Gundam Modifications: Strike "Kong"

This particular Gundam modification was done with the use of some special HGBF campaign parts, and an add-on set normally used for the XN-Raiser mod of the 00 Gundam.

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:

Mecha and Bricks

Hello all!

Most of my friends know I'm a person who's into a lot of different things.

My day job has me developing mobile applications for Android and iOS.  I also play bass for the alternative band Blue with Envy

As a self proclaimed geek I've gone through collectible card games (top ranked in asia for the late lamented VS), video games, books and various other geek pursuits.

As for Gundam I first got introduced to it via an unsubbed pirated betamax copy of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memories way back in 1992.  Before that I was huge fan of giant robo like Voltes V, Daimos, Mazinger Z and Mekanda Robot.

Before I got into gunpla I was heavy into scale modelling particularly jets from the 70s and 80s.  I was also a big fan of Lego. In fact my favorite toy was my large collection of Lego toys that started when my parents first gave me a set when I was 3 way back in 1978.

My first gunpla was an old 1/144 Wing Zero Gundam pictured below:

Picture from: http://joesgunpla.blogspot.com/2010/09/1144-wing-gundam.html

So I managed to get a couple of kits with a lot from the Seed series as well as the Double 00 mechas.  Along the way there were also a few from Macross Frontier.

But sometime in 2010 I was able to come across a few small sets of Lego on sale and it rekindled my obsession with the little plastic bricks.  Come 2011 I had to pick one hobby to maintain and Lego had won out.  Lego and other bricktoys have been more of an obsession of mine than gunpla ever was. It was put to a stop when I was in highschool and robbers broke into our old house in Muntinlupa.  We woke up before they were able to make off with our stuff but they did snatch my big box of Legos.  

With the burgeoning industry in China of lego-like toys and the amount of tie ups Lego had with other intellectual property like Star Wars, Marvel and DC Comics, it was a great time to get back into the toy that I most love.


Here are some examples of Lego and various brick toys:

Lego Minifigs retro robots

Hasbro Kre-O Transformers

Sluban Red Flamingo Transformable Fighter

But leaving Gunpla for Brick toys did not mean I would also leave my liking for Gundam because of stuff like this all over the intarwebz:


Lego V Gundam:

Image from: http://ravenrepublic.net/2010/02/11/most-awesome-lego-mech-ever/

And here's the original Japanese site: Lego V2 Gundam

Even Macross's legendary co-creator Shoji Kawamori uses Lego bricks to explore some of his mecha designs as chronicled here.

Image from: crunchyroll.com

So eventually I want to be able to build this:

Lego Macross Valkyrie that actually transforms

Image from: http://kotaku.com/macross-robotech-lego-that-transforms-i-can-die-now-473075192

Or this:

But for now I have to content myself with mecha kits from Lego and Chinese manufacturer Star Diamond like:

Star Diamond Super Blocks Deformation Soldiers

Lego Chima

I will be posting my reviews of Lego and brick toy mecha sets in these pages for the foreseeable future.  If you are interested in more Lego and brick toy reviews you can also check my brick toys blog: Brick Stories.


Until the next time!

*click here for more Lego articles

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.

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!