Happy New Year!

Time really flies. Before I know it, it's already the last day of 2011. Well it is the time for me to review my performance for the whole year. Well, aside from the everyday issues at work, I have a relatively peaceful year. 

I was upset when I couldn't complete my O for GBWC 2011. I felt that this guy deserves a better stage than my old dusty display case.  Nevertheless, it turned out much better than I expected. 

2012. This year will be the year of the "commission backlog clearance". There are a few interesting projects coming up for me and I can't wait. It's going to be a hectic year for me! But, whose complaining? lol... With my "predicament", I think that it may be time for me to stop competing. Time for the new blood to take over rather than old farts like me "holding the fort" LOL. 

Well, I hope you guys totally enjoy yourselves and I wish each and everyone of you out there, Happy New Year, may success follows you wherever you go. 

Cheers 

Toymaker

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Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime - First Look

Been busy lately. I have been building four kits simultaneously and this is probably my first attempt at an non Bandai "BD" model. Manufactured by Takara Tomy "TT", this Dual Model Kit OP is a very detailed. Although the skeleton has been pre-assembled, it still took me some time to assemble the whole kit. All I can say is we modelers have been pampered by "BD" a lot. 

The box is about the size of FA Unicorn Gundam but weighs heavier. All the parts are molded in the original colours and some parts are painted as well. Heck! Even the trademark flames are printed on OP. For those who are really particular about mold lines, will have some for you to work on. 

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MG Full Armor Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka - First Look

I made good use of the extended holidays to build this one. A whopping 36 runners, it took me approximately 4 hours just to snap this kit. You can say it's a lot of parts to manage. 

As expected, nothing is done to improve the range of movement at the knees. There are a few seam lines to work on especially those on the beam rifles and the propellant tanks. The additional weapons is one plus point to me. I could do with a few boxes of FA Unicorn.

Somehow, I felt that the two propellant tanks are too bulky for the Unicorn. It looks like the waist will snap anytime after I attached both to the backpack. 

Well, for starters, let show you guys the box art, contents and the construction manual. Beware! Pictures galore! 

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Gunpla Builders World Cup (GBWC) 2011 results

As most of you should know by now, results for GBWC 2011 are out. This year, the Grand Champion is from Malaysia, Mr Jeff Ho! Obviously his entry titled "Kshatriya IV", won the hearts of the Judges. Well, this one gets my vote too! Once again, congrats to him. 

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G-Shot 2011

Gundam Guy / GG Infinite will be hosting G-Shot Gunpla Photo Contest which started in November 2011. Basically, this is a worldwide online Gunpla contest where participants submit photos of their completed model kits. There are five categories to compete in:-

1.  Best Gunpla Photo - A gunpla image that would 'WOW' the judges.  It doesn't matter whether the photo is from a diorama, customized kit or a straight build.

2. Best Diorama - An image of a diorama that tells a story, with details that show the modeler's skills.

3. Best Customized Gunpla - An image of a suped-up gunpla.  Your image needs to show us the mastery of your modelling skills, by rightfully implementing aftermarket/option parts, custom decals, pla-platings, panel lines, etc.  Basically we are looking for 'The Works' that looks the best.   

4. Best Paint Job - Obviously we are looking for more than just the stock color.  Creativity & painting skills are what count here.

5.Best Straight Built Photo - If you are a novice at building gunpla, we encourage you to send in a photo that shows the power of your straight build.  *Application of Panel lines are allowed using gundam marker.  Paint product such as top coat and other paint products are not allowed *

There are fantastic prizes allocated for each category and I suggest you have a look. For more information of the contest, please read here.


And thanks to G.G's kind invitation, I will also be involved in the judging process. So for those of you who are keen, do join in the fun and win prizes! 

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Gundam Age -1 Normal 1/48 (First Look)

1/48. All I can say is it is HUGE! It's like a blown up 1/144 scale Gundam. With no internal skeleton, I finished snapping this under an hour. Construction is so simple, I had my son to build a few parts for me. The major seam lines are at the calves, forearms and the head. The rest can be easily tackled. Although this is like a Non-Grade kit, the details on it are surprisingly good. As for articulation, don't expect much. Oh, and this comes with a LED light unit (like the ones you find on the MG OO) so the chest and eyes can light up.  

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2011 Ora-Zaku Championship

I always look forward to buying the January issue of Hobby Japan every year. This is because there will be an article on the annual All Japan "Ora Zaku" Championship in Japan. To me, this event is like the "Premier League" equivalent of all Gunpla competitions that include BAKUC, GBWC etc... This is where all the heavy weights cross swords, pitting against one other with skills, creativity and ingenuity. The works on display make me look like a silly amateur all over again. 

I took pictures of some entries to share with you guys. To start off, the Grand Winner goes to this entry titled "Genote". Just when I thought I have seen virtually all dioramas featuring the UCHG Corefighter, this guy came up with another whopper. Just looking at the picture is already awe-inspiring. The cliff face looks damn realistic and the placement of the subject matter and interaction with the surroundings is perfect. The author created a very captivating scene and it tells me a story. The water looks so real that for a moment, I thought it was. It is a cool move to show part of the submerged Corefighter. 

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Strike Gundam [PG] - First Look

I decided to spend some time to work on the PG Strike last evening. No matter how many times I do this, it always look so daunting at first. So many runners and parts! Well, I have been asked to do a PG Strike together with the 3 striker systems namely launcher, sword and Aile Strikers. 

As explained earlier, I won't be simply slap on the 1/60 Non Grade Aile Striker parts on the PG Strike and call it a final product. I will probably do a little revamp and redesign the Launcher and Sword striker systems to match the complexity of the PG Strike. I will document my progress here as often as possible.

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LBX Lucifer - First Look

I just got this in the evening and thought that I could do a little review on it. This is my second LBX model after LBX Odin. Construction is relatively simple. I have it snapped within 20 mins and I did not even use my pliers. 

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Batam Trip 2011

For the past few months, I have been rushing for Gunpla Builders World Cup and been to hell and back. In the end, I still came up short. But to thank my wife and co for been so understanding during this period (I know some of you might have been murdered by your spouse), we went on a weekend getaway to Batam, Indonesia. To be frank, I thought I was not going to enjoy this trip as there are no shopping, not much activities and, no Gundams. But I was wrong. I totally enjoyed it! The sea, the breeze, the atmosphere and not to mention the local food. I gorged myself to death there. 

A half an hour ferry ride and another ten minutes car ride, Turi Beach Resort is the place for a short trip. At the hotel room, I kept staring out to the sea, the view was breathtaking. Everything looked so calm and serene... Ahh man ... I like it. 

I left my Super-duper-telescopic-ultra-ultimate-camera at home, so I have to make do with my Samsung Galaxy Note. Yes, photos of this entire trip were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note. Pardon the blur pictures, but I am no professional :) 

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