Gundam Unicorn MSV: ReBawoo

The original Bawoo unit is one of my favorite designs, so it's no surprise that I have a soft spot for this bawoo variant, that's supposed to be an ace version for use by a main character in Gundam Unicorn.

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=147123

Bandai HGUC Unicorn Gundam Banshee, Modified: Chimera Loadout

Finally.

This is - hopefully - the last version of this Banshee kit. I'm tempted to buy yet another Unicorn Banshee Norn in Destroy mode just to get a third DE shield, but I think this looks good for now.

For an older article on this kit, click here.

Another article is located here.

For the inspiration to go double-shield, it's the Phenex. Click here.

Kitbash: HGUC 1/144 Banshee Unicorn

This is actually an incomplete project at this point, given that I still have to get two more things (hehe) to kitbash and make it into its "final form."

Still, it looks pretty cool as it is, already.

I'm still thinking if it's worth it to keep the "deactive form." On the other hand, I do need a kit to hang extra stuff onto...

HGUC Zeon Kits: Marasai, Dra-C, Geara Doga, Geara Zulu, and Dreissen units

To complete this run of my favorite kits, here is a last set, mostly from kits that appeared in the Unicorn series. Do take note that for some of these kits, I have the non-Unicorn version.

1) Marasai and Dra-C - Both of these kits are great-looking for me. I like the Marasai because of the head gear. I've switched weapons on this one, using the Cima Gelgoog machine gun on it, since it looks better. The weapon loadout for the Dra-C is actually for the Unicorn version.

HGUC 1/144 RX-0 Gundam Unicorn 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] Ver.GFT - Review

I admit, I do have a fetish for the Gundam Unicorn design, though some of my friends find it entirely too complicated. I also admit that I sold my MG 1/100 version of it, since i found it too fragile. However, the 1/144 model kits seem to be a fair representation of the kit, even though you have to buy two kits for the different mecha modes.

And now, the latest version of the Unicorn is the supposed third version, the Phenex. I actually thought the name was a piece of Engrish, but apparently, Phenex is an actual name - a demon who appears as a Phoenix, and is a patron of sciences and art.

Click here for more information on the Phenex, from the Gundam Wikia.

Bandai HGUC 1/144 Banshee Gundam Kitbash

Okay, so I thought it would be a great idea to combine as many of the Banshee weapons systems into one unit as possible, and then include the Unicorn FA Weapons System. It actually was, until the Phoenix came along. Ah, well, such is life. This mecha kitbash will still look good in my future display case.

Review: MG 1/100 RGM-96X Jesta, Part 2

Welcome to the second part of my review of the MG Jesta. We're going tackle a few more things about the kit, stuff that I haven't covered in the first part.

I. Accessories: Shield

The shield is an asymmetrical take on the original Jegan's shield, where both grenade launchers are mounted on one side only. In the model kit, however, the big weakness of the shield is the attachment point to the backpack. There's no two ways around it, you must affix the equip arm to the backpack connector with something like white glue, or in my case, blue-tac. It's a bit disappointing, and given how stiff the joints are for the shield's equip arm (though the ways you can pose the shield thanks to it is a pleasant surprise), it's a break-point for the design.

 

II. Backpack
The "mobility" of the thrusters is a pleasant surprise, but the real deal is the polycap slot at the top of the back pack, as it is definitely a plug-in for the Jesta Cannon variant, I am sure. In the picture below, I've removed the top armor pieces and the top plate that covers the polycap slot.

III. Torso and Arms / Weapons and Equipment Storage
I have no complaints for the saber mount, as the design of Gundam saber handles really does mean that you have to take care of the attachment spike. On the right arm, you have space for three e-clips (or clips for solid shells, I always get confused with the rifle specs in Gundam, whether energy weapon or shell-firing). What I don't like about it is that the clips hold on by friction - again, blue-tac to the rescue, in the event the attachment becomes loose.

The rifle mount in the backplate is par for the course in Gundam Designs. By the way, the rifle's scope system and forward handle are removable. I didn't think of it much at first, but I just realized now that it paves the way for the rifle mods of the Jesta Cannon.

Conclusion
This is a great kit to have, but I will always have issues about the ankle jointing, as it makes the kit unnecessarily sensitive to what pose you can put it in without it falling over. My other issues are the shield equip arm mount, and the hands, which I feel are unnecessarily jointed (fixed hands would be better, and that's what the new Gunpla Builder Parts are for). Still, it's a great-looking kit, and sure to be a conversation piece.

And yes, there are provisions for the Jesta Cannon, so make of that what you will.

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Review: MG 1/100 RGM-96X Jesta

When this kit was sent to me for review, I knew about all the hype surrounding it, given that it was, practically the Ace-Mecha Unicorn update for the Jegan (For more on the Jesta's story, click on this link).

Here are my thoughts on the kit...

I. The head
I'd have to say that the big appeal of the head is the fact that it looks like a normal man wearing a helmet, similar to the Aries in Gundam Wing. That being said, it was farily easy to do, construction-wise.

As expected these days, there is a provision for Badnai's MG light-up systems, set in the base of the neck and upper chest area.

II. Torso / Arms
1) The cockpit is simpler in terms of mechanics than the usual fiddly bits from other non-UC timeline kits. however, the way the upper chest plate locks into place actually makes opening the cockpit difficult. Given that there isn't much detail inside, this should be no problem - just deal the cockpit if you have no intentions of showing it off.

2) The torso now follows the modern construction where there is both a waist-mounted ball joint, and another joint in the midsection, for more posability. Construction, again, is amazingly simple. The shoulder mechanics may look confusing at first, but in terms of construction, again, very simple. The sad part is, unless you will show the kit off in extreme poses, you won't have much need for the superior shoudler joint articulation (hence why I didn't take photos of it...). 

3) The arms also have simplified construction - to be honest I felt like I was assembling a larger version of an HGUC 1/144 kit. The hands, though, are the new super-posable ones. My advice? Get the 1/100 hand sets from Bandai and replace them. They're great for detail, but will be a nightmare in construction and painting. 

4) The Jesta follows the asymmetrical load out logic that the Nu Gundam started for the arms, with a saber mount in the left forearm, and storage for three energy clips on the right.

5) Hip articulation includes the new rotating platform common in MG kits today. I personally think that this is a weakness, but so far, it looks sturdy enough - if you're not going to change the hip mount position. Unfortunately, if you want to do all the great kneeling or genuflecting positions, then you really have to reposition the peg holes in the circular hip platform.

III. Legs / Feet
1) I've already covered the hip joints in the Torso section, but here, my main beef is with the knees. If you look closely here in the first photo in this section, you'll notice that the joints can be popped out, extending clearance from knee joint to lower leg armor by roughly a centimeter. The next two photos will show exactly how much that affects mobility. I can honestly say.... why didn't they just redesign the armor? My only justification for this is that the skeleton may be used for another unit or variant kit (we'll be getting to that later).

2) the feet and ankle joints are a problem. If you want the kit to be displayed in a relaxed standing position, do make sure to add blue-tac or white glue to the joints. Otherwise, the kit will keel over one way or the other.

IV. Other Details, Part 1
1) If you're going to have grenade racks... well, to be fair, you could cut off the plastic parts that connect all three grenades together. I guess it's for stability, since it's very easy to lose grenade parts at that size.

2) Remember what I said that there could be variant kits? well, there is this swing-out part in the waist plate (see photo below, the left waist plate's top area) that is a confirmation of plans for a Jesta Cannon. I doubt the EWAC Jesta will come out, though.

 

That's all for now, and tune in for the second part of this review, coming soon!

ADDED: Click here for the second part of the review.

Click here for more reviews!

Incoming: MG 1/100 Jesta

Sorry for the wait, had to take care of some real-world concerns for the past few weeks.

Up next for our reviews is the MG Jesta. It's a favored design from the Gundam Unicorn Series. Will get to it as soon as possible, cheers!

Review: HGUC 1/144 AMS-129M Geara "Zee" Zulu

I'd been wanting to get one of these kits into my collection for a long time, and from the looks of how much stuff it's got, I heartily agree that this is one superior amphibious attack mecha. Based on the Geara Zulu frame (from Gundam Unicorn), the Zee Zulu is a sleeker aquatic version that can also function as a light infantry unit on land.

As you can see with the first photo, you're not lacking in equipment, though whether that equipment looks like it's really needed.... but more on that later.

This action pose, while it shows most of its weapons, is actually a bad idea - the machine gun is kept in an airtight aquatic case, which probably tells us that you'd never see this setup in an actual battle. Still, it looks cool.

This is how it probably looks like when it's already at the combat theater, but just waiting to jump from the water. Interesting use of comabt knives, such that the hand held knives become the thumbs for the claw hands, as created by the three claws that spring out from arm mounts.

When in transit, this is probably how it looks like, all weapons folded. again, very sleek, but I doubt it will win any points for stealth.

Now, about how those blades are stored - AWESOME. The dual-blade back sheathes are so retro and "ancient warrior"-like that it's a shame that most people won't see it once you've finished the kit. It can probably fit as an emergency set of weapons for the offidcer/Sauper type, too, if you can make the blade sheathes fit under the ammo belt and back pack.

 

This is how it looks like once it's discarded all the aquatic gear and is about to sortie. Personally, I think that if i were to get an actual kit for myself of this one, I'd ditch the flippers - they're a bit too ridiculous. Also, check out the shoulder details, very nice!

Click here for more reviews of other kits.

Gundam Gunpla Mecha Anime Model Kit Assembly

Finished some Gundam/Gunpla basic assembly requests for Bankee. The name of the event is the 2012 SM Toy Kingdom Toy Expo, it should be from Wednesday to Sunday.

Here are some photos. Click ont he photos to see them in larger sizes:
 
This is the new HGUC Anksha. I'd actually thought it was just a variant of the old HGUC Asshimar, but it's not - whole it may share some parts and similar structure, it uses a more modern polycap set (same type used in the HGUC Nu kit) and has a btter range of movement and poportions.

I'd love to get my own kit of this - looks like a lot of fun, and can carry one other mecha (a la Base Jabber) when in Flight mode.

I also assembled the two pirate-themed kits from AGE. I like them both, but I prefer the faceplate detail of the JackEdge over the Dark Hound. On the other hand, the Dark Hound AGE-2 has those great wings/weapons systems.

 

I'll see if I can get more photos - as you can see, I also assembled a Delta Gundam.