Formania Sazabi with maintenance bay

When the Formania series was announced, I was skeptic. Can Bandai really mass produce highly detailed models? Well after two releases, they prove me wrong. The Nu Gundam half bust was fantastic but the Sazabi blew my away. I could have grab a few if I have the spare cash because it is an hot item. When I bought this for The Timertraveler, I thought it deserves some special treatment. Although it came with a limited acrylic base, I thought that a mechanical/ maintenance set up would complement it. 

So, I had a black acrylic base custom made and started on my "mini" maintenance project. 

Base plates were cut out from pla-plates and and then detailed up with panel lines. 

Wire mesh were added. 

These pillars were taken from MiniArt 1/35 Pedestrian Bridge. I used to scratch-build these but since there ready-made ones, I decided to use them to save me some time. 

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Formania Sazabi with maintenance set up (Updated 3 March 2011)

Updates @ 3 March 2011

I did not do much today. I have been playing with the idea of painting this Sazabi for the past few days. I find the stock red dull and I reckoned that a coat of metallic red will look pretty good. So after much procrastination, I decide to take give it a go! I am hoping Mr Cheapo wouldn't mind this surprise move.... lol..

 Some of the parts cannot be detached. So, MASKING HELL!!! 

Diorama components sanded and ready for priming. It's gonna be FUN FUN FUN!!!

END

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HAG special sale 2 - Formania Nu Gundam

In my recent post, I mentioned that HAG was promoting the Formania Sazabi and the Nu Gundam was not available. Well now, HAG have restock them and selling at SGD195 each. And of course, its while stock last. I did a little review on this product in April this year. 

Like I said, this series is worth buying and collecting. I am looking forward to the next release and hopefully it is something I like :) 

 

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Formania Sazabi (First Look)

I have being thinking of ways to improve the content of my blog and one way is by writing simple review. It will consists of some facts and of course my opinions.  I will try to keep it short and you guys do not need elaborate stories. So for my first official "review", I will write about MSN-04 Sazabi for the Formania series.

Manufactured by Tamashii Nations,  this new line of mecha displays are very detailed and the mechanisms are equally impressive. The die cast components add realism to the product too. I have no doubt this will appeal to both Gundam and Non-Gundam fans. 

In fact, I was skeptic when the announcement came and even griped about the pricing. However, I suspected that its may be something special or even a substitute for those resins. And it turned out that I am not disappointed at all. I am not interested in "painted" displays since I can do a decent paint job. But I am willing to overlook that part for this line. 

I bought this from HAG today and hurried home for this review. A limited edition acrylic base for your Sazabi is given with every purchase.

   

 Box cover (front) 

 Box cover (rear)

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HAG special sale - Formania Sazabi

Dropped by Hobby Art Gallery yesterday. I saw boxes of Formania Sazabi which had just arrived. I managed to convince Joyce to take one out for me to see and oh boy, am I excited. The quality is good in terms of the paint job. This one is certainly more impressive that the Nu Gundam. 

I got myself one knowing how hot this stuff is. The Nu Gundam is currently out of stock and I have seen people selling at high prices already.

Well, she told me HAG is currently having a little offer for this one. Together with the kit, a limited edition acrylic base will be given too. Each set going for SGD 288. Of course stocks are limited.

So if you ask me, better go own one today! What are you waiting for? LOL.

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Formania Sazabi

Another whopper! Slated for a September release, this one will be right at the top of my "to buy" list. It will probably cost you a Perfect Grade Gundam Astay Red Frame to buy one! This is one expensive "toy". It looks impressive enough. However, some of the parts like the shoulders are nothing like the original Sazabi. Well whatever it is, I will definitely be getting this! 

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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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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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