Author Topic: All things (okay, a small bunch of) Gundam (Read 9569 times)

Westfalia Chris · « **on:** April 05, 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).

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.

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).

Possibly next: Some 10mm infantry and vehicles. Certainly some Feddie mechs.

PeteMurray · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2008, 11:01:27 PM »

Sharp paint job!

majorsmith · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 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!!

Westfalia Chris · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 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...

Plynkes · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 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.

Westfalia Chris · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 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.

twrchtrwyth · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2008, 01:02:22 PM »

Very nice.

Pappa Midnight · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 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

wolfgangbrooks · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 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.

Westfalia Chris · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 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. :

:

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.

Westfalia Chris · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 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.

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.