Gundam 0000, commencing armed intervention!

WIP 1
WIP 2

Warning: Pic Heavy!

This project was actually completed way back in April, but I never got to take pictures of the finished product until yesterday. I built a fairly simple catapult themed base out of a plastic chopping board, some parts from an HG guntank, floppy drive components, plastic beams and sheets.

More info and pics after the jump:

Extreme Gundam Makeover - Masters Edition

I don't believe I've been into gunpla modelling long enough to know who the "greats" of this hobby really are, but allow me to share those I have discovered over the past year. Thanks to the internet, I've been able to follow a lot of awe inspiring builders - and I'd be lying if I said I didn't pick up a few things from their generous sharing of pictures online - both of finished projects and works in progress alike. So although they do not know who I am, I'd like to thank them for helping me out, for showing me the way of the gunpla ninja, and for inspiring me to go that extra mile with each build I undertake.

I can think if no better way to show my appreciation than by honouring their works here on my blog. I'm sure many of my visitors have seen these works elsewhere, but for those who haven't, I've included links to the web sources so you can do your own research.

Let me start with my favourite build to date: Shunneige's MG Nu Ver Ka.

--> SHUNNEIGE'S BLOG

The attention to detail on this piece is nothing short of astonishing. As opposed to the commonplace adding of plates and scribing of lines here and there, Shunneige (not sure if this is his real name) raises the bar to a level very few can achieve by actually changing the overall look and stance of the model. Thanks to google translate (his blog is in Japanese), I was able to somewhat understand the reasons behind each modification, especially the changes in proportion and shifts in center of mass. This build has served as the main reference for my ongoing EXS project, despite it being a different kit altogether. Make sure to check out his Strike and Sinanju too, as both are equally as awesome as this one.

Click on the Read More link to see the rest of this post...

MG EX-S (daban) WIP 2

This is WIP 2 for the MG EX-S. You can find WIP 1 here: WIP 1

I've been making slow but steady progress on this project. Here's what I've done so far...

I went with a simpler hole for the shoulders than what I have on my Quill sketches, but there will still be some plating to do to make it look more intricate. The image below shows my method for opening up panels. First, I sketch on the part with a pencil. When I am happy with the design, I drill the corners of the shape with a pin vise. Using Dymo tape as a guide, I then scribe the shape out. I do this lightly at first to get the edges straight, then add more pressure and scribe as deep as i possibly can. The deeper I can scribe, the less work I have to do with a hobby knife. I then cut the shape out carefully with the knife and clean out the edges with sandpaper. The same method was used to do the chest holes.

click on the Read More link to see the rest of this post...

MG EX-S (daban) WIP 1

I started this project in April and have been making slow progress...being a dad leaves very little time for your hobbies! Anyway, here is what I have done so far:

click on "read more" to see the rest of this post...

Baby On Board!

I guess you've all been wondering why there have been no updates for over a month now. Well here is the reason: after 9 months of anxious waiting, my baby is finally here! Born at 8:40am of March 1st, weighing in at 2.9 kilos - I present to you, Marcus Aro!

Android Relapse

(Warning: Pic Heavy!)

In the midst of our baby preparations, my transition from consultant to permanent employee, and my ongoing gunpla projects - I was reacquainted with one of my previous otaku fixations: Android devices. After a visit with my mom I found myself in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note, handed down (or up?) to me from my youngest sibling - who recently decided to discontinue paying for the device in favour of a PS Vita. I told him he was nuts for switching to something that does less, but he is more of a hardcore gamer and our priorities are simply not the same. In any case, here I am, with a 2nd-hand android phone and after a few minutes of fooling around with it, I was hooked...again. I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this, but I actually sold my last android device (a Samsung Galaxy Tab) almost a year ago, so that I could split the cost of an airbrush set with my brother-in-law. Out with the old and in with the new, as the saying goes - and it has always been that way for me and my hobbies. Occasionally though, relapses happen.

7 Sword WIP 2

Just a quick update: decals and flat coat are done, all that's left now is to install LEDs, and possibly a base. Less talk more pics!

Click on the Read More link to see the rest of this post:

DIY Decals WIP 2 and 7 Sword WIP 1

(WARNING: PIC HEAVY)

I've been pretty busy these past few weeks, and my current projects have been throttled down to a snail's pace. I finished designing the custom decals, and sent it to a local decal producer for printing.

I was planning on printing these myself, but I discovered that the black ink cartridge in our home printer was already empty. At Php500 including shipping for an A4 sized sheet of all-custom decals, its still budget friendly...

(click on the read more link for the whole story...)

DIY Decals WIP 1

I'm in the middle of building the MG 7-sword, and I realized that the decals that came with the kit are a bit lacking. You've probably noticed that I like having lots of decals on my models, and the 7 sword should be no exception. The problem is, I couldn't find any waterslide decals for this model at the local hobby stores, and the last time I ordered from SamuelDecal it took over a month to get here (not samuel's fault BTW - the crappy local mailing system of the Philippines is to blame) So what is an otaku to do? Make his own decals of course!

"Banagher Links, launching!"

This project went smoothly, and I was able to finish in about 5 weeks time from initial snap-build to final top coat. The build is fairly straightforward - with very few panel lines and rivets added to break up blank armor panels. I went with my planned color scheme although the blues and greys ended up on different parts. The shading is a bit more subdued than I intended ( I didn't expect mr.hobby white to have such good coverage LOL). Tamiya panel line enamel was used for panel lines, and lots of decals give it that "ver.Ka" feel.

for more pics and info click on the Read More link..

Knockoff your socks off...

(shelves at a knockoff store)

I was having a discussion recently with a fellow gunpla otaku and I felt like I had to clear the air and set things straight regarding my stand on knockoff models. I do not promote bootleg kits, nor am I encouraging anyone to buy them. The quality is always poorer than the original. I do not deny purchasing and building knockoffs, but that doesn’t mean you should…You do not see a guy jump off of a bridge on TV and decide you can do the same because you like jumping..or bridges…that’s  just plain stupid. My advice would go like this: before you get into this hobby, decide what kind of collector / builder you want to be. Are you a purist? Someone who likes to have the branded stuff because you don’t like worrying about quality? Do you like the prestige of an all-original collection? Do you hate the idea of a replica? In that case, go Bandai…That is, if you can afford it. How often do you intend to buy kits? How fast do you build? Do you like to paint or modify, or do you just put a kit together as fast as you can, shelve it and move to the next one? Do you intend to compete? Are your kits for your eyes only? All these things come into play when getting into a hobby like this, or any hobby that involves stuff getting displayed in some manner...

Omedetou Gozaimasu Kampfer!

After waiting for what seemed like a universal century...the results are in - and the Kampfer Desolator made 3rd place!

Click on Read More to see the complete list of winners and their entries: