HGUC RX-78 GP01Fb [Full Vernian]

Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory was... interesting. I won't say it was good, but yeah, you know, just interesting. The story had a good premise: After One Year War, we could take a look at the Earth Federation that are rebuilding everything from scratch and Zeon remnants that are thirsty of revenge. I was very interested to see how EF and earth do after OYW (I was taken a back when I watch a HUGE MOTHER OF GOD HOLE that once was... Sidney. Poor the kangaroos, they didn't see the colony was coming...). So I thought the story will be good. Until... The super weird romance destroyed all. Seriously, Kou-Nina's romance was ridiculous (I thought they loved Gundam more than each other -_-) and when I knew Gato was Nina's first (before Kou, at least) and Nina chose to betray everyone (Kou and EF) just for Gato I was ("°π°). And yes, Nina Purpleton was a b*tch.
Anyway... we are here not for talk about Stardust Memory's weird romance. We'll talk about Gunpla of Stardust Memory's GP series: the RX-78GP01Fb aka GP01 "Zephyrantes" Full Vernian. This was Kou's first (or second?) gundam, specially modified for space-use. This was rather old (released in 2003), so the techs was not as good as new released HG, especially in articulations and color separation. So don't expect something fancy... I decided to buy this kit because I am currently polishing my technique of building, and this kit was cheap (less than 20$) so I thought this kit was a good-for-practice (in other word, it was just my guinea pig, sorry Kou...).
The box is bigger than most of newly HG kit's. When I opened it, I got 7 runners (5 parts, 2 polycaps) and very few stickers. The amount of runners rather small because this kit is simple in design. Assembling this kit was simple task, but panel lining it was rather pain in the ass. Maybe I was just not good enough yet? But thank God, the finished kit are pretty good in my opinion (self-praising??). Next, time to review the finished kit!
In term of appearance, this kit is okay... but just okay. Not very cool, or majestic, or menacing... just okay. I have to tell that this kit is lacking of something special. The overall design is simple (better than RX-78-2 though...), the color scheme is pretty standard, the detail is lacking... so this kit does not really stand out. The proportion is also a little miss to me. I think it is too bulky and does not fit the image of "fast and agile" MS. My Ex-S is also bulky but the amount of thrusters help it to stand out as "fast" mobile suit (not agile one, though). But again, it is okay, not bad. At least, the simple design made this kit solid and neat. No sloppy parts or back-heavy pack.
In terms of articulation, again this kit is okay. Better than Ex-S, at least. The knees and elbows only bend around 90° though they are double-jointed (again, design miss). No 00-style thighs, no split. Other articulations are good enough.
This kit are equipped with just only a beam rifle, a shield, and a beam saber. The rifle is standard two-plastics-slapped-together. The beam saber, uhm... just an all-white toothpick. I had to painted it red. Sigh... Good thing is that this kit came with a cool core fighter. But it would be really cool if Bandai included extra open hands.
Conclusion:
Good things: solid and neat design, cheap price, core fighter in addition.
Bad things: design is lacking of something special, no extra open hand, toothpick beam saber.
Overall score: 8/10
Suggestion: use this kit for polishing your building skill! It would be a perfect practice object since it is simple and cheap, yet still has good looks.

Because one to another things, I only could post some pics taken by phone camera. As soon as possible I will post better pics!

My thought of Bandai's new remastered HG

Soo we all know that Bandai has some "Remastering" program for HG lines. They are "upgrading" some NG models into HG class, with advanced molding tech. This renew products are named by their respective universes, for example HGAC (High Grade After Colony) Wing Gundam or HGAW (High Grade After War) Gundam X. Okay, I think this is a very cool project, considering many old models did not get HG treatment, while they deserved it. Having old models with new technology will be very nice, if we're looking how HG tech are advancing nowadays. My HGAC Wing Gundam is a proof of that.
But this project also gives me thought that Bandai (and everyone who has relation with Gundam world) are starting to lose their creativity. I mean, if we really take a look at Gundam world lately, there is nothing really new (aside the technology of animation and gunpla). Everything is getting retrospective, even the newest gundam series (Gundam Built Fighter) is nothing than reusing old models and "renew" those. A bit dissapointing. I think new HG project is an example of Gundam world's retrospective thinking.
So, what's the point? Okay, new HG project is a good intermezzo of old days. I will definately enjoy it. But I hope Gundam world will be coming with brand new ideas, because IT believe Gundam world can go to the infinity and beyond!! ;)

HGAC Wing Gundam

Hi there!
In last post I said that my next project will be including HGUC Nu Gundam + Sazabi. But I have to postpone that project T-T mostly because I could not find any shop that sell those two. Sigh..
Anyway, I decided to buy a hot item from bandai: HGAC Wing Gundam!
Wing Gundam will always be in a special place in my heart. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing was my first Gundam anime series. That show brought me to this hobby. I love the characters, especially Heero Yui, and I think the mecha designs are awesome. So when Bandai released new HG for Wing Gundam I was thrilled with a nostalgic feeling.
I have the old 1/144 No Grade version of Wing Gundam, and it is full of flaws. Can't be helped because the old technology it has. Compared to that old model, this new kit is much, much more advanced. Honestly, I think this kit is one of the best HG 1/144 models recently. Let's see closer:
When I opened the box I got a manual, 1 sheet sticker, 8 runners (6 colored plastics, 1 clear part and 1 polycaps). The interesting things were the stickers and polycaps. Both came small in number. Minimal amount of stickers indicated that this kit has good color separation. And minimal amount of polycaps, is actually caused by new tech developed by Bandai. They do not use polycaps for elbows and knee joints anymore!
Building this kit was fun. It wasn't too difficult, Bandai took a good way to keep this kit simple to build. Yet they invented some improvement in joints (like I explained before), arms and legs departements. No more plastics slapped together: this kit's arms and legs have 'semi-inner frames'. Almost like Nu Gundam (nooo don't make me remember that thing I could not have T-T) . And as I tought, the color separation is awesome. So accurate, almost perfect!
Look at this finished model. So beautiful yet still menacing. The articulation is very good: with 00-style thighes, this kit can do split. The neck has 2 joints so it can face up so high, it is very helping for flying-pose. The joints are quite sturdy, except for the left arm. I do not know why but only that part kept falling down -_- maybe just my kit's problem? I have to glue the connector in order to thight up the friction. The v-fin also popped off easily, but again loose v-fin is common problem in many models. Just glue it, and done! Out of those two problems, this kit's sturdiness is almost perfect.
This kit came with 3 accessories: the buster rifle, a beam saber, and a shield. Nothing special with the buster rifle. It is just two plastics slapped together. The new buster rifle is longer than NG ones, though. The new beam saber has long, green clear plastic blades. The shield is so much improved: you can fold it to save/reveal the beam saber handle. So cool!
Transformation to bird mode is easy, no different than the old NG model. Turn the lower body, stick the buster rifle into the shield and then stick the shiel onto the back. Nothing new except the new HG is much more stable in bird mode than the old NG.
Conclusion:
Good things: good detail, simple yet sturdy design, nice gimmick (shield folding and transformation).
Bad things: nothing big really, it has some joints stability issues but you still can do something about it.
Score: 9 out of 10
Suggestion: just buy and build it
! Hehe.
There is some pic of it, and comparison with my HG Wing Zero Custom (Endless Waltz)

HGUC Ex S Gundam + HG Gundam Astray Red Frame [Flight Unit] + my next project

Hi there! This time I will show my latest photography works, featuring HGUC Ex S Gundam and HG Gundam Astray Red Frame [flight unit]. Just simple works actually. But I hope you'll enjoy it. Well, for my next work I will have a rather big project featuring 2 main MSs of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. Yes, the famous Nu Gundam and Sazabi in HGUC grade! Unfortunately I have to save and collect more money for this project, so it will be a rather slow and long project. Maybe this one will costs me over 100$ (including extra accesories). Yeah it will be a pain in the ass but I think I will enjoy working this project. So... wait for me will ya?

HGUC MSA-0011 [Ext] Ex S Gundam (Gundam Sentinel)

I want to make some difference in this post. This time I will do some review of gunpla instead just show you my photography work.
I just bought and built a very cool gunpla. Or rather: A VERY BADASS GUNPLA. This kit is more than able to make other kits run and hide in fear. Let me introduce: The HGUC 1/144 MSA-0011 [Ext] Ex S Gundam from Gundam Sentinel photo novel.
This Gundam was one of the first designs made by Hajime Katoki. You can see the Katoki's signatures in this gunpla: extreme detail, very mechanic, blocky, and realistic. This is actually a 'successor' unit in the story (Gundam Sentinel), developed from MSA 0011 S Gundam (S is acronym of "Superior"). Ex S ( usually read as "Excess") is acronym of "Extraordinary Superior". I know, what a cocky name. But it just fit with the Gundam's appearance. This Gundam is literally a "walking gigantic arsenal". Enormous in size. Full of beam weapons.
Ok, enough for the introduction. Now let's jump to the review.
Once this kit arrived my home (I bought it online) the first thought I had in my mind was WTF is this?? The box is HUGE! More than HGUC Nu Gundam's, and I think it has same size with HGUC Sazabi's. When I opened the box, I  got a manual, 9 runners (2 PCs) and 2 stickers (color and decals).
There was nothing special about the built. This kit was definately not an easy one, but I had worked more difficult kits before. But for a HG I could say this kit is pretty challenging.
What made it difficult was not the design: it was the plastic's material. This kit has poor plastics. Very breakable. Maybe because this is old model (this kit was released on 2002). When I worked on it, I broke several parts and I needed glue to repair those. I suggest everyone who want to built this kit to be careful, especially when you cut the parts out of the runners. The parts are exceptionally big but again, THESE ARE VERY BREAKABLE.
Aaaand after breaking and reparing continuously, I finished this bastard. And just like the box, this thing is HUGE. It almost look like MG. And it looks so menacing, not just because its size, but also the proportion. HG Nu Gundam maybe has the same size, but the proportion is just right so it just look like normal HG with some expands. But this kit has small head and torso, also big leg and shoulder. This extreme proportion make its look like "monster". The weapons, well... I don't know that Katoki was beam maniac. 4 on the backpack, 2 on side skirts, one on hand, plus one at the head. Not including 2 beam reflectors at knees, 4 vulcan guns at the head and 4 others on backpack. Phew. Oh, did I mention 2 beam sabers? And i-field generator at beam smart gun and the torso?
Ok, let's see the detail and articulations. I must admit, as old kit this thing is pretty detailed. Only the cheeks, the wings, the smart gun, the beam sabers and the feet are not in original color. Newer HGUC kit usually has more detailed color (thought by stickers). But it is not a big deal. The biggest flaws on the detail is the incapability of this kit to transform into mobile fighter. Man, not cool. This gundam is originally able to do that.
What about articulations? VERY LIMITED. This thing actually can only stand and carry weapon. That's all. Even the head can only turn 20 degree side by side. That because the bulkiness, no one can help it. Sigh....
Another problem with this kit is the balance issue. The backpack is so heavy. It can stand without support only after you put it in right position, with efforts of course. But after that it is still easy to fall even with gentle touch. So I suggest you to stand it with some supports (maybe the wall or action base).
What about stability? Well this kit is pretty stable, almost every parts fit in secure, except the armpit joints and the i-field generator on beam smartgun.
Long review, eh? Why don't we resume that?
Good points: nice design, good details, a lot of weapon acessories, pretty secure parts.
Bad points: poor material, balance issues, limited articulations.
Score: 7.0 out of 10.
Suggestions: be careful when cutting parts, be careful not to lose any polycaps (you will use them all).

MBF-P02 Second L Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L

I know, SEED (Destiny) was horrible but I must admit that the mecha design is awesome! Especially Astray series. And this is my favorite Astray: Blue Frame 2nd L. I just bought it yesterday in HG 1/144 scale and it is awesome. I took some pictures to show you how cool is it.

Eternal's Hangar (feat: Freedom and Justice)

Ah, Freedom & Justice. Two legendary Gundams in SEED series. Always love them. When i bought Kotobukiya's Mechanical Chain Base, I decided these two should be the first ones to pose with it. Besides, I always wanted to recreate the Eternal's hangar with these two... enjoy!