Making a Comeback

After a big hiatus, I'm hoping to start posting again. To ensure that I keep content flowing, I'm gonna keep my posts open to a variety of types that are all align with my hobbies. What this means is that I'll not only post about hobby projects, but also post reviews on media (e.g. hobby mooks), new toys & figurines, and possibly anime reviews.

I have been working on a number of hobby projects, two of my recent works are non-Gundam.

Gundam

• HGUC Efreet Schneid- Sharpening heat daggers
• HG IBO Gundam Lupus Rex- final battle version
• HGUC Terra Dias- Ground version of Rick Dias, still in concept stage

Non-Gundam

• RVF-25 Messiah w/ Ghosts- add super pack
• HoiHoi-San Halloween Project- Alice inspiration
• Super Mini-Pla: Panzer world Galient- Snake-God Solider

New Project: X Divider Ground Assault Type

Of the strange gimmicks in Gundam, X Divider has always fascinated me with it's beam harmonica, but I've never been motivated enough to acquire this design. I like the overall 'look' of  this Gundam, the silhouette is balanced and pleasing, the beam saber handles are heavy duty, and the shield/beam harmonica/flight unit is pretty awesome feature. But the machine gun isn't very thrilling, and the side stabilizers that complete the "X" motif, don't do anything-- they aren't cannons, or propellant tanks-- they are just kibble.

It wasn't until I found this image that I was inspired--- and motivated--- to build the X Divider!

Gundam Masters Card Game

I found a series of variations in the Gundam Master card game, like a Wing Zero Marine type (that converts to a submarine), Gundam Leopard w/air combat equipment, and other cool variations--and color schemes to match. Unfortunately, I've only found these in card form and it doesn't seem any models have been based off of these...yet.

I have 4 weeks until Sakura Con, where I'll be hosting a Gunpla Builders workshop 'panel', and we'll also have display space for an exhibition. I have a few models that need to be painted, and my goal is to finish this in time. I just received my HGAW X Divider tonight, and will do he straight build tomorrow--giving me the rest of the week to design the modifications.

I'm challenging myself in keeping most of the original design intact, but only modifying key areas: shoulders, machine bazooka, and backpack. I don't have time to be overly ambitious, so I'll have to stay focused and not fall into that "customization vacuum". Instead, adding details to make this more industrial looking and changing the color scheme (like the above image) will make all of the difference, and complete the look I'm going for. That's the goal at least-- we'll see what happens.

More updates to come!

G-Builders Holiday Build Entry: Barbatos Shamira

G-builders' FB group issued a holiday competition, extending it beyond Christmas. Behold, my Hanukkah themed build...

Barbatos Shamira

"Shamira" means guardian or protector in Hebrew. This MS is armed with a Magen David (Shield of David) and Dreidel Mace, standing on top of a pile of gelt (traditionally chocolate 'gold' coins used as currency when playing dreidel.)

Here are WIP pics of the Magen David.

Methuss Ground Type Update

Sub arm and targeting camera added, and extra armor. I'm considering renaming this Methuss Heavy Weapons Type. Still need to add auxiliary stabilizers on the back of the leg units. 

Concept: Gundam Barbatos, ver. Delphine

With all of the similarities between the Delphine (Break Blade) and Gundam Barbatos (Iron Blooded Orphans), I've been pondering what Barbatos would look like with similar armor and weapons.
  


Particularly, Delphine Form 3:



and the Form 4, with the great shuriken:



I like how the Barbatos (currently) doesn't utilize beam weapons, but it's design strongly conveys it's brute strength, preference towards heavy melee weapons and heavy armor.

RGM-79 [M] w/ C-Armor II, part 2

Here are some test shots for the core unit. The chest and front skirt armor are from Amazing Booster and the side propulsion units are from the LBX Sea Serpent (I will trim off the ball joints.) The side skirt stabilizers are from Dra-C.

RGM-79 [M] w/ C-Armor II, part 1

Since I switched the RGM-79 SP GM Sniper II, inspiration for this project has been flowing in, non-stop. Even more, this has allowed me to attempt a mass production version of the C-Armor, experimental underwater equipment developed for the RX-78-2 Gundam featured in Dengeki's Solomon Express.

 


Since the recent release of the 2nd photo (above), which shows the back side of this custom design, I've developed a more complete understanding of the C-Armor, like how it's mounted, proportions, and the shape of fins and are bits on the propulsion units.

I didn't have everything figured out (I still don't), but I had a game plan and a clear first step: start with the GM Sniper II. In addition to being a very attractive design (way better than Nemo), there are a lot of built in design features that sparked inspiration for this project. Notably, the knee vents, calf armor, and flip down targeting visor-- even more, the shape of the torso provided great surfaces to attach extra equipment.

For starters, I added a larger lens to the visor using the MS Lens 01 option kit. Meanwhile, I started planning the kitbash menu. For the propulsion pods, Dra-C's shoulder pods looked like a great fit to double as boosters and ballast tanks. Additionally, the rectangular booster legs most resemble the C-armor's harpoon launchers. (As a side motivator, I've been impressed by land variants of Dra-C and have been aching to make my own). So Dra-C was my next purchase.




At Galaxy Hobby, I also picked up some cone-shaped metal parts, which looked perfect for the harpoon tips. I sawed off the angled veriner parts on the booster legs, and test fit the metal cones-- fits like a charm. I also experimented with the tooth-spikes included the in Builder Parts Balder Arms set-- I still haven't decided which looks better.

But I still need something for the propulsion-- like a submarine propeller. You'd be surprised how difficult it is to find something like this. I struggled with this enigma for a long time-- in fact, this was one of the enigmatic barriers I ran into with Nemo Mariner: lack of nautical propellers. Submarines kits are fairly expensive, and there is only one propeller-- for my project, I need multiple. I began thinking about SD kits again, and this thought process reminded me of LBX. Sure enough, I found a nautical LBX called "Serpent", which was just what I needed!

Not only does this have the propellers I need, but also fins and other contoured parts. Did I mention it's around the same price of SD kits? Like I said, perfect. It also comes with a neat submachine/torpedo gun-- I'm sure I can put this to good use.

I'm still figuring out what to use for the propulsion pod "cones", since that shape is difficult to scratchbuild and find. One of my gunpla buddies suggested using the FA Unicorn boosters, and that got me thinking of other SD kits that used boosters...like the SD Neo Zeong!



Unfortunately, this kit is still a bit pricey, and the rest of the base kit would look wrong without the boosters. What else has boosters like that? Maybe...Alpha Azieru! Particularly, the ancient 1/550 scale release. Many shops have this item listed at 700 yen, which is a great price point for this project.




I'm still not sure about this plan, but it's given me a lot to ponder.

In my next post, I'll try to post some of my concept sketches and WIPs I've started on.