Competition - Sinanju (Master Grade)

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I have been preparing for the mid-year competition. No pictures yet as I tend not to reveal my work before a competition. No trade secrets but just to keep the suspense going. Well, this year, I will be doing the Sinanju. This is something very challenging because to me, this kit is "perfect" even if it is Out-of-box. 

What can I do? You guys just watch this space... 

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MG The "O"

Finally one announcement that excites me! Coming this summer, Bandai is finally releasing Master Grade PMX-003 The "O". This is one mecha I can't miss! 

Photos courtesy of GA Graphic

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Mother's Day

This would have been her day.

- I want to bring her out for a good meal.
- I want to bring her out for a movie (something she have not done for many many years)
- I want to give her a really nice present.
- I want to tell her my second little one is on the way.
- I want to but I know I can't.

- Because she had to leave first.
- Because she was tired.
- Because she had no choice.

Wherever she is, whatever she is doing,  I hope she hear this, that I thank her for bringing us up, taking care of us, worry for us, cried for us and even fight for us. If I am given a chance now, I will say "I love you".

Thanks for being my mum.

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Master Grade & SD Gundam Model Kit Challenge 2010

I should have posted this earlier. Starting 9 June 2010 at Takashimaya in Orchard Road , Shengtai Toys will be holding its annual mid year Gundam competition there. For the open category, all Master Grade Gundams are allowed. And that includes Master Grade figurines like the 1/8 Goku from the Dragonball series, recently released by Bandai. The Junior category will be restricted to Super Deformed Gundams from Sangokuden, Sengokuden and BB series. 

Submission b photos has been extended to 31 May 2010. For those of you who are keen, there is still time to do one. I will be taking part as usual so I see you guys this June!  

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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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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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