Need I say more?Image from BIGBE.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Official pic, MG Sinanju
The release of the MG Sinanju is very near. So near that Sunrise has already come out with an official pic of the final MG for 2008.
Click on the image to view the large pic.
I was kinda waiting for the official photo for quite some time now. The Sinanju does indeed look like a wicked MS... with the proper paint, decals, and all... it would probably surpass the Sazabi as the favorite Zeon suit. I guess this sort of thing always happens when Katoki designs/re-designs a mech.
Basing on the image, the gold areas seem to be painted on. This is evident on the shield where (I think) masking was not in the proper order. The bevel of the topmost part of the shield (where the Zeon logo is located) should be black, not gold. It's likely that the modeler used gold Gundam markers for the gold outlines since the bevels (Zeon logo, chest area) are not painted gold as they should be (I think). Then again, I could be wrong. ^_^
The white thrusters at the back are longer compared to the Sazabi thrusters... but, the conical points (front skirts, knee caps) would make modelers reaching out for their putties to improve the sharpness. Still, it is a damn nice kit straight out of the box!
Image is from Rakuten.
Click on the image to view the large pic.I was kinda waiting for the official photo for quite some time now. The Sinanju does indeed look like a wicked MS... with the proper paint, decals, and all... it would probably surpass the Sazabi as the favorite Zeon suit. I guess this sort of thing always happens when Katoki designs/re-designs a mech.
Basing on the image, the gold areas seem to be painted on. This is evident on the shield where (I think) masking was not in the proper order. The bevel of the topmost part of the shield (where the Zeon logo is located) should be black, not gold. It's likely that the modeler used gold Gundam markers for the gold outlines since the bevels (Zeon logo, chest area) are not painted gold as they should be (I think). Then again, I could be wrong. ^_^
The white thrusters at the back are longer compared to the Sazabi thrusters... but, the conical points (front skirts, knee caps) would make modelers reaching out for their putties to improve the sharpness. Still, it is a damn nice kit straight out of the box!
Image is from Rakuten.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
00 Gundam... light it up in five and more different flavors!
Take a hard look at this picture, and tell me what you see...
Image from Gunota.info.
Yup, they are the 1/144 HG, Robot Damashi, and 1/200 HCM-Pro versions of the 00 Gundam.
Now, tell me what you don't see...
It's the recently-released 1/100 00 Gundam and the SD 00 Gundam.
It might've been great if the 1/100 and SD versions of the 00 Gundam were included in the photo above. I guess there's no need to worry, since I'm sure that sometime soon, somebody, somewhere will indeed post a group hug of all the available versions of the 00 Gundam... and that somebody likely wouldn't be me.
Eight episodes into the second season and the 00 already has five Bandai variants. ^_^
To top things off, the 0 Riser comes as a separate entity for the 1/144 and the 1/100 kits. However, it will come bundled with kits and figures in future releases. The only variants that do not seem to warrant an 0 Riser are the SD and the HCM-Pro.
It's really funny how Bandai markets these figs. It's like some of us are being conned into buying something nice early on... however, Bandai releases a better version later.
And yet... we still buy these early versions. ^_^
Me? I'm targeting the 00 Gundam Special Set (the 1/100 NG version, with the 0 Riser, AND the Celestial Being display stand). It would probably be released in December, this year... the release month of the much-awaited MG Sinanju.
Speaking of the 00 Gundam, did you know that you can modify the neck (just a tiddy bit) of the 1/100 kit to come up with this?
Very nice gimmick indeed!
Image from Maruneko.
Still about the 00 Gundam... up until Episode 7 of Season 2, it is still a weak-ass mech. Why? It needed to go into Trans-am mode just to cope up with Mr. Bushido's Ahead. So there -- I'm craving for the kit of a weak-ass mech. ^_^
Other bits and pieces:
Dalong has already posted his review of the 1/72 VF-25S Messiah Valkyrie Ozma Lee Custom kit from Bandai... as well as initial kit information regarding the MS-06R-1A Zaku II Shin Matsunaga Custom. Whew! That was a long one!
Image from Gunota.info.Now, tell me what you don't see...
It's the recently-released 1/100 00 Gundam and the SD 00 Gundam.
It might've been great if the 1/100 and SD versions of the 00 Gundam were included in the photo above. I guess there's no need to worry, since I'm sure that sometime soon, somebody, somewhere will indeed post a group hug of all the available versions of the 00 Gundam... and that somebody likely wouldn't be me.
Eight episodes into the second season and the 00 already has five Bandai variants. ^_^
To top things off, the 0 Riser comes as a separate entity for the 1/144 and the 1/100 kits. However, it will come bundled with kits and figures in future releases. The only variants that do not seem to warrant an 0 Riser are the SD and the HCM-Pro.
It's really funny how Bandai markets these figs. It's like some of us are being conned into buying something nice early on... however, Bandai releases a better version later.
And yet... we still buy these early versions. ^_^
Me? I'm targeting the 00 Gundam Special Set (the 1/100 NG version, with the 0 Riser, AND the Celestial Being display stand). It would probably be released in December, this year... the release month of the much-awaited MG Sinanju.
Speaking of the 00 Gundam, did you know that you can modify the neck (just a tiddy bit) of the 1/100 kit to come up with this?
Very nice gimmick indeed!Image from Maruneko.
Still about the 00 Gundam... up until Episode 7 of Season 2, it is still a weak-ass mech. Why? It needed to go into Trans-am mode just to cope up with Mr. Bushido's Ahead. So there -- I'm craving for the kit of a weak-ass mech. ^_^
Other bits and pieces:
Dalong has already posted his review of the 1/72 VF-25S Messiah Valkyrie Ozma Lee Custom kit from Bandai... as well as initial kit information regarding the MS-06R-1A Zaku II Shin Matsunaga Custom. Whew! That was a long one!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sliver of silver
I have just finished AB'ing the base coat for my SD RX-78-2 Gundam the other night so I thought of assembling it again and taking a few photos to monitor the WIP. Besides, I've always wondered what an all-silver RX-78-2 would look like.
Click on the image to view a larger version.
I'm still not quite sure about the metallic colorway this particular BB's going to don... although I have short-listed my options into the following list:
1. Original colors. I guess the classic red-blue-yellow scheme would never go out of style eh?
2. One Year War (game) color. I just love the subtlety of its nearness to the colors pink and purple in its box-art.
3. Roll-out colors. I saw the HCM-Pro version of the RX-78-2 the other day and I just fell in love with it. Much so that I'm thinking of getting one off eBay. ^_^
Hmmmm... choices, choices, choices.
The colorway isn't much of a problem though. Execution is. Airbrushing clear colors is quite tricky as one may end up with parts that are more saturated than others.
Here's the original, un-painted kit, BTW.
Oh yeah, the eyes were PS'd, in case you're wondering. ^_^
On to some other things...
Greattoys is currently having its Christmas sale which runs from November 15 up to the 31st of December.
Dang! If I weren't gunning for a new cam, there are a few toys on my wish list that I'd like to get may hands on during this sale period.
Click on the image to view a larger version.I'm still not quite sure about the metallic colorway this particular BB's going to don... although I have short-listed my options into the following list:
1. Original colors. I guess the classic red-blue-yellow scheme would never go out of style eh?
2. One Year War (game) color. I just love the subtlety of its nearness to the colors pink and purple in its box-art.
3. Roll-out colors. I saw the HCM-Pro version of the RX-78-2 the other day and I just fell in love with it. Much so that I'm thinking of getting one off eBay. ^_^
Hmmmm... choices, choices, choices.
The colorway isn't much of a problem though. Execution is. Airbrushing clear colors is quite tricky as one may end up with parts that are more saturated than others.
Here's the original, un-painted kit, BTW.
Oh yeah, the eyes were PS'd, in case you're wondering. ^_^
On to some other things...
Greattoys is currently having its Christmas sale which runs from November 15 up to the 31st of December.
Dang! If I weren't gunning for a new cam, there are a few toys on my wish list that I'd like to get may hands on during this sale period.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Firefox and Greasemonkey
Here's another deviation from my usual Gundam-related posts.
Most of you probably know about Greasemonkey by this time. This probability might even go higher if you're using Firefox as your browser.
For starters, Greasemonkey "allows you to customize the way a webpage displays using small bits of JavaScript." This is the "long" description that can be found at Greasemonkey's add-on page at Mozilla. ^_^ For a bit more detailed description, head over to Wiki. It's official homepage/blog, however, can be found here.
I've used the said Firefox extension for as long as I can remember. I'm raving about Greasemonkey because it can be very helpful in tweaking Firefox to make up for Blogger's limits when it comes to creating/editing posts and modifying the layout template. You can install a script to enlarge your post editor's area. You can even install one that enlarges the template space when you edit your blog's layout.
Want a bigger editor than the one I've mentioned above? Try this one out.
Another reason to take a second look at Greasemonkey is its Flickr tweaks.
Perhaps the most famous script for Flickr is the Buddy Icon Reply tweak. It enables one to include the name, icon, or a combination of the two when leaving a comment at Flickr. There is also a multi-group sender tweak which allows you to send an image to multiple groups at once... uber convenient, if you ask me. I usually send images to around five to ten groups. The Flickr standard way of the process is a bit tedious, since without the tweak, you are only allowed to send an image to one group at a time. Finally, if you're a member of tons of Flickr groups, there's the group organizer script which allows you to, err, organize your groups into categories. ^_^
Now back to regular programming.
I'm about a quarter of the way through my current WIP (see left sidebar) as I have finished AB'ing the base coat the other night. I was kinda hoping to take some snaps later today so that I could show you guys tomorrow.
Most of you probably know about Greasemonkey by this time. This probability might even go higher if you're using Firefox as your browser.
For starters, Greasemonkey "allows you to customize the way a webpage displays using small bits of JavaScript." This is the "long" description that can be found at Greasemonkey's add-on page at Mozilla. ^_^ For a bit more detailed description, head over to Wiki. It's official homepage/blog, however, can be found here.
I've used the said Firefox extension for as long as I can remember. I'm raving about Greasemonkey because it can be very helpful in tweaking Firefox to make up for Blogger's limits when it comes to creating/editing posts and modifying the layout template. You can install a script to enlarge your post editor's area. You can even install one that enlarges the template space when you edit your blog's layout.
Want a bigger editor than the one I've mentioned above? Try this one out.
Another reason to take a second look at Greasemonkey is its Flickr tweaks.
Perhaps the most famous script for Flickr is the Buddy Icon Reply tweak. It enables one to include the name, icon, or a combination of the two when leaving a comment at Flickr. There is also a multi-group sender tweak which allows you to send an image to multiple groups at once... uber convenient, if you ask me. I usually send images to around five to ten groups. The Flickr standard way of the process is a bit tedious, since without the tweak, you are only allowed to send an image to one group at a time. Finally, if you're a member of tons of Flickr groups, there's the group organizer script which allows you to, err, organize your groups into categories. ^_^
Now back to regular programming.
I'm about a quarter of the way through my current WIP (see left sidebar) as I have finished AB'ing the base coat the other night. I was kinda hoping to take some snaps later today so that I could show you guys tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
DIY series: Gundam v-fin sharpening
Here's how I do it... v-fin sharpening -- the down and dirty way.
I used this process for the horn on my Unicorn Gundam, however, I wasn't able to put up an entry on how I did it.
My Unicorn Gundam, prior to sharpening its horn. Notice how un-Unicorn it looks like with the horn not sharpened? Ugh!
Here's the RX-0 with its horn sharpened --
There... I think that's a bit better, right?
Ok, here's what you need --
1. A sanding sponge. I used 3M's fine-grit sanding sponge for the purpose.
2. The v-fin, of course! For this sample, I used my SD RX-78-2's v-fin.
The SD RX-78-2's v-fin and 3M fine-grit sanding sponge.
The sponge sandwich. ^_^
Cut two small pieces off the sponge and sandwich the v-fin between them. Sand away by moving the v-fin in and out of the "sponge sandwich". Yup, in and out, push and pull.
The left fin is now sharpened compared to the untouched fin on the right.
Be careful, though, as things can easily get out of hand while you're sanding the v-fin. You might wanna stop halfway through the sharpening process and use some finesse to fine-tune the shape of the fin and its tip. Slowly, but surely, does the trick.
Here's the final outcome, with both fins sharpened. As you may notice, I'm not quite finished with the right fin yet... I was too excited to take a pic! ^_^
There you have it, the down and dirty way of sharpening your Gundam's v-fin.
I used this process for the horn on my Unicorn Gundam, however, I wasn't able to put up an entry on how I did it.
My Unicorn Gundam, prior to sharpening its horn. Notice how un-Unicorn it looks like with the horn not sharpened? Ugh!Here's the RX-0 with its horn sharpened --
There... I think that's a bit better, right?Ok, here's what you need --
1. A sanding sponge. I used 3M's fine-grit sanding sponge for the purpose.
2. The v-fin, of course! For this sample, I used my SD RX-78-2's v-fin.
The SD RX-78-2's v-fin and 3M fine-grit sanding sponge.The sponge sandwich. ^_^Cut two small pieces off the sponge and sandwich the v-fin between them. Sand away by moving the v-fin in and out of the "sponge sandwich". Yup, in and out, push and pull.
The left fin is now sharpened compared to the untouched fin on the right.Be careful, though, as things can easily get out of hand while you're sanding the v-fin. You might wanna stop halfway through the sharpening process and use some finesse to fine-tune the shape of the fin and its tip. Slowly, but surely, does the trick.
Here's the final outcome, with both fins sharpened. As you may notice, I'm not quite finished with the right fin yet... I was too excited to take a pic! ^_^
There you have it, the down and dirty way of sharpening your Gundam's v-fin.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Banshee
I've already seen someone make a black RX-0 Unicorn Gundam early this year. However, the red internals in destroy mode were still, err, red.
Little did I know then that sometime in the future, a black RX-0 would become a reality in the novel... with the red panels painted instead with gold.
Here's a modeler's attempt at the Banshee. It's actually an MG RX-0 Unicorn Gundam with a few mods to the horns.
Flat black... the gold paint is quite convincing... it just lacks a little luster and more customization to the head fins (horns), otherwise it'd be perfect.
This version looks menacing. Very.
Images are from RuliWeb.
Little did I know then that sometime in the future, a black RX-0 would become a reality in the novel... with the red panels painted instead with gold.
Here's a modeler's attempt at the Banshee. It's actually an MG RX-0 Unicorn Gundam with a few mods to the horns.
Flat black... the gold paint is quite convincing... it just lacks a little luster and more customization to the head fins (horns), otherwise it'd be perfect.This version looks menacing. Very.
Images are from RuliWeb.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Light emitting diodes
Remember the 1/100 00 Gundam that is soon to be released by Bandai this late November? If not, scroll down to the post before this one. ^_^
Well, what I forgot to tell you that it has LED-gimmickry. Yup, one of the famous mods that modelers have been doing to the Gundam 00 Series 1 kits (and Gundam's eyes, for that matter), has now been incorporated by Bandai into the 1/100 00 Gundam.
The LEDs, two of them, light up the GN drives on 00's shoulders.
If that's not another reason to be giddy about this kit, then I don't know what else would knock you off your knickers! ^_^
Excited? Most definitely! Better get ready to shoot in virtual darkness! ^_^
Images are from Gundam Base.
Well, what I forgot to tell you that it has LED-gimmickry. Yup, one of the famous mods that modelers have been doing to the Gundam 00 Series 1 kits (and Gundam's eyes, for that matter), has now been incorporated by Bandai into the 1/100 00 Gundam.
The LEDs, two of them, light up the GN drives on 00's shoulders.
If that's not another reason to be giddy about this kit, then I don't know what else would knock you off your knickers! ^_^
Excited? Most definitely! Better get ready to shoot in virtual darkness! ^_^Images are from Gundam Base.
Friday, November 07, 2008
1/100 00 Gundam
Wow... so many zeros in this post's title! ^_^
Scheduled to be released very soon (the 21st of November, in fact), here are more images of the 1/100-scale 00 Gundam.
The kit looks so clean, thereby giving modelers more freedom to customize it and make it look MG'ish. ^_^
Price: JPY 2,940 (tax included).
Images are from Amiami.
Scheduled to be released very soon (the 21st of November, in fact), here are more images of the 1/100-scale 00 Gundam.
The kit looks so clean, thereby giving modelers more freedom to customize it and make it look MG'ish. ^_^
Price: JPY 2,940 (tax included).
Images are from Amiami.
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