fact, that they aren't painted - and another bunch of models I only assembled, but didn't work on, since I have many others to complete first.

Damn many Zaku and Gelgoog to get!

2010-02-09T23:01:00.009+01:00

As a fan of Zeon MS, I made myself a little picture with (almost) all Zaku and Gelgoog.

I counted 36 Suits - (27 Zaku and 9 Gelgoog)
I left a few variations out - therefore, the real number should be somewhere between 40 and 50 - if not more.

(click image to enlarg)

The arrows I made are based on my opinion how the Zaku and Gelgoog are related - by far not official.

I have 4 Suits in my collection so far (name (row:number))

MS-05B Zaku I (Topp Custom 1:2)
MS-o6F ZakuII (2:3)
MS-06K Zaku Cannon (4:3)
MS-06F Zaku Minelayer (1:7)

Today, I ordered a Turntable and a HGUC Gelgoge Marine(5:3) from R10
Which means that a) I have somewhat 5 Suits from the graph, and b) the pro-argument to purchase the MG Gelgoog 2.0 as the last zeon MS for my MG Zeon shelf, that I don't have a Gelgoog yet, became obsolete.

'Wait, why is the Gelgoog on an Zaku graph?!'
If you look at 3:5, you can see the MS-06RP (not to be confused with 2:8 'R2P', not to be confused with 2:7 'R2').
Later, an MSV was released named 'MS-06R-3', (3:6), which is a successor of the RP and already features some design elements from the Gelgoog. Therefore - in my opinion - the YMS-14 Gelgoog prototype was based on the MS-06R-3. Accordingly, the Gelgoog is somewhat a Zaku (again, this is my personal opinion).

Edit:

I made a, in my opinion, more clean looking graph and changed the coordinates accordingly

Gelgoog 2.0 + boredom

2010-02-08T20:19:00.003+01:00

Well, I'll cancel the MG Gouf Custom (clear parts campaign ver.) preorder due some lame reason:
My shelf for Zeon MasterGrade Models is almost full - there is only space for one more model, and I have to decide what model to get.

I have the choice between an MG Dom, MG J. Ridden Zaku 2.0 and Gelgoog 2.0 - at least currently, I'm going to get the Gelgoog 2.0 (probably the Char Aznable one with clear parts) since I don't have any Gelgoog model yet. (Many Zakus and one HG Dom Tropen)

What I like about the Gelgoog are the, although in my opinion useless, thrusters on the arms, the head, the height, and it's more angled design compared to the other Zeon MS.

Also I noticed that Proto Man (or Blues in Japan) has a Gelgoog Shield! OMG!

Out of boredom - how would the Gelgoog look like, with Proto Man colors?

Looks quiet 'retro-ish'
But well,... I'm not that into Mega Man, therefore I'll probably stick with the ordinary green colorscheme. (Although I'm getting the Char Aznable Gelgoog - just for the clear parts)

GN-X Variations

2010-01-31T21:51:00.003+01:00

After Dalong uploaded his pictures of the runners of the MG GN-X (still waiting for mine), I checked the runners to see, how likely we're able to see some variations - well, first of all I made a little graphic, showcasing all* GN-X.

*excluding the GN-X IV, since there's no 100% official, final line art yet.

Linearts are from gundam00.net and MAHQ.net

Advanced GN-X right below the standart GN-X
GN-X Cannon and Sword under the GN-X II

I marked changes with a green circle - and by changes, I mean those parts the successor doesn't have with it's predecessor in common anymore.
Therefore, the GN-X III's shoulders aren't an difference from the GN-X I to me, since the GN-X II has the same shoulders aswell.

Well, starting with the A plate, which is called to be the most significant plate for a model, you can already spot 6 altering points,... or how they are called officially.
Anyways, 2 altering points are located around a bunch of clear pink parts - those parts seem to be for the sensor of the head as well as for the Long Barrel Beam Rifle.
Bandai can easily change the molding section for those parts, in order to make a GN-X II (+ variations), III and Superbia possible!
On the top right, bandai has altering points around the parts for the shield and forehead - advanced GN-X is starting to scream!

notice the parts on the right? GN-X I, II, III and Superbia utilize them - except the advanced GN-X - obvious!

Runner C has Altering Points around some parts for the shoulder (or how to call those, which are technically part of the torso).
Well,... I didn't spot any differences on the linearts in this case- maybe I'm getting old.

The D Plate has no 'Altering Points' because, it is GN-X I exclusive! All the parts are just used for the GN-X I - ok, for those binders, the advanced GN-X uses them aswell, but I guess Bandai will give us a new runner to include the shoulder mounted shield rods.

The J Runner features the Beam Rifle and GN-Drive base on the right, and the GN-Long Barrel Beam Rifle attachment on the left - what shall I say, besides that this is another hint. - Bandai can use another mold instead of the long barrel parts for the Advanced GN-X rifle.

The Frame for the 'X-Binders' has altering points - GN-X II and III are knocking on Bandai's door.
I dunno why the upper one is located a little bit offset - maybe I just made a mistake.

There are some other runners as well - but they didn't feature any hints for GN-X variations, therefore I suggest to head to dalong.net if you want to see those pics!

Well, I didn't spot that much opportunities for bandai to change the runners for a Superbia GN-X - I believe, if Bandai is going to release an MG Superbia GN-X, it will most likely feature almost entire new runners.
Well, what do you think?

GN-Archer 'Samus Gundam'

2010-01-31T17:51:00.003+01:00

Metroid PRIME?
Yea, I know - stupid play on words

Today I primed my GN-Archer with Mr. Surfacer - now, one of my 2 bottles of mr. surfacer is empty - thanks to the export ban thingy, I want/need to ration my remaining mr. Surfacer bottle (which means I wasn't able to prime all parts), therefore one shoulder, leg and feet isn't primed.

Why do the priming? Well, to look fore some minor defects, which need to be fixed with putty etc., which are diffecult to spot with parts not being unichrome.

front and back - I marked a few locations on the Backpack and head, which I have to fix

At first, I wanted to have some Plaplates on the knee-cover and try to get an more clean design, similar to the original Varia Suit from Samus. However, I decided to leave this be and intend that there are thrusters/vents right beneath the knee cover.
(Unfortunate, I clued some PlaPlate onto the leg already, and removed them again - Now I need to fix the knee covers aswell v_v)

Action Posing - with not mut Action

The right one reminds me of something...

(Source: Wikipedia)

For the color scheme - I think I'll stick with the one from metroid prime - mainly because the 'prime color' has a green visor, like the GN-Archer has.

(Source: Wikipedia)
or at least, it looks to be green, but illuminated with blue

Lightning Base Zaku

2010-01-30T23:17:00.003+01:00

With my Unicorn Gundam Review, I covered on 2 items from my 'redpack' - the Unicorn Gundam and the Actionbase 2 - well, I think the Lightningbase is far more interesting, compared to the AB2.

The best setting for lightning base to shine is at night, obviously - well, I took a, more or less good photo, more less, of the LB on my Zeon shelf.

From left to right -
Gouf 2.0 (not in picture), Char Z'Gok, F-Type Zaku 2.0 'Minelayer', Zaku 2,0 'Cannon - Topp custom', Zaku I 1.0 'Topp custom' - F-type Zaku 2.0 'Ghosty Custom'

During day, the LB doesn't really get any attention - because sunlight beats the LED light.

The LB features an octacon base, like the AB1 has, with a little connector stored under the base itself, to connect to AB1 bases. This, however, proved to be somewhat diffecult - the LB doesn't seem to have the exact same size as the AB1 (We're speaking of an difference of about, dunno, a millimeter or half), making it diffecult to attach to 3 other AB1, attached like an L. It took me quiet some time (I think about 10 minutes) to get the LB connected to the other 3 AB1, so it eventually will be 4 Bases, connected roughly like this [].
Anyways - on to the LB again - the LB has 2 LEDs, positioned at 2 opposite endings of the base, to illuminate the later one. The LB requires 3 AAA-Batteries, which should quiet some time (after all, it's just 2 LED).
One case of an LED has the switch for the LB - simply slide the switch from one position to another in order to turn the LEDs on or off.
Anyways, the LED aren't directly illuminating the model put upon - instead, they illuminate the plate in the middle, which redirects the light to the model.
This plate can be turned to redirect the LED's light ray. (see HobbySearch Packshot on the right side).
I suggest turning the plate until you finde the best position to illuminate your model.

Will I get other LBs? Well, maybe in the future - but in the present: nope.
Maybe a green one for the (almost sure to come) 1/100 raphael Gundam from the upcoming Gundam 00 movie.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam Review / ユニコーン・ガンダム

2010-01-28T20:38:00.013+01:00

Finished to write the Review of the HGUC Unicorn Gundam (Destroy mode).
What I learned from this - now I know how much effort dalong puts into his work. (And why there's just one post a day - max!)

Well - I hope you enjoy the review - c&c is welcome.

yup - that's me!

I'll cover the weapons first - since I find weapons far more important for a model than the posing.

not that much included

What you'll get:
1 Beam Magnum
1 spare magazin for the Beam Magnum for the rear skirt armor
1 shield (can't transform, obviously)
2 different peg's to connect the shield with the backpack and arm
4 Beam Sabre handles (2 for the Backpack and 2 for the forearms)

The shield is just a handful of parts and it is assembled quickly, however, the back of the shield is all white - I decided to paint it gray using a gray Gundam Marker.

There's also a Polycap on the back for the pegs - sind the polycap is circular, you can rotate the shield, but you can't tilt it in any direction.

The BPP - BackPackPeg

Basically, one end is a cylinder, which goes into the shield's polycap, whereas the other end is a cuboid, which goes into a slit on the Backpack.

slit located...

shield connected

Mounting the shield on the back can be fun, if you want your Unicorn Gundam to be heavily armed, but usually, you'll want to pop the shield onto the arm.

Well, this isn't complicated - you just have to find the slit(s) on the arm, which are located near the beam sabre - since those have the same measures like the slit on the backpack, you can mount the shield on the back of the arm as well (using the 'BPP'), but I prefere the shield to be placed on the side of the arm.

(right next to the gray elbow joint)

(the peg plugged into the shield's polycap...)

(... or clipped onto the arm)

I love the clear pink and therefore
the pink shades on the Unicorn Gundam

Now that the Unicorn Gundam can defend himself - he still needs something to blast some Neo Zeon's - we all know that attack is the best form of defense.
Introducing - the Beam Magnum!
(I have to admit, I was tempted to do a stupid joke with a Magnum)

At the rear of the Beam Magnum - you can pull out a peg in order to attach the Beam Magnum onto the Backpack.

>>PullOut>>

Attach!

But you can attach it on the back of the arm aswell - but this peg can't be pushed in in order to disguise it.

(the peg and....

...the slit - the same as for the Shield)

et voila!

A standart for all new Mastergrade Kits is to have a peg on the palm to securely hold the weapons and such - I don't know when Bandai decided to introduce a similar system for HGUC Kits (I know that the Hi-v has this kind of peg aswell),... anyways.
While the MG kits have the peg itself on the hand, and the slits on the weapons, the HGUC hands have this swapped - here, the peg is on the weapon and the slit on the hand!

OMG!

OMFG!

Well, at least it securely holds the Beam Magnum
- and it doesn't wiggle

just swap the regular hand with the trigger-finger+Beam-Magnum-hand and here you go: Unicorn Gundam finally armed!
What I dislike somewhat - which is an issue almost all HG kits have - you don't have a trigger-finger manipulator for the left arm - no going akimbo sadly.

Well, instead of double firepower, you can have the double amount of ammo - or at least an spare ammo pack.

The Ammo Pack and mounted onto the rear skirt

If you want to change the mag of the Beam Magnum - forget it: the Beam Magnum is just 4 parts (2 for the barrel - and 2 for the entire 'body' of the Beam Magnum(just 2 halves snapped together))

What I found to be a nice gimmick - some Beam Sabres from other kits, like the Beam Sabre from the HG Seraphim Gundam (Gundam 00) fit into the barrel and work like an beam effect part for the magnum!

*zapp*

Speaking of Beam Sabres from other kits - if you have the Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode), or an other HG kit with the correct beam-sabre-effect-part-runner, you can attach this Beam Sabre effect part onto the Beam Sabres of the Unicorn Gundam (like I did with a Beam Sabre from the HGUC RX-79(G) Ground Gundam, which is, besides the color, exactly the same like the Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode) kit has included).

This Beam-Sabre doesn't have a joint - you can just remove the entire sabre+handle or tilt it like it has a joint - it fits nicely,... but for how long? (see my final notes).

well - just attach the Beam Sabre effect to the Beam Sabre and you're done!

Now with the weapons done - lets go into detail for the parts themself.

The Unicorn Gundam seperated

The shoulder has 2 axis which allows the peg to be moved up and down, and forward an back - plenty of articulation for a HGUC, which is far better than older MG kits, like the GM-C, but still far inferior to nowadays MG shoulder joints, like the GM 2.0.

The neck can move up and down - and the head can rotate 360 - thanks to the ball joint and that the head doesn't have any ridiculous chin and side-vents, like the v(nu)-Gundam has.

The arm - if you watched rrobberts184's review on the MG Unicorn Gundam, you might know that the elbow is just able to bend to a 90 degree angle - let's see how far the HGUC can bend.

More than 90 degree obviously - I'd say about 100 - and how far can it bend backwards?

not much - but who wants to bend his arm that way? This gotta be hurting!

The shoulder on the Arm part can bend... well, that far - but it now collides with the Beam sabre - It can bend a bit more with the Beam sabre removed, but not much - because the shoulder armor will block eventually.

where's my waist?

Skirt Armors - comparing how far the skirt armor can move.

Gimmick Alert!

The cover for the thrusters on the ~~a*s~~ rear skirt can be opened and closed.
However, the rear skirt itself can't move!

I forgot to take a photo to show the waist movability - it can turn 360 - something the new MG Unicorn (OVA ver.) claims to be able, compared to his ver. Ka counterpart.
The leg connects to the waist with a balljoint - this means you can split the legs a little bit, by far not as far as the Zaku 2.0.

Note: the top of the leg is painted gray - it is white by default

The legs are as well, in terms of posability, superior to their Master Grade brothers - the MG Unicorn (ver. Ka) can bend about 80 degree, the improved OVA ver. MG Unicorn can bend about 90 degree, and the HGUC can bend about 100!

Ankle Movement

What shall I say - again, the HGUC wins against his MG counterpart.

The leg's can go that much forward but just that much backwards - 'thanks' to the immobile rear skirt!

recreation of Box-Art
(which I find to be the best pose)

Mounted on my self-made Lightning ~~Base~~ Box with some blacklight illuminating the Unicorn Gundam - as you can see, the PsyCo Frame is fluorescent, which means, it 'glows' with he currect UV light (however - I tried to illuminate it using UV LED's - and it did NOT work - probably because the UV LED doesn't emit that specific wavelength of UV light required for the PsyCo Frame)

Last - but not least, I turned on my LED inside my Lightning Box.

Final thoughts:
It's a great kit, and for the price of 1800 yen, you will get alot of playability and a lot of time putting this together.
Since it can't transform, like the MG version, it has a much more solid feel while posing the Unicorn Gundam - rrobbert184 claimed that with the MG Unicorn Gundam, you don't really want to pose it in Destroy mode, because some parts might want to 'detransform', pop out etc.

Well, my only complaint is, that there's no ABS plastic
I somewhat have the feeling, that pulling the wrist mounted beam Sabres out and in too often will loosen the mounting location (or how to call this) eventually, for example.
I have the same problem with the neck of the 1/48 scale Unicorn Gundam Head - it got loose, and now, the posability is decreased, unless I'd clue it.

Red Pack

2010-01-27T13:55:00.005+01:00

Last week I got my package from Rainbow ten - it was 3times more exciting to crack the box open than a regular package!

Containing:
Lightning Base (red)
Action Base 2 (sparkle clear red)
HGUC Unicorn Gundam (~~red~~ destroy mode)

Well, already built the Unicorn Gundam - thanks to the ~~red~~ Psycho Frame, it has alot of parts and can take some time to snap together - and looks damn nice.
The V-Fin is just orange, and therefore the back of the v-fin has to be painted white to be accurate (no stickers included)
Those shoulder thingies are all red, but should be white at the top(circled green) - stickers for those are included.

All in all, due the large amount of parts, I might just put some clear topcoat on it, after I painted those 2 mentioned areas with white.

Stay tuned for a review on the posability and the gimmicks of the HGUC Unicorn Gundam!

HGUC Unicorn Gundam Unicorn Mode is already on his way, and a hell lot of other MS from Gundam Unicorn are on the horizon - like the Commander ReZEL and Loto

2nd MG Clear Parts campaign - Images

2010-01-21T20:34:00.003+01:00

The GToys blog has posted images of the clear parts, which will be included with the second clear parts campaign models.

Some models have quiet alot parts, enough to cover an entire limb, other models on the other hand, only have parts to cover the lower legs for example.

Anyways, I preordered the MG Gouf Custom at HLJ, while there was an 15% early bird discount (2550yen instead of 3000yen retail).

The Gouf Custom features clear parts for an entire lower leg, for an upper arm (except shoulder) and a shoulder armor.

I'm quiet satisfied, except that, due the shoulder armor being 2 pieces, you can clearly see the pegs to connect both halves.
(early march release)

"Phear ma gatlin' shield!"

Anyways, here you have all the models with their clear parts (image taken from GToys)
(always from left to right, top to bottom)

Mid February Release:

God Gundam
Strike Noir
Ball (ver. Ka)
RX-78-2 Gundam (OYW ver.)
Hi-v (nu) Gundam

Early March Release:

Dom (Land Type)
Gyan
Kämpfer
Cross Bone Gundam (full cloth ver.)
Gouf Custom

Mid March Release:

RX-79(G) Ground-Type Gundam
Gundam Exia
Sazabi
Guntank
Aile Strike Gundam

Note: Some images only show half of the clear parts attached, for example the MG Dom (parts included for both lower legs) - therefore I suggest checking Dalong.net, if there are more parts included.

MG GN-X Box Art / ジンクス

2010-01-20T13:57:00.000+01:00

Although a little bit late, Bandai released the BoxArt for the upcomming 1/100 MG GN-X (January 28th release)

just a little bit of pink
source: Bandai Hobby Site

Although I'm really looking forward to the GN-X, it's boxart is,... well,... by far not as good as the MG Gouf 2.0, MG Guntank and G-3 2.0.
Basically, it's just 4 GN-X in front of an explosion, fighting against (I suppose) Celestial Being (not in picture)
If you look at the 4 GN-X, you can see all 3 included weapons - Beam Sabre (centre), Beam Rifle (top and bottom left) and Long-Barrel Beam Rifle (right).
We'll see how the GN-X will compete against his 1/144 HG counterpart in mid february.

Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce/marinade with turkey / キッコーマンの照り焼き

2010-01-19T17:57:00.003+01:00

German bottle

Yesterday, I made myself some teriyaki (照り焼き) - but not with fish, like it's (afaik) traditionally used for teriyake, but with turkey instead.
I marinaded it with Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce/marinade (with roasted garlic) for about an hour before I throw my turkey into the pan.

Burn baby, burn!

now the other side

I pan-fried both sides until it was well done. Meanwhile, I 'thinned' the remaining teriyaki marinade with water (about 1/1 ratio).
With the turkey well done, I added the remaining marinade and cooked the turkey.

Afterwards, I turned it quiet often, in order to achieve the teri for the yaki (although I don't know if often turning the turkey cutlet is mandatory or not).
While the sauce is vaporising, more and more sauce,... 'sticks' (or what the correct word is) to the meat, resulting in a darker tone over time

Well, now it looks done - onto the plate!

Now you see, why teriyaki literally means something like shiny broiled or something like that.
Well, it was tasty, but it missed a little bit of salt.

Gouri Daisuke died - 郷里大輔

2010-01-18T18:28:00.005+01:00

Although I don't visit ANN on a regular basis, I was shocked to read that Gouri Daisuke (郷里大輔) died.

According to ANN, the 57 years old actor was found 'with blood dripping from his wrist' by a passerby on a street in Nakano Ward.
Yomiuri Shimbun states that a knife and his last will were found nearby - probably due this, the police is investigating his death as a possible suicide.

Gouri Daisuke was a well known voice actor - he voiced Mr. Satan (Dragon Ball franchise), Dozle Zabi and Bask Om (Gundam franchise) and alot of other characters.

May he Rest in Peace.

Source: ANN

1/100MG Barzam Conversion kit

2010-01-17T21:20:00.005+01:00

Wait, I have still a pile of other gunpla to do
But somehow don't want to airbrush while it's cold outside.

Received my 1/100 Barzam Conversion kit for my 1/100 MG Gundam MkII 2.0 from Ako Hobby
It's a plastic conversion kit, and therefore by far not as expensive as a resin one.

Ako Hobby has plenty of resin kits, I'm interested in - I decided to get the Barzam, since I don't want to buy a new model for my first conversion kit.
Might get the Powered GM, once I have done all my current Gunpla.

Anyways, I decided to make a Video on Youtube - check it out!
(I'm probably not going to start the Barzam until I finished my HGHG diorama and/or Seravee and/or GN-X and/or 'Samus Gundam')

Completed Barzam with decals (not included): Image from Ako Hobby

Top 10 'I want an MG of that MS!' list

2010-01-14T18:20:00.003+01:00

Like everyone does nowadays, thanks to the internet - an own 'top____' list.
If you don't like Top 10 lists, you can skip the post, if you're interested what MG kits I'd like to see, and why, feel free to continue reading.

The only 2 rules for my list:

There must not be any previous MG kit ('ver 1.0' - 'ver. Ka')
I must be willing to pre-order the kit, disregards of the price it will have

10 - Zaku Tank

Let's get started - with a Zaku! The Zaku Tank is an interesting MS/MA, since it is, similar to the GunTank, basically no suit. The Zaku Tank is a modified Zaku Torso mounted onto a Magella Attack Tank. It showcases how zeon desperatly to maintain their MS forces although there's a lack in supply.
With the Guntank, Bandai showed us that they are able to have workable, easy to assemble and paint, tracks, so why not a Zaku Tank?

9 - MP GunCannon

I don't like prototype suits that much (altough there are exceptions), on the other hand, the Mass Production GunCannon looks so much better than the Prototype GunCannon.

8 - Gouf Flight Type (08th MS Team ver.)

It's a Gouf! And it can fly! what else do you want?

7 - Tieren HiMo B

The Tieren is the Zaku of the Gundam 00 Timeline (or Anno Domini), as well as a simple bi-pedal tank. I find the regular Tieren almost to be realistic - It's large, slow, and the regular weapon is mounted onto the arm, so that the Tieren technically doesn't need a Manipulator.
The High Mobility B Tieren on the other hand is, to put it simple, the AD Landtype Dom.

6 - PsyCommu Zaku

Again a Zaku! The Zaku is THE all-round suit in the UC Timeline - no wonder that zeon developed a NewType use 'PsyCommu' Zaku. The 'High Mobility PsyCommu Zaku' features thrusters instead of legs, and 'beam fingers' instead of regular manipulators - it's kinda like a Small version of the Zeong! As a Zaku-Fan, I gotta get him!

5 - RX-78-7 '7th Gundam'

Last year, Bandai-Namco released a new PS3 Gundam Game, called Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Records 0081 (機動戦士ガンダム戦記0081). The Story mode featured varies MSV suits, redesigned by Hajime Katoki. (The Original 7th Gundam).
What I like about the 7th Gundam (ver. Ka) is, that this is somewhat a redesign of the original RX-78-2, as well as the 7th Gundam. It's both: detailed and clean.

4 - O Gundam (gray)

Similar reason like the 7th Gundam - an redesign of the RX-78-2, and interesting design features, like the GN-Condensers on the chest,... overall a mix of the RX-78-2 and RX-79(G)

3 - RX-81 ST + option parts

Is it a Gundam? Is it a GM? NO! It's a G-Line!
Like the RX-78-7, it's a redesign by Hajime Katoki of the original RX-81 ST.
Like with the RX-78-7, Hajime Katoki managed to reduce the complexity of the suit, in order to achieve a much cleaner design, but still with plenty of detail.
I don't kow If you can Call the RX-81 a Gundam (probably not, due no V-Fin) or a GM (probably not, since not massproduced), but I stick with the term G-Line, used in Gundam Senki 0081.
What I like about the RX-81 line, is that they can easily be equipped with whatever equipment necessary for the Operation, and what I like about the Standart Armor (ST) type are it's shoulder armor and it's bulkyness.
'Option Parts?' - The RX-81 can be equipped with twin Missle Launcher, twin Gatling, Cannon, or without anything. As far as I know, those parts might be able to be swapped by changing the BackPack.

2 - Efreet Nacht

Zeon Suit Again!
The Efreet Nacht appeared, like Nr 5 and 3, in Gundam Senki 0081 and it was, surprise!, no pure redesign. Instead, it's a Variation of the original Efreet, which appeared in... well,... did it appear anywhere? At least according to MAHQ, the original efreet appeard nowhere. Well, but an Efreet Kai appeard in Blue-Destiny. The Efreet Nacht (Nacht is German for Night) is somewhat a Ninja MS - it uses electrical charged Kunai to stun the enemy suit, slice it with it's Katana shaped Heat Sword, and, if necessary, shoots the enemy with a wrist mounted vulcan.
Besides that, the Design is just awesome!

1 - Geara Doga

Somewhat the Zaku during Char's Counterattack - I just love the design.

do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want! do want!

Gundam Assault Survive! / ガンダムアサルトスヴァイブ

2010-01-14T10:17:00.005+01:00

While checking SRW HotNews, I read that a new Gundam game for the PSP was being announced, called Gundam Assault Survive. The game looks like 'Gundam Battle Universe' and seems to have the same features, but with more missions and hopefully much more suits.

However, so far I didn't hear of any grunt suits from the new featured timelines such as Gundam Seed and Gundam 00 to be included yet - honestly, without grunt suits from those TimeLines, I don't know if I will buy this game.
And you don't want Johnny Ridden Zaku to be without his cousins, the Tieren from 00 or the DINN/GINN/CGUE from seed, and everyone else!

*sob* all alone... T_T

Anyways, the first trailer was released today, but I wasn't able to spot any non-UC-Zaku-like-Suits etc. - Well, let's wait and see for more information to come, release will be 18th March 2010.

Additionally - there's is also an incomplete list, which series will be featured in Gundam Battle Assault：

Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080 - war in the pocket
Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo *
Mobile Suit Gundam Gaiden *
MSV
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Z Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Gundam Sentinel
Mobile Suit Gundam Chars Counterattack
Mobile Suit Gundam F91
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed *
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 *
Mobile Suit V Gundam *
etc.

(I marked series I believe to be new with an * )

HG Zaku - Eye done

2010-01-02T22:59:00.002+01:00

I was blind, but now I can see!

Recently finished the Eye mod of my HG Zaku - now, at least somewhat, MG like!

Basically, All I had to do, compared to my last post, was to paint the eye, get some clear pla-plate for the eye cover thingy, and had to add some pla-plate/putty to the bottom half of the head.

Enjoy!

I have to admit, I'm still considering whether to use clear Pla-Plate for the visor or not.
It's a Little bit too shiny and it makes it difficult to take a look at the eye + with the pla plate installed, I'd have to remove the upper head, in order to move the eye.

Now, the Zaku is basically finished - the painting process might start anytime soon, just have to find the time and mood to paint.

1/100 NG Seravee - The model and the 'Designer Color' features.

2009-12-22T18:07:00.003+01:00

Although I have still a ZakuII to do, and my GN-Archer mod, I'm currently focusing on the Seravee.

The Seravee comes in a larger sized Gunpla Box. It's size can be compared with the MG Exia Repair(Ignition Mode), Zaku Cannon and such.
It has a lot of parts and was really fun to build!

(The runners and the box)

You also get 2 LED units (the same as the 1/100 NG OO-Gundam has), a sheet of marking seals and stickers.
The seals are the same as those which can be bought seperately, but unfortunately, those seals included are neither waterslide decals nor dry-transfer. The stickers included are the same as included with the regual 1/100 NG Seravee with 2 slight differences.

No hologram-effect stickers for the eyes
the stickers for the GN-Condenser has markings on them, unlike the regular one, which only are plain dark-green circles

The LED units are all green and the light-up effects are achieved with clear parts and clear PolyCaps.

(Head with activated light but not colored or temporarily painted)

The LED for the head is stored inside the chest, and the light of the LED gets redirected to the head, using a clear piece for the neck and polycap.

The LED for the backpack is stored in the Back of the Seraphim - the cover can be removed and secured with a locking mechanism.

Face Burst Mode!

Although I like the LED-effects, I don't like the green color.
I might use orange LED's (Tau drive 4tw) later on.

The LED's currently used are from my OO-Gundam - the LED's enclosed with the Seravee are still packed, like on the picture above.

So far the Seravee - see you next time.

Random thoughts:

If the center of the V-Fin would have been clear, you might easily light up the Seravee's head-jewel.
The Beam-Sabres stored at the wrist can also be used like the Unicorn Gundams, as a katara.

P.S.: If you would like to have a detailed review on the original 1/100 Seravee, I recommend rrobbert184's Review on Youtube.

New MG GN-X picture / ジンクス

2009-12-22T16:40:00.002+01:00

Bandai released a new image of a painted MG-GN-X - damn, I like it, can't wait for it's release.

(Image from Bandai-Hobby)
January 2010 release - 3600￥ (Retail - without tax)

There are also a few photos taken from the latest Dengeki Hobby Issue (February 2010 Issue) with some information on this gem. Unfortunately, the quality of those images is bad (espacially blurry).
All I can see is, that the head movement is (obviously) alot better than the HG version, it has a Display Base for the GN[T] Drive, and maybe (don't know exactly, due bad quality and stupid watermark) a LED-Unit.
Well,... gotta wait for more high-res pictures/scans.

2009-12-16T12:26:00.004+01:00

*sigh*

Today, I will explain you, how I modded the eye, and how it currently looks like!

In the previous post, I showed you how the original HG Zaku Eye looks like. below you can see a cross-section of the HG Zaku head, with it's helmet, the eye piece, and the part the eye piece is mounted onto:

You'll notice that the top of the eye piece is covered by the helmet, therefore I decided to modify this eye piece to have an arm, where the eye will later be attached to

With this done, the more time consuming part has to be done: the eye!
The easiest way would be to have some pla pipe with 3 to 5 mm diameter (I measured that the eye should have 3,6mm) - Anyways, I didn't have a pipe, that's why I needed to make one myself. I used 12 layers of my 0,3mm pla-plate, clued together to achive a cuboid with 3,6mm height,... however, I forgot that the cement also adds to the height, which lead to a height of about 4,5mm (well,... I soon noticed that this was good)

after the clued dried, I tried to carve one end to fit into my dremel (well, not exactly a dremel, but dremel-like)

I mounted my 12-layers-of-clued-together-pla-plate on my dremel, and now it was time to get rolling,...no, wait,... spinning. (well,... the process was more of turning instead)
With my eye-cuboid spinning/turning, I used 2 differend files. To shape the basic cylinder, I used a flat file.
After the cylinder was shaped, I 'cut' a line to highlight that the end of this cylinder is the lense (with a 3-sided file) which was later rounded off, to look even more like a lense. (well, somewhat)

(the right side of the self made eye piece was mounted on the dremel)

After I cut the original eye-piece, like stated above, I clued parts of the eye onto it.

Sexy on the front!

Oh my god,... what's that? oh wait, that are my fingers,... but what's that? A gap between this strange pole for the original eye-part to mount on and my eye part,... I will need to fix this using some slices from the remaining eye I have *sigh*

But I think it looks fantastic - now you can pose this eye similar to older MG mono-eye suits, like the gouf - with a tweezer or something else, you can easily rotate the eye, + you can work out some additional detail for the whole head, I eventually will do.

Zaku Ground War Set

2009-12-15T17:59:00.003+01:00

Along with my Dengeki Hobby Mag, I got my 1/144 'HGUCHG' Zaku ground war set.
(High Grade Universal Century Hard Graph).

The set contains the regular HG Zaku II, and 2x2 new runners.
The new features, compared to the regular Zaku II, are as following (unless otherwise stated, everything is included twice):

Sturmfaust
optional left hand
optional right hand (spread palm)
Zaku Bazooka effect part
standing EFF soldier with rifle
running EFF soldier with rifle
Zeon soldier with pistol
Zeon Wappa (I would call it a hover bike)
type 61 EFF Main battle tank
damaged track for the tank
explosion effect part for the tank
cracker/grenade for the zaku
1 sheet of waterslide decals

Although the Zaku doesn't necessarily need to be painted, the option parts will surely have to.
Effect parts which have the same colour as the tank and/or bazooka just look ugly.
The Zaku has plenty of disturbing seamlines which need to be removed (forearm, legs, spike shoulder armor, and the torso).

I won't do that much modifications on the zaku itself, but I will at least modify the eye, since the original eye piece doesn't provide any detail at all.
The original eye part is just a black cylinder/cone thingy, with a round sticker for the eye.
Posing the eye is a pain, since you have to disassemble the whole head.

(The eye part)

I target to build a eye like the MG kit's have (especially like the old Gouf, but not like Zaku 2.0 or the old Zaku MG kits), which means, that the eye will be mounted on an axis.

Well, we'll see how this mod will be done the next time.

Some miscellaneous from the Dengeki Hobby January 2010 Issue.

2009-12-14T18:00:00.002+01:00

Today, I will cover some misc. stuff I found in the latest Dengeki Hobby issue.

1/100 Scale Diorama - Featuring:
Zaku II 2.0 (J-type) and Gundam 2.0

I'm really impressed how they achieved to pose the Zaku mid-air, but I can't really understand why they used a J-Type Zaku - This diorama recreates a scene from the first episode/movie from Gundam 0079, after 3 Zaku infiltrated this colony - my complaint: the J type is used for ground combat, but they are useless to maneuver in space - that's what the F-Type Zaku was used for and needed to infiltrate the colony.

(a modded 1/100 MG Guntank)

It was well weathered and slightly modified, added some photo etched parts etc.
It's colorscheme is similar to that on of the Prototype Gundam.

1/1 scale Pulse Rifle replica from Alien 2

I was quiet surprised to see that while checking the mag - but the pricing is ridiculous - about 100.000 Yen (that are about 1000$, 800Euro,... excluding shipping and duty). The text also says something about counter and gimmick and magazin,... but can't say for sure what exactly.

Trading Figure series from to aru majutsu no index (とある魔術のインデックス)

Recently watched the anime and I really like Misaka and her 20,001 clones - although I really would like to get the PVC figure, it's a bit to expensive for my wallet, but this trading figures only cost about 700yen each. However, I didn't find any German reseller so far who will sell those figures, and I don't want to by a box of 12 pieces and eventually don't get 2 misaka - (I want to mod one with a LED inside, + a spare one, if the mod happens to fail)
Well, I will have to check eBay regularly in march, but I'm quiet confident to forget about this by then, after those trading figures will be released.

1/8 scale Rei Ayanami 'Color Resin' kit - 'Super Plugsuit ver.'

Lust, but not least, a 1/8 (17cm) scale Rei Ayanami Resin-kit with her 'Super Plugsuit' (why does it look like a catsuit?). The individual parts are molded in their final colors, but you still need to paint the details onto the parts yourself. Waterslide decals for the eyes are provided aswell.
But you'll need to spend 11.300 yen for the kit.
Well,... honestly I'd rather get a PG Zaku or try to find the 1/8 scale Mikoto Misaka & Misaka set on eBay.

The Unicorn Gundam Bust

2009-12-13T17:57:00.004+01:00

The First Unicorn!
(and maybe the last)

Recently received my Dengeki Hobby January Issue 2010, including the 1/48 scale Unicorn Gundam Head (Display Base) (If you want to see the unpainted head, check the link)
With only one runner (+4 Psycho-Frame parts), the head was built fast and painted, too!
Therefore, all I can do is to post the finished head.

Left: the head in destroy mode - Right: with black light
after the photos were taken, I noticed that I should panel-line the mout vents.

The head is capable of transforming between Unicorn- and Destroymode, however, I will display it as Destroy-mode, since I find this to be more interesting to look at, instead of the plain, white, Unicorn.
The head itself required a fair bit of work in order to look like the Unicorn Gundam, but, unlike the 1/144 Rasiel Gundam kit, it doesn't require that much of work.
Basically, you need to paint the inside of the unicorn horn, or the V-Fin, with yellow or gold, and the neck area, the eye piece and (what I didn't) the center of the V-Fin with gray.
And finally the eyes and camera with green.
One page after the instruction manual, you will spot this:

If you are a little bit experience with electronics, you can add a cardreader and a LED to the head.

All in all, I'm satisfied with my work, but I'm not satisfied with the photos taken - a lot of the shading effects doesn't come out that well, not to speak of the gloss from the top coat. The Head itself was fun to build and looks good on display, but the ridiculously expensive shipping to Europe makes you think twice before buying an Dengeki Hobby January 2010 Issue.
For about 2500yen (incl. Shipping), I only recommend this head to people, who really like the Unicorn Gundam and/or spend a fair amount of effort building and painting this kit.
Otherwise, due it's scale, the head will just be boring to look at.

GM-79C GM Kai Jaburo Defense Unit w/ Prototype advanced striker shield (Unit 01)

2009-12-08T20:04:00.004+01:00

Now Defined as 'Complete'
The FanFic and propably last post on GM

Although Phantom Sweep successfully eliminated the Invisible Knights, it still lingered the threat of an attack on Jaburo by Zeon remnants. Due Char's attack on Jaburo during the One Year War, it's location was widely known and Headquarters knew that Jaburo isn't that much of an impregnable fortress anymore.
As a result, a few GM-Cs were modified for jungle combat and equipped with an prototype advanced striker shield for defeating Zeon remnants, and to hinder them infiltrating Jaburo, again.

Unit 01's prototype 'advanced striker shield' was basically a regular EFF shield with 2 additional broad beam sabres at the bottom. But older MS, like the GM series, didn't have any connection for neither Minovsky particles nor electricity at the shield connector.
Since Jaburo quickly wanted to massproduce this Shield, due the GM Strikers excellent close combat results, an unconventionel method for power supply had to be used for 01 Unit's Advanced Striker Shield prototype for evaluation: A simple wire from the backpack to the shield controls the output of an ultra compact fusion reactor for the Minvosky particles for the Beam, using simple electricity.

Usually, Beam Sabres can vary their output. But this featured some problems for this 'advanced striker shield' prototype. Since a higher Beam Sabre output required a higher current from the backpack, the wire tended to melt if the output for the sabres is increased for more than 3 seconds.
Anyways, the shield production was projected to expensive, plus many other problems still remained unsolved with Unit 02's prototype.
Therefore, the production was halted, with just 2 GM-C equipped with 'advanced striker shield' prototypes ever produced.
The 1st GM was destroyed due the shield's generator being hit by a Gelgoog's beam weapon.
The 2nd GM served until late 0083 and was stored at a Hangar in Jaburo ever since.

1/100 Seravee - New Ghosty MSV Announced

2009-12-07T23:34:00.011+01:00

All good things come in threes

With HLJ's 'Just-in-time Holiday Blowout Sale', I've been able to get the 1/100 Seravee Gundam(Designer Colors ver.) for just about 2.800￥ incl. shipping.
This Gundam was on my 'to get'-list for quiet some time now.
Ok,... I gotta admit,... currently are 2 Ghosty-MSV Suits in the making already (The GM-Kai (FanFic going to be released either this or next week) and the recently announced 'Samus Gundam')
Since I already bought the GNHW/B Seravee earlier, I'll mod this Seravee again, which will become the 3rd WIP Ghosty MSV.
The current projected LineArt:

(Original Image from Gundam00.net - Original LineArt)

So far, the main modifications will be done at the waist, the Yellow V-Fin, additional Head Vulcans, and a GM-like/GN-Archer-like Head design.

Well,... so far I can't think of anything else. Therefore I really appreciate any suggestions from your side, so please leave a comment what you would like to see.

Without backpack

Finally finished and satisfied.

2009-12-07T20:00:00.004+01:00

Let there be light!

Finally finished the Display box for my O-Gundam.
Although there are some minor flaws, I'm totally satisfied with the result.

(photo taken with flash)

(photo taken without flash)

Basically, I find this Display Base more worthy the name of the 'Lightning Action Base' (LAB), than Bandai's LAB, which will be released about christmas.
All in all, I claim that my LAB has 2 significant advantages over Bandai's LAB:
1. Due the usage of a DisplayBase 2 and white LEDs, you are able to perform action poses, unlike with Bandai's, which only can be used for standing models.
2. The color effect depends on what Action Base 2 is used - If I want to display the HGUC Unicorn Gundam or any 'GN[T]' MS from the Gundam 00 series, I use a clear red AB 2 - or the clear blue AB.

On another note, I started with a new project, in order to acquire some scratch building skills.
Well,... until know, it's just a GN-Archer with some minor modifications.

Modifications so far and how accomplished:
-removed the 'mane' and installed a 0,5mm brass rod, which will function as an antenna (inspired by the GM-Kai)
-Installed the optional GN Particle Tank from the O-Gundam
-added remaining parts from the HG Gaddess to the shoulders of the GN-Archer.
-removed the right forearm and replaced it by one of the HG Seravee's Cannons/HG Seraphim's arms (If the arm is in cannon mode, this mod reminds me of Samus Aran, therefore I will call this mod 'Samus Gundam' while it's a WIP (I don't know what colorsheme I will apply eventually,... but the idea of a Samus Gundam is quiet tempting,... ^^'))

Still need to optimize my 'putty work', so it will look 'natural' once painted.
And I have to think how I will mod the knees,... (I don't like those wings from the original design and I think about using the HG seraphim's side skirts as knee covers)

30th Anniversary Gunpla Campaign - New PV

2009-11-25T22:07:00.004+01:00

(Image from www.gunpla30th.net)

Although Bandai's 30th Anniversary site just started, they already released a new page, including a Video, promoting their Clear Parts Campaign.

Anyways, here ya' go:

Interessting to see, that they completly changed the release dates for the models, if not for all.
Additionally, the release date for the MG V Gundam is revealed,... ready to hit the Japanese Storeshelves on the 12th of December.

Still considering whether to get the Char Gelgoog 2.0 with clear parts, or the ordinary green one later (and another kit in december)

MG GN-X announced and PreOrdered A.S.A.P. / ジンクス

2009-11-25T17:13:00.003+01:00

The Sphinx without it's nose.
(GN-X is read Jinx, which reminded me of Sphinx, since the very first time)

(Source: NgeeKhiong)

For many people, this was the most random GunPla announcement this year.
Why? There was somewhat a trend for the MG Series, only to have Gundams outside the UC Timeline Series. Therefore, the GN-X is the first 'non-UC & non-Gundam & Grunt' MG kit.
Well,... As soon as I heard of this, I had to preorder this gem,... this will for sure replace my 1/100 NG 00-Raiser.
What I like about the GN-X is, that it is a grunt & mass produced Suit, and I somewhat like the design (resembles the letter X, has 4 eyes, and so-called GN-Claws for the Fingers (I wonder how Bandai will accomplish this)).
Speaking of wondering about features, I'm eager to know how the GN-Drive will be made (espacially how the locking system works), if there are any LED Units, and what parts they might illuminate.

30th Anniversary Gunpla Campaign

2009-11-24T21:23:00.002+01:00

And so it Begins

With this years 30th Anniversary of Gundam itself, next year will be GunPla in particular
What we will get,... well, Bandai knows for sure, but they teased us with their introduction movie from their Campaign Website http://gunpla30th.net/.
The first Anniversary related promotion is the MG Clear Parts Campaign.
(Source: Ngee Khiongs Blog - >>Post<<).

Anyways, here ya' go!

GM-C Part 2.5 / ジム改

2009-11-23T18:27:00.003+01:00

Finally a good scene to showcase the size of a MS

Actually, not really any photos to post about the current progress,...
Didn't took that much photos and those which were taken usually suffered from overexposure.
Well,... on the other hand, there wasn't much done actually,...
In fact, I just painted the Head Vulcans and the 'mouth guard' with chrome, the rear camera with gundam marker metallic red, applied a few decals, and tried panellining using enemal paint + lighter fluid(or white gas, or zippo oil,... so many names).

Next week, I'll hopefully receive my HLJ package, including some ordinary Putty.
(Need to redo the Shield)

GM-C Part 2 / ジム改

2009-11-19T11:29:00.005+01:00

Oh noez, I lost Jim!
(In the forest)

Finally painted my GM-C with the camoflage colorsheme, and gotta say, it looks quiet good.

Why a Camoflage and not the green one previously posted?
a) I found the camoflage to be more,... 'tankish', and
b) I found it more challenging.

Well, let's get this post started:

Basically I primed the model first using Mr. Surfacer 1200 (thinned with mr. Color Thinner and it can be used with an Airbrush), and with Revell Aquacolor DarkGreen (no. 68) afterwards.
Followed by a brown tone (don't know what colors and what mixing ratio used,... this brown was used for one of the Exia Repair's Cape-color layers), and finally, Revell Aquacolor TankGray (no. 78).
I painted it freehand, because masking would have resulted in 0 transition, which I found a bit unrealistic.
The frame was painted with mr. Surfacer + black, this resulted in a slightly brighter gray tone than the tank gray, this can very well be seen on the Hyper Bazooka (Which is now stored on the back of the GM).
The white was painted with Revell AquaColor White.
The feet and BackPack cover were painted with the blue used for the RX-78-2.5 (recently added to my Ghosty MSV line), which is Basically just Revell Aquacolor Blue (no.56) and white (both flat).
The red with some old AirBrush color I started with,... Well, they provide a slight gloss, but I still don't like those colors, that's why I bought a flat red color from revell, too! (And now I'm able to mix purple,... although I currently don't have any model which needs to be painted purple (maybe a Dom,... maybe not),... anyways)
I also made new sensors for the weapons,... basically, those are just 2 PlaPlate parts (I need a new blade for my design knife).
The golden Parts (Chest vents and Emblem), thrusters and Weapon Sensors were painted with Mr. Color Super Metallic Chrome Silver and clear red, orange or yellow accordingly.
Finally, I did a bit of wheathering and Dry Brushing (well,... more or less good,... more less).
So far, the model is roughly finished, but I still need to do quiet some touch up work on the model:

-a few parts of the model which I missed to paint
|->Rear Camera, the SubThrusters on the shoulders, some interiors and such.
-still need to shade the panels and panelline it.
-deciding wheather to paint the 'mask' with crome or leave it green.

"OMFGZ0rz!!!!!!!!11111oneoneoneeleven, why is the shield not in CamoFlage color?!?!?!?!?!"
Because it's a prototype obviously

The GM Kai / ジム　改

2009-11-09T17:25:00.005+01:00

Good Night Jim!

I decided not to go with the Alvaaron mod, since I lack the skill in scrap building. Therefore I chose to go with pla Plating and one modification instead, as a practice.
Initially, I wanted to build a Katara for the GM, similar to that one the Sinanju and Unicorn Gundam has. But, since I lack the skill, I thought of a similar way and was enlightend late in the night. Basically, I used 2 spare Beam sabres/daggers + GN Beam Dagger effect parts, which are left from my MG Exia Repair.

Afterwards, I thought of a piece of Fanfic for the projected mod to be canon, or at least as far as my understanding of the Universal Century Technology goes.
Well, let's get started,..
1st I though of how the Beam Sabres for the shield are going to be fed with particles for the Beam Sabres.
In order to look like a prototype shield (The whole Fan Fiction will be released upon model completion), I decided to have wires to go from the backpack to the bottom of the shield.
This was easy, I just drilled 2 holes into the backpack and 2 holes through the centerpiece on the back of the shield.
Afterwards, I shortened the Beam Sabres handles to about 1 quarter of it's original size.
Finally, I used Epoxy Putty and fixed the wires and Beam Sabre Handle to the bottom of the shield.

I left the epoxy to dry for about 6 hours and applied a piece of PlaPlate on top of it, after I leveled the Epoxy using a Design Knife.

After the bottom part was finally done completed, I 'coated' the wire between bottom and center with Meshtube, which looks, at least in my opinion, great.

After the shield was done, I applied a few pieces of PlaPlate on the GM itself (Only Front I admit)

Final model (Painting left)

While building the model, I decided to give it the Hyper Bazooka from my MG Gundam MkII　(Yeah, this is canon).

So far, I'm satisfied with my results (Ok, could be better, but nonetheless)

If you wonder what's with the box for the O Gundam,... this will of course be continued aswell, but currently I'm more focusing on the GM.

Teaser:

Parts of the HyperBazooka

The current version of the Projected Colorsheme　(Yeah,... me suck @ PhotoShop)

Here comes the ChrOme!

2009-11-01T21:15:00.006+01:00

ChrOme my God!
Would Setsuna have said if the O Gundam would have been chrome.

Recently received my chrome color.

It's facinating just to look at the color while in the bottle,... which I did for about 10 minutes. ^_^'

Originally the chrome color was my sole reason for me to order from Japan, but I ordered the O Gundam (gray) alongside to justify the shipping. Anyways, after looking at the Chrome Color for about 10 minutes (I can't remember that I took drugs), I built the O Gundam and I got to say that the overall gray appearance with the red jewel and chin looks great. (Honestly, I think that the gray one looks much better than the A.C.D. version, if you wonder yourself why I bought the gray instead the colored A.C.D. O Gundam: The gray one features a more bulky and prototype looking GN drive, as well as the GN-Feather effect part, which the A.C.D. one lacks)

Here's the O Gundam straight out of the box with the GN Feather effect part and mounted onto a Action Base 2. The GN condenser part for the chest is still missing in the above posted picture, mainly because I don't want to damage it while disassembling the O Gundam again later on.

After I painted the white parts with the chrome color, I noticed that the surfacer shatters the reflection too much, resulting in a metallic instead of a chrome finish. How I noticed it? I also painted, just for fun, the back of the front shield cover (not to be seen after assembly) and noticed that painted straight onto the plastic, it has a much better mirror-like effect. It was hard to find a prober angle and lightning setup in order to show it on the photos, but it seems that this is something you can't see on photos with just one small area of paint.
Well, I'll keep that in mind when painting the Alvaaron prototype mod.

On the next day, I received my Pla Plates and was a little bit surprised, regarding the size of a sheet (Yeah, the exact dimensions are given in the product description, but I'm surprised everytime I actually hold them in my hands).
Still having to paint all the other parts for my O Gundam (red, gold, gray1 and gray2), I used PlaPlate for my first time and added a little bit of detail on the chest.

I found the original top of the chest a bit plain, that's why I added a trapezium (nothing special, just for testing how to cut PlaPlates and how to trim them,... well, still need to practice)
I also used to much cement which I had to sand away after it has dried,

After I Painted everything, I noticed that the edges of the PlaPlate should have been smothen a little bit more in order to look natural,... well, but to lazy to redo everything, I'll just keep it that way.
The GN Condenser is installed now, too! I used the metallic green Gundam Marker from the BB Senshi Sangokuden Gundam Marker Set, and painted the clear part from the inside in order to maintain the gloss of the clear part. Initially, I though of adding a LED inside the torso/behind the condenser for a light-up effect, but since theres is no space for any LED without sacrificing hip movability, I decided to keep the chest as it is.

Well, so far for the O Gundam itself, now what's left is to build the display box, which is roughly done, but still need alot of touch up, the paintshop and its electrics.

Oh dude,... c'mon!

2009-10-29T09:30:00.001+01:00

O Gundam Display Box / オ・ガンダム

Part 2 of the Display Box construction Diary.
Currently it's going quiet well, but I will need some spackling paste to fix the gaps which resulted due the lack of my craftsmanship regarding the processing of wood.

Basically, the box is just some plywood clued into a box, with 3 holes ( one for the switch, batteries and the Action Base).
Below stated, you can see my HG Cherudim Gundam from the second season of Gundam 00 on the Clear Green Actionbase 2, illuminated with white LEDs from below.

In my Opinion, the white LEDs with the Clear Green Actionbase 2 resulted in the model being illuminated with a cyan light. If you watched the anime Gundam 00, you might remember that the GN particles (including the one from the O Gundam from the 1st episode) are more cyan than green. (You might as well check out the official website, currently having a image of the Exia Repair on it's top page, including GN particles).

Oh man,... Come　on!

2009-10-25T19:45:00.003+01:00

The O Gundam Display Box　/ オ・ガンダム

Like stated in the previous posting, I am currently working on a Display for my, still en route, High Grade O Gundam.　Basically it is just a white Box with a hole in the middle were the Sparkle Clear Actionbase 2 is put upon. Inside the Box, I am going to install 3 white LEDs.
A rough, bad, CGI sketch.

And now a view inside the Box.

I really hope that this time, the series circuit is working, otherwise I will have to put them parallel again.
Anyways, next post will feature a really rough prototype ( Although I think this term is an exaggeration)、the current status of the display box.
Last, but not least, we will solve the mystery why I will use white LED and not green ones.

RX-78-2 patch

2009-10-25T17:37:00.005+01:00

RX-78-2 Gundam Custom / ガンダム・カスタム

Recently finished the RXー78ー2　G30th version.

As you can see, I altered the original color sheme on 2 locations [ shoulder and shield], resulting in a much less colorful colorsheme but a more blueish one, you could call this a RX-78-2.5　(think of the gray/blue RX-78-3).

The other modification was done at the V Antenna, due the loss of the red ruby which usually should be there, anyways, I tried to modify the V Antenna to look like one piece, which, from a fair distance, looks that way, but as soon as you close up, you can see that there is still to much epoxy left,...

I think that I will fix this as soon as I have to paint with white again, which will most likely be the Display for my O Gundam which is currently under construction.

All in all, there are plenty of details I messed up, I hope my O Gundam will not suffer so much spills etc.　But nonetheless I really like the ideas of the modifications I did, although they could have been better.

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Bust(ed)　/　機動戦士ガンダム　ユニコーン

2009-10-21T10:22:00.006+02:00

With the upcoming new Gundam Anime OVA, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn / Kidô Senshi Gandamu Yunikoon / 機動戦士ガンダム　ユニコーン, Bandai decided to make the 100th High Grade UC (Universal Century) kit the Unicorn Gundam (destroy mode) and the 101th HGUC kit the Unicorn Gundam (unicorn mode)
I'm really looking forward to the OVA as well as the HGUC Unicorn Gundams - ok, some of you might ask, why getting the HG versions, when there's a MG version with the full transformation feature? well,... honestly, I don't like the Unicorn Gundam in one of it's modes displayed alone - so 2 MG kits would be 10.000 yen - and for that amount of cash, I'd rather get a PG ZakuII.

Additionally, in order to celebrate the OVA and the 100th HGUC model kit, Bandai and Dengeki Hobby are going to release a 1/48 scale Gundam Unicorn bust (including a transformation gimmik), which includes a display stand for the HGUC Unicorn Gundams, as a furoku with the upcoming Dengeki Hobby January 2010 issue (november 25th release). I have to say that I pre-ordered 2 issues for both HGUC Unicorn Gundams ^_^'.
I'll think I'll built in some LED's - but currently, I have enough other projects running and about to start, so nothing organized yet.

On youtube, you can see a Trailer for the OVA, but with bad sound quality.

I really hope that Bandai isn't breaking their promise of a simultaneously wordwide release and that we Germans also get the Blu-Ray version of this OVA.
Anyways - If those information I have about the Anime and the novel are correct (didn't read the novel [yet] - mainly due the fact that I still lack the japanese skill for this), Gundam Unicorn will likely get a FSK 16 rating in Germany. (We're talking about sex, drugs and rock'n'roll! - ok, without rock'n'roll, but everything else)

MG Zaku Cannon / ザクキャノン

2009-10-20T13:01:00.005+02:00

Recently finished my MG Zaku Cannon - bought it while it was on sale at HLJ for just 3.000 JPY instead of 4.500

I did a custom paintjob (I didn't like the regular one), used a dremel for the edges of the parts and painted the dremeled areas with a real touch gundam marker.
I also added 4 little rivets for the cockpit hatch,... I wanted to do more, but I lacked a proper (0.5mm diameter) drill and actually just used a needle, which was awful to do. (Therefore I recently ordered a 0.5mm Drill bit and a Pinvise to use this drill bit - 0,5mm is a bit to small for my dremel)
The weathering was done using the Tamiya Weathering Master Set A and B.
The mud at the feet was accomplished with using a Weathering Stick for the texture and finally 'painting' it with 2 shades from the Tamiya Weathering Set.
Although I'm quiet satisfied with my work, I used a bit to much of the sooth weathering, espacially underneath the chest vents, and the clear top coat was a bit applied to much, resulting in some annoying white stains,... darn it!

Anyways. next up is the HG 1/144 O Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (first episode) - But I will just apply a chrome Paint-Job with different shades and an ordinary (non chromatic) gold for the antenna and the skirt composite armor pieces. Luckily, according to the manual scans at Hobby Search, I won't need to do any (except for the eyes) masking,... thats a hell lot better to work with than my current project, a slightly modified G30th Gundam (currently, there are just going to be 2 differences - Initially, I wanted to give it a Odaiba Gundam paintjob, but due a significant part loss, I now make a simple modified version), still with quiet some masking.

Finally, I'm currently planning the project after the O Gundam, which will be my truely, first major modification.
A bunch of words: GM, 0083, 00, Pla Plate, Green Stuff, Recast, lightup, Alvaaron,

Well, my currenct (bad) sketch of this mod is as follows:

As you can see, It's a GM with a Gold/Black/Red color scheme (no, nothing political), which will receive various parts I've left from other models and models that are no longer wanted (00 Gundam) - actually, I want to try to build a 'Alvaaron' prototype (see Gundam 00 - Season 1, Episode 25).
With my bad photoshop skills, the recolor of the lineart of the GM resulted in a red shading of the black torso/feet - I'll eventually try how clear red on black looks like. If the effect is looking good, I'll put clear red onto the black parts (anyways, at first I need to organize the modifications, buy it, built it and finally paint it)
The parts will be used from the 1/100 00 Gundam, the parts left from MG Exia [-Repair/Ignition Mode] and HG GNHW/B Seravee, and everything else I can find.
[Of course there will be even more modifications, like the cockpit hatch, which are required to be less of a UC Suit and more a Anno Domini Suit, but the above linkes is just the current status]

Tieren light up

2009-04-09T22:11:00.002+02:00

Ok, first of all, modding the Tieren didn't take that long, like it did to find some time for this post.
I'll just start, without much talking. (I want to post this finally, since new models are waiting for being build).

This is the location. Here I'll install white LED's (on both sides) in order to achieve working head lights.

First image: 'Wow, drilling the hole will be easy!' Second picture (inside view): 'what the hell, why does Bandai have this bar inside the headlight case? It doesn't do ANYTHING, except being a disturbance drilling this away'

Well, drilling went quiet good (except I should have used a smaller one, but you doesn't notice this differenc with the head lights on, later on). Those 2 little remaining bars on the side inside the case,... well, they are like the one Bandai had: useless. Again, you won't notice them.

Here, I applied offcuts from various stickers,... well, I used parts of the sticker sheet of the Tieren, and the Dom Tropen. This little 'mirror' alone, increases the light output, by roughly at least 10%, and, at least in my oppinion, it looks alot better, than just being green (Speaking of the case).

Afterwards, I drilled 2 holes at the back of the headlight case, which is part of the shoulder itself. One hole for the Anode, and one for the Kathode of the LED.

Assembled shoulder head light, without any diffusor applied (yet).

The first test, with 2 AAA (series circuit).
This is required, since 1 AAA battery delivers 1,5V - in series, both voltages sum up, which results in having 3V, which were required for my LEDs.

This test was followed by soldering everything together - while the series circuit for the batteries worked well, it didn't work for the LED - which resulted in having the LED in parallel circuit. (I don't understand, why series didn't work (and yes, I checked the polarity of the LED's at least 10 times),... well, it works now, but it's still a mystery)

Final assembly - what you cannot see: with this 2 LED, I can light up my hole room (ok, not as bright like a ordinary lamp, but bright enough to not accidently kick my cat).

An old picture by now - at the time I took this photo, you were able to see the wire(s) at 3 locations - Nowadays, the upper wire on the picture is covered, so you'll only see the 2 wires (backpack and waist), which lead to the batteries.

The poseability of the shoulders is not affected by the modding process, i'm still able to move the shoulders for- and backwards, without wires being seen.

Well, next 'to be modified' model kit will be my Sefer Rasiel from the Dengeki Hobby Magazine (January and February issue 2009). The head, arms and the right hand will be made posable. Legs and feet won't be modified, because of the included display base from the Sefer kit, elbow can't be modified, since, according to Dengeki Hobby Magazin, I don't have HG Virtue elbows. Left hand neither can be modified, since the lack of spare left hands. (I only have a right hand of my HG kyrios left, nothing more).
(I didn't checked all my spare PolyCaps yet, but I'm quiet optimistic, regarding this.)

Diorama completion and Tieren

2009-03-20T18:28:00.006+01:00

Well, the diorama might be completed,... but I'm not really satisfied,... although I knew, the Diorama will be plain,... it just looks,... kinda,... too plain.
Anyways, it was my first, mainly used for practice.

I like the Sand color, but it is really difficult to get some dynamic poses.
And it's meant to be only a part of a dune, and NOT the dune itself, so,... try to ignore the margin :/
Anyways, maybe I'm more useful in modding the models than in building some diorama for it.
Speaking of it, I'm currently working on a 1/100 Tieren (land type) from the Anime 'Gundam 00'
I intend to built some LEDs in the shoulders and behind the eye, but last might not work, since the eyepiece is damn small.

If you compare the Tieren to the Zaku, you can clearly see, that the Tieren is the Zaku equivalent in the 'Anno Domini' Gundam timeline.
1st of all, the design. The Tieren features like the ZakuII a Monoeye and shoulder mounted shields and the roll-out colorsheme.
As well as the serial number.
The ZakuII is the MS-06 [additional letter for specific type, like F for space or J for Landtype, C for cannon etc.)
The Tieren is the MSJ-06II-[Letter for specific type, like A for ground type]
Last, but not least, both Mecha have a lot of variations, like Cannon types, high-mobility types etc.

Currently working on the shoulder lights, and it's currently going well, the shoulder lights will be soldered tomorrow.
But don't expect to get a light-up Tieren-eye, it seems to be easier to have a ZakuII-Eye light up instead the Tierens.... Well, let's wait and see.

Custom Zaku and Diorama Progress

2009-03-17T19:35:00.004+01:00

While waiting for the color on my Dom to dry, I repainted my Custom Zaku II.
The first version was painted using Gundam Marker

I liked the color-sheme, but I really wasn't satisfied with my paint job, that's why I redid it.

Compared to the 'Marker version', the black is a bit darker and the gold a bit brighter.
But I didn't paint the shoulder spikes, the antenna and the shoulde shield.
Why?
I don't have a 'plated silver' color, and I don't want to lose this mirror-like effect the spikes and antenna have (Problem: the Marker are quiet hard and they scratch everything, and this looks like,... sh*t).
The shield wasn't colored because I already applied the Zeon decal. Unless I have an additional decal, I won't color the shield.

On this picture, you can see, quiet some old, picture of my diorama progress.
Since I'm lazy, I won't do another photo, because it's almost completed.
The last thing I have to do, is to color the sand, which is already applied, as well as correct a few details on the Dom's leg.
In other words:
Only 1 color left,... the last step towards completion.

Colored Celestial Being Action Base

2009-03-12T11:53:00.003+01:00

I finally started working on my diorama,... again,
While the color of my 'soon to be finished' GM needs to dry, I (almost) finished my Celestial Being Action Base. Initially, I bought the white version instead the OO-Raiser pack, including the clear green version, because I always wanted to color mine. I wouldn't dare to color the green one, because a) it's (meant to be) a limited item, and b) the pole, needed for the action poses, would be green, but I think the clear noncolored pole fits alot better!

At a few locations, some blue went beneath the masking film. After the blue dried, I'll need to mask the blue areas and air brush a bit the 'infected', yellow areas to improve the result.
After all, I'm really satisfied with the result, being my first victim, which was airbrushed ;)

Light up Z'Gok (Char Aznable color, MG)

2009-03-08T22:19:00.006+01:00

Still not finished with my diorama ( i'm working on it,... i hope to finish the GM this month and the terrain, with the Dom the only component remaining), but I want to show you some (although) old, but modded Mastergrade kit.

Can you see what it is? (Unless you didn't read the topic) It's a Mastergrade Z'Gok, and it's Char's!
I really like the Z'Gok, and I can say, it's my favourite amphibious Mobile Suit. (As well as Z'Gok-E and Hy Gogg).
While writing this, I regret that I didn't take any photos of the modding process.
The Eye was initially a sticker on a clear part (lense), which is connected by some kind of pole to a wheel, which can be twisted in order to move the eye.
I removed the lense and drilled some holes. The LED I used fit perfectly! After the LED was inserted, I drilled a hole between Torso and Head unit. Inside the Torso, I stored some additional wire, in order to keep the eye poseable.
Last I drilled a hole between between torso an waist. and that's it!
Now, there is about half a metre of wire going from the waist to the batteryclip.
Again, I'm very sorry that I don't have any photos of the modding process itself.
I really hope that I won't forget to take photos next time I'll do a modding.

Speaking of modding, the next modded Gunpla will (hopefully) be the 1/100 Tieren.
Why 'hopefully'?
Like with the Z'Gok, I don't have any clue on how big the 'to be modified' parts are right now.
I'll need to wait for the kit, check with my red LED's which I still have, if there's enough space. If this is positive, i gonna buy 2 white and/or 1 UV LED light.

Now, a little bit about my diorama.
Here you got 2 Pictures of the 'alpha' version. Which is mainly for determining poses, which the models will have eventually.
Note that the Dom isn't finished yet and that the GM isn't my 'airbrush' GM (currently waiting for surfacing the 'white' (some kind of very bright brown) parts (orange is finished))

I won't use this styrofoam base for the dune, I'll save this piece of Styrofoam for some kind of cliff or building or whatever.
The Dom Tropen will mimmick the pose of the Dom from the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime. (Jet Stream Attack. anyone?) Whereas the GM is supposed to slide downwards (and being surprisingly attacked by the Dom)

A Prelude to the Airbrush

2009-02-27T22:55:00.005+01:00

This weekend, i'll use my Airbrush for the first time, I'll start with coloring my Action Base 1 Celestial Being ver., or atleast, the yellow part, because I think it looks kinda plain,... just white,...

I'll use the Yellow to paint the Dom's Heatsabre afterwards, because I don't want to 'just start' with painting a model without at least a few experiences.

Anyways, today, the 'prelude', will consist of a new image of my OO-Raiser (double oh Gundam + O Raiser).

Well, what's so special?

I juste love those fluorescent colors, because... it looks cool!!! ^_^'
The eyes are painted green and this head 'jewel' is painted with help of many little pink dots :) (in order to achive the pink to be not noticeable, or at least less noticeable, with daylight etc.)

I really can recommend fluorescent gundam marker if you happen to have a black light near your display.

Another idea I might give a try sooner or later (read: later) would be painting the eyes with fluorescent color and inserting a blacklight LED inside the Head. But 1st, I need one of those LEDs and 2nd, it might only work in the nu-Gundams head, due it's size.

Well, we'll see.

HGUC MS-09F Dom Tropen Sandbrown ver. and a Airbrush

2009-02-22T16:23:00.005+01:00

In my previous posting, I made a, more or less good (more less) review of the HG RGM-79(G) model.
I thought that an antagonist would be good for the intended diorama, that's why i bought the MS-09F Dom Tropen (Sandbrown color).

Today, I won't make a 'review', I'll just point out a few points.

Pro:

one moveable finger per hand, so you don't need to swap hands if you want to change between SMG and Sturmfaust (or Raketen Baz and HeatSabre)
better articulation compared to the GM modell (although it's a Dom)
many weapons (4x Sturmfaust 1x Raketen Baz 1x HeatSabre and 1x 80mm SubMachineGun)
Plenty of extra ammo for storage on the waist

Con:

Mono-Eye isn't moveable (If you want a moveable Mono-eye, you'll have to stick with the classic HGUC MS-09 Dom/MS-09R Rick Dom kit.)
especially one stormfaust wants to fall off all the time.

I'm to lazy to take photos of the Dom Tropen, so instead, you'll just get a picture with fluoroscent eye and the chest stored beamcannon

The Dom stands in front of a blacklight in order to lighten the fluoroscent green (eye) and pink (beamcannon).
Also, the dust on the vase gave me an idea on how to make a starfilled nightsky,... I only need a black colored cardboard and some time to collect dust ^_^.
And to answer (maybe?) upcoming questions like 'why no photos' and 'why not started with this simple desert diorama'

My Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline two in one set.

And yes, i already have a compressor, but the only thing left I need is a male coupling (if my dictionary is right) to connect the compressor to the hose (hose sounds funny, somehow), which is already connected to the Airbrush itself.

RGM-79(G) HG

2009-02-09T21:39:00.006+01:00

After collecting quiet some gunpla, i decided to (try to) make a diorama and 'destroy' some cheap gunpla for experimental use.
Since i didn't have any GM by then, i wanted to buy 2 of my favorit GM's, which is the RGM-79 groundtype GM, as seen in the Gundam OVA 'The 08th MS Team'
These HG GM-kit is old (1996), and I can say, you'll notice it plenty of times.

Now, let's take a look what's inside!

As you can see, you'll have 4 runners + 1 polycap runner, with 3 (or 4) colors ('white', orange, gray and those beamsabres(more of them later))
You'll also have 2 sheets of seals, one contains it's sensor unit. Later HG (and of course MG) GM kit's don't use a sticker for the sensor, instead, the sensor's are clear parts. After building my GM, i said to myself 'not bad, but could be better'. The next morning i said 'what the hell?'. Those Sensors want to fall of quickly, i strongly recommend reinforcing it with additional clue, or paint this sensor to beginn with (if you are able to get somehow on metallic green color).
Speaking of painting the sensor, you'll have to paint the camera (those things at the ends of this mohawk)

As usual, your HG GM will only be articulated with polycaps. But for some reason, there are balljointed hands on the polycap runner. Besides the back of the hand being black (which should be white), there's one main reason why you can't use them... because you are forced to use those pole-jointed hands instead, limiting it's articulation by far!

should you've find a way to use a balljointed hand, and painted it's back, you should use the remaining white to paint the Beamsabres.

Instead having an effect part for the beam, and a white part for the sabre itself, you only have one clear pink part.

After the GM being finished, you'll notice some other, disturbing aspects.

Of course, there is this lack of color. You'll need to paint it, in order to look at least a bit good. Also, this little gap between two parts can be a pain in the ass, if you paint this model afterwards (remember, one of this models was to destroy, and you'll a bit of it afterwards)
The Cockpit is just the upperpart of the pilot seat. If you're looking forward to show of the GM's cockpit, you'll need to use the MG kit.
Additionally, equiping the Bazooka is almost impossible, if you want your GM firing or at least aiming with that thing. Good thing that you have a 6-tube Misslelauncher as well. I go with this misslelauncher, it's easier to perform poses with it.
Last, but not least, the GMs posability could be much better. The Ellbow can only bent by 100°, no full bent at the legs, The skirtarmor for frontleft and frontright is one part, so if one the left leg steps forward, the armor for the right leg will imitate the position of left leg's skirt armor.
But the worst: you can't make a kneeling pose with the GM! The frontskirtarmor collides with the lower torso.

After I painted my GM a bit you'll notice on the right, that those gaps between 2 parts can easily destroy it's look, unless you want to use it as a panel line.

now, it looks alot better than being unpainted, isn't it?
If you want to make a real good looking HG GM, i advise to paint all the interiors of the panels with a gray color. This improves your result well.

I also tried a littlebit of weathering with RealTouch GundamMarker

If all this Airbrush equipment wouldn't be that expansive, because with an airbrush, you can do much better weathering (if skilled).

I'll still gonna practice a bit with my gundam marker.

p.s.: excuse my crappy English today, i don't know why it sucks even more >_< (and i'm to lazy to correct mistakes,... erm,... i mean, to look for these mistakes)

First impression on - Windows 7 Beta

2009-02-02T21:07:00.006+01:00

Today, I finally installed the Windows 7 Beta on my second partition. It run's quite well, I didn't have any crash by now and it boots as fast as (my current) XP.

Well, that sums it up, what my first impression is like.

But I mainly write this blog because I want to show you the 2 Worlds of Windows 7 (although I don't know, if this second world already existed in Vista)

(left side: my 19" Monitor, right side: my 26" HD-Ready TV)

(left: Monitor, right: TV)

I really like those gadgets,... although only 2 of those 5 make sense..
I actually don't need this calendar, but too often I'm too lazy to click on the bottom right for it, or look above my monitor. The CPU and RAM usage is only enabled since i don't have the G15 software installed right now.
Weather is needed, espacially forecast.
The RSS reader is stupid,... it didn't refreshed since 3 hours.
Currency converter,... how did i survived without that? No need to go to yahoo! finances anymore.

(...still waiting for my gunpla to arrive.)

The second Dawn of War

2009-01-28T22:03:00.004+01:00

Since tonight (European Time), the Dawn of War II Beta (DoW II) became public.
If you want to participate, you'll need a steam Account, and a 'Games for Windows live' account.

I downloaded the DoW II beta, mainly because i really liked DoW I, and i don't regret playing the beta.

Besides the improved graphics, DoW II features many improvements and changes.
The first thing you'll notice when trying to play online, is, that you choose your race, which are either the Space Marines, Orkz, Eldar and Tyranids.
After selecting your favoured race, you'll need to decide between 3 commander units.
Usually, the main difference between these commanders are, that one commander is mainly for offensive, defensive or supportive tactics.
Space Marine example:
The Force commander has a stronger melee and better defense (but i didn't paid attention to his special abilities). The Apothecary is the Space Marines support commander. He has medicore melee abilities. His special abilities consists mainly of passivly healing nearby allied units, or activly with his special ability. Lust, but not least, is the Techmarine. The Techmarine can, like your Scout squads or its equivalent, repair allied vehicles and structures. He is not focused on melee, but you can use some tricky, but expansive, tower rush-a-like tactics.
Unlike DoW II's nature, the tech marine can build structures, which are turrets and 'teleport relais'. Turrets, of course, shoot incoming enemies, but make sure to position them wisely, because they are expensive and only have a about 90° angle of attack, which makes about 270° of blind spots. The relais heals nearby units, and can be used to reinforce your squads.
If you played previous DoW titles, you might want to level your commander units by research, but in DoW II, every unit has a levelsystem, which improves health, damage and armore and all those stuff. Additionally, your commander can buy equipment, which can improve different stats of your commander unit, such as defense etc.
After you selected your commander and race, you'll get to the matchmaking screen. At least in this beta version, there is no server browser, so you either let the matchmaking system assign you to a game, or you invite some friends if you want to make sure to play with them cooperatively. After you joined a game, there will be a 20 second timer for the time to launch the match.

Match launched? Excited to build up your base? well, as you'll see now, there is now base building anymore. In Skirmish/Multiplayer, you only have your command center, where you can purchase new units and unlock a new tech tier, which will help you to get new tech and units available for purchase. Well, now let's get started crushing your enemies.
If you played DoW I earlier, you that you've got to capture strategic points. In DoW II, you have requisition points, energy nodes and victory points.
Requisition points are like the one you know from DoW I, with the difference, that you can't build listening posts to secure it and increase your income. Power nodes are used to gain energy. Capturing one allows you to improve it's output. at first, you can 'activate' it, which secures your power node an increases it's output. After that, you can build up to 3 generators, which will again increase your power income. If you happen to find an unprotected power node, don't get distracted by it's generators nearby, ignore them, and go for the node itself. After capturing, you'll capture it's generators automatically.
The Victory Points work like the flags in good ol' battlefield. The more you have, the faster your enemy will lose his points.
After you captured a few points, it might be a good idea to purchase either a new squad at your HQ, or equip your squad with new weapons. Upgrading your squad works like DoW I - select your squad, and then, select the upgrade you want to purchase. Now, with fresh new reinforced equipment or manpower, it's time for a assault. Attacking a enemy point reckless is suicide. if an enemy squad is guarding the point, they are most likely to have taken cover. Everything can be used as cover. Walls, crates, trees etc. .
Hopefully, after you killed the enemy, and not the otherway around, you saw some red numbers, (at least if you play Space Marines). Those numbers are zeal points. They are used for special abilities, which can be a Space marine squad, a terminator squad or an orbital bombardment.
If you have real problems taking a enemy out, which has taken cover, it'd be a good idea to to use jetpack equiped units, in order to engange them in a melee combat, or upgrading to tier 2 an purchasing a vehicle.
Walker vehicles can crush a few obstacles, have great melee combat abilities, and can be upgraded with long range canons against infantry. Tank vehicles can crush almost everything in their paths. a Unit behind a wall should flee, since those are no obstacles for a tank.

Well, now it'll be a struggle for the victory points, and now: did you miss the base building aspect of DoW I ? well, i did not. I Already preordered DoW II

Finally a few words to the singleplayer (source: wikipedia)

Singleplayer won't have any base at all, you'll need to decide, which units you want to use, before the actual mission. If you played Chaos Gate, you should be fine.
Without playing the Singleplayer in DoW II, it somehow sounds like a real time chaos gate.

well,... there's only one thing about DoW II that i dislike,...
NO CHAOS T_T

probably, my next post will be made at 7th february,... hopefully (depends on how fast my SAL shipment from HLJ is this time)

First Post

2009-01-22T22:27:00.003+01:00

I'd like to welcome you to my blog.
This blog is going to be about everythin i like, kike Gundam and Gunpla, different Anime, video gaming and many other interests.

Now, i don't want to just talk about "hey, i'm new!", instead, i'm going to post a little bit about the 1/100 00 Gundam model.

I ordered the model at www.hlj.com by SAL, which took longer than usual due to the holiday season.

Well, after arrival i was quiet impressed, that the box was smaller than the box of various "few parts" MG-kits like the MSM-07S Z'Gok.

I decided to buy the 1/100 version instead of the 1/144 HG version for two reasons:

the 1/100 scale 00 Gundam has Light-Up GN-Drives (2 CR1220 buttonbatteries required)
1/144 scale models are, at least for me, to small

While building the model, i found a few aspects of the model, which are, well,... not well done or at least for me, new to me.

Although 1/100, it's antenna have a strange blob-like thingy at the end of the antenna (Pictures to follow), like various HG model kits.
Furthermore, it was widely criticized for not having a poseable waist. Although i posed my 00 Gundam (+ 00 Raiser) in mid-flight pose (as seen in the intro of Gundam 00 Season 2)
And finally: Bandai didn't include an oben palm for the 00 Gundam, only 2 fists and 2 hands for holding the swords and beam sabres.

On the other hand, i was quiet impressed at a view points. the 00 Gundam featured a thing, which somehow reminded of a innerframe like the MG kits have, at least the limbs.
Additionally, the limbs can perform full-bents, which my HG Kyrios didn't has, at least the elbow-bents.
And one thing, if you use the light-up feature: it might be (althoug not testet) to add additional white paint in- or outside the Drive, as seen on the pictures below.

Well, since i can't really do objective Reviews (yet), i can atleast say, if you want a 1/100 Scale 00 Gundam, you can buy this Non-Grade one, but if you want to use the Light-Up GN-Drives, make sure to insert the batteries carefully. I accidentally bent a contact, which is now a loose contact. I solved this by inserting this GN-Drive cone a bit more loosely.

Maybe i'll add a few more info, but don't aspect something in the near future,... maybe next week.

Ghosty-chan / ゴ－スティ－ちゃん

Moved

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - finished

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - almost done building it

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku - damn many seamlines!

1/144 MSN-01 PsyCo Zaku

Back to the future!

1/100 RB-79 Mobile Pod Ball 'Ver. Ka'

'Two-Face' finished - to be revealed tomorrow.

Caught in the trap of figurines?

Another HGUC - another OYW Suit

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 4 - finished

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 3 - mounted

HGUC ZakuII display base - pt. 2 - painted

HGUC ZakuII display base

HGUC Hi-v Gundam

HGUC Geara Doga - slightly weathered and now with action pose!

Fresh off the factory - non-weathered HGUC Geara Doga

HGUC Geara Doga - final spurt

HGUC Geara Doga pt. 0

Gundam - heading out!

RX-79(G) painted...

Detail up #3!

Detail Up!!!

It's waiting time!

Tanks moving out!

Tanks!!!!

HGUC Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn mode)

HGUC Gelgoog Marine - finished!

HGUC Gelgoog Marine

Even more sale!

A lot of Sale

Damn many Zaku and Gelgoog to get!

Gelgoog 2.0 + boredom

GN-X Variations

GN-Archer 'Samus Gundam'

Lightning Base Zaku

HGUC Unicorn Gundam Review / ユニコーン・ガンダム

Red Pack

2nd MG Clear Parts campaign - Images

MG GN-X Box Art / ジンクス

Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce/marinade with turkey / キッコーマンの照り焼き

Gouri Daisuke died - 郷里 大輔

1/100MG Barzam Conversion kit

Top 10 'I want an MG of that MS!' list

Gundam Assault Survive! / ガンダムアサルトスヴァイブ

HG Zaku - Eye done

1/100 NG Seravee - The model and the 'Designer Color' features.

New MG GN-X picture / ジンクス

Zaku Ground War Set

Some miscellaneous from the Dengeki Hobby January 2010 Issue.

The Unicorn Gundam Bust

GM-79C GM Kai Jaburo Defense Unit w/ Prototype advanced striker shield (Unit 01)

1/100 Seravee - New Ghosty MSV Announced

Finally finished and satisfied.

30th Anniversary Gunpla Campaign - New PV

MG GN-X announced and PreOrdered A.S.A.P. / ジンクス

30th Anniversary Gunpla Campaign

GM-C Part 2.5 / ジム改

GM-C Part 2 / ジム改

The GM Kai / ジム 改

Here comes the ChrOme!

Oh dude,... c'mon!

Oh man,... Come on!

RX-78-2 patch

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Bust(ed) / 機動戦士ガンダム ユニコーン

MG Zaku Cannon / ザクキャノン

Tieren light up

Diorama completion and Tieren

Custom Zaku and Diorama Progress

Colored Celestial Being Action Base

Light up Z'Gok (Char Aznable color, MG)

A Prelude to the Airbrush

HGUC MS-09F Dom Tropen Sandbrown ver. and a Airbrush

RGM-79(G) HG

First impression on - Windows 7 Beta

The second Dawn of War

First Post

Gouri Daisuke died - 郷里大輔

The GM Kai / ジム　改

Oh man,... Come　on!

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Bust(ed)　/　機動戦士ガンダム　ユニコーン