The Energon Pub

Convotron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:That 00 *twitch* it, it has lights and sounds *twitch* I I oh God, a GN III sword… *giggity, giggity* (cleans up mess) I have the Robot Damashii GN III and it doesn't fold, or am I missing something?

I saw photos of the GN Sword III(a Tamashii Web exclusive item) for the Robot Damashii 00 Gundam and it was shown in the folded rifle mode.

From my comparison of the Robot Damashii 00 Gundam, Cherudim, and GN-X III A-Laws Type figures to their HG counterparts, I was pleased to find that the HG models have better sculpted detail and nearly equal articulation. I have to say that the level of design in HG level kits starting from about 2007 or so seem to be bridging the gap between model kit and action figure.

Now I'm not downplaying RD figures, I just personally think that for Gundam, I prefer the HG kits(to keep comparisons on nearly the same size level as RD Gundam figures are slightly smaller than 1/144 scale) over the RD action figures. I have the Eva Unit 01 and Unit 02 RD figures and they're excellent action figures, probably the best NGE action figures within their price range.

Well for me price is an issue as I know some kits can get pricey. I bought Kyrios and Dynames because I couldn't find RD figures. Exia I'm getting just because it looks cool and the 00… well, we will see. The instructions for the RD GN III doesn't show it folded so I'm hesitant to force it. While on the topic, what's this Exia replacement parts set I've heard of?

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well for me price is an issue as I know some kits can get pricey. I bought Kyrios and Dynames because I couldn't find RD figures. Exia I'm getting just because it looks cool and the 00… well, we will see. The instructions for the RD GN III doesn't show it folded so I'm hesitant to force it. While on the topic, what's this Exia replacement parts set I've heard of?

If we're talking RD figures versus HG model kits, the kits are actually cheaper. HG kits range generally between 1000 yen/$11 to 1800 yen/$20 whereas RD figures are 2500 yen and up. However, if you're more into action figures, no doubt, go for RD instead when you can.

The HG 00 Gundam model actually has a crazy range of articulation, just like the RD 00 Gundam figure. I have both and they can be contorted into pretzel balls of Gundam goodness.

I don't closely follow RD Gundam figure developments so I'm only familiar with the Tamashii Web exclusive RD GN Sword III accessory, which is this:

http://ignitionmode.net/wip/robot-damas ... sword-iii/

If this is the GN Sword III you have, it should be able to fold and I don't imagine one should feel like they have to use excessive force to make it fold.

I've seen one video on Youtube where someone shows how to change the RD Exia to the Repair Mode with some extra parts. However, I don't know if it's an official conversion set of parts made by Bandai or something produced by a third party company.

Convotron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well for me price is an issue as I know some kits can get pricey. I bought Kyrios and Dynames because I couldn't find RD figures. Exia I'm getting just because it looks cool and the 00… well, we will see. The instructions for the RD GN III doesn't show it folded so I'm hesitant to force it. While on the topic, what's this Exia replacement parts set I've heard of?

If we're talking RD figures versus HG model kits, the kits are actually cheaper. HG kits range generally between 1000 yen/$11 to 1800 yen/$20 whereas RD figures are 2500 yen and up. However, if you're more into action figures, no doubt, go for RD instead when you can.

The HG 00 Gundam model actually has a crazy range of articulation, just like the RD 00 Gundam figure. I have both and they can be contorted into pretzel balls of Gundam goodness.

I don't closely follow RD Gundam figure developments so I'm only familiar with the Tamashii Web exclusive RD GN Sword III accessory, which is this:

http://ignitionmode.net/wip/robot-damas ... sword-iii/

If this is the GN Sword III you have, it should be able to fold and I don't imagine one should feel like they have to use excessive force to make it fold.

I've seen one video on Youtube where someone shows how to change the RD Exia to the Repair Mode with some extra parts. However, I don't know if it's an official conversion set of parts made by Bandai or something produced by a third party company.

That's the GN III I have, after I posted I tried once again to fold it and it worked. I've noticed that the kits are cheaper but they also don't feel as "solid" to me. The replacement parts for the Exia were a Tamashii exclusive as well, what repair mode is IDK. The only HG 00 I could find was part of the set with the 0 raiser; yeah, not at that price. I noticed there were two versions of the 0 Gundam kit; I have my eye on the feathers version.

Yeah the first 0 Gundam version is the grey one, the second one is in RX-78 colors.

Blurrz wrote:Yeah the first 0 Gundam version is the grey one, the second one is in RX-78 colors.

Well I do like color. Say did they ever make gum-candy kits in the Gundam style?

That's probably happened, but something like that's probably so small that It would never leave Japan. Also commentating on kit plastic, yeah that's the big downside, it's pretty flimsy and no much pressure is required for parts to break - but the engineering has been alot better that last few years, and 00 S2 kits are amazing. I'm in love with my 1/100 00 Raiser.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:That's the GN III I have, after I posted I tried once again to fold it and it worked. I've noticed that the kits are cheaper but they also don't feel as "solid" to me. The replacement parts for the Exia were a Tamashii exclusive as well, what repair mode is IDK. The only HG 00 I could find was part of the set with the 0 raiser; yeah, not at that price. I noticed there were two versions of the 0 Gundam kit; I have my eye on the feathers version.

Good to hear the sword finally folded. Is it easier now to fold the accessory?

The kits are less solid feeling but that's the nature of how model kits are. Action figures generally use solid parts whereas model kits use multiple thin parts to build up components.

In my experience with model kits, I've developed a more sensitive touch, which has actually benefited my TF figure handling.

If the replacement parts are Tamashii Web exclusive then it's probably the Repair Mode parts I saw.

One other upside to Robot Damashii is that there are some figures of Mobile Suit designs that have yet to make it to the model kit line such as Cherudim SAGA and the Alvaaron or are of designs that are more obscure like the Kapool(which I really like as I'm a Turn A Gundam fan).

Convotron wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:That's the GN III I have, after I posted I tried once again to fold it and it worked. I've noticed that the kits are cheaper but they also don't feel as "solid" to me. The replacement parts for the Exia were a Tamashii exclusive as well, what repair mode is IDK. The only HG 00 I could find was part of the set with the 0 raiser; yeah, not at that price. I noticed there were two versions of the 0 Gundam kit; I have my eye on the feathers version.

Good to hear the sword finally folded. Is it easier now to fold the accessory?

The kits are less solid feeling but that's the nature of how model kits are. Action figures generally use solid parts whereas model kits use multiple thin parts to build up components.

In my experience with model kits, I've developed a more sensitive touch, which has actually benefited my TF figure handling.

If the replacement parts are Tamashii Web exclusive then it's probably the Repair Mode parts I saw.

One other upside to Robot Damashii is that there are some figures of Mobile Suit designs that have yet to make it to the model kit line such as Cherudim SAGA and the Alvaaron or are of designs that are more obscure like the Kapool(which I really like as I'm a Turn A Gundam fan).

Yes it does fold easier. I'm waiting to get Exia so I can do a double sword thing. My main problem is I don't know the name of at least half of the Gundams let alone the pilots. It's not like they have names like Bob or Bill

Setsuna = Exia/00
Lockon = Dynames/Cherudim
Allelujah = Kyrios/Arios
Tieria = Virtue/Nadleeh/Seravee/Seraphim

Blurrz wrote:Setsuna = Exia/00
Lockon = Dynames/Cherudim
Allelujah = Kyrios/Arios
Tieria = Virtue/Nadleeh/Seravee/Seraphim

Those guys I got. I'm lost with all the other mobile suits. Team trinity are called thrones so those I know and the North Am guys fly something called Flaggs.

I gotta say... Aside from the scythe... I HATE this MG Deathscythe. I'd prefer the one from the show. Still... If this eventually gets me my Master Grade Tallgeese or Master Grade Epyon I am all for it.

As we're nearing the end of June and July is nearly upon us, this means the RG RX-78-2 kit is almost here! I, for one, cannot wait to get this kit. It'll be the beginning for some significant changes in gunpla.







The fact that we're seeing a 1/144 scale Gundam model kit that has foot articulation similar to a Master Grade model kit...well that's simply exciting.

Source: http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/2010/06/ ... es_28.html



We have what appears to be MG styled hands with articulation at the thumb, index finger, and the group of middle/ring/pinky fingers. The ball joint at the wrist appears to be hinged for an added point of articulation, which is again a trait of MG hands. The idea is good but I wonder about its stability as some people have reported looseness issues with 1/100 scale MG hands. At 1/144 scale, the problem may be more prominent.



Note the head structure, which includes clear plastic for the eye section and an internal yellow plastic component that facilitates the head vulcans, both traits previously found only in MG and PG model kits.

Also note that the left side of the body(our left, the model kit's right) shows the pre-built inner frame/skeleton structure and the right side shows added components on top to "flesh" it out, so to speak and make it look more like an inner frame that is seen in M and PG kits. Then on top of that goes the armour. Some people have said that the pre-built inner frame would take away the complexity or involved nature of the build process. I must disagree. The kit will have a high parts count and from the looks of things, it will be on a similar level to current MG kits with respect to the build process.

All of this sounds great and the photos certainly makes the promises of the RG model kit line seem like reality. We'll find out once the model kit is released in July!

Amuro, ikimasu!

Glorious.

The HG Qan[T] looks like it'll be a retool of the HG 00, which is a good thing in my opinion. It'll have super crazy articulation.

Blurrz wrote:

Glorious.

Oh God *twitch* *twitch* another mech from 00 Gundam *twitch* I *twitch* I *twitch* oh boy…

Finally getting into 00. Yes, I know i'm late to the party. Any chance we are getting (or have and I don't know about) MG Dynames,Virtue/Nadleeh, and Kyrios?

I'm still not sold on Virtue's design...but its growing on me.

Gutter Bunny wrote:Finally getting into 00. Yes, I know i'm late to the party. Any chance we are getting (or have and I don't know about) MG Dynames,Virtue/Nadleeh, and Kyrios?

Not likely, but I assure you that the 1/100 versions do them justice!

Blurrz wrote:

Gutter Bunny wrote:Finally getting into 00. Yes, I know i'm late to the party. Any chance we are getting (or have and I don't know about) MG Dynames,Virtue/Nadleeh, and Kyrios?

Not likely, but I assure you that the 1/100 versions do them justice!

I can second that assurance since I have the 1/100 versions of Kyrios and Dynames. Thanks to a ebay bucks coupon I have a 1/144 Gundam 0 feather version coming. These kits are more addictive than TF's

I've recently ordered my first Perfect Grade model kit, the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. When I first learned about the PG line of kits, I knew the Strike would probably my first PG purchase. Even though I know nothing about Gundam SEED, the design of the Strike looks great to me. I especially like how the PG uses what appears to be the Gundam Evolve version of the design rather than a design accurate to the anime character/mecha model.

Gundam Evolve version:


Original anime version:


Now I feel compelled to watch Gundam SEED to find out about the fiction that the Strike is a part of!

I love mecha of all sorts. I love to draw them, build them out of LEGO, and all sorts of other stuff (Excluding cosplay). Obviously, I thought it would be logical to buy a Gundam kit. I decided I'd get a 1/144 Z'gok for a starting kit. Is there any advice on the figure that I need before I buy it?

Use some sort of clipper, so you can get the parts off their sprue without too much anxiety. Read the instructions carefully, and dont try to build it too fast. Slow and steady ensures you dont make too many mistakes (like adding stickers on the wrong place, etc).

Blurrz wrote:Use some sort of clipper, so you can get the parts off their sprue without too much anxiety. Read the instructions carefully, and dont try to build it too fast. Slow and steady ensures you dont make too many mistakes (like adding stickers on the wrong place, etc).

Thanks! Usually I just twist the parts off the sprues and then file them down, but I guess that works too! From what I've heard, there are only two stickers that come with the Z'gok, so I don't think I'll need to worry.

In my experience, Sackjack, you can learn a lot from the advice of others and from tutorials on model kit work but the best teacher is first hand experience. There are going to be things you can only learn by doing it yourself and one of the great things about working on model kits is that there are many ways to approach the hobby.

You mentioned you usually twist the parts off the sprues and then file them down. What other kinds of model kits have you worked on?

Convotron wrote:In my experience, Sackjack, you can learn a lot from the advice of others and from tutorials on model kit work but the best teacher is first hand experience. There are going to be things you can only learn by doing it yourself and one of the great things about working on model kits is that there are many ways to approach the hobby.

You mentioned you usually twist the parts off the sprues and then file them down. What other kinds of model kits have you worked on?

Does 3 models count as experience? I've done 2 dinosaurs and an SR-71 Blackbird, all done by Revell.

Actually, experience with traditional model kits is great. Gundam model kits, at least the ones made within the last 20 years or so, are snap assembly model kits. They're straight forward as far as the build process as they don't require glue/cement. Also, the more current model kits have colour molded plastic parts so you don't even have to paint the model if you don't want to. Stickers are usually included to detail the model kit.

So you shouldn't have any terrible problems working on Gundam model kits(aka gunpla). They're very "user friendly". Just take your time with the first kit or two to get a feel for them and you'll be fine.

The best kits to work on in the beginning in my opinion are the High Grade model kits, which come in two basic scale varieties(1/144 and 1/100). They're inexpensive and are good for "learning the ropes" of gunpla. They're also well detailed and look great as straight build models(obviously they'll look better if you give them your own paint job).

There's some information in this thread as far as gunpla tips but there's a plethora of great info at various web sites. Searching for "gunpla gundam model kits faq tutorial" and so on will get you a lot of comprehensive guides to gunpla.