AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
edited December 2019
Legit wasn't feeling great at work, so I headed home. And used the time to start.
The first step in the journey is knowing what's ahead of you. In this case, for me, it was organizing the pieces. With so many runners, I needed to make sure I knew where to put them back when I wasn't using them. So I emptied each box, counted the runners in it, and marked on the box the contents.
It reminded me that I suck at writing Katakana, because I'm left handed.
Of note, the left side of that picture are all polycaps.
My plan is to try and take a picture at each step in the manual. Given that I panel line as I go, this is already going to be a slow process, so why not really draw it out?
I’d genuinely love to see a line of construction/utility mecha model kits.
+8
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
I'd be down for that. I'm actually a fan of the industrialmech designs from Mechwarrior: Dark Age, and things like the loaders from Aliens and Half-Life.
I'd be down for that. I'm actually a fan of the industrialmech designs from Mechwarrior: Dark Age, and things like the loaders from Aliens and Half-Life.
I said earlier I do find the lack of BattleTech models kind of sad as I would pay money for a cauldron born or a timber wolf or elementals in something like 1/28 or so
as the resin kind of are lacking in that you have to do a lot of pinning and work on them to get the look you want
+1
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
I'd be down for that. I'm actually a fan of the industrialmech designs from Mechwarrior: Dark Age, and things like the loaders from Aliens and Half-Life.
I said earlier I do find the lack of BattleTech models kind of sad as I would pay money for a cauldron born or a timber wolf or elementals in something like 1/28 or so
as the resin kind of are lacking in that you have to do a lot of pinning and work on them to get the look you want
I live my life by the saying, "Fuck Harmony Gold." This falls under that category. But yeah... Catalyst should license the designs they own.
not a kit, actually, but the zaku worker is a good and helpful friend
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
*Deep Breath*
Okay...
Page 1's runners (page 2 only added a couple):
Step 1 - cockpit and upper teeth.
And the inner detail of the mouth.
Here's how it is going to compare to Gojulas Giga.
Step 2: Adding the eyes and a bit more control panels:
Step 3 - right side of the snout.
Step 4 - and the left.
Combined...
One of the things that was special about the Gojulas Gunner Limited was that it came with clear parts. I couldn't not use that. If I wanted it to look truly traditional, I'd use the orange, but I am liking how this turned out.
Next step... The neck and rest of the head.
Lower Jaw, still the same step...
... And that's where I am stopping for the night. Whew.
I did want to see roughly how big the head would be, so I put the parts on top of each other but not connected.
Preview of some Gundam G40 (Industrial Design Ver.) stuff that got showed during the GWBC. They remade the first 2 battles between Amuro and Char using the Industrial Design version.
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
edited December 2019
Finished the head, moved onto the next page... and ran out of steam due to how detailed the neck is.
It's really interesting how this one came together. A bit of a floating joint for neck tilt, until you lock it in with the silver parts.
I also snapped my first piece here. It's nearly impossible to tell, but as I was assembling it I had a feeling it would snap. It's glued now, better than before.
I'm covered in pour marker ink due to how I'm doing this....
Also I missed a runner for the third page, so that's why there is a runner set by itself.
Obligatory size comparisons. Note that Gundam is 1/144, Zoids are 1/72. So the Gundam should be twice as big in this pic.
One major difference between HMM Zoids and, say, Real Grade, is that the inner structure is really blocky. You won't get a proper "Skeleton" here. The frames are big due to the batteries and motors in the originals, and so the HMMs maintain that... and bury a ton of posability in there.
Because I ran out of steam, I decided to put the head on the neck temporarily.
Edit: I feel like I'm going all out on this guy, in a way I haven't since my Death Stinger. Every part is getting some panel lining, to the point where I feel like I should just be doing a black wash (damn enamel based washes!).
There are tons of details that would never be seen and still have that dirty look. I'm loving it.
Yup, I always wash [plastic model kit runners] in lukewarm washing-up-liquid-soapy water.
It makes them "feel better" in my opinion
How do you wash them? Do you rub them with your fingers, or just let them soak in soapy water, or something else?
I throw a bunch in soapy water, then I take one of then and rub them with my fingers softly, and then rinse them with clean water. I shake it a few times over the sink, put it on a towel, fold the towel so that the runner is sandwiched between it, give it a soft pat, and then take the towel on both sides and shake it up and down. After that, I blow in the crevasses and pits to get most of the water out, dry it with a soft towel, and then put the runner on a towel in the living room (the warmest room of the house).
For real though that kit looks amazing. The ridiculous detail in the shoulder hinges alone is impressive.
+1
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Interesting...
I went to hobby lobby to pick up a restock of tamaya cotton swabs, and they don't sell them anymore. Instead they have a store brand. I can't tell if they are as well made, but they were just as expensive for more swabs. They did have a small variety that were in between the tamaya small and medium.
I don't like shopping at Hobby Lobby anyways for a variety of reasons. If these swabs suck, that will likely be it for me, as I buy a new set yearly.
turtleantGunpla Dadis the best.Registered Userregular
I wish the Barbatos Rex was getting a MG but that's probably not in the cards. Still, not gonna say no to that Barbatos kit.
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Dark Raven XLaugh hard, run fast,be kindRegistered Userregular
I wonder if there's much chance of more IBO MGs? Far as I know, the show was not at all popular in Japan, but it's gunpla is wildly popular in the west. I wonder if that makes it worth it to Bandai.
Oh brilliant
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
I wonder if there's much chance of more IBO MGs? Far as I know, the show was not at all popular in Japan, but it's gunpla is wildly popular in the west. I wonder if that makes it worth it to Bandai.
The thing is, idk if any gundam series has been particularly successful lately.
Or mecha show period. The genre in general is pretty dead. Gunpla really is keeping the ship afloat.
The last set of mecha shows I recall having a lot of buzz was when Code Geass, Gundam 00, and Macross Frontier were all running. Admittedly it doesn't count so much since it's a super robot show, but Gurren Lagann was around the same time too IIRC.
Although, aren't the Build Divers shows pretty popular?
Probably not news to all of you, but I was at my local Barnes and Nobels for the first time in like 3 years today. They ripped out the old DVD and music section and now have toys and collectables and they had a pretty descent Gunpla section. Bunch of Gundam and anime character models. Back in my day you could one buy them at Suncoast Video in the mall.
The thing is, idk if any gundam series has been particularly successful lately.
Or mecha show period. The genre in general is pretty dead. Gunpla really is keeping the ship afloat.
The last set of mecha shows I recall having a lot of buzz was when Code Geass, Gundam 00, and Macross Frontier were all running. Admittedly it doesn't count so much since it's a super robot show, but Gurren Lagann was around the same time too IIRC.
Although, aren't the Build Divers shows pretty popular?
My understanding is that Build Divers was insanely unpopular while being broadcast. Like, lowest ratings of shows that season. And I know it gets a ton of shit from the loud parts of the fan base. (I liked it fine, btw. And Re:Rise has been pretty good)
I would assume the Gundam Build series does good enough cause they keep making them.
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AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
I thought today would be more productive than it was... another 3-4 hours or so?
Anyways.
Thought it might be useful to show what the inside of one of the polycaps looks like on this guy.
It goes in like this.
Here's another one. Yay for small steps without any panel lining! WOOO!
Beginning the assembly of the upper torso.
A few big panels later...
The neck fits on here pretty well! Though I will admit, I'm surprised there doesn't appear to be much, if any, neck articulation. I could've sworn...
And imposing front. It feels like an old nuclear reactor.
While Tomy calls this a "T-Rex type," everyone knows it is basically Mecha Godzilla inspired.
Here's the evidence: The spinal plates.
You really can't deny that!
Attached the head for another scale pic. Again: Gundam is 1/144, Zoids is 1/72, so make the Gundam about twice as tall. Man, I need to learn how to pull off some perspective shots.
Shoulders!
Yay! New page, new runners! How many could there be?
Shoulders gotta peg on somewhere to stay in place, right?
Still feel like I'm slathering this guy in oil, but that's okay. Even tiny details are getting pulled out by this process.
Remember those connectors at the beginning of today? Side to side and tilt? Yeah, here's where they are now.
Time to attach another layer of outer armor! This with some vents as well. Locks in the shoulders. And yet there are still some conspicuous peg holes....
Again, head attached temporarily for scale.
A new piece! At first I thought this would be the core of the main torso. But no.. turns out it's part of the back spine!
Here it is from the next step. You can see the polycaps where the spine plugs in. I love that they are articulated.
Here is the other side, with a large piece and a smaller moving vent.
The inside. What blows my mind is that you will likely never see this unless you are REALLY looking for it.
And done with this page!
Here's the articulation on that joint.
And here's the day's work, all assembled to roughly where it will go. I am wondering if I have too big a spine in there or something, because it seems extremely tight. I'm not sure if I'm missing something. Obviously I'm not done with the back / spine piece and I'm gonna disassemble this,but it gives an idea of where everything will roughly go.
This sucker's upper torso has more plastic than many of the models and toys I've assembled. Jeez. No wonder the box had him fighting Iron Kong.
The thing is, idk if any gundam series has been particularly successful lately.
Or mecha show period. The genre in general is pretty dead. Gunpla really is keeping the ship afloat.
The last set of mecha shows I recall having a lot of buzz was when Code Geass, Gundam 00, and Macross Frontier were all running. Admittedly it doesn't count so much since it's a super robot show, but Gurren Lagann was around the same time too IIRC.
Although, aren't the Build Divers shows pretty popular?
My understanding is that Build Divers was insanely unpopular while being broadcast. Like, lowest ratings of shows that season. And I know it gets a ton of shit from the loud parts of the fan base. (I liked it fine, btw. And Re:Rise has been pretty good)
IDK how Build Fighters did.
Ah. Here's where I admit that I don't know the difference between the Build series. I just had the vague impression the Build stuff did well because I see it talked about a lot, but that might be more for the merchandise than the shows now that I think of it.
I wonder if there's much chance of more IBO MGs? Far as I know, the show was not at all popular in Japan, but it's gunpla is wildly popular in the west. I wonder if that makes it worth it to Bandai.
Bandai held a poll and the Flouros came in first place for second MG IBO kit, followed by the Lupus Rex.
The thing is, idk if any gundam series has been particularly successful lately.
Or mecha show period. The genre in general is pretty dead. Gunpla really is keeping the ship afloat.
The last set of mecha shows I recall having a lot of buzz was when Code Geass, Gundam 00, and Macross Frontier were all running. Admittedly it doesn't count so much since it's a super robot show, but Gurren Lagann was around the same time too IIRC.
Although, aren't the Build Divers shows pretty popular?
My understanding is that Build Divers was insanely unpopular while being broadcast. Like, lowest ratings of shows that season. And I know it gets a ton of shit from the loud parts of the fan base. (I liked it fine, btw. And Re:Rise has been pretty good)
IDK how Build Fighters did.
Ah. Here's where I admit that I don't know the difference between the Build series. I just had the vague impression the Build stuff did well because I see it talked about a lot, but that might be more for the merchandise than the shows now that I think of it.
Build Fighters did really well in Japan and did ok globally. Unfortunately, the main appeal of the show was for young builders, and in later series they have mostly quit making master grades and stuck to high grades. Build Fighters: Try did ok, but nothing special. Build Divers has been universally panned as a roaming meandering show that desperately needed a focal point.
Posts
Curse you P-Bandai that kit looks rad.
Steam
The first step in the journey is knowing what's ahead of you. In this case, for me, it was organizing the pieces. With so many runners, I needed to make sure I knew where to put them back when I wasn't using them. So I emptied each box, counted the runners in it, and marked on the box the contents.
It reminded me that I suck at writing Katakana, because I'm left handed.
Of note, the left side of that picture are all polycaps.
My plan is to try and take a picture at each step in the manual. Given that I panel line as I go, this is already going to be a slow process, so why not really draw it out?
I’d genuinely love to see a line of construction/utility mecha model kits.
I said earlier I do find the lack of BattleTech models kind of sad as I would pay money for a cauldron born or a timber wolf or elementals in something like 1/28 or so
as the resin kind of are lacking in that you have to do a lot of pinning and work on them to get the look you want
I live my life by the saying, "Fuck Harmony Gold." This falls under that category. But yeah... Catalyst should license the designs they own.
not a kit, actually, but the zaku worker is a good and helpful friend
Okay...
Page 1's runners (page 2 only added a couple):
Step 1 - cockpit and upper teeth.
And the inner detail of the mouth.
Here's how it is going to compare to Gojulas Giga.
Step 2: Adding the eyes and a bit more control panels:
Step 3 - right side of the snout.
Step 4 - and the left.
Combined...
One of the things that was special about the Gojulas Gunner Limited was that it came with clear parts. I couldn't not use that. If I wanted it to look truly traditional, I'd use the orange, but I am liking how this turned out.
Next step... The neck and rest of the head.
Lower Jaw, still the same step...
... And that's where I am stopping for the night. Whew.
I did want to see roughly how big the head would be, so I put the parts on top of each other but not connected.
Preview of some Gundam G40 (Industrial Design Ver.) stuff that got showed during the GWBC. They remade the first 2 battles between Amuro and Char using the Industrial Design version.
HMMs, yes.
HMM is somewhere between Master Grade and Perfect Grade in complexity.
The original Tomy zoids, though, came on much fewer runners.
https://zoids.fandom.com/wiki/Gojulas
The original Gojulas from 1983, for comparison, came on 5 runners (with one of those being the standard weapon runner of the time).
Compare that to the HMM I'm building...
It's really interesting how this one came together. A bit of a floating joint for neck tilt, until you lock it in with the silver parts.
I also snapped my first piece here. It's nearly impossible to tell, but as I was assembling it I had a feeling it would snap. It's glued now, better than before.
I'm covered in pour marker ink due to how I'm doing this....
Also I missed a runner for the third page, so that's why there is a runner set by itself.
Obligatory size comparisons. Note that Gundam is 1/144, Zoids are 1/72. So the Gundam should be twice as big in this pic.
One major difference between HMM Zoids and, say, Real Grade, is that the inner structure is really blocky. You won't get a proper "Skeleton" here. The frames are big due to the batteries and motors in the originals, and so the HMMs maintain that... and bury a ton of posability in there.
Because I ran out of steam, I decided to put the head on the neck temporarily.
Edit: I feel like I'm going all out on this guy, in a way I haven't since my Death Stinger. Every part is getting some panel lining, to the point where I feel like I should just be doing a black wash (damn enamel based washes!).
There are tons of details that would never be seen and still have that dirty look. I'm loving it.
It's fun comparing it to the original model I posted earlier on the page.
gahdamn this looks great
- PG Char’s Zaku II: 16 pages, 23 runners, 551 pieces
- PG Gundam Mk.II: 26 pages, 32 runners, 739 pieces
The PG Gundam’s lightsaber is 27.5 cm, which is tiny compared to your 36 cm guns :eek:
Phrasing.
For real though that kit looks amazing. The ridiculous detail in the shoulder hinges alone is impressive.
I went to hobby lobby to pick up a restock of tamaya cotton swabs, and they don't sell them anymore. Instead they have a store brand. I can't tell if they are as well made, but they were just as expensive for more swabs. They did have a small variety that were in between the tamaya small and medium.
I don't like shopping at Hobby Lobby anyways for a variety of reasons. If these swabs suck, that will likely be it for me, as I buy a new set yearly.
P-bandai. Japan only. Really stick it to 'em.
Or mecha show period. The genre in general is pretty dead. Gunpla really is keeping the ship afloat.
The last set of mecha shows I recall having a lot of buzz was when Code Geass, Gundam 00, and Macross Frontier were all running. Admittedly it doesn't count so much since it's a super robot show, but Gurren Lagann was around the same time too IIRC.
Although, aren't the Build Divers shows pretty popular?
My understanding is that Build Divers was insanely unpopular while being broadcast. Like, lowest ratings of shows that season. And I know it gets a ton of shit from the loud parts of the fan base. (I liked it fine, btw. And Re:Rise has been pretty good)
IDK how Build Fighters did.
Anyways.
Thought it might be useful to show what the inside of one of the polycaps looks like on this guy.
It goes in like this.
Here's another one. Yay for small steps without any panel lining! WOOO!
Beginning the assembly of the upper torso.
A few big panels later...
The neck fits on here pretty well! Though I will admit, I'm surprised there doesn't appear to be much, if any, neck articulation. I could've sworn...
And imposing front. It feels like an old nuclear reactor.
While Tomy calls this a "T-Rex type," everyone knows it is basically Mecha Godzilla inspired.
Here's the evidence: The spinal plates.
You really can't deny that!
Attached the head for another scale pic. Again: Gundam is 1/144, Zoids is 1/72, so make the Gundam about twice as tall. Man, I need to learn how to pull off some perspective shots.
Shoulders!
Yay! New page, new runners! How many could there be?
Shoulders gotta peg on somewhere to stay in place, right?
Still feel like I'm slathering this guy in oil, but that's okay. Even tiny details are getting pulled out by this process.
Remember those connectors at the beginning of today? Side to side and tilt? Yeah, here's where they are now.
Time to attach another layer of outer armor! This with some vents as well. Locks in the shoulders. And yet there are still some conspicuous peg holes....
Again, head attached temporarily for scale.
A new piece! At first I thought this would be the core of the main torso. But no.. turns out it's part of the back spine!
Here it is from the next step. You can see the polycaps where the spine plugs in. I love that they are articulated.
Here is the other side, with a large piece and a smaller moving vent.
The inside. What blows my mind is that you will likely never see this unless you are REALLY looking for it.
And done with this page!
Here's the articulation on that joint.
And here's the day's work, all assembled to roughly where it will go. I am wondering if I have too big a spine in there or something, because it seems extremely tight. I'm not sure if I'm missing something. Obviously I'm not done with the back / spine piece and I'm gonna disassemble this,but it gives an idea of where everything will roughly go.
This sucker's upper torso has more plastic than many of the models and toys I've assembled. Jeez. No wonder the box had him fighting Iron Kong.
Ah. Here's where I admit that I don't know the difference between the Build series. I just had the vague impression the Build stuff did well because I see it talked about a lot, but that might be more for the merchandise than the shows now that I think of it.
Bandai held a poll and the Flouros came in first place for second MG IBO kit, followed by the Lupus Rex.
I was thinking Bandai is bankrolling them as toy commercials essentially
Build Fighters did really well in Japan and did ok globally. Unfortunately, the main appeal of the show was for young builders, and in later series they have mostly quit making master grades and stuck to high grades. Build Fighters: Try did ok, but nothing special. Build Divers has been universally panned as a roaming meandering show that desperately needed a focal point.