Modified: HGGS 1/144 Astray Gold

One nice thing about the Astray is that its idea of partial armor plates seems to make it such a favorite when it comes to modifications. This is probably due to the fact that it looks like it's modified anyway. In my case, I simply armed it with the Red Astray's flight unit, with three added Caletvwlch sword/weapon systems. After that, I took the Blitz arms from the old HGGS kit, and did some polycap switching to get the right shoulder-to-chest armor separation.

I'm still a bit on the fence about keeping the katana with it, but so far it looks good with it.

Bandai: HGUC 1/144 Zeta Honoo GBF Variant (incomplete)

With the coming of Gundam Build Fighters, these seems to be a movement to retrofitting, so to speak, older HGUC kits, with new weapons and option parts. In this case, it's the HGUC Zeta, with the Honoo parts and the Gun/Blade variant of the Astray Caletvwlch sword.

I still have to get my hands on a Battle Arms set, so I can complete the other parts of the Honoo Zeta, aside from seeing if the incoming RG weapons set that includes the Zeta's large cannon will be compatible (it may be for the RG only...). I won't bother trying to get the Akatsuki's space backpack... for now.

As it is, here are some photos of the incomplete Zeta Honoo GBF Variant.

Kitbash: HGUC 1/144 Banshee Unicorn

This is actually an incomplete project at this point, given that I still have to get two more things (hehe) to kitbash and make it into its "final form."

Still, it looks pretty cool as it is, already.

I'm still thinking if it's worth it to keep the "deactive form." On the other hand, I do need a kit to hang extra stuff onto...

Suffering from Gunpla Burnout? Try Plamo!

Ever get that tired feeling with something you love doing, but for one reason or another it's been getting less and less fulfilling with every new project you do? That's what most people would call burnout. That state of mind where something you find fun and satisfying starts to become a chore.

Some say it's either the hobbyist, the community, or the franchise that's the main problem, but in my case it's a little bit of everything.


Earlier, at the start of the year I got tired of a full 2013 doing nothing but Gundam model kits (in 1/144, and halfheartedly finishing two 1/100). I was going through the aforementioned burnout phase. New work  messed up my schedule and split my concentration, and to be honest I've been growing tired with how little I've been learning and finishing since coming back to the hobby, not to mention how I've haven't found a solid group to integrate with (although I do really feel more comfortable as some wanderer on the fringes), I've been in the events, immersed in the scene, talked with the people in the hobby and a combination of everything above just killed my mojo for these tiny plastic robots.

Last year's work, not as much as I'd wanted done and not as fine, either. 

HGGS 1/144 Gundam Astray Gold Frame MBF-P01

So, this is one of the few times that I actually shelled out money for a limited-run or special run kit. The reasons for this are simple: I wanted to replicate my old Astray 1/100 set, so I could, well, sell off the larger set. I have to admit, it's more of a space-saving thing, so there's quite a bit of regret.

On the other hand, There are some features about the 1/144 Gold Astray that makes it better than the 1/100 version.

Links:
1/100 Gold Frame Astray
1/100 Amatsu Mina / 1/144 Amatsu Mina
Gundam Seed Entries


1) The body is pretty much the same as the originator of this kit series, the Blue Frame, so there's no need to go through all of it. Suffice to say, the only new things for this kit is the "stump" for the right arm (apparently, it lost an arm early on), and the bazooka that's supposed to go to the Duel Gundam. Otherwise, this is just a color variant of the Red Astray.

Sneak Peek: HGGS 1/144 Astray Gold Frame

1/144 Gold Frame and Amatsu Mina Astray Gundams: Brothers in, err, arm.

I've finally been able to duplicate most of my Astray 1/100 set faithfully in 1/144. I'm now seriously thinking of selling the larger 1/100 set, since I'm really not for gold plating and all that...

Links:
1/100 Gold Frame Astray
1/100 Amatsu Mina / 1/144 Amatsu Mina
Gundam Seed Entries

Will take more comparison and set shots in the future. For now, here's a teaser:

HGUC Zeon Kits: Marasai, Dra-C, Geara Doga, Geara Zulu, and Dreissen units

To complete this run of my favorite kits, here is a last set, mostly from kits that appeared in the Unicorn series. Do take note that for some of these kits, I have the non-Unicorn version.

1) Marasai and Dra-C - Both of these kits are great-looking for me. I like the Marasai because of the head gear. I've switched weapons on this one, using the Cima Gelgoog machine gun on it, since it looks better. The weapon loadout for the Dra-C is actually for the Unicorn version.

HGUC Zeon Kits: Hi-Zak, Gouf, and Dom

Continuing on my run of favorite kits in the HGUC 1/144 line, here are a few more kits.

1) Hi-Zak / Hi-Zack - These are supposedly evolved Zakus, and the name thing has always been a sticking point, so I included both spelling versions anyway. The one at the right is the Recon version of the Hi-Zak. I love that mecha to bits. Even if the radome head looks a bit ridiculuous, really.

HGUC Zeon Kits: 3 Gelgoogs and a Dom

Some of my old favorites.

1) Rick Dom-II and Gelgoog Jaeger - Beam Bazooka from Rick Dom, while the machine gun on the Jaeger is actually from the Officer's Gelgoog. Made a mistake attaching it, actual rifle should be an MG-42 mecha-sized beam weapon copy. I honestly do not remember there I got the panzerfaust on the left hand from.

HGUC 1/144 Aquatic/Amphibious Mobile Suits

I've had a fascination for Aquatic/Amphibious combat mecha, so here's a few of them from my collection.

1) Acguy: This is a fandom favorite. It has found new life as the base kit of all the Bearguy variations.

HGGS 1/144 Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina

I've been wanting to aqcuire this, and I'm waiting for the limited-run 1/144 Gold Astray to come in, so I can replicate in 1/144 my old 1/100 set*. All I need now is to buy me another 1/144 Blitz, so I can complete the "option" set parts. And probably another Red Frame Astray HG Unit, to get parts from.

*Here are the Astray Links that show my 1/100 set:

Vintage Kitbash: Gundam Astray Options
Vintage Kitbash: Astray Amatsu
Vintage Kitbash: Astray Gold with Blitz parts 

1) Full-dress Amatsu Mina Astray Frame:

2) Wings deployed:

HGGS 1/144 Astray Green Frame (Modified)

This is a rather recent addition to my 1/144 Astray collection, and as you can see, I've added some equipment that will hopefully make it look better. Bandai, you better have an improved version of this kit coming out soon!

Click here for more entries about Gundam Astray Kits.

 

 

HGBF 1/144 Sengoku Astray Gundam - "Asura" Type

This is a particular kitbash of mine, which I've lovingly named the Asura.

Essentially, I've combined the HGUC Sengoku Astray Gundam with the Gundam AstrayRed Frame (Flight Unit) backpack, flight unit pack, and weapons. The big sword is the Caletvwlch sword system.

1) This is the whole kit, laid out with all weapons removed. I actually prefer having the normal Astray backpack, rather than the "shield mask."

Review: HGUC 1/144 Victory Gundam (by Miko)

Hi! I'm Miko, one of the contributors to this blog. As my first post I'd like to show you guys a little review I made for one of my (now) favorite gunpla kits; The HGUC Victory Gundam.

Review: HGUC 1/144 ORX-000 Messala, Part 2

Welcome to the second part of the Messala review!

(Click here for the first part of the review)

Backpack
The backpack is a combination of both simplicity and a bit of complexity - the actual backpack "shell" part has a lot of moving parts, so that the thruster pods can be positioned correctly in both forms. The thruster pods themselves have a lot of empty space inside - you would almost suspect that they want people to do LED light-up mods...

However, even with all the joints in the backpack thruster connectors, the thruster pods still tend to hit the shoulders, given the design. These pods are also the reason why you have to balance the Messala carefully, if you're going to be showing it standing on the ground - the pods make the whole mecha top heavy - and at this point, they're mostly hollow!

Review: HGUC 1/144 ORX-000 Messala

Admittedly, I've been waiting for the Messala to be updated as an HGUC kit, though one reason for that, I will reveal later. As it is, it's one large and impressive-looking kit. The Messala is a historic mecha of sorts, being the first transformable mecha to appear in the Zeta Gundam anime series.

HGGS 1/144 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L: Add-Ons/Extras

I do believe that there have been many reviews of the rather lengthily-named Astray Blue Frame Second L. So, I won't be concentrating on a review on it, in so much as what possible add-ons or extras will go well with it.

 

Here are the pieces I used:
1) Bazooka and Shield from the original HGGS Astray Blue Frame
2) Leg launchers from the HGGS Ginn (I think it was the original variant that had this - will research and edit this one later)
3) FG Astray rifle (will explain later why it has to be the FG)
4) Hazel/HGUC-type shield clamp and button

First, for the bazooka, the problem is that the grip is to narrow. TO make it posable, I just added blue-tac to the inside of the fist. That way, it can stay in position.

This one was pointed out in quite a few reviews already: it's the leg slot where you can fit the Ginn leg launchers.

Now, the back of the arm does have a peg slot for a shield system - I suppose that this will come in useful, as the incoming Red Frame does have a shield. I found out that the HGUC shield clamp used in many other kits fights tightly with the peg hole. This makes it possible for the Blue Frame to carry the shield from the original. Do take note that I suspect that the peg hole can also mount the FG shields, but then, they would be mounted directly to the back of the arm, rather than on the side. That could make arm movements and posing awkward.

Now, about that FG rifle. Since the old FG astrays had simple hand designs, the trigger guard for the rifles has a gap so it can look like it has a finger on the trigger - even if it really doesn't. It's perfect for use with the left hand of the Blue Frame.

Here it is fully equipped. Not bad.

Sneak Peek: It must be, err, Fate.

 

Hello, all! Just fixing up the next review set. Lotsaparts!

Also, do check out Mecha Toys' update page in Facebook. Clicky!

Review: HGUC 1/144 AMS-129M Geara "Zee" Zulu

I'd been wanting to get one of these kits into my collection for a long time, and from the looks of how much stuff it's got, I heartily agree that this is one superior amphibious attack mecha. Based on the Geara Zulu frame (from Gundam Unicorn), the Zee Zulu is a sleeker aquatic version that can also function as a light infantry unit on land.

As you can see with the first photo, you're not lacking in equipment, though whether that equipment looks like it's really needed.... but more on that later.

This action pose, while it shows most of its weapons, is actually a bad idea - the machine gun is kept in an airtight aquatic case, which probably tells us that you'd never see this setup in an actual battle. Still, it looks cool.

This is how it probably looks like when it's already at the combat theater, but just waiting to jump from the water. Interesting use of comabt knives, such that the hand held knives become the thumbs for the claw hands, as created by the three claws that spring out from arm mounts.

When in transit, this is probably how it looks like, all weapons folded. again, very sleek, but I doubt it will win any points for stealth.

Now, about how those blades are stored - AWESOME. The dual-blade back sheathes are so retro and "ancient warrior"-like that it's a shame that most people won't see it once you've finished the kit. It can probably fit as an emergency set of weapons for the offidcer/Sauper type, too, if you can make the blade sheathes fit under the ammo belt and back pack.

 

This is how it looks like once it's discarded all the aquatic gear and is about to sortie. Personally, I think that if i were to get an actual kit for myself of this one, I'd ditch the flippers - they're a bit too ridiculous. Also, check out the shoulder details, very nice!

Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Review: HGUC 1/144 MS-06R1A Zaku II (Black Tri-stars)

I'll be honest, I wasn't all that hot about this particular Gundam kit - I'm not really a fan of the Black Tri-Stars in general (oh, for the days when their name was translated as the Black Trinary). However, upon assembling this kit, I was pleasantly surprised at the simple but well thought-out construction.

 

I admit, one issue for me was the lack of weaponry - Zaku kits are usually loaded for bear!

First off, the posability is topnotch for the upper body - a joint at the midsection and standard HGUC armo joints make sure of that. However, the legs are a bit more problematic. This isn't just a historical issue, but also one where the new lower legs are really by nature more limited in standing poses. The best solution would be to keep on some sort of stand, since it's meant to be a space unit anyway.

 

This is me trying to imitate a classic illustration/MSV pose.

The backpack is very detailed, but be warned, all white parts and the red hexagon are stickers. This unit will definitely teach you to get better at basic masking.

Just like the MG kits, it comes with two antenna types - the modern "wing" type, and the old spatula version.

This is the old spatula version, both antennae have nubs you have to cut off, as you can see.

The big interesting thing: the shoulder weapons mount. Here it is with all weapons mounted. I think I forgot to mount the circular clips for the machine gun. There are two clips, and both can be mounted at waist slots. You can also choose to use the RG System Weapons version.

This is a variant on how you can mount the bazooka. Apparently, you can mount the bazooka either through the claw clamp, or through a peg/slot.

 

I'm not sure if it's possible, but I think you can mount two bazookas into the weapons mount, barring any fit issues with the sensors and handgrips, when they're folded down.

Click here for more reviews of other kits.