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.

Campaign Parts Modification: Gundam 1.75

The Gundam 1.5 from  Gundam 00 is one of the more unusual designs, in that it's essentially two mecha in one, except that it's been modified from the Gundam 1 so that it does not have the remote gun bits anymore.

Thanks, however, to the power of promotional campaign parts, you can now combine some aspects of the Gundam 1 and the 1.5.

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:

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.

 

 

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.

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.

Review: Perfect Strike - Final Entry

This is my final entry on teh HGGS 1/144 Perfect Strike Gundam. I'll have some observations after the photos. As it is, enjoy!

I attempted to pose it as if it were charging into an enemy.

Tried to imitate the manual's action pose.

Close up

Using the sword as the primary weapon.

Using the claw system and the beam boomerang

Strike Noir can use the backpack, but nothing else in the system. Actually looks like a Destiny protoype.

The Dagger mecha barely works with the backpack. On the other hand, it can use the Launcher shoulder weapon.

The Akatsuki has trouble with the shoulders.

Observations:

1) The Strike itself is a Recolored variant, with a surface shine similar to the GFT types. The grey has been replaced with a metallic grey color.

2) It's actually difficult to maneuver the cannon into a good pose - and you'll have to remove the grip to do it, then just reattach the gun grip with the hand in place. As for the shield - you can't open the claw of the shield and keep it attached to the main body - it always has to be launched, with the line attached.

3) The original beam boomerang had a swivel-open handle, this new does not. That means you have to really open the top part of the first to fit the weapon in.

Final Word

It's a great kit to get, if only for the visual impact. However, do remember that it is by nature an older kit with a new weapons system. Also, if you wish for it to be more posable, I would suggest that you find the Grand Slam Sword Custom Kit Set, so you can upgrade the base Strike kit.

Update: Click on the following links for the other parts of this multi-part review:

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3



Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Review: Perfect Strike - Almost there...

 

I've been working a bit on the Perfect Strike. Observations:

1) I'll take back the idea that the mounting arm of the Launcher Cannon is less maneuverable than the FG version. It practically has the same range of motion, just a new way of distributing the joints and swivels.

2) The stickers are a pain. They are the best argument for just painting all the details.

3) The gaps between moving parts at the shoulder and the weapon mounts of that backpack are pretty close - proper posing is required.

4) The Sword system's claw shield is now attached using the shield clamp/posts. In the original, the shield was just clipped on to the arm - definitely a nightmare for painters at the time. However, this also means that you can;t use the standard Aile shield and the Sword Shield at the same time (If you really wanted to, though it would make the look more cluttered than it already is....).

5) It may be just my imagination, but I think the old HGGS Strike pieces are showing their age, in terms of sharpness of detail, as compared to the new Perfect parts. It's acceptable - the Strike kit has been around for a long time.

I'll be finishing this snap-build soon, before returning it to the owner (and having it exhibited...).

Update: Click on the following links for the other parts of this multi-part review:

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 4


Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Review: Perfect Strike - A Closer Look

I've gotten to the meat of the kit, so to speak, and that's how they integrated the Aile, Launcher and Sword packs into one unit.

In the first two photos, I compare the size of the backpack to the old HG Aile pack.

As can be expected, the new enlarged wings and the two pack systems just made it look bigger and meaner. I also get a lot of the Destiny Gundam vibe from this backpack.



However, one of the amazing things is that the main bulk of the backpack is essentially the same Aile pack parts. So what did they change? That's what the next pics are for.

It's here, at the final pic, that you can see what it really was all about. This one part ( the black horizontal piece that connects the weapons systems to the main pack, and also is the main connector to the Strike back area) makes the modification possible.

Update: Click on the following links for the other parts of this multi-part review:

Part 1 - Part 3 - Part 4







Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Review: A Perfect Strike...

Wings are based on a mix of the MG and PG. Perhaps it refers to the incoming MG Ver.2? Also, the Launcher's stabilizer arm has less articulation than the original version (came with an FG). Not sure if you can swap out parts (I need someone's help on that one, will contact ASAP).

The sword can't be used with the old FG - it doesn't have the peg hole for the mount. Still, it looks like they used the old FG parts as the basis for the weapons systems.

I was actually writing a bit, when a friend dropped this off at my place. Yes, It looks like a Perfect Strike, indeed.

Observations: 
1) Main kit really is the old HGGS Aile Strike. It has all the old parts for it, with slight recolors - the grey has become Metallic grey, for example.

2) The new parts are minimal, in the sense that there are no extra parts to change the Launcher and Sword pieces into searpate weapons systems (I guess they were happy enough with the RG versions).

I'll be assembling this by sections over the next few days.

Update: Click on the following links for the other parts of this multi-part review:

Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
 
Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Test Review: HGGS 1/144 Murasame

Hello all! I'm still a bit busy with work, so I'm just testing how reviews play out in the blog. 

Model Kit: 1/144 HGGS MVF-M11C Murasame (#39) Series: Gundam Seed: Destiny Mecha type: Transformable Mobile Suit (Atmospheric Fighter-type, second mode)

The Murasame is the frontline mass-production mobile suit of the Orb Union, one of the major factions in the Seed Destiny series. It's design is based on the older M1 Astray / M1 Astray Shrike, but it is notable in that it transforms into a jet fighter mode, serving as both a mobile suit and fighter aircraft. This makes it perfect for patrol, interceptor and heavy combat duties.



Head:
The head identifies the Murasame as an Astray descendent, with the basic large V-fin and rounded intakes at the sides of the head. Assembly-wise, the head is constructed in a standard fashion, with front and back head pieces, a red eye/chin piece, and a smaller white part that is the facemask. Head clearance from the shoulder is excellent, allowing the head to be posed extensively. Additionally, the neck tilts forward and back.

Backpack:
The torso is designed to unfold such that the front area becomes part of the nose cone of the fighter mode ? and it puts the MS cockpit into perfect fighter cockpit position. Unfortunately, the design makes the Murasame barrel-chested when looked at from the side, a fact that is not helped by the lowered chest vents and the narrow waist. The backpack has a tailfin that is connected via polycap, for movability. The wings are folded, too, in line with the sides of the backpack. The thickness of the torso and the backpack make for a somewhat ungainly balance.

On the better side, the shoulder double-hinges that facilitate transformation are well-constructed, even if they look flimsy. Internal construction for the torso and backpack pieces are relatively simple, with large parts, except for the chest vents.

Arms:
The arms are rather unusual in construction, with the shoulder armor plates made in one piece and made to fit over the actual shoulders via pegs that are held in place by U- shaped flanges. The elbow joints are unusual as well, as they are made of ABS material ? from the rotational joint to the actual elbow joint itself. The polycap shield mounts are not hidden at all, and thus the polycap parts are in plain sight.

The wrists and hands are standard design for Gundam Seed kits.

















Photo: Undercarriage shot

Waist/Hip: The hip area does not have the side skirt plates mounted on it via polycap ? the waist plates are mounted on the thigh itself (more on that later). The front skirt plates are molded as one piece, with both plates connected by a rod ? but the construction allows the rod to be cut, thus making the movement of both plates independent from each other. The hip/waist area is simple in construction.

Legs/Feet:
The thighs have the connectors for the side skirt plates, connected to it by a fragile-looking ABS part. The weapon mounts on the skirts can be rotated, for better positioning. The double-jointed kneed design is excellent; all polycaps are hidden. Due to transformation mechanics, the knee armor plate is connected to the upper thigh, not to the lower leg, and this looks unusual. The knee armor also houses a connection system for the landing gear parts.

The feet are similar in construction to the feet of the Impulse and the Abyss, such that the toes fold down to compress the feet in aircraft mode.






























Photos: Overhead shot, comparison with HGUC Zeta's Wave Rider mode.

Weapons/Accessories:
The Murasame comes with a rather long beam rifle (as long as one of the Murasame?s legs), and a beam saber, both of which can be mounted on the side skirt plugs. The saber comes with the actual saber beam itself.

The shield, which also acts as the nose cone and undercarriage of the Murasame in flight mode, is rather large, and tends to look like an oversized shovel. The nose area of the shield also has two swing-out fins that act as the Murasame?s nose canards in flight mode.

The Murasame kit comes with a variable-position stand, and the Murasame has attachment points for mounting.

Finally, the Murasame comes with four large missiles, which can be mounted two to a wing.

Observations:
The Murasame actually looks good over all, but does not look good in certain angles. The chest and backpack areas, in particular, are rather thick, and look ungainly. The transformation mechanics are excellent, though to transform it, a part has to be attached to the hips, and the arms have to be removed. There are no major problem areas, though the forward-swept wings feel particularly vulnerable at the swing-point.

However, the Murasame looks good in a dynamic pose, and the fighter plane form is excellent.
Assembly is very easy, and the seamlines are mostly hidden, or can be used as part of the "natural lines" of the kit.

















Photo: Murasame and HGUC Zeta comparison, MS forms.

Conclusion:
The Murasame is a kit worth buying, for the fact of its transformation and because it still manages to have that Astray Mystique. But compared to its UC predecessor, the Zeta (though I believe that it is more the ReGZ), the Murasame is not that good a design. But its basic look is still pleasing to the eye, and construction-wise, it is easier -- it has less parts-swapping for the two forms, making it more stable.

Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Gundam Review: HGGS Strike Frames (Test Article)

Hello, all! This is my first post, just testing the waters. The picture says it all, however, as this site will be dedicated to Gundams, mostly. I'll probably be posting reviews and observations, as I will leave the breaking news to others like Dalong, Ngee Khiong and the others.

So for now, cheers!