RG Launcher Strike Gundam
March 21, 2012 at 8:01 pm | Posted in 1/144 scale | 1 CommentTags: Grand Slam, Hobby Japan, Launcher Strike Gundam, Real Grade, RG Strike Gundam, Sword Strike Gundam
Introduction
Okay, so I didn’t really build a new RG Strike. I just attached the Launcher Strike pack from the FG 1/144 kit to my existing RG Aile Strike Gundam. I got the idea from a Hobby Show and some pics from a hobby magazine. This was before Bandai released the RG Skygrasper with Launcher and Sword packs.
After finishing building my RG Strike, I actually lost interest in the project and went on to finish 3 other HGUC kits. Then just recently Hobby Japan released some goodies with its April issue. This included a 1/144 scale Grand Slam sword, previously only available with the PG Strike. That finally spurred me on to finish my Launcher/Sword Strike project.
Materials & Methods
The Launcher pack consists of 3 parts: the launcher cannon, backpack and shoulder-mounted weapon pod.
The weapon pod can be attached to the right shoulder of the RG Strike with no modifications but its a bit loose. I added some extra details using pla-plate and various M.S.G parts:
The backpack requires some modification: round peg (backpack) won’t fit a square hole (Strike). So I cut off the round peg from the launcher backpack and constructed a square peg from pla-plate to fit the Strike body. The square peg is then attached to the backpack using Tamiya epoxy putty. Looks ugly from the inside, but it won’t be visible anyways so I don’t care. I also attached a cylindrical tank to the right side of the backpack.
For the launcher cannon, I shifted the position of the left-hand grip backwards a little bit so that the cannon would extend out a little bit more, making it look longer. The right-hand grip was replaced with the gattling gun grip from System Weapons 001. I covered the resulting holes and gaps with some pla-plate and putty. I also removed the square sensor on top of the cannon and replaced it with a round sensor/scope from System Weapons 002.
The Grand Slam sword was assembled as it is. I only removed some bit of plastic at the tip to make it pointy and sharp. That’s it for structural modifications.
For painting, I used German Gray for the backpack and dark green for the cannon and shoulder weapon pod. Then I applied some panel lines using dark brown + yellow enamel paints and some silver dry-brushing and paint chipping effects. After applying some decals I finally finished it off with a layer of flat topcoat.
Results
Discussion
For a relatively “simple” project, I actually am quite pleased with the end product. I actually spent some time imagining (mostly daydreaming during meetings) and thinking of ways to improve the overall look of the launcher weapon set, and to successfully transfer ideas to tangible results was really satisfying. Okay, enough with the self praise. I hope the materials & methods section would be useful to those of you who would like to modify your own FG Launcher Strike kit instead of buying the RG Skygrasper set.
RG Aile Strike Gundam
May 25, 2011 at 12:12 pm | Posted in 1/144 scale, Model kits | 4 CommentsTags: Aile Strike Gundam, エールストライク, ストライクガンダム, リアルグレード, gundam seed, Real Grade, RG, Strike Gundam
Introduction
I bought this out of curiosity actually, as I never had an RG model kit yet. The other two RG kits looked interesting, but I was looking for something else other than a Gundam or a Zaku. And burning with curiosity, I immediately started with building it as soon as I got home. This thing boasts a complete inner frame, although most of it already came pre-assembled on the runner, kinda like the legs for the RX-78 Ver1.5 and OYW versions. When put together, the inner frame does look a bit thin and fragile on its own. But when you put the armor on, it all starts to look magnificent. The amount of parts are staggering, but at times felt a bit unnecessary.
Materials & Methods
As for the color scheme, at first I thought of sticking with the original colors, but then I decided against it. Looking for some inspiration for a custom color scheme, I browsed through a hobby magazine. A white & grey color scheme came to mind, before I decided for white, grey & yellow colors, just like the Nu-Gundam. Hardly original, I know. Heck, I’ll just call mine the Nu-Strike. Having decided on the colors for the body, I opted for an aircraft kinda feel for the Aile Pack. I decided to try for a camouflage look using different shades of gray spray cans I have available.
The kit comes with decals on a blue-colored sheet. Don’t be fooled, they’re not water-slide decals, just plain ol’ stickers. I didn’t use any of them, except for some of the shiny bits. For the most part, I used my inventory of water-slides, but I didn’t have many in 1/144 scale. Some of them were old, and tore quite easily. So I had to be extra careful.
Discussion
My final comments on this kit: it looks absolutely gorgeous. Its design and range of movement are reminiscent of the PG version.The details are intricate and color separation is well thought out. I can’t think of any negative comments about this kit at the moment. If this were a review, I’d give it a 9/10. I’m very impressed with it and hopefully other RG releases will be just as good, or even better. The only down side is, after being served with such a treat, building my next HG kit would feel like a total downgrade.
Shizuoka Hobby Show 2011 (Part 1)
May 15, 2011 at 9:30 pm | Posted in Events | Leave a commentTags: Delta Plus, Dreissen, GM Cannon II, GM III, Master Gundam, MG 00 Raiser, MG Epyon, Real Grade, Sandrock, Shizuoka Hobby Show
It’s spring and it’s that time of the year again for the Shizuoka Hobby Show. I’ll try to keep it short (I’m getting lazier by the day). Anyway here’s a concise report for this year’s 50th Hobby Show:
Master grades. On display was the MG Delta Plus. Not my cup of tea, still prefer the Delta Gundam design. There’s also MG 00 Raiser, complete with LED gimmicks and clear effect parts. Still no sign of MG Heavyarms Custom though, but the next in line is the MG Sandrock. Oh, and the MG Epyon didn’t look as bad as I first thought, but still I’ll skip this one.
HGUCs. Coming out soon: the GM Cannon II. It looks fat with all that armor, but still looks appealing. Might consider getting this one. Then there’s the GM III, which looks like a poor man’s Jegan and it probably is. And back from the 1970′s: the HGUC Dreissen, with bell-bottoms which will put a Dom to shame. Not exactly UC, but Master Gundam will have his white horse to ride. HGFC (1/144) Master Gundam will be released with his horse, Fuunsaiki.
Real Grades. RG no.4 will be the Zaku II. Surprise, surprise! More specifically, it’s the space type MS-06F so it will only have the standard weapons: bazooka, machine gun & heat hawk. I really don’t like the different patches of green they used, but if you’re gonna paint it, it won’t matter.
Figurise. Did I spell that right? Anyway, I’m not really into it, but worth mentioning are the first two Kamen Riders, ichi-go and ni-go, will be released.
Did I miss out anything? As usual, I’ll post the pro modellers work in my next posting. Until then, enjoy the following pics
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