Manga: Red Astray Powered Option Set

As always, the Astray mini-franchise from the Gundam 'verse has some outrageous designs that translate well to toys. The Powered Option Set for the Red Astray is one such design, and here's the manga:

Taghobby Link: http://www.taghobby.com/?p=153098

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:

Full Armored Saber?

It seems that the idea of Weapon as Armor has come to the Fate's Saber.

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

 

It's no surprise, given the existence of the Gundam Astray Second Frame.

http://gundamguy.blogspot.com/2013/05/hg-1144-gundam-astray-blue-frame-2nd-l_10.html

Daily Mecha: Machine Robo, More Gundams

Getta Robo Toys - And some Jeeg and Mazingers

Blackbird Machine Robo

 

Bandai Metal Build "Mars Jacket" Astray. That's a big sword. 

 

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.

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.

Assorted Gundams

I've admittedly had some backlog when it comes to taking photos, and for some reason, I just ended up putting them in Facebook albums. Here are some of those photos, now properly given context.

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.

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.

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."

Bandai HGGS 1/144 MBF-P03 Astray Blue Frame Second L - Review - Part 2

Welcome back!

I'd like to apologize for the long wait, but things got a bit busy in real life. Anyway, here's the second part of the Blue Astray Review.

Gundam Wikia: MBF-P03 Second L
MAHQ.net: MBF-P03 Second L
Click here for the first part of the review

The Tactical Arms Weapons System
I'm a big fan of multiple-mode weapons systems, but even I have to admit, the TA system for the Blue Astray was quite a surprise. It's a flight pack with a "tailgun" that transforms into a cannon/artillery unit, and of course, it has a BFG (Big F***ing Sword) mode.

We've already seen it in the flight mode in the first part of the interview, and as observed, it didn;t look too good in it. Here, in Gun/Cannon mode, it looks passable.

The two ammo clips at top and bottom are stored at the back waist plates.

Bandai HGGS 1/144 MBF-P03 Astray Blue Frame Second L - Review

This is one of my favorite designs from Gundam Seed - scratch that, from all Gundam! The basic design is known as the Astray, and this particular variant is known as the Astray Blue, Second L.

In a nut shell, this mecha is an upgraded unit, now boasting of a multiple-mode weapon and propulsion system known as the Tactical Arms, which has three modes: a winged flight pack, a gun system, and a large sword with rocket thrusters.

For more information, you can check out the history in the following links:

Gundam Wikia: MBF-P03 Second L
MAHQ.net: MBF-P03 Second L

Yes, it can be balanced while at a relaxed stance - but not with a straight-on, equal-footing stance.

Vintage Kitbash: Astray Gold with Blitz parts

Now, this is a bit funny in origin. I had gotten a Gold Astray, and at the same time, I had a scrapped Blitz Gundam with a broken leg and missing head pieces. And since the Amatsu came out with Blitz Gundam parts, I decided to emulate it with this one, as well.

Vintage Kitbash: Astray Amatsu

Some further photos on my kitbashed Astrays. In this case, I minimized the weapons load out of the Amatsu type. In retrospect, though, I think I'll remove the long missiles.

Vintage Kitbash: Gundam Astray Options

I've been going through my old stuff, looking for what I can sell, and I'm coming across ideas that, though old, I should really get into a "done" status.

Here's one: I'd always pictured that the Astrays from Gundam Seed would be a bit more modular - so I came up with this: A pair of Astrays - Normal and Amatsu - that have an option set of weapons and arms. To be honest, though, if I had more budget, I'd get myself two red astrays and then remove as much of the gold plated parts as possible.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy! I'll probably do more shots of this set... After I take photos of other stuff I found... (wink-wink!)

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.