Sound activated LED

For those of you who have built the Master Grade Gundam Exia, I bet that it is a hassle to activate the LED in the chest right? I risk scratching the paint job and adding finger prints all over the kit. Well, Hobbymate  has just solved my problem with a sound activated LED.  Now all i need to do is snap my fingers and the light will come right on! How cool is that? 

Stocks will be in next month so keep your fingers crossed!!! 

Video courtesy of HM.

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Formania RX-93 Nu Gundam - First Look

After a long wait, I finally got my hands on this hot property. Needless to say, I opened the box the moment I stepped into my house. I was not disappointed at all. First, the packaging is very attractive. I am particularly drawn to the designs. Looks classy to me.

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BB Goutaitei Sonken Gundam Korinpaku (WIP Part 3)

Ok I have reached the final phase of construction. I have primed all parts to checked for mistakes. As I filled up the holes with putty, there is a likelihood that the putty might shrink further after it cures. To cover up the gaps, I usually use dissolved putty. It is easier to apply and drys faster. 

I have sand down  and added lenses at various parts. 

Did not do much to the shoulders except to add another layer of armor at the tip.

I added two more "fins" to each side of the armor at the back of the head. 

After extension of the chest I need to scratch the "L" shaped details of each side. Saw some blemishes on this one, totally miss them. Sharp photos do help sometimes.... 

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Earth Hour

"Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour. 

And Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common - our planet.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world's largest global climate change initiative."

If you always wanted to do something for mother Earth, today could be a stepping stone for you. 

Cheers.

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Bandai FORMANIA Series- Nu Gundam

Since the announcement of its impending release in October last year, I have been following this very closely. The moment I saw the prototype on the net, I knew that I have to get it. At 17cm tall, it isn't exactly "big". However the details I seen so far are pretty good. Produced with a mixture of PVC, metal composite and ABS, it comes painted as well. 

The amount of details on the shoulders and cockpit area is overwhelming! 

The addition of crew members is a nice touch. Everything looks so "right" now.

Internal mechanism looks good as well. A lot of effort was spent into this one.  

With something so impressive, it might justify its 12600 yen price tag. However, I will reserve my verdict until I get my hands on it. Mass produced products usually have QC problems as I am aware. For some of you who might wonder why I want a finished kit, well I have some special plans for it of course. I always love those half-bust Gundam displays but resins are too cumbersome to work on. BANDAI has just solved my problem :)

And best of all? SAZABI is in the works!!!

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Maintenance Diorama (Intro)

While taking a break in between my gaming sessions,  I took the opportunity to do a short write out on the materials I usually use for maintenance dioramas (MD). My favourite MD was the one I created for the yellow Sazabi custom many years back. Not many people are into MDs. Some say they are boring. Of course I am not one of them. In fact there are a lot of interesting things you can do.

I did quite a bit of research on such dioramas from magazines, animes and the internet. Although there were not much to be found, I just let my imagination do the rest. In fact, you can derive many ideas from your surroundings, a car garage, air craft hanger, ship yards, container ports etc.

To start thing off, I talk about the base. I ordered it from a local arylic store accordingly to my dimensions. I specifically increased the height of two sides for the "walls". Once I got the base, I started off with the floor, cutting nine squares from pla-plates and layed them on the base. On those plates, I added a little details and panel lines. I also cut more sheets for the walls. Basically, there is no standard shape or line. Most of the time, I worked on instinct. Although preliminary sketches would have make things easier.

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BB Goutaitei Sonken Gundam Korinpaku (WIP Part 2)

Some minor updates. Did some fitting and trimming today.

For the tiger head, I sharpen the edges and added two fangs. I wanted a more "fiercer" appearance, a sabre-tigerish look to be exact.

I got to replace the tail with the one from Tallgeese. The original one is too meek and look like a ponytail to me. Now it will look intimdating with spiky hair.

Since I have used the body of the Tallgeese, I need to widen the chest armor to make it more proportionate to the new body. Details will be added later (I have yet to come up with something).

Instead of lengthing the front skirt armour, I use the same part from another kit and glued them together. I save some time as I do not need to add pla-plate and putty. Furthermore, the armor will look interesting with layers.

 

I applied the same method here. my intention is to cut out the middle of the armors leaving the borders and inserting a blue transparent film. That will come later. 

A mock up display of the unfinished kit.

A comparison with the original kit. As you can see, the proportion has significantly improved. The addition of armor plates actually gives the kit a more complex look. I am considering retaining the feets and armors of the Tallgeese. They just look better than before. Now, we will take SDs seriously after this one.... 

More updates soon.... I'm on a roll!  

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Gundams on horses (By Leon Ku)

Many years back, I remember seeing a nice BAKUC entry from Thailand of a Knight riding a horse. The knight was coverted from a MG Gyan. I think that this combination of Gundam and its ride is a interesting idea and no doubt impressive if one can pull it off. And we do have a "representative" in Singapore too. This one was presented in BAKUC 2008 under the expert category made by Leon, Musha Gundam and a magnificient horse. 

This one shocked me for a long time... And I am seldom "shocked".

The horse (if everyone is curious) is converted from the Super Robot Wars Aussenseiter (horse mode). He did some research on the history of Feudal Japan. The colour and modifications were made with that era in mind.

The bow and arrows were scratchbuilt and designs were handpainted.

How he actually balanced the whole thing on a simple but impressive looking base is still a mystery to me.

Those beads you see were taken from some oriental displays.

The tail of the horse were from the wings of the PG Wing Gundam. 

And as if one is not enough, he went on to produce another variation recently. This time "Guan Yu" on his red horse. I like the colour of the horse, very striking and meanacing. REally don't know what to say, why not we just look at the pictures and soak it in....

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if someone commission him to do a whole army of it....

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Gundam 00 Movie Trailer

Looking at the way things are going, I'm getting pretty excitied. I really like the new mecha designs for all four gundams. When I look at the of face of Raphael Gundam, I don't why it keeps reminding me of the face of a bear! lol....  Cool looking weaponary for the 00 Qan[T] and I like the look of the cockpit too. I am already thinking of the actual model kits.....

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R2D2

This would be my first attempt with vinyl kits. And it had to be something from Star Wars. To be frank, I am never a fan of that franchise. Nevertheless, I took up the opportunity so that I could gain some valuable experience. Boy, I did not regret at all...

Produced by Kaiyodo, this R2-D2 is really vintage stuff. And at 1/6 scale, it would be comfortable for me to work on, not too daunting.    

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This Chinese New Year...

In my younger days, Chinese New Year (CNY) is always something I look forward to. You get to wear new clothes, eat lots of goodies and best of all, collect red packets (Ang Baos). And it is also the time when you catch up with your cousins and other relatives. Those were the good days. Carefree and happy.

However, times have changed. I don't feel that enthusiasm in the air anymore. The joyful feeling of anticipation and waiting for CNY has faded over the years. The streets are more quiet, I guess lesser people do visiting now. No children running about playing fire crackers and hide and seek. The neighborhood is quiet.Very deserted... Very lonely... 

I just realized I have never keep in contact with any relatives even when one is just blocks away. I am ashamed of myself of course. Thought that I should put in more effort... But I am the weirdo who keep to myself and they call me anti-social. And no, it has nothing to do with this hobby, I assure you :)

I want to show my son about the Chinese customs but it dawn on me I know very little about our culture. I am beginning to feel that we are deviating too far away from our roots. I used to dread going to temples because I felt that it was a waste of time etc. Now I feel that I am part of this culture, something i am proud of. If only my mum is still here. I would never disappoint her for not going to the temple with her. I wouldn't... Now all I can do is to visit her at the temple. Whenever I am there, I would sit in one corner hoping she was beside me and knowing how much I miss her. 

At the table during reunion dinner, I would stare at the seat she will be sitting. Memories keep flooding back. These dinners are not the same without her anymore.

I have moved on. Not that I have a choice. Everyone has a role to play and I have to play mine dutifully. And I will go on as long as it takes. 

Once again. Forever I miss you.   mum...

 

   

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MG Unicorn Galting Gun

Got this from HAG just today. These guns are so hot that I never get to see them. And when I drop by the store today, imagine my shock when they told me they have stock! Needless to say, I grab a few boxes myself. These are awfully useful parts.

Construction is relatively simple. I only saw seamlines at the drums so nothing to fret about. At 18 bucks, it is well worth the 18 bucks price tag since I can get it ANYWHERE! See product here- http://www.hmshop.biz/eshop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=264

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