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

Gunpla Master

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!!!!!!!!!! 

Well here is a up-date on the build.  As stated before, I am a slow builder.  I know you can throw them together in a few hours, but this is my learning curve for building them and I am taking my sweet time.  I will tell you something I found while studying/assembling this Gunpla.  When you start working w/the leg, part J1/2, you cut from the runners and after all is done, you have several parts that move/swing into position.  One of the movable parts has a small spreader you remove from that part to use on the shocks.  Now both sides of this has a molded t in the center, when you go to attach parts C22 and C15, they too have the mounting t shaped stud as well.  Now after careful study of the drawings, the parts attached to the legs was to have a t shaped hole f/you to mount these parts too.  Mine does not and required me to glue these into place, when in fact, they were designed to open up on the back of the leg.  Bandai needs to inspect the mold a little closer.  Other than that, no problems w/anything else, do however see some areas they could improve on given the cost of the kit and giving it the BIG MG stamp!  I am still attaching armour and did play w/the Beam Rifle a little.  I glued together, sanded all flat areas flat and opened up the flash suppressor prototypical.  Did work on he helment, drilled the vulcans deeper, but not all the way thru,  I do have a problem w/front helment camera, on the box, lens is red, but many drawings show this a blue color which to me is more realistic since many lens are coated w/a blue tinit protective coating.  I probly will go w/my gut feeling.  Whether or not it is box color perfect does not matter to me!  Wait till you see what I have cooked up for the white areas of the armour. [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Just one other little item I wish too point out, look @ last photo of the Beam Rifle and notice the sweep of the fingers on the grip f/the rifle.  This is why I cut this hands fingers apart.  Looks realistic!...............

NICE

Keep up the good work. Lookin good so far.

Do you feel lucky punk.............well do ya!  [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

G.M.

Great work so far. I love the detail of the fingers. I will have to remember this when I manage to get my hands on some of these.

Smeagol,

I have a few questions for you. I have doing some reading on the Gundam series and wanted to clarify a few things. Gundam 00 is a future timeline as to what the original Gundam series is right? Also been looking at some awesome builds online and saw one that I rreally like, do they make a 1/100 scale Geara Zulu in plastic?

Ill be honestly, I know nothing about 00.  I stopped watching the new series after Gundam Seed.  That, all it's spin offs and as it would seem, every series after they made new, was just the stories plots and characters from the origination series just cut/pasted in with a name or design changed here or there.

According to turn A gundam 00 and Seed are both on alternate timelines, but everything else falls into the same, starting with the origional gundam and encompassing everything including G gundam Gundam x, Gundam wing, etc.

There is no Mg Geara Zulu released yet, nor do I know of any plans.  Its a relatively new design from the Gundam Unicorn line which is in the Universal century time line of the original gundam.

I wholly recommend avoiding gundam Seed and Gundam 00 at ALL costs.  There are nothing but a pop version of what the series used to be.

smeagol, again I must to your knowledge of the Gunpla story and time line.  And I agree you know what you are talking about, but I must admit I am a little .  I have I believe  been to every English speaking site that has any info about the Gundam Story, Time Line and what part ea. figure plays, and I do admit you are dead on with your info, however!!!!!!!!!!  I do not think everyone feels like you do about the Seed and 00 Gundam the way you do.  I again digress on the knowledge of who, what, and where, but with my Military back ground, I do understand development and that is what I see within the types of figures and their different time lines?  Now as to how those time lines cross, I am in the dark.  But on those sites I have been too, for example, the  RX-0 Unicorn seems to be the big deal, I believe I read yesterday on a site from Japan, this would be the next PG release!  I also read that the Riser and Red Frame (and all the other color frames) Astray were the top sellers bar none @ this time.  Now again, I believe any individual has a right to feel and say what they think, but I also believe that same individual has the right to figure it out for himself as well w/o others views influencing the decision they reach on any given subject.  Now please do not take me wrong, I look forward to your input very, very much, but please do back down the pedal abit on what you do not like.  I for one do like the figures in the Seed line and I find nothing to dislike about them at all other than my not knowing the details, hey I just think they look cool.  Again I do hope I have not come on too strong, I think we should be trying to get people involved, maybe some fella out there does build the Seed, reads these comments and for the neg. responce they read, they fail to post their build, that is not what any modeling forum is about!  I do hope we are agreed my friend and you continue to be of help.

Its fact, not opinion that the majority of seed was just recycled Ms Zeta Storyline characters and mechs

OK, I understand your point, but when you say I wholly recommend, that my friend is your opion!  And that does not make it a fact!

Oh righty now, lets continue with the thread!  Have got most of the white armour in place and a good idea of those areas that will be exposed allowing the frame underneath to be seen.  I have learned a new technique using a tooth brush that I will try for the areas of the frame that you will see.  @ a latter post I will demo this and you will I am sure, like the results f/something so easy.  When I arrived to the house from work today, the FEDEX bird had landed and left me a big ole box on the stoop.  That just happened to be the 1/48, 375mm, or 15" tall RX-78.  The kit compared to the one I am build @ 1/100 is just gargantuan (I just love to get to use that sooooo 70's Japanese monster describing word for just plain honking big). I plain to do a little sum tang dif w/this 1.  As you look @ the photos, you will notice in the back ground the shield that came w/the 1/48 kit compared to the small one!  Better yet, look @ it compared to the Gundam figure.  This gives you an idea of just how big this bad boy is.  Hope to post the next photos starting the paint process. [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

If I fought bravely and died, carry me home on my shield!  [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

A few more for your veiwing pleasure Enjoy.[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

To anyone who looks @ this thread and is thinking about a Gundam, do yourself a favor, buy one and I bet you will get hooked.  I have had a blast with what I @ one time considered a child's toy!  I just set and play with the dang thing trying to see what I can come up w/next.  I recommend them highly to anyone regardless of the genre of the model field you are building.   Thanks Modelbuilder for turning me onto these little works of wonder.

modelbuilder I thought you would like to see this one, 100th MG due out some time this summer!  I know this design appeals to you.  [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

This is how to do the bad guy!  What do you think smeagol?[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Gunpla Master

modelbuilder I thought you would like to see this one, 100th MG due out some time this summer!  I know this design appeals to you.  [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

NICE. this is the Geara Zulu, which (i think) is from Seed  Yet another one of my favorites.

Anyhow, back to the topic at hand, how's the RX-78 coming? any new pics? Keep up the good work.

Hello Klik, always good to hear from you.  In answer to your question, yes I do believe this is one of the nasties from the Seed.  Too me the MFS looks very Nazish in the make up, look close and the arm bands, chest emblems, head that looks like a very familiar type WWII helmet, and last of all the face area looks like a gas mask.  The thing just looks pure bad to the bone!  2nd ?:  RX-78 is complete in the assembly of the white armour areas, starting to work on the back pack/chest.  I have some goodies coming from Hobbywave to add to the RX-78-2 OYW version and I am hoping to have soon, to proceed with the build.  Hope to have the frame painted and detailed this weekend.  I also have been working on a project I started over two years ago, a Heller 1/35 SA 321-G Super Frelon, trying to decide @ this time to build as the version as come in box or to back date to the the version used by the IDF.  I will be posting this one soon in the Helicopter section of the Forum.  Thank you for your interest. [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Gunpla Master

Hello Klik, always good to hear from you.  In answer to your question, yes I do believe this is one of the nasties from the Seed.  Too me the MFS looks very Nazish in the make up, look close and the arm bands, chest emblems, head that looks like a very familiar type WWII helmet, and last of all the face area looks like a gas mask.  The thing just looks pure bad to the bone!  2nd ?:  RX-78 is complete in the assembly of the white armour areas, starting to work on the back pack/chest.  I have some goodies coming from Hobbywave to add to the RX-78-2 OYW version and I am hoping to have soon, to proceed with the build.  Hope to have the frame painted and detailed this weekend.  I also have been working on a project I started over two years ago, a Heller 1/35 SA 321-G Super Frelon, trying to decide @ this time to build as the version as come in box or to back date to the the version used by the IDF.  I will be posting this one soon in the Helicopter section of the Forum.  Thank you for your interest. [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

I knew it wouldnt take much to get you back into plastics. Pics please

Hello modelbuilder, as always good to hear from you.  I am waiting on a order for some goodies to go with this Gunpla.  I was going to wait to build w/extras the RX-78 2.0, but decided what the heck, go ahead and do w/this one.  So I am on hold until they arrive.  You will be pleased w/the results to include a little sum tang to add special effects to this MFS.  I placed a order today f/ PG Gundam MKII, which to me looks to be a redo of the RX-78, but w/a meaner disposition.  Check out www.hobbywave.com, for anyone interested in Japanese models w/all the goodies, check this guy out. 

I miss my buddy smeagol the vile!

Well, the goodies came today and work will resume this weekend.  Will post new photos soon.

OMG $70.00 on paint today to paint this Gundam!  All paint is Tamiya colors.  Painted the base coat on the frame in Dark German Gray,  the darkest gray in the Tamiya line of colors.  Over this I will mist lightly a Light Gray w/a lite dry brush of Titanium Silver.  Will also pick out some details w/the Titanium.  Seal it all w/Tamiya clear.  Will post photos soon.

remember to keep the dry brushing to a minimum and keep in mind that the kit is scaled down ALOT 1/100 is really small.  to much dry brushing and it looks bad.

Hello my friend, I remember your advice about the painting of the frame and paint thickness.  I am really just misting the colors and I hope the build up is not too much.  As for the dry brushing, I am just going to do as you suggested and lightly touch to bring out the detail.  I am going to do this w/the tooth brush technique, which is a neat trick f/the Gundam frame.  I am really glad to hear from you again smeagol.  Thanks for the advice.

Also, I learned this from armor guys.

Lets say your gundam is a dark red, lets say your doing char's zaku II.  Instead of drybrushing silver what you do is the the dark red put a dot on a pallet then take pink and put two to three dots into the dark red, mix them up

and use that lighter color to drybrush.  It shows wearing better then silver.  Also, black works well too.

Outstanding advice smeagol, will give this a try on this very frame.  Another question, I like the Tamiya paint, but the thinner is only available @ local Hobby Shop in small bottles.  However I noticed he has Mr Hobby Paint Thinner in the big bottles, will this work w/Tamiya paints!  I also have ordered Gundam paint and what is the best thinner for it as well.  Just placed an order f/a crap load of metal bits to dress up from China.  This is the 1st time I have ordered from there, my friend has had some bad experiences ordering from China and some good ones too!  Hope this goes well, $126.00 worth of bling bling parts.  I have to admit, this has become an addiction,  I after today can not spend anymore of my Hobby budget until after summer.

Ok, it depends on what kind of paint it is.  For enamel I use a giant jug of mineral spirits I get in the hardware store.  for Laquer I use a giant jug of laquer thinner I got in the hardware store, for Acrylic I use water.

smeagol the vile

Ok, it depends on what kind of paint it is.  For enamel I use a giant jug of mineral spirits I get in the hardware store.  for Laquer I use a giant jug of laquer thinner I got in the hardware store, for Acrylic I use water.

Well today makes 30 days since I started this thread on building the RX-78-2 OYW.  I have learned a great deal from wonderful members on this Forum.  I also have enjoyed the build so far, but yet I have a great deal to go to finish!  I told you, I am a slow builder.  At this point I have assembled the frame, added the white armour, assembled two of the primery weapons and as of today, disassembled and started the process of painting.  I 1st covered all the gray parts: frame, backpak and weapons w/Tamiya Panzer Gray.  May I say I have never used Tamiya paints before, boy, what have I been missing out on.  The stuff is just the cats meow!  As you can see in the photo I will allow all painted parts to cure f/3 days before I do anything else to them.  In the mean time, I will start the process of cleaning, re-scribing and opening up areas of the armour.  This will be the next itmes to be painted and installed on the frame.  Boy these things are fun!!!!!!!!! [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]