Gundam GB 2005 - To March 1, 2006

That's some fine craftsmanship right 'thar. Glad your Gundam won't be pulling the 'ol "Old person with a broken hip" routine...

Ok, here is my entries details as per request:

HG 1/100 Gundam Nataku from Endless Waltz

Had the choice of the 1/144 too but those things are too tiny.

well i have already built a 1/100 Nataku and it is a very nice kit you might want to find something to streingthen the dragons polycap joints shoulder polycap joints and the knee joints they do have the tendancy to be a little on the week side like most of the 1/100 Endless waltz models but otherwise it is a realy nice kit.

well now i need to save money to get the 1/144 Meteor and the 1/550 Dendrobium so i can creat the weapons platform for this things cruiser mode and then build a stand for it. any suggestions on really cheap places to get them would be great and any suggestions on how to put it together. i am looking at useing parts from the dendrobium or the meteor unit to do this so i may be out of action until i get money next month or in december. ohh well you live and live.

@mustangs102 -- That base turned out nicely. Definitely has the hanger/factory look without being too big. As for the shoulder joints, the problem is that there's not enough friction on the polycaps to hold it right? So I think the best way to increase it would be to shrink the holes ever so slightly to increase friction. I'm sure there's a fairly strong putty that would work. Or possibly a couple of really thin pieces of plastic or sprue (possibly stretched). I don't know if that would be of any use.

@Zen_Builder - Cool. I updated the participants list. What are you planning for the kit? Are you going to be painting it? Any conversions/modifications in mind? An alternate colour scheme? Classic colouring? Any aspect you're concentrating on (i'm trying to perfect puttying, priming and getting a great finish)?

@A Mejias - The dalong link is fantastic! It has so many pictures of the kits I'm considering. Any idea what language it is? My browser isn't displaying the characters properly..

QUOTE: Originally posted by nathaniel @Zen_Builder - Cool. I updated the participants list. What are you planning for the kit? Are you going to be painting it? Any conversions/modifications in mind? An alternate colour scheme? Classic colouring? Any aspect you're concentrating on (i'm trying to perfect puttying, priming and getting a great finish)?

Standard puttying, priming and painting. Color will be stock but a bit aged(dulled) and weathered.
Also will add a base to and maybe a few 1/100 scale troopers(generics).

QUOTE: Originally posted by mustangs102 well i have already built a 1/100 Nataku and it is a very nice kit you might want to find something to streingthen the dragons polycap joints shoulder polycap joints and the knee joints they do have the tendancy to be a little on the week side like most of the 1/100 Endless waltz models but otherwise it is a realy nice kit.

I will finish the kit in a fixed pose, so not worried about the poly-cap joints being weak.

Mustangs102: I think I have an extra set of hanger part from the Perfect Grade RX-78 GP-01/Fb. I may be willing to part with them for a good offer. If you're interested I'll dig them out and photograph them for you.

QUOTE: Originally posted by nathaniel Sadly, frosty, it's not. That actually the paint job done by the sculptor of the kit. I'm finding out exactly how it was achieved so I can duplicate it on a mecha. I think it's just Tamiya clear red over Tamiya chrome. I don't think it even involves using high end metallics like Alclad.

Looks to me like a glaze was used, pic is rather misleading as there is a lot of light reflection.
Could be a touch of pearl powders in there too, love them myself.

Nathaniel: The http://www.dalong.net/ is in Korean. You probably have Auto Language Install Confirmation turned off.

That site is going to make my Gundam kit pile even bigger!

Sometimes www.hlj.com marks kits as discontinued even if they are not. I may just mean that the supplier is out of stock or it's a seasonal run. You should write them to find out. They have the Perfect Grade RX-78 GP-01/Fb marked discontinued, but I think read on the www.gundamofficial.com forums that they'll start making them again in a few months. I can't confirm that now because they closed the forums. Too bad they had a lot of great info on the kits there.

QUOTE: Originally posted by ClumsyModeler EX Archangel is discontinued though. I weep.

Zen_Builder: Do you have any tips on using pearl powders? I've got some samples but haven't tryed them yet. Eg. What ratio should they be mixed in? Do you mix them in Tamiya Clear or Future? What kind of under coat should be used?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Zen_Builder ...Looks to me like a glaze was used, pic is rather misleading as there is a lot of light reflection. Could be a touch of pearl powders in there too, love them myself.

QUOTE: Originally posted by A Mejias Zen_Builder: Do you have any tips on using pearl powders? I've got some samples but haven't tryed them yet. Eg. What ratio should they be mixed in? Do you mix them in Tamiya Clear or Future? What kind of under coat should be used?

I mix them directly into the color and airbrush it as if a standard colour. Which pearl color I choose depends on the effect I want to use, got a slection of pearl powders.

There is no given ratio, more gut-feeling than anything. Mix a teenie bit, do a test-spray and keep adding till you get the desired result.

HTH.

Zen_Builder: You mean you mix them into opaque colors. Thanks.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Zen_Builder I mix them directly into the color and airbrush it as if a standard colour. Which pearl color I choose depends on the effect I want to use, got a slection of pearl powders. There is no given ratio, more gut-feeling than anything. Mix a teenie bit, do a test-spray and keep adding till you get the desired result.

QUOTE: Originally posted by A Mejias Zen_Builder: You mean you mix them into opaque colors. Thanks.

Yes, it gives you more of a satin finish, mixing into clear coats works well for cars, etc where you are actually trying to duplicate the xx layers of colors.

One word of advise like with metallics you can't really do a touch-up and would need to strip and redo any mishaps.

Who makes those pearlizing powders you mentioned? What product are they exactly?

QUOTE: Originally posted by nathaniel Who makes those pearlizing powders you mentioned? What product are they exactly?

They are made by a variety of companies, the ones I get are generic and have no maker name. Check on the various modeling sites for them.

They are a very fine powder that you mix with other colours in order to get an iridescent/pearly finish, they mixed paint can also be airbrushed.
I usually get a mixed set which gives me a set of different colors.

Here is a link to one of them:
http://www.hlj.com/product/WAVOM-061

But there should be a local equivalent close to you.
FYI, the one in the link is not the one I use.

Yay!!! Received my order of Gundams from amazon yesterday after I got back from work. Bleh to the US modded packaging. Why did they even have to change the front cover for the GP-01Fb. The rest of my gundam kits were all (unfortunately) bought imported and costed a bundle.

The Shipment:


What I had before: (including a Kampfter behind them, and a destroyed MkII box, all before Gundam actually hit Cartoon Network/US "repackagers"!!)


The Katoki Gundam I found at a trip to the flea market: (Ignore the superkits around it... =P)

Here's my Ez8 so far. Assembled but not painted. Next step is to pull it apart again and start the finishing process. Also to learn not to rush the picture process so I can post better pictures.

archangel571: i don't know if you have built the zeta yet but if youu need any help building the RX-79(G) MG,the GP-01FB MG or the Zeta MG i can help you on those i have built both of those and well technically i am building a second, lol. but i honestly loved both kits i will try to get a pic of the 79 on my photo soon, it is in a very delicate possition so i hate moving it. my zeta on the other hand i need to find a couple of parts that flew across my room a while ago and then i will try to get a few more pics of it up.

a majias:i would like to buy those off of you but i am really short on cash for a little while if you also have any other spare parts i would love to buy them this goes to any and all gundam modelers. i buy spare parts cause i love making chop jobs, i don't care what scale but any type of spare parts will do.

@Zen_Builder - I did end up finding a local source. I made sure I found the grind of mica powder that can go through an airbrush-- as I don't really fancy getting clogs. I should have no problem producing the bright red candy for Lunamaria Hawke's Zaku Gunner Warrior. I also found a local source of Createx liquid pure pigments so I can make any transparent colour I want (or I guess any opaque colour if I were to pick up an opaque medium).

@archangel571 - That's quite the stock pile you have. Do the US packaging ones come with English instructions or do you just get packaging you like less with little or no benefit? All the Gundam stuff around here is imported Japanese stuff. The cost isn't that bad either-- I couldn't have gotten my Zaku Gunner Warrior for less than I did had I ordered it from www.hlj.com or gundamstoreandmore.com.

@Aurora-7 - Nice to see teh assembled kit. It's a good thing that giant canine devourer left it unharmed. At 1/100 scale, it must have been a terribly large monster. No doubt an agent of the Duchy of Zeon. As for pictures, I've only had my camera for a couple of months and have figured out a few things-- light from other sources is better than light from the flash. Also I need to keep the camera very steady. I have a mini-tripod to help with that, but when the positioning makes using it impossible I try to find another way to brace the camera. The problem I was having was pressing the button, it focuses, and then the camera moves slightly and I get a blurry shot.

As for my kit, I called the online store I ordered some paint/primer from and it turns out they haven't even shipped it yet. They're out of stock and are waiting for the shipment from Italy. Sure, ordering from the North American distributor gets you a good price, but the wait time has been incredible. Reminds me of old school mail order where it says "please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery." I wanted to test the primer out on this cheapo 1/144 rather than risking a higher end kit, so I'm thinking I'm going to putty it and then start the Zaku while I'm waiting for the primer to arrive.

Nathaniel

Nathaniel: Try using the camera's selftimer. That should auto focus just before taking the shot and should be enough time for it to stop shaking. Tape works too.

The US kits have a sheet with some of the text trastlated to English. In some cases you get all new English instructions. I've heard of a site that has all the Gundam color mixing charts traslated to English, but I've not found it yet.

QUOTE: Originally posted by nathaniel ... As for pictures, I've only had my camera for a couple of months and have figured out a few things-- light from other sources is better than light from the flash. Also I need to keep the camera very steady. I have a mini-tripod to help with that, but when the positioning makes using it impossible I try to find another way to brace the camera. The problem I was having was pressing the button, it focuses, and then the camera moves slightly and I get a blurry shot.

Yea I was glad the MG EZ8 came with the original japanese instructions. I didn't open the other ones yet though. The US packaging blanks out one of the side panels and puts extra info and UPC barcode on it. I just didn't like the way they put that yellow bar across the side of the front cover. Ugly design I tell ya.

With the addtion of a NT1 alex i'd have all the gundams (hopefully...) prior to ZZ. HEHEHE.wonder what day I will find myself becoming less stingy and get a rest of the universal century gundams in MG, namely the ZZ, RE-GZ, and Nu, if we don't count the whole sentinel thing, or those from the games (RX-78-4 and RX-78-5) Anyone got any good recommendations of some good online stores for them? I ordered my other ones from best1hobby.com long ago after I watched the animes.

Color mixing chart eh? Hmm... Time to practice my katakana reading skills....

I've used www.Best1Hobby.com also. I remember them being good and they had some of the Limited Edition and Coating Version kits that I wanted. I also like www.ImageAnime.com. They often have sales and they have a walk in store right near Penn Station in New York City, so I can drop in and get emergency supplies when I'm in the City. I've also used www.DiscountAnimeDVD.com, www.GundamStoreAndMore.com and www.HLJ.com. Basicly if my brother can't get them for me when he's Japan, I just use www.Froogle.com, Google or Ebay to find the cheapest place that has them in stock.

QUOTE: Originally posted by nathaniel @Zen_Builder - I did end up finding a local source. I made sure I found the grind of mica powder that can go through an airbrush-- as I don't really fancy getting clogs. I should have no problem producing the bright red candy for Lunamaria Hawke's Zaku Gunner Warrior. I also found a local source of Createx liquid pure pigments so I can make any transparent colour I want (or I guess any opaque colour if I were to pick up an opaque medium).

Great stuff. Those powders come in very handy.
One word of warning though:
A little goes a long way, use too much and the you will see more pearl/mica than actual paint.

Actually from the pearls I moved onto glazes and have found that for some kits I exclusively use clear colors, pearl powder and glazes.

Back to the GB:
Started to assemble the Nataku(major sections), once those are done it is cleanup and putty time. Will do the dragon hangs last as they require a LOT of sanding and puttying between each assembly.

If all goes well I should finishe the build this year, as I got a few other projects on the burner too.
1/72 Battroid Valkyrie Minmay Guard
1/35 Batmobiles x 3(2 Tumblers and 1 Batman Returns Batmobile)
1/48 Porco Rosso plane
1/24 Mini 1275S Mk1+ acesories

One question.

Anybody object if I add a 1/6 Halo Resin kit(original halo) to the list??
Got an old resin kit begging to be finished.

Zen_Builder: Good tips, thanks! What exactly are glazes?
Is Halo part of one of the Gundam universes? Do you have links to that kit?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Zen_Builder Great stuff. Those powders come in very handy. One word of warning though: A little goes a long way, use too much and the you will see more pearl/mica than actual paint. Actually from the pearls I moved onto glazes and have found that for some kits I exclusively use clear colors, pearl powder and glazes.

QUOTE: Originally posted by A Mejias Zen_Builder: Good tips, thanks! What exactly are glazes?

Glazes are basically clear colours used over opaque or instead of opaque colours. very good for areas where you want to get a certain "depth" to the finish.
I use them often to simulate enameled parts on figs and similar.

QUOTE: Is Halo part of one of the Gundam universes? Do you have links to that kit?

Yes. first series. The original Halo/Haro was build by amuro and is a spherical Robot.
Sorry, no links to the kit as only 20 were made and that was 15yrs ago.
I see in the newer Gundam servies they revived Halo again but in a much smaller size.

Zen_Builder: Oh, right Haro! I remember it only repeating, "Haro Amaro. Haro Amaro." LOL. The three little kids sometimes bounced around on it too. I thought they over did them on Gundam Seed though. EESH!

Does the kit you have internal parts? I think I saw one that did.

Glazes, Ah, I got ya'. I use the Tamiya Clear colors. Do you use something else? I'm tempted to try out some real car paints at some point.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Zen_Builder QUOTE: Originally posted by A Mejias Zen_Builder: Good tips, thanks! What exactly are glazes? Glazes are basically clear colours used over opaque or instead of opaque colours. very good for areas where you want to get a certain "depth" to the finish. I use them often to simulate enameled parts on figs and similar. QUOTE: Is Halo part of one of the Gundam universes? Do you have links to that kit? Yes. first series. The original Halo/Haro was build by amuro and is a spherical Robot. Sorry, no links to the kit as only 20 were made and that was 15yrs ago. I see in the newer Gundam servies they revived Halo again but in a much smaller size.

QUOTE: I see in the newer Gundam servies they revived Halo again but in a much smaller size.

and in more numbers.

well anyways i have done a remod of the ZZZ and would like some opinions, and suggestions.

and this is just my opinion but you are nuts to build a gundam kit that was made in such limited quantaty. i would either keep it for collectors value or try and sell it.

OOP! It's too late for my Limited Edition Coating Version Qubeley's. They were some of the first Gundam kits I bought and built. I guess i should have bought two of each. One for building one for investing.

QUOTE: Originally posted by mustangs102 and this is just my opinion but you are nuts to build a gundam kit that was made in such limited quantaty. i would either keep it for collectors value or try and sell it.