New Frame Arms products; Hexa Gear, too

The new Frame Arms mecha looks impressive, but for some reason it's not hitting me where hype usually tags me. The Hexa Gear stuff, on the other hand, is making me have second thoughts about sticking only to Frame Arms. Good job on that one, Kotobukiya!

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=150728

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

Daily Mecha

Seen around the net:

1/144 TR-6 Woundwort

1/144 Custom kit: Volcano Astraea (Exia Avalanche parts mod)

1/144 Custom Kit: Shuffle Gundam (G-Gundam smorgasboard mod) 
 

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.

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.

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

I finally got my hands on the Battle Arms parts that were needed for the Honoo. Here are two of the photos. Unfortunately, the last thing needed to complete it is the Akatsuki's bits. While I do have those, I would rather not use them with this kit.

Here we go, then! And, the "incomplete version" is here; clickie!

Bandai HGUC Nu Gundam: Modified - Mobile Armor Mode

This is another one of my older modification or kitbash projects. One of the big weaknesses I already saw in the original design was that there was no way for it to arm itself except for the fin fannels, since both arms were essentially just support systems for the larger shields.

Frame Arms: Baselard and Zelfikar

And we're back! Apologies for the long rest, but had to take care of some stuff in real life. Anyway, here are more photos of the two Frame Arms Baselard kits that I swapped parts on. I'm tempted to call them Fingal and Dougal, but I'll probably have to get proper weapons, if that's the case.

This is actually the Zelfikar in full armor, with the original Baselard's gun and shield at the back (not seen very well in both photos). 

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. 

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: 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.

Kotobukiya Frame Arms: Modifications

So I decided to park most of the new weapons on one of my Zenrai Knight Units. I think I'll be needing more mecha.

Kotobukiya Frame Arms Modeling Support Goods - Gatling Gun, Ammo Drum, Sword Sets

This is the rest of the MSG sets I bought: two gatling guns that can be put together, the requisite ammunition drum, and the paired katana and wakizashi set.

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."

Kotobukiya Frame Arms: Modified Architect Frame

What I really like about the Frame Arms series is how you can literally just make your own mecha, no questions asked. Here's one that I made out of scratch parts and the new Grave Arms Heavy Weapons Add-on:

Architect Frame + Grave Arms + Zen Knight Bazooka Cross + assorted extra armor and weapons

Kotobukiya Frame Arms: Scratch Builds and Mods

This is an "improvement" over another design I've been showing around. Of note are the new shoulders (from the Griffen Extend Arms set),

Article - Adultescents: Playing in the fountain of youth

Here's another article I wrote for the Philippine Online Chronicles that touches on hobbies.

Adultescents: Playing in the fountain of youth

It’s one of the newer terms inspired by the mish-mash that is pop culture: the Adultescent.

Forever young
Do you have a friend who still acts and sometimes looks the same as he was in high school? Does he still dress up in clothes that belong to a younger generation? Is he totally immersed in youth culture, playing their games, listening to their songs, and watching the same TV shows?

Well then, chances are, you have a person who could be an adultescent. However, it’s not just acting young that makes the adultescent what he (or she – there are female versions, too!) is. And just like many things, there are both good and bad sides for adultescents.

Click here to read the full article at the Philippine Online Chronicles