MSA-003J Nemo w/Nautilus Equipment Part 3

In the past couple months, this design has gone through several concept revisions. Due to limitations on viable parts (namely, arm and head parts to mimic the MA form of GN-X Superbia and debates about how to display the model (in MA form or MS form, shedding nautical equipment), this design is on version #6.

Here is a review of the design concepts leading up to the current:

Ver. 1.0: Nemo w/ armor to make MA form (GN-X Superbia inspired)
Ver. 1.5: Nemo with infiltration equipment; built in forearm weapons, Acguy head (MA sensor head-unit)
Ver. 2.0: MA form modeled after a squid, where front 'nosecone' reveals a large gatling gun barrel (Kurojishi inspired), radome-style mono eye sensors (forearm mounted), wing/claw-like tentacles connected to back-pack
Ver. 2.5: Dynames cloak wrapped around leg
Ver. 3.0: Booster Pack
Ver. 4.0: Nautical back weapon system (Re-GZ inspired)
Ver. 5.0: Aquamaster inspired backpack
Ver. 6.0: Light armor

More pictures in the next post...

MSA-003J Nemo w/ Nautilus Equipment, Part 2

 Yesterday, I ordered the following kits for this project:

1/144 HGUC Nemo (Zeta ver.)

1/550 HG Mechanics Neue Ziel

In this entry, I will discuss ideas about the Nemo's weapon options.

Nemo, Type J: Weapons

I haven't decided on a code name or designation for this modified Nemo, so for the time being, I'll refer to it as MSA-003J or Type J (as in Jules.)

Since the the Nautilus will be purged upon landing, Type J will need weapons readily available with little-to-no load time. Built-in and easy-to-deploy melee or artillery weapons seem best suited for this scenario. Here are some examples.

Artillery

Methuss- Beam pistol

Arios- Submachine Guns

Blades

Crossbone X1- Brand Marker

Nataku, EW ver- Dragon Fangs

KMF Alexander- Unruna Edge Knives

Multipurpose

Superbia GN-X- GN Kunai (GN beam needle, GN Vulcan, GN Sword)

Type J should be equipped with a combination of melee (blade) and artillery (machine gun or vulcan cannon) as built-in weapons. The standard Nemo comes equipped with two beam sabers, stowed on the rear skirt armor. This is an ideal weapons rack area for other weapons, but it may be replaced with an extra propulsion pack (which could be purged with the Nautilus.) In many of the above examples, weapons are deployed using sub arm or rotatable sleeve that changes the position of the weapon from stowed to equipped. The advantage to this configuration is that the hands don't have to move, equipping a weapon is automated, not manual. 

However, in two cases (Arios and Alexander) the built in weapons can be deployed without use of the hands, which frees the hands for other uses and allows for continued operation if the hands are disabled. 

A third option is including melee weapons that convert into artillery weapons. These would need to be stowed somewhere on Type J and equipped manually. 

Cherudim- GN Beam Pistols II

The Crossbone Ghost X-0 Butterfly Busters are another great example. They convert from twin flintlock style pistols to a large, dual fed beam cutlass.

Next time

More on the Type J and Nautilus design ideas

Nemo w/ Nautilus Equipment, Part 1

For the past few months I've been reworking the concept for RGM Commander and I'm stuck, so I'm changing gears and working on a new project. I was considering a kitbash of two Zeon MS, like the Z'gok and Zaku or the Dom and Zaku, but the ideas weren't coming to me. I was organizing my Gunpla bookshelf and ran across the Superbia GN-X, an infiltration type GN-X with undersea equipment. 

Superbia GN-X (MA mode)

Background

Because the Principality of Zeon started it's MS research and development much sooner than EFSF, they began creating specialized MS and MA to suit specific environments. Project V was created in response to the Zeon's MS forces, hence the push for multi-purpose, space oriented MS. Whereas Zeon MS were created for specific purposes, specialized EFSF MS could dock with external boosters or equipment to navigate certain environments or deliver larger payloads (e.g. G-Fighter, G-Defenser, Dendrobium, F90 series, G-Falcon, etc.) EFSF MS also appear 'slimmer' when compared to Zeon MS, allowing for easier docking of external equipment. Zeon took strategic superiority in it's undersea operations by releasing a range of underwater capable MS and MA, leading to many covert, infiltration-type operations and surprise offensives (e.g. Attack on Jaburo.) EFSF produced the RAG-79 Aqua GM, but it was released in small numbers and suffered many design flaws.

Aqua GM (Unicorn OVA)

   

Early Concept

What if EFGF (ground forces) created a GM with undersea equipment that could be jettisoned?

When developing this concept, I began thinking in two parts: the core unit and the parts needed for the external equipment. Unlike many EFSF units, the Gundam head is exposed or a core fighter-like unit is used to transport and deliver the unit in space. The Superbia MA mode utilizes an armored "head" cover with a visor-like sensor array. Since EFSF hasn't developed MAs, this would fall outside of their technology---and finding a way to keep this project looking like an EFGF unit would be difficult. Ideally, I could use a mono-eye sensor, like the Gaza-C or the Hambrabi, but that's Zeon technology.

What if this was a Karaba unit instead?

Genius. Karaba was the Earth-based anti Titans faction during Zeta, and like the Titans at the time, utilized both EFSF and Zeon technology. Since they were an Earth based faction, versus the AEUG (space-based), this would stay in line with the UC universe. Karaba was responsible for producing the Guncannon Detector (a land based, artillery variation of  the Methuss), the Zeta Plus series (a mass-produced Zeta line), and the Nemo (a GM style grunt unit.)

What if the main unit was a Nemo instead of a GM?

To be frank, I don't like the 'look' of the Nemo very much, but I think a big factor is the original color scheme.

Nemo, Normal Type (Zeta)

As demonstrated in Gundam UC, changing the color scheme made a huge difference.

Nemo, Desert Type (Unicorn OVA)

Also, as an added benefit, pairing the Nemo with the "Nautilus" is both fitting and appropriate. I envision the Nautilus attaching in a similar manner to Nemo like the Superbia to the GN-X. The core MS (Nemo) will remain upright and the external equipment (Nautilus) will dock on top of the head/collar bone area, covering the upper torso section. The remaining stabilization binders will attach along the waist and hang out from the sides of the hips.

Nemo, Aqua Type

The Nemo will need to be modified for underwater use and with infiltration related weaponary. I will use the Nemo (Normal Type) as a base, because the orange visor will work best with the darker color scheme. Using the Aqua GM for inspiration, I will modify the Nemo by adding fins to the legs and adding fin-type vernier. I will probably remove the antenna on the head.

 

Suggested Armaments:

• Blades- daggers? short swords? kunai? combat knives? compact axes?
• Arm shield? (e.g. GM Semi-Striker, FA Gundam)
• Wrist-mounted Submachine guns (similar to Arios Gundam GNHW)

Next Time...

• Nautilus Concept: design, weapons, features
• Kitbash parts 

Switch Axe ver 1 (MH 3 Ult inspired)

Recently, I was made aware of the switch axe, as featured in Monster Hunter.

Clearly, I need to pay more attention to the cool weapons in video games for inspiration!

Click here for more on my redesign.

MS-09F/Gb Dom Gross Beil Upgrade C: Gb Axe Weapons Rack

I've started designing the next upgrade for the Dom Gross Beil: a weapons rack!

For comparison, here is the line art for the original.

weapons rack w/ Gb axe

weapons rack w/o Gb axe

weapons rack mechanism

Click here for more on my redesign.

GBWC 2013 Entry: MS-09F Gross Beil Type B

Last weekend I worked at Sakura Con 2013 on staff and managed to submit an entry for the annual Gundam Builders' World Cup competition.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL POST

I have RETURNED! At least I hope so...

Hello dear blog! I'm sorry I've avoided you for the past few months, but I've been busy with the job hunt and holidays. I have a job now, which means I can start funding my model addiction and (hopefully) have more time set aside for my hobbies.

This afternoon, I discovered that the MT 545 express bus, which departs across the street from my office, has a stop on the same block as the Redmond HobbyTown USA; this bus also runs every 10 minutes and fairly late. I just got paid and decided it was high time for some much needed supplies.

It was supposed to be a 1 hour round trip to Redmond, and I was budgeting myself at spending less than $20. Unfortunately, my trouble started when I thought I missed my stop and disembarked too soon. I wandered a scary business park with disappearing side walks, puddles, rain and speeding cars. Hopped a bus going the wrong direction, then crossed the interstate to catch a bus going the right way again. Walking the wrong direction and around 3 sides of a giant block that I shouldn't have, misreading Sleep Country USA for HobbyTown USA (same colors too) and when I finally reached my goal...I spent twice as much as I planned. I left work at 5:30pm, got there by 7:30pm, left at 7:45pm and got home at 9pm.

Was it worth it? Well, I got some supplies that I really needed to make awesome models.

• Superfine White Milliput (two part epoxy putty, clay like)
• Plastruct Bondene- liquid cement for styrene and ABS
• Un-Cure- CA remover = dissolves superglue
• Tamiya Masking Tape refill
• Squadron brand White putty (more pasty/liquid-like)
• Reinforced Dremel  Cut-off wheels (for sawing through metal rods)
• Fine point curved tweezers (for applying decals)

Shopping for hobby supplies is pretty boring compared to shopping for actual model kits, but I needed these to continue all of my current and future my hobby projects. I still need to tackle the spray booth issue, but I think I have enough to keep myself occupied for the time being.

Stay tuned for more model adventures!