Gundam in all guises

[kurdt_the_goat]

Hey guys. I've got another trip to Japan lined up for this August, and i'm gonna be picking up various Gundam merchandise, some HG kits to start me off (never done one before - looking at Hi-Nu Gundam), and perhaps a Robot Damashii/Spirits figure or two.

I guess this thread can be used for all Gundam talk, but right now i'm wondering if any of you have bought any Robot Damashii figures and could offer feedback? How they compare with S/HCM Pro, Revoltech etc? I'll even allow talk of the non-Gundam ones ;)

[blackie]

sorry to overtake your thread kurdt, but has anyone come accross 'Chinese' gundam kits?
i found a fair few Perfect grade ones for cRaZy prices online, and was wondering about he quality of these. one of them (1/60 Exia) looks like absolute crap, but the PG strike gundam looks pretty good for 46USD

so yeah anyone come across these?

[kurdt_the_goat]

Not much use to you, but funny - i found this article over the weekend (http://www.marvinryan.com/blog/2009/05/11/bootleg-exia-gundam/)

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/marvinryan0217/blog/funnies/Faxia01.jpg

Can't get past that tagline!

[Stompy]

Well the work on the lifesize Gundam is taking shape. I hosted the pics as the origin is NSFW to post...

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/lifesizegundam-legs01.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/lifesizegundam-legs02.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/lifesizegundam-legs03.jpg

It's 1:1 scale. 18 meters tall when it's done.

[Fungal Infection]

Just installed a new shelving unit in my entertainment room last week which now displays 1/3 of my Gundam toys/models along with some of my Macross stuff:

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q305/Redboost77/The%20Playroom%20V3/Gundams-Macross1.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q305/Redboost77/The%20Playroom%20V3/Gundams-Macross2.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q305/Redboost77/The%20Playroom%20V3/Gundams-Macross3.jpg

I'm currently displaying stuff from Seed/Seed Destiny and 00 at the moment but that will likely change very soon once my sister-in-law returns from Japan in a few weeks. ;)

[piratescratch]

Nice looking Gundam model collection there.

I know very little about model building. I'd like to have a crack. I've had a look at some tutorials and well they were pretty daunting.

It's a bit hard to tell but do you do anything to them? As in give them a paint (or whatever its called) coating? Go through it with Gundam markers? Etc.

[Stompy]

Indeed it is a great collection. Mine are all in boxes although they are mostly SD Gundam.

pirate... the gundam model kits are easy to build. Parts are all numbered and easy to find. Instructions are clear and detailed and need no worded instructions. They are snap on model kits, so no glue/cement required at all.

The kit already comes in different base colours and usually with a sticker sheet for more detailed portions and what you see in fungal's pics is what comes from the box. Also the joints uses rubber pegs and ball joints so they are as good to pose as any action figure.

Should give it a try. Start with a 1/144 scale model and try not to get addicted. ;)

[Fungal Infection]

Most of the models you see there are High Grade 1/144 scale. I find this is the best scale as the vast majority of kits in the Gundam universe are released in this scale. Bandai release only the more popular kits in larger scales. Besides, THIS (http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN907985) kit is only available in 1/144 scale and remains one of my grails (shipping just kills it). As for my models, I usually dont use markers as I'm not very good at doing panel lines and I like the look of the kit out of the box. Just be aware there are also First Grade kits available in 1/144 scale and these are considered beginner kits so will have less articulation, less details and may require painting to match colours as shown on the box. And finally, buy a sprue cutter - it will save you time and the risk of broken pieces as a result of removing pieces from the plastic runners (personal experience speaking here).

[Stompy]

Well the Lifesize Gundam is done.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2009/06/biggundam.jpg

This 18 storey high replica will emit lights and have 14 mist emitting section to replicate heat release. It's made of reinforced fibreglass plastic. Going to be up for 2 months.

[Tober]

That's awesome. Here's a photo from further back :)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/AUST_Tober/PL8xUi8OEouu71nvrJjKveaeo1_500.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

That's at least the second, possibly third 1:1 scale Gundam I've seen. Someone else made a 1:1 scale RX-78, but lying down (it was at a Gundam convention in Japan). An individual made a gigantic Zeta Gundam, but I don't think it was 1:1... still bigger than my house though. ;)

[jaydisc]

http://blog.flickr.net/en/2009/07/09/a-robot-rise/

[Kyle]

Too bad I don't have any conference trip to Tokyo before they take this down...

Guess the closest I'll ever be next to a 1:1 Gundam is a 1:1 right hand only... :D

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0005_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0001_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0002_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/GundamExpo.jpg

(Taken from a Gundam Expo in Hong Kong in 2005.)

[Stompy]

Being a huge SD Gundam kit fan, I rarely delve into proper Gundam kits. Recently I delved back with the recent 1/144 HG Gundam 00 kits (Exia Repair II and 0 Gundam Type ACD) and oh my. The engineering with these tiny models are unbelievable. With the little experience I've had with previous kits, these new ones mimic engineering I thought only possible with the HG and even MG 1/100 scale kits. My mind boggles at the build and features with the latest 1/100 sets.

[blackie]

the new 00 kits are amazing
the PG 00 is going to hurt bad, real bad
ive got a few gundams on the way, ill post pics soon :D:D

[Stompy]

blackie you fiend! Never knew you were into gunpla!

Yeah have always wanted a PG kit. Wanted either Mk-2 Gundam (dark) or Wing Gundam Zero Custom. But its expensive stuff.

[blackie]

blackie you fiend! Never knew you were into gunpla!

Yeah have always wanted a PG kit. Wanted either Mk-2 Gundam (dark) or Wing Gundam Zero Custom. But its expensive stuff.

im getting the wing 0 custom in a few weeks..... :)
i wouldnt have bought so much, but i blame grimlock531 for it :P

[Stompy]

Well thanks to the quality of 1/144 HG Exia RepairII and O Gundam, it has rekindled my love for gunpla (short for gundam plastic model kits) and, wel,l got this lot:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/GunplaLoot.jpg

Have always loved SD/BB Gundams and been getting them steadily but never this much core gunpla. The Seed mechs kinda got a little too samey towards the end but OO Gundam mechs have some distinct and creative new mechs which appeals to my own Gundam needs.

[grimlock531]

my fault pffft =P, cant wait for the PG goodies

nice haul stompy...gotta love those lil SDs =D...

[blackie]

my fault pffft =P, cant wait for the PG goodies

nice haul stompy...gotta love those lil SDs =D...

mmmm pg goodness will happen very soon
ima have a lot of models to build soon....

[Stompy]

Yeah I'm thinking of picking up PG OO Gundam when it releases as my very first PG. Can't wait but the price for a PG is ouchey. What's the best import site for PG in regards to price and postage?

[blackie]

Yeah I'm thinking of picking up PG OO Gundam when it releases as my very first PG. Can't wait but the price for a PG is ouchey. What's the best import site for PG in regards to price and postage?

Unsure. Me and grimlock are getting the pg strike and pr wing custom zero in the next month:)
if your interested in those drop me a line and I'll give you prices:)

[blackie]

well i got in the mail this week:

HG 1/100 Exia (built already :P )
HG 1/100 Destiny
MG 1/100 Wing Ka.
MG 1/100 Strike with launcher and sword
HG 1/100 00 Raiser and 00 Gundam set designer colours
FG 1/144 Jinn (free :P)

oh and a 1/35 code geass lancelot nightmare frame
just for fun

im fairly set till after exams, now all i need is my 2PGs :P

[unicron]

HG 1/100 Exia (built already :P )
HG 1/100 Destiny
MG 1/100 Wing Ka.
MG 1/100 Strike with launcher and sword
HG 1/100 00 Raiser and 00 Gundam set designer colours
FG 1/144 Jinn (free :P)

oh and a 1/35 code geass lancelot nightmare frame
just for fun

could you put a picture of the code geass lancelot nightmare i want
to buy some i really love the anime but to scared to buy them im
more into gundam now as well so ill be selling of my g1 collection soon.

[Stompy]

Nice sets blackie!

I'm gonna stick with the 1/144 HG stuff. Got tempted to get the MG 1/100 Exia or the 1/60 scale but am happy with the smaller sets.

Still holding out for PG OO Gundam though. Must save.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've never been a fan of Gunpla; I guess cos I just love playing with my toys too much, and Gunpla just don't stand up to the rigour of toy play. Or any model kit for that matter; I've trashed plenty of Macross and other such models trying to play with them, and I've _never_ been the kind of kid who was ever rough with their toys. Most of my broken Transformers were broken by other kids, not by my hands (others later broke by my hand due to age, like those with GPS/BPS; but that's got nothing to do with rough handling).

But I do like the core story of Gundam; by "core" story I mean that mainstream continuity. I'm not a fan of out-of-continuity (or elseworld) stories like Gundam Wing etc. I'm just a fan of everything from the original Gundam universe. The only non-canonical Gundam story I don't mind would be Gundam F-91; every other out-of-canon Gundam story doesn't interest me.

Collection wise I've lost most of my old Gunpla... I have one beat up Gundam X model lying around - and yes, I'm aware of the irony that of all my Gunpla that I haven't lost it would have to be one from a non-canonical series :p If anyone wants it they can have it (or what's left of it) for free. I'm sure it might come in handy as spare parts for someone's custom or kitbash. ;)

Ironically I don't have any Gundam animé on DVD! I probably should get some. I really like 0080, 0083 and MS08 ('specially cos MS08 stars Genda Tessho, the Japanese equivalent of Peter Cullen :D). So my Gundam collection (if you want to call it that) basically just consists of two manga, three novels and a small Gelgoog PVC figurine (t'was a freebie :p). Here it is:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/gundam.jpg

[1orion2many]

Too bad I don't have any conference trip to Tokyo before they take this down...

Guess the closest I'll ever be next to a 1:1 Gundam is a 1:1 right hand only... :D

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0005_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0001_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/100-0002_IMG.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/Kyle_Chow/GundamExpo.jpg

(Taken from a Gundam Expo in Hong Kong in 2005.)

:eek:OMG I just found this, don't you look sweet and innocent:p:D

[Stompy]

My gunpla renaissance has finally hit it's stride. In anticipation of PG OO Raiser I decided to dabble into 1/60 gunpla kits and got these two babies (presented by their SD counterparts):

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/1-60Goodness.jpg

Already built Exia and I must say, I never realized how large 1/60 scale is. It's taller than Masterpiece Prime! Can't wait to build the Lightning Edition of 1/60 Strike Freedom. Looks especially gorgeous with the lights on. Gotta set aside a full day free to make it. There's a lot in that box!

[blackie]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
i need a strike freedom lightning

but
next i think ill buy MG Freedom and some 1/100 of the other main 00 characters to finish my display
i might even take some pics soon :P

EDIT: care to share how much that set you back stompy?

[Stompy]

Check your PM blackie ;). Exia was cheaper than I expected and Strike Freedom is probably the cheapest I will find it locally. Surprisingly the MG Extra Finish 1/100 Strike Freedom costs a little more than the LE. Although LE is ungraded and the MG details surely trumps the details on the ungraded 1/60. Just got them for display purposes really. They are so striking as they are so large. Of course its all about the build too. Love it!

[kurdt_the_goat]

I bought back just a MG Exia from Japan and recently completed it. It's my first attempt at a kit and i gotta say, i think they're great value for money (in Japan anyway!). Heaps of time to build and apply decals (no painting for me) - still deciding whether to panel-line (scared i'll bork it since it's my first attempt!) But building it, i found it's just a great way to relax after a long day. To Goktimus, i don't particularly think this model kit is unplayable in any sense; perhaps more recent kits hold together better than they used to?

I really want a PG kit but the boxes are just so big to ship, and i can't bring myself to pay the markup in Australia :( IMO the PG 00 doesn't look that hot, some of the proportions are off - actually all the things that Ngee Khiong said in his blog (http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/2009/10/pg-00-raiser-completed_19.html) hold true for me too :( I'd rather get the PG Astray Red Frame, also since 00 is so similar looking to Exia.

MG wise that new Astray Blue Frame 2nd Revise looks to be awesome (http://www.dalong.net/review/mg/m124/m124_p.htm).

BUT my most awaited G-thing at the moment is Super HCM Pro Unicorn Gundam - despite some parts swapping I think they've done a fantastic job for the size. SHCM are pricey, but worth every penny i reckon.

[Stompy]

I don't paint or line my kits neither. I'm in it for the build mostly and these recent OO kits have been ridiculously good and detailed especially the HG 1/144 ones. Heck even the Fighting Action Grade kits are unbelievably good for the size.

I have the original Astray Blue Frame and the 2nd Revise looks to blow the original away. Can't wait to get my hands on that kit.

As for PG OO. The blog link doesn't work kurdt. I'm still wanting one the altered proportions doesn't really bother me much since I'm in it for the build.

EDIT: Link is working now. Must be works browser not letting me earlier.

[blackie]

has anyone got a link to some MG styled hands i can buy?
i want to add propper hands to my 00 raiser without buying a whole mg kit :P

[Dkaris]

Although these arent actually gundams, I thought I'd post this here because they are pretty similar to the bandai sets you all know and love.

Has any one built or bought any of the armored core model kits? I used to LOVE the games on PS one, and although i havent played the newest ones, i loved the customization of the mech you would build, hence im wondering if anyone has any of the kits?

[Stompy]

Ok. Forgone a few recent TF stuff recently (Buster Prime, Alternity Bb, Device Range) for this baby:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/PG00Raiser.jpg

Not sure when I'll find the time but this is my first ever Perfect Grade. Never liked any of the previous choices and couldn't justify the price but the 00 Raiser is my favorite Gundam design along with Exia. So this is my acquisition of the year.

[blackie]

must find where stompy lives and steal PG00 :P

Gratz man, hopefully in a year or two i can get my hands on one though my usual routes XD

getting the PG MK II Next week :D:D:D

[Dkaris]

Do any of you guys have any good suggestions of what to use as a substitute gundam marker? there is only one hobby store around me that stocks them and they never have them in, ive read on different forums about using fine tip pens, however some people say t heir great while others say they are horrible.

[blackie]

i once saw a tutorial video where they used paint and lighter fluid to panel line.
i just bought my markers online, theyre a few bucks on ebay these days

[Stompy]

Panel lining is so difficult to make it look right. Personally I hate them. Makes them look terrible for my tastes. The lines have to be pretty much hairline for me to like.

You can try the regular felt tip pens you can get at stationary sections and see how it goes and whether they stay on or rub off. Although I'm not sure on the thickness of the points available.

I've gone gunpla crazy the past 6 months. Still haven't built that PG 00 Raiser but building that this weekend. Have bought heaps of MG's and the majority of the NG 1/100 00 gunplas. My friends have finally got bit with the bug and we recently did a group order that arrived a couple of days ago:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/Gunplaloot2010Jan.jpg

Half of it is mine though.

I love applying decals but that MG Unicorn was ridiculous. about 300 decals most of them clear decals that required trimming as they are to be positioned on edges and corners. Took 12 hours all up just for decals!

[blackie]

hmm
mg unicorn is my next challange
is that a PG skygrasper i see?
i still have one of those under the bed that needs building, along with its strike counterpart :P

[Stompy]

MG Unicorn is a beautiful mech and a great kit. Very little articulation though and fragile in Destroy mode. The build is fantastic.

The PG Skygrasper ain't mine. My best buds for his PG Strike.

As for markers, most won't export out due to them being chemicals. There's a reliable and popular site: ishop2go but I haven't ordered from these guys but they do have a range of Gundam Markers with no export exclusion warnings (but they may have it once you get to actual ordering):

http://www.ishop2go.com/catalogUR_001__en.html

Good luck!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/Gouf2love2.jpg

[Dkaris]

I might give the felt tips a go, thanks for the advice. I havent built a gundam in a long time, i focused my time on some armored core kits, and as much as i love those, they are very draining and very tiresome which is why im thinking of picking up a basic gundam to have a play with

[Stompy]

So after 22 hours of building Perfect Grade 00 Raiser is done! Well almost, I just have to put on the decals. Behold:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/PG00Raiser-1.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk269/StompBrother/PG00Raiserclose-1.jpg

The torso is an amazing build with about 100-200 peices all layered over each other around a GN circular frame. They can easily make an Exia out of the frame. The clutch is wonderfully simple that makes it lock in place. Articulation is great although the ankle articulation is very limited which was really dissapointing.

[blackie]

next weeks project

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4367066189_a74a401700.jpg

PG RX-178 MK II
should be good fun actually

once ive done this im installing some shelving for my gundams :D

[bruticus]

gundams are fn awesome....awesome for hacking up and using them for parts in my custom TFs that is... muhuhahaha.....

just kidding...

hey stompy, that PG 00 raiser is sexy as... especially love the articluated fingers.
you said you arent a big fan of panel lining but are you gonna top coat it with clear flat or just leave it like that?

[Stompy]

I'm a lazy builder bruticus. I'm in it for the build and I'm more than satisfied with the finished product as is. So I don't do any post-build painting or whatnot. Just the decals and transfers.

And yes PG 00 is awesome. The clutches on the main joints hold well and the rubber grip parts on the soles of the feet really help stbilize some poses that might tip non reubber soled mechs over. The fully articulated fingers are great. My mate built PG Strike and that has perhaps the most amazing legs I've seen in a gunpla ever.

blackie: have fun. I'm personally more inclined towards the Titans version though.

My next project from my huge pile of unbuilt gunpla will be MG GNX, MG Turn A and MG ZZ.

[blackie]

here is most of my collection
apart from the 10 or so kits still under my bed.....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4456482225_9afda9cfd1.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4456483723_878fa92acc.jpg