Gundam RX-78-2 Close Combat Mobile Suit 1/100

Instead of  going whole hog into it, after the frustration with the power chord armor rings, I have taken a break from it, building a car kit really quick, im still wetting my feet in the Genre so its just practice, and thinking of how to tackle these armor rings.  After that ill get more work

Smeagol

This just popped in my head, usually a bad thing, but what the heck. Have you tried craft beads for the power cord armor rings?

modelbuilder

Smeagol

This just popped in my head, usually a bad thing, but what the heck. Have you tried craft beads for the power cord armor rings?

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]Thought I would post this in keeping with the theme, have been looking thru eBay sales for any not your norm kits available a came across and won this one tonight.  RX-78 GPO1FB MG 1/100 1997, U.N.T. SPACY Prototype Multi-Purpose Mobile Suit.  Got it for $40.00 including ship.  Another RX-78 type to add to the collection.

The ones that come with the kit are molded to bend at the right angles.

Craft beads are injection molded just like kits, they are going to have mold lines on them, normally there just not On the flat surface but there there.  Unless you get Metal machined parts your gona have alot of tedious cleanup.

Also, if your in America, I REALLY suggest you shop here.

http://www.gundamstoreandmore.com/gundam.html

Top notch service, extremely fast shipping, free magnet in your purchases.

Part store, if they get returns that are missing parts they sell the parts as replacements If you loose pieces.

And Weekly Deals with prices up to 50%

EDIT

Ok, I figure since you don't know, ill tell you about that unit. 

The GP-01fb is a Prototype gundam unit that was made in the year 0083.  It is the sister unit to the GP-02b.

The GP-01 (and the fb space upgrade) is a close combat mobile suit.  Designed for much the same purposes as the Original Gundam.  The GP-02 on the other hand was an Anti-Nuke unit, more of a nuclear deterrent then a unit meant to stop nuclear attacks, being armed with a cannon that can fire a single nuclear warhead. 

In the year 0083 the use of nuclear arms is illegal as is arming mobile suits with them.  Anavel Gato, a Zeon Ace from the one year war, and his team consisting of two Dom-Tropen and a Xamel assault  the federation's base in Australia.  Gato breaks in and steals the 02 unit and its nuclear payload.

The federation ship, the Albion is tasked with reacquiring the unit and the 01 unit is assigned to it.  They chase the 02 from earth to space.

Gato, with the help of Cima Garahau and her self titled Zeon Remnant fleet, launches an attack with the 02 at the Federation 'naval review' at the former Zeon colony of Solomon.  The resulting nuclear attack destroys 1/3rd of the entire federation fleet.

From there the true purpose of 'operation stardust' is revealed as the Remnant Zeon fleets attempt to use thrusters to push a colony onto the moon, but change it's course and drop it onto the earth.  The Federation is able to use a satellite based mirror system that uses the greek weapon idea and focuses the sun's rays onto a single area to cause damage, except on a planet size scale.  The blast damages the colony as well as the 03 unit (stamen and orchis) and Gato's mobile armor.  The blast does not destroy the colony and it falls, hitting the general area of the mid west US.

There are...  6 Major Mechs in the series.

01 unit
02 unit
03 unit with dendrobium
Gerbea Tetra
Neue Ziel
Val Varo

smeagol the vile

Instead of  going whole hog into it, after the frustration with the power chord armor rings, I have taken a break from it, building a car kit really quick, im still wetting my feet in the Genre so its just practice, and thinking of how to tackle these armor rings.  After that ill get more work

Yeah, those ringy thingys are a pain in the *** to work with, but I figured out that if you gently scrape or shave off some of the rubber sprue that they're molded onto in front of each ring, they slide off onto the 'power cord' easier. When it comes to the leg cords, use super glue to adhere the rubber ends to the metal springs. Again, shave off some of the sprue in front of each ring to get them to slide along it easier.

Gunpla Master- lucky you! The GPO1Fb (fullburnen) is one of my favorite Gundams, has been since I was a kid. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Keep up the Excellent work.

I'm going to use some aftermarket snake chain instead of the rubber part they gave

smeagol the vile

I'm going to use some aftermarket snake chain instead of the rubber part they gave

Im curious, what are snake chains?

there metal chains, the store I got mine from doesnt have them anymore for some reason.

here is a kit of mine that uses two different kind

Wow, alot posted since I added the GP01Fb, and smeagol you are just a walking Gundam history book, thanks for the info.  Wha's Up Klik, glad to see you replying, yes I do feel fortunate to have been able to win the kit.  I have stated before I know very little about the history of the suits, but I do know I like the basic design in the RX-78 and will try to model in as many versions as I can and along the family tree as well.  I also have the chance to purchase the GP02 version which I find intriguing that it is nuclear armed.  I also have a bid in on a PG 1/60 RX-78, that is definitely one I do want.  At the moment I have started working on the outer armour of the RX-78-2 and really other than just taking the time, ready to start the paint process f/the frame.  As you can tell I take my sweet time, I believe in enjoying and getting as big a bang for the buck as you can when building.  I find if I rush, I make mistakes that results in my wanting to put the project away!  And as we modelers know, this can be frustrating.  Snake chain, looks like guitar string almost!  Again, thanks everyone for keeping this thread interesting.

The frame stands!  Ready for a 1st base coat of paint.[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Good start there G.M. I wish the Tieren had had a more complex inner frame but its been fun none the less. Managed to get another coat on the weapons but that will be it for tonight. Working OT.

Leme give you a tip.

Look and see what parts of the frame will show under the armor.  Mask everything else, and only paint that part.  If you paint the whole frame it will make it harder for the armor to fit.

smeagol the vile

Leme give you a tip.

Look and see what parts of the frame will show under the armor.  Mask everything else, and only paint that part.  If you paint the whole frame it will make it harder for the armor to fit.

Fitting out the armour for areas of the frame that will need painting per smeagol. [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Look what the Postman done brung! [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

That is one of my favorite kits.  The arms are a bit of a pain, but the rest of the kit is gorgeous

Awright! You got another of my favs-the (nearly suicidal) Ball! I looked into getting that kit but broke down and got the Ma. K. Falke instead. (don't get me wrong-its a great kit, but it feels awkward to not be building a gundam model right now...) Next time I hit the neighborhood model shop, gonna pick me up one too.

On the other hand, keep up the good work on the RX-78. Smeagol's advice is dead-on. If paint gets on the frame, those pesky armor panels don't want to go on. Personally, I don't see the need to paint the frame, seeing as how it is molded in the right color, barely visible under the armor, and I don't have an airbrush (that's right I'm a brush painter). If you don't want to paint it, don't, but if you do, it will add that extra flair of realism to it. (in other words, go for it, G.M.)

More history for our friend.

The Ball was originally a space construction vehicle.  It was used in the construction of fleets and colonies and other large space works.  When Zeon started the one year war the Federation had no mobile units, their only one, the gundam, was in the development stages.  In order to try and stop the Zeon menace they attacked Cannons to the top of the Balls and sent them into combat.  The Magellan class federation battleship had attachments on the top of it's bow to carry three balls into combat.

Balls were not particular successful in combat, though the cannon was strong enough to do good damage, and when the Zeon ground forces, escaping earth, were caught by balls the Zakus without space verniers were torn apart by Balls and Gms.

Most successful ball would have to be the one flown by Shiro Amada in 08th Ms Team.  It was used to defend his transport ship as it entered earth's atmosphere.  He successfully defended it from a Zeon prototype, combining the Propulsion system of the Ric Dom with the Body of the Zaku (maybe if they had of sent the dom they tore appart to Ramba Ral, instead of giving him a gouf, he would have defeated Amuro and saved the Deutchy)

His ball was a 'K' variant, which had a rocket guided cable and dual cannons

Man, smeagol I have learned more from you than all the research I have done about the function and history of these MFS.  This particular version is the one that comes w/the optional clear parts tree with the outside of the ball see thru to the frame.  I know they have their history and all, but every time I look at this thing, I think about the ball turret on a heavy WWII American bomber.  albeit, the ball turret is armed w/MG's and not a recoiless rifle, I believe that is how they describe the primary weapon.  I see this thing finished on one side as if apart of the unpainted airframe of a B17 w/some cool type of nose art added for that war time flair applied to aircraft.  I did see the version w/shark's mouth, but I like my idea better.  Hello Klik, I am waiting w/baited breath for that Gundam build, no matter what the type.  Thanks for the advice and I do agree, I am ole school and I too like to brush paint as well, however, I do also airbrush too.  Just purchased a Iwata Eclipse, the 1st airbrush I have purchased in years for painting Gunpla.  So I will use both methods for the finish, heck I will even use very small pieces of Railroaders moss to apply paint.  Do not know if you have used this type paint, but this past winter I discovered vallejo paint, this brushes smooth and sprays slick.  Is a bit expensive, but well worth.  Comes in every color you can think of.  I too have thought there is really no need to paint the frame other than for the effect, so I will paint the areas you see exsposed by the armour.  I am having a blast with these things, and too think I once thought they were for Geeks and kids, well some think of me as a Geek, and I am still just a kid @ heart, so I guess if the shoe fits.............[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Just remember, the clear parts are for little kids who dont want to paint the kit.  You dont wana leave those parts clear unless you did one hell of a good job painting the internals

O Ta, Herr smeagol, I will follow my sages advice............, but I refuse to drink the kool aid!

Sorry, G.M. (<- look; a pun!), no Gundam builds right now..., but I have finished painting my 1/144th Tieren, just needs some finishing touches.

I've been putting off finishing my Ma. K. Falke because summer session just started, and it looks like I won't be able to go to the neighborhood model shop for a while.

I will still aptly follow your, what, 3 Gundam builds, is it now? Lucky. Keep up the good work.

Klik

Sorry, G.M. (<- look; a pun!), no Gundam builds right now..., but I have finished painting my 1/144th Tieren, just needs some finishing touches.

I've been putting off finishing my Ma. K. Falke because summer session just started, and it looks like I won't be able to go to the neighborhood model shop for a while.

I will still aptly follow your, what, 3 Gundam builds, is it now? Lucky. Keep up the good work.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]Ordered this one today.  Does not have the same type frame work as the other kits, but is possible.  What is the selling point of this one is the size.  1/48 scale , is a bit taller compared to a 1/60.  Someone please stop me, I have gone over the cliff f/RX-78, lol.  I am really looking forward to this one.

Oh yea, forgot to let ya'll know the outcome of my bid f/ PG RX-78 on eBay, guy outbid me by $2.00 and won................  After all was said and done total f/kit was $111.00 and the next cheapest I have found is $149.00 + ship.

Look, I know the draw of it.  What you do is take that mega gundam kit there, and you send it to me.  Its the first step to recovery

smeagol the vile

Look, I know the draw of it.  What you do is take that mega gundam kit there, and you send it to me.  Its the first step to recovery

Why are photos being removed from my threads?  I have never seen this happen before on any other Forums I am a part of???????????  Not so sure if I like the Photobucket thing!!!!!!!!!! 

Gunpla Master

Well at least post some photos of the Tieren   I am looking forward to some photos of the Ma. K Falke as well!  And as always good too hear from you.

Roger that, will (attempt) do. As soon as I can get camera images onto computer, then CD, then laptop, then internet, then here...