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. 

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:

MG 1/100 Astray Red Frame

Although I basically prefer 1/144 scale now, i still do have some 1/100 kits. This is one particular favorite, the MG 1/100 Astray Red Frame.

1) If you're wondering what the weird clay-like stuff is on the sword's "wing roots," they're sticky-tac. It's one of the weaknesses of the construction - ABS-to-ABS joints. Shield is from an MG Strike, and I replaced the right katana with an extra Blue Frame dagger. Spare sword hilt comes with the kit.