Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Westfalia Chris on 05 April 2008, 10:11:16 PM

Title: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 05 April 2008, 10:11:16 PM
Cheers guys!

Just wanted to show some mecha kits I bought in London in February and finally finished. Won´t go into the Gundamverse details because it´s just as much fun as hearing the n+1st recounting of the 40k universe (if a bit more sensible... no, make that less implausible ;)).

The two are, basically, ampibious and submersible mechs (as designated by the "Mobile Suit, Marine" MSM prefix) used for commando raids, usually deployed from a submarine. They have thrust backpacks which can be detached once spent.

The "Zugock" is an experimental model (if you go by the canon fluff, there´s only one, but I love the design - so if I find my other one, I´ll paint it as well).

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/ZMC_ZUGOCK.jpg)

The "Hygog" is a second-generation version of a venerable design, the Gog amphibious mobile suit. I really like the hideous "gorilla meets lobster" design. Always wanted one since I saw one in a 1998 issue of Hobby Japan.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/ZMC_HYGOG.jpg)

Got those for 5 Pounds apiece. Couldn´t walk past. Even though I´ve got BOXES full of Gundams.

And, for good measure and a chuckle, a size comparison with a Battletech Wasp. All 1/144th scale (the Gundam kits have a specified scale, and, well, the Wasp model pretty much fits the description, maybe even a little bit larger).

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/ZMC_SIZE.jpg)

Possibly next: Some 10mm infantry and vehicles. Certainly some Feddie mechs.
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: PeteMurray on 05 April 2008, 11:01:27 PM
Sharp paint job!
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: majorsmith on 06 April 2008, 12:19:13 AM
i have the first robot in a pre paint, but its pink.... so i will repaint it!!  love the camo on these!! i may have to 'copy' them!!
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 06 April 2008, 08:11:44 AM
Quote from: "majorsmith"
i have the first robot in a pre paint, but its pink.... so i will repaint it!!  love the camo on these!! i may have to 'copy' them!!


Probably the original Zugock model in the colours of their "Red Baron" pilot ace... ah yes. In the series, it came across as somewhere oxblood red and gore, but the kits... ewww...
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: Plynkes on 06 April 2008, 10:22:15 AM
I really don't like Mecha much at all, and yet I love those. They have a style to them I haven't seen before, certainly not your run-of-the-mill mech lines.

They have a certain graceful 60s Thunderbird 2 quality to them. I think that is what appeals.
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 06 April 2008, 12:10:51 PM
Quote from: "Plynkes"
I really don't like Mecha much at all, and yet I love those. They have a style to them I haven't seen before, certainly not your run-of-the-mill mech lines.

They have a certain graceful 60s Thunderbird 2 quality to them. I think that is what appeals.


Interesting thought. To my mind, Gundam 0080 had the best designs of the otherwise dreary 1980s Gundam serials.
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: twrchtrwyth on 06 April 2008, 01:02:22 PM
Very nice. 8)
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: Pappa Midnight on 06 April 2008, 02:46:22 PM
They are fantastic! :love:

I really love your choice of Paint/Camo, striking but not too garish.

At £5.00 a piece they are an excellent find.

PM
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: wolfgangbrooks on 08 April 2008, 06:12:31 AM
I love alot of the gundam models, and those are couple of favorites. (next to zaku IIs) They look good, but I don't think anything in gundam ever had camo. :)

But Battletech isn't 1/144 it's 1/300. The wasp should be much bigger if in scale.
Title: Zeon Marine Commandos
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 08 April 2008, 06:54:02 AM
Quote from: "wolfgangbrooks"
I love alot of the gundam models, and those are couple of favorites. (next to zaku IIs) They look good, but I don't think anything in gundam ever had camo. :)


Unless you count the "low-viz" schemes of the GM and the olive/green scheme of the Zaku II, that´s right. But that doesn´t stop me. :lol:

Quote
But Battletech isn't 1/144 it's 1/300. The wasp should be much bigger if in scale.


Since it is not a metal figure but a plastik Macross Valkyrie kit (no scale denoted, I´ll admit) and it corresponds to height references given in various Battletech books (even a bit bigger if you go by the legs), I think it´s fair game. The figure is about 8cm tall, which corresponds to some 11 metres in 1/144th scale - generous for a 20-ton Wasp, if you go by the Battletech fluff.

I leave using distorting figures and misrepresenting scales to scheming statisticians who chose to betray their professional ethos for the lure of lobbyism.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 06 March 2009, 09:07:18 PM
Hey folks,

finally got to do some Gundam modeling again, in such a shape that a friend of mine and myself ordered some stuff from Hobby Link Japan (nice service, and customs didn´t even raise much of a hassle).

I got two more of the Hygog Mobile Suits (albeit the newer, much better quality model) and a box of the "Zaku The Ground War" set, which includes a Zaku MS, two Federation tanks, two Zeon Hoverscouts and some small accessories, all for merely 19 Euros plus P&P and some customs (negligible in this case). Much less than I would have paid at a local dealer, if I ever found it, but such stores don´t really exist in Germany any more, and if they do, all they stock is that crappy Wings stuff.

Anyhow, I started off with the two tanks.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/TYPE_61_001_ASSEMBLED.jpg)

Those are rather small models, but excellently cast and superbly laid out on the sprue, which made assembly a breeze - I took my time to get it just right and both tanks merely took me some 45 minutes, all in all. The 2 Euro coin is for scale reference (about an inch across).

For painting, I´m trying a "new" (for me) approach since the models were moulded in a dark middle gray plastic. I skipped the "white primer" stage and added a base coat of Revell Stone Gray with some varnish in it for some more grip. This will then be highlighted and weathered, and finally, I´ll use some scrap plastic to scrape off tiny bits of paint to make scratches. This will be a challenge due to the small scale (in which weathering quickly looks strange and overdone), especially if the model is as small as the tank, but I´m confident it will work out. I´ll add more pictures as I progress in painting, since apart from the chipping stage, this will follow my usual "vehicle painting technique" (nothing fancy, but it may be useful to some).

Cheers, and sorry for the threadomancy.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 06 March 2009, 09:56:44 PM
Next step, basecoated with Revell Stone Gray:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/TYPE_61_002_PRIMED.jpg)

And drybrushed using a mix of equal parts of Revell Stone Gray, Vallejo White and Vallejo Khaki:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/TYPE_61_003_FIRST_DRYBRUSH.jpg)

Next up: a finer, lighter drybrush applied only to the centres of the armour plates, followed by an yellowish-olive wash.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 06 March 2009, 10:26:05 PM
After two more drybrushs:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/TYPE_61_004_THIRD_DRYBRUSH.jpg)

Next, the aforementioned wash. More pics tomorrow.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Helen on 07 March 2009, 12:37:08 AM
Lovely Chris, not my cup of tea, but very nice.  8)

Helen
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Backyardpatrol on 07 March 2009, 04:28:59 AM
'Can't wait to buy the 1/35 version!
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Bako on 07 March 2009, 05:13:39 AM
Quite nice! Man, I miss the old Gundam stuff :'(.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 07 March 2009, 09:40:04 AM
Here´s the final stage of painting:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/TYPE_61_008_FINISHED.jpg)

As said, I added an overall wash of yellowish olive (Revell Khaki Brown, to be precise) over the model and dabbed off any huge unwanted puddles before they could set. Then, I painted a fine dark grey wash into the recesses. Finally, I painted some black wash around the vision blocks and the turret MG.

After that was dry, I painted the tracks in Vallejo Tracks Primer, later to be very lightly drybrushed using Revell Aluminium. The antennae were painted dark grey (all dark grey references are to Revell Panzergrau). Some detail painting ensued (headlights, not visible in these shots, plus markings).

Finally, I took a blunt metal piece to scrape off the paint in places to recreate that chipped look. They look well worn now, but not overly shabby, IMHO.

A final composite image showing tank 144 from some angles, and the maximum elevation of the guns:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/EFSF_TYPE_61copy.jpg)
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: white knight on 07 March 2009, 09:47:01 AM
Lovely!  :o 8)
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 07 March 2009, 11:10:49 PM
Here´s the Zaku II from the boxed set, built and painted as the "White Ogre" custom MS-06S command Mobile Suit, from the second Episode of MS igLoo "The Gravity Front".

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/ZAKU_II_WHITEOGRE.jpg)

I´ve taken a pic with the Type 61 tank for scale reference.

I experimented a bit with painting this one - after painting and highlighting the body in various shades of gray, I used an old deodorant sprayer (the pump one, cleaned thoroughly) to apply a thin, mottled and dirty layer of white, thinned with water and matte varnish. This was a bit too thin, so I added a light drybrush of pure white after it had dried, but the overall effect is rather pleasing, although I´ll have to work on getting the mix to the right viscosity. An airbrush would have been far superior, and is still marked for purchase some years in the future.
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: myincubliss on 08 March 2009, 10:25:12 AM
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/ZAKU_II_WHITEOGRE.jpg)

 :-*
Title: Re: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam
Post by: Westfalia Chris on 11 March 2009, 08:53:03 PM
Another Zaku II (this time, a model J ground type) in winter camouflage:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/WHITE_ZAKU_1.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/WHITE_ZAKU_2.jpg)

And two "Wappa" hoverscouts:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/MS%20Gundam/WAPPAScopy.jpg)

Cheers!