Bandai Gundam HG IBO 1/144 Flauros

I'm a sucker for transforming and gattai mecha, and the latest Gundam series, Tekketsu/Iron-Blooded Orphans, now has the Flauros. True to Gundam styling, it prioritizes the mecha form, while the transformed animal form seems to be a make-do, or twisted at the most. Still, it looks pretty good, and with the incoming additional weapons set, it should look even better.

Hobby no Toriko Link: http://hobbynotoriko.yumenogotoshi.com/hg-ibo-flauros.html

Bandai Armor Girls Project: Saber/Variable Excalibur

I've taken note of this armor girl before, but with these new reference photos, it really does look like a Fate/Saber version of the Astray Blue with its Back Weapon System.

I'll let the photos do most of the talking. I like how it has two sword versions, and that the sword variants are because of how it integrates additional armor into the figure.

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=145973

For the Astray reference:

Gundam Build Fighters: Transient Glacier

I already bought the initial variant of this, and to be honest, were it not for the fact that it has some special connector holes molded into some of the original parts, as it were, I would probably have just done a straight parts swap. However, given the fact that the overall color is a near polar opposite to the old Transient, I'll probably end up sticking with this variant over the old one.

http://hobbynotoriko.yumenogotoshi.com/hgbf-transient-g.html

Evolution Toys: Magnemo/Magnetic Ball goodness

After my experience with wobbly joints in my Microman toys (which had, of course, magnetic ball joints), I'm somewhat leery of these toys. However, One cannot fault the great retro styling, and the wonderful choices for toy pieces. As for the magnetic ball joints, if they can make some sort of industry standard for replacement magnets, then I'm all for it.

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=149790

Gundam: Bawoo - RE/100

I've long ago made my peace with deciding not to get 1/100 scale kits from the Gundam line (except for Astray kits, long story), but i have to admit, the Bawoo tempts me mightily to break that vow.

The Bawoo is a splitformer, in that it is made of two space fighter units that combine to form one full mecha. If I remember correctly, one of the fighters can be flown - or is flown - as a drone. This version of the bawoo is particularly chunky, and the detail to go with it just makes the whole package perfect.

From Hobby no Toriko:
http://hobbynotoriko.yumenogotoshi.com/re100-bawoo.html

Patlabor: Brocken Labor

With the Reboot incoming for Patlabor - and rightly so that it should be modernized - they're now coming out with a new Brocken labor toy. What makes this collection impressive s not so much the, err, power output at the crotch, but the inclusion of everyday items to give scale to the mecha. It makes for a great vignette or diorama feel.

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=146855

Sentimental reasons: The Zetaplus Gundam

I am already putting myself on a tighter budget, but this one kit, I really do have to get. It's the Zetaplus C1, and I had the original transforming kit of this, from the original Sentinels line of Bandai back in the '80s or '90s.

http://gtoys.blog48.fc2.com/blog-entry-10285.html

Some Gundams at the GBWC Japan leg

Here are some of the nice Gundam kits I saw at this entry about the Japan GBWC for 2016.

http://gundamguy.blogspot.com/2016/11/gunpla-builders-world-cup-gbwc-2016_19.html

Gundam Build Fighters TRY: Super Fumina, Titans Colors

It seems that mixing mecha and loli or almost-loli girls is the order of the day (re: Frame Arms Girls), but in this case, it's Gundam. I actually like the mecha components, I just wish it wasn't so, err, French. Still, c'est la vie!

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/taka421jp/57718574.html

Instagram Photo Archive: MG Astrays

I do have a soft spot for the Astrays.

I decided to remove the converted Aile Pack from the Astray D, and then just put in the Tactical Arms. Surprisngly, it looked even better. I also left the thigh-mounted knives in.

Here's another shot, with full backpack and the TA.

Instagram Photo Archive: Burning Gundam

Although I already do have the Try Burning Gundam upgrade mecha, I did have some ideas or the Burning Gundam that were... somewhat unusual.
 

Click here for more HGBF Gundam Build Fighter articles

Instagram Photo Archives: Amazing Red Warrior, Dynames, Lightning Gundam, Rinascita

HG00 Dynames Arms Arms w/ Extra parts
I wasn't satisfied with  the fact that it couldn't hold on to a truly full complement of weapons, so I added two equip arms at the sides.

HGBF Lightning Gundam with both Backpacks
Aside from having both backpacks equipped, this also has a Powereder Arms set equipped, and a few other things. I've streamlined the idea lately, and I think this one has to have its own photo shoot.  I might actually remove the Powereder parts, as it may look similar to another build I thought of... 

HGBF Amazing Red Warrior
Added another set of Red Warrior parts, and some campaign parts. I got the idea from the Dynames Arms Arms unit.

HGBF Wing Idea
This idea is still in development, but it promises to be the most "SRW" of the lot.

Instagram Photo Archives: HGBF Gundam Modification Ideas

Hello, all! It seems that I'm becoming a bit too busy with other stuff, and I tend to whip out my mobile device to take instagram photos more. However, I really would like a more permanent record of the stuff I put in my instagram feed. So for now, I'll be doing photo archive entries when I find that I'm getting busy with other stuff.

Here are some of the HGBF ideas I've been putting up in my Instagram feed.

HGAGE AGE-2 with Artemis Parts
Originally seen in this entry, I'll definitely have to do a more detailed photo shoot of this particular kit.

HGBF Mega Shiki "Three"
This is another one that deserves a better photo shoot. I have to say, though, that the connector parts for this one are rather fragile. 

HGUC/HGBF Zeta with Honoo and MS Weapons upgrades
To be honest, this was supposed to be a "finished" deal, but we'll see how the incoming Lightning Zeta kit will fare with the add-ons.

Archived from Instagram: Gundam Astray Noir and Regenes Impulse

Just putting up some photos of two kits that have been in my Gundam kitbash sights lately. Originally posted in The Eclectic Chair.

Astray Noir

The Astray Noir is a limited-run kit that I figured I could do some kitbashing on. In this case, i didn't bother to try and assemble the Noir pack it came with, I simply used the Noir Pack from my original Strike Noir. Also I removed the katana blades that were attached to the pistols. While the idea of a gunblade sounds good in theory, the execution was awkward. After that, I also armed it with Duel rifles, and the shield from the Strike Noir.

Regenes Impulse

Aside from the Destiny backpack and the head parts I acquired to get the non-spiked monoeye look, this is basically the old MG Impulse that I have. I've stowed the Destiny pack into storage, so here it is with a ver.1 MG Aile Pack. I have to say, it looks like the Dagger Strike in this photo.

I'll probably have more photo ops coming up, as this two-set also tested to see how my old hangar functions as a photo booth after all this time.

Bandai HGBF Burning Gundam with Mercury Lev / Rev Parts

So, I'd been looking for the Mercury Rev Parts for both the Strike and the Nu Gundam, and thanks to a friend, I was able to get my hands on both of them. I ended up marveling at the idea of how a weapons system based on Swiss Army knives would be such an innovative thing for the Gundam Build Fighter series.

Anyway, here is my take on it, where the "standard" Mercury Rev (or Lev) parts are mounted on the Burning Gundam. Not sure if that makes it a good-looking but weaker retrofit, but at least it allows for more weapon options.

Click here for more HGBF Gundam Build Fighter articles

Update: Bandai HGUC Nu Gundam: Modified - Mobile Armor Mode + Shield Fighter

In the original kitbash, I basically had an HWS Nu Gundam with two shields, twelve funnels, and some pieces from my first Battle Arms set. However, as time went on, the real joke was that the design made my Nu practically immovable.

However, once I was able to acquire some Mercury Lev pieces, it opened up the mecha design.

I. Main MechaDo take note that the pieces used are from both the Strike and Nu Lev parts. There are so many more connector parts, and I suspect they will be very useful in the future.

II. Shield Fighter
The shield fighter is essentially the main body of the Battle Arms system, with two folding arms attached to the cannon/support piece that can attach to the backpack of the Nu. Needless to say, this Shield fighter can fully integrate into the Nu, which appeals to my Super Robot sensibilities.
 

I will most probably close further mods on this kit, so it can finally get properly painted.

For more of my kitbashes using HGBC or HGBF (Gundam Build Fighter) units, click here.

Expansion: Bandai HGBF/HGUC 1/144 "Titan Assault" (RX-178 Mark-II) Gundam + HGBC Powered Arms Powereder

I'm a fan of waiting for better stuff to come in, and in this case, it was in the form of the HGBC 1/144 Powered Arms Powereder pack. Essentially, I attached this to the Titan Assault Gundam that I had before.

B&W Challenge: Mecha Toy Photography, Part Five

HGCE and HGBF Perfect and Build Strike Gundam Kitbash

B&W Challenge: Mecha Toy Photography, Part Four

Combined HGBF and HGUC RX-178 Mark II Gundam parts, with HGUC Advance of Zeta Hazel parts kitbashed as well.

B&W Challenge: Mecha Toy Photography, Part Three

HGUC 1/144 Gundam GM Quel and Hazel kitbash, with HGBF Sniper parts