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Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:21 am
by 5kywarp
I know nothing about Gundam but all I can think of when I see them is Jetfire.

Who can fill me in on Gundam and why do they all look like Jetfire?

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:27 am
by Jelze Bunnycat
5kywarp wrote:I know nothing about Gundam but all I can think of when I see them is Jetfire.

Who can fill me in on Gundam and why do they all look like Jetfire?


Gundam has no connection with Jetfire. Macross (or Robotech in the US) on the other hand does, in fact it's the line where the original Jetfire mold came from.

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:13 am
by GetterDragun
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
5kywarp wrote:I know nothing about Gundam but all I can think of when I see them is Jetfire.

Who can fill me in on Gundam and why do they all look like Jetfire?


Gundam has no connection with Jetfire. Macross (or Robotech in the US) on the other hand does, in fact it's the line where the original Jetfire mold came from.


Macross Valkyrie (Jet Fire Mold) was developed by a company called Takatoku. Takatoku also had a line called Dorvack which is where the molds for Roadbuster and Whirl came from. Bandai later bought Takatoku.

Gundam was created by a cartoon company called Sunrise. They licensed the figures to a company called Clover and the model kits to Bandai. For some reason the toys weren't a hit, but the model kits were. Bandai eventually bought Clover as well. You can thank Clover for robots like Xabungle, Zanbot, and Daitarn.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:49 pm
by 5kywarp
Am I alone in thinking they look like Jetfire?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:51 pm
by AlienQuiksilver
5kywarp wrote:Am I alone in thinking they look like Jetfire?


No, there are many who kitbash them into Jetfire/Skyfire.

Somebody once told me that Jetfire's design was actually a Hasbro "nod" toward the revoltech design? I don't actually know, but it's what I heard.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:58 pm
by 5kywarp
AlienQuiksilver wrote:
5kywarp wrote:Am I alone in thinking they look like Jetfire?


No, there are many who kitbash them into Jetfire/Skyfire.

Somebody once told me that Jetfire's design was actually a Hasbro "nod" toward the revoltech design? I don't actually know, but it's what I heard.


There is a bit of Jetfire history in this article: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.07/transformers.pdf

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:01 pm
by SpacerAM2
Jetfire is not related to Gundam but to Macross. Optimus' head looks like a Gundam's though. I've been interested in getting a Gundam rx-78-2 bandai model kit. Is it worth getting? Is it hard to build? I heard they snap into place ,and some parts have screws. I've heard putting the Gundam head is an issue by many. Are the instructions clear too?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:03 pm
by Valandar
Yes, you are. The overall design aesthetic is as different as TF: Cybertron and Star Wars.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:07 pm
by 5kywarp
Valandar wrote:Yes, you are. The overall design aesthetic is as different as TF: Cybertron and Star Wars.


mmmm I would have to completely disagree with you there.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:12 pm
by Nekoman
SpacerAM2 wrote:Jetfire is not related to Gundam but to Macross. Optimus' head looks like a Gundam's though. I've been interested in getting a Gundam rx-78-2 bandai model kit. Is it worth getting? Is it hard to build? I heard they snap into place ,and some parts have screws. I've heard putting the Gundam head is an issue by many. Are the instructions clear too?


I’d say painting them would be hard, but I have never painted a model kit :oops: .
Any way the instructions are in Japanese buy have very clear illustrations, and yes HGUC and Master grade are snap together but Master grade requires screws on the newer kits.
you’ll probably want to start with an HGUC kit if your interested.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:14 pm
by SpacerAM2
The one I'm interested in getting is pre painted though. But thanks for the insight.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:21 pm
by SpacerAM2
This is the one I'm aiming for. If I succeed building it and I like it. I want to get Char's Red Zaku 2 next.

http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-MG-RX-78-2 ... B00005BXIB

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:34 pm
by publicvisage
GetterDragun wrote:Gundam was created by a cartoon company called Sunrise. They licensed the figures to a company called Clover and the model kits to Bandai. For some reason the toys weren't a hit, but the model kits were. Bandai eventually bought Clover as well. You can thank Clover for robots like Xabungle, Zanbot, and Daitarn.


I've only gotten a few Gundam figures, and most of them have been a disappointment, partially because they seemed strangely small and partially because they didn't feel like they were made well.

I'm really hoping Gundam will get the Revoltech treatment though. :D

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:44 pm
by skywarp-2
I used to be heavily into Gundam.. an even own quite a few toys and models.. i would say that if your kitbashing Gundams into transformers, it's probably the best source to use for that endeavor. and i love them for that ability..

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:02 pm
by Nekoman
publicvisage wrote:
GetterDragun wrote:Gundam was created by a cartoon company called Sunrise. They licensed the figures to a company called Clover and the model kits to Bandai. For some reason the toys weren't a hit, but the model kits were. Bandai eventually bought Clover as well. You can thank Clover for robots like Xabungle, Zanbot, and Daitarn.


I've only gotten a few Gundam figures, and most of them have been a disappointment, partially because they seemed strangely small and partially because they didn't feel like they were made well.

I'm really hoping Gundam will get the Revoltech treatment though. :D


All the MSIAs I’ve bought I liked, what figures did you buy?
Also I doubt Gundam will ever get revoltech figures because Bandai owns Sunrise and Gundam.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:02 pm
by Decatron
I got like 30 figures and 2 models from across the Gundam continuitity. G Gundam has some sweet designs even though the series was meh. My fave is my MSIa Sazabi from MSG: Chars Counterattack. Havent bothered with the SEED franchise though. Universal century all the way :P

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:40 pm
by dragons
which gundams are you feering to theres over 100 or more gundams and only a selected few gundams that look like or could look like jetfire all ther others are just uniqe and original as ther series progresses through.

are talking about wing zero thats probably the only gundam i think of that mostly looks very clos to jetfire theres one or 2 more that may fit the description but i cant think of them at this time post an image or tell us the series and dexcribe the gundam you really got me out off the loop with your question you asked all gundams look like jetfire to you how is that posible.?

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:30 pm
by publicvisage
Nekoman wrote:
All the MSIAs I’ve bought I liked, what figures did you buy?
Also I doubt Gundam will ever get revoltech figures because Bandai owns Sunrise and Gundam.


I'll admit that I only ever saw a few in my area, so I'm sure these are not a representative sample, but here are the figures I have.

The good ones:

Image

(The Turn A is unpainted because I'm lazy; I would really like to know if there is a good figure of it and the Turn X somewhere though)

The bad one:

Image

(These are part of the "battle damaged" line from Endless Waltz, but even so they are cheaply made, and very small.)

I did at one point have Gundam Spiegel from G Gundam, also not well made and tiny.

As for Revoltech, are they only doing series under a specific brand? If so, that's highly annoying. I just got my first two Revoltechs the other day, and was pleased.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:54 pm
by skywarp-2
I think the closest Gundam to Jetfire has got to be Zeta Gundam or Zeta EX plus.. there are a couple of versions.. and though Zeta Gundam is sleek and cool, his altmode is a space ship similar to that of Jetfire.. if he was painted int hat coloring, he might look really close to a Jetfire in some respects..


Here ya Go!!:
http://www.seibertron.com/forums/viewto ... 20023&sid=

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:41 pm
by Nekoman
publicvisage wrote:
Nekoman wrote:
All the MSIAs I’ve bought I liked, what figures did you buy?
Also I doubt Gundam will ever get revoltech figures because Bandai owns Sunrise and Gundam.


I'll admit that I only ever saw a few in my area, so I'm sure these are not a representative sample, but here are the figures I have.

The good ones:

Image

(The Turn A is unpainted because I'm lazy; I would really like to know if there is a good figure of it and the Turn X somewhere though)

The bad one:

Image

(These are part of the "battle damaged" line from Endless Waltz, but even so they are cheaply made, and very small.)

I did at one point have Gundam Spiegel from G Gundam, also not well made and tiny.


Yeah those where pretty bad, I have the ones your talking about, the articulation was horrible.
But some were really good, some of my favorites were the Rick Dias red, Aile Strike Gundam, Zaku II and the RX-78-2 Gundam, if your interested hobby link Japan has tons of them.
There’s no Turn X figure that I know of, just the Turn A MSIA, there was a turn X model kit though.

publicvisage wrote:As for Revoltech, are they only doing series under a specific brand? If so, that's highly annoying. I just got my first two Revoltechs the other day, and was pleased.


What was your revoltech figure, what was it like? I’m interested in the line but don’t have any yet. There’s no specific brand as far as I know, but I still doubt Bandai would give out the Rights for Kaiyodo to make Gundam revoltech just because Bandai wouldn’t profit from it as they’re Gundam stuff will sell better than to give Kaiyodo the rights, would be nice though.

mosh wrote:My fave is my MSIa Sazabi from MSG: Chars Counterattack.


I wish I had a Sazabi MSIA, your so lucky :P .

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:02 pm
by Professor Smooth
I think that some Transformers do look, at least a little bit, like some Gundams. Optimus' head, for example. I've also seen some pretty nice Gundam-to-Transformers customs.

I was on a Wing Gundam kick for awhile. I had collected and built just about every version of the Wing Gundam (Wing Gundam, Wing Zero, and Wing Zero Custom). It culminated in building a Perfect Grade W-Gundam Zero Custom. That thing is a masterpiece, but it's a double edged sword. When I decided I didn't want to have a bunch of toys and models displayed in my place, I had no trouble selling, giving away, or simply throwing out most of it. But that Wing Zero Custom... The investment that went into this thing (time, not money) makes it impossible for me to get rid of it!

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:10 pm
by Deadpool.
Speaking of which, has anybody here seen the "Speed Grade" Gundams before?

They're fully painted and are 1/200 scale, with a display base.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:14 pm
by Liege Evilmus
Well the G1 Japanesse series figures had alot of gold antena crowns like Gundam, but Japan does that to everything, so outside of giant robots and kitbash parts, no.

Re: Gundam Transformers connection?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:48 pm
by publicvisage
Nekoman wrote:
publicvisage wrote:As for Revoltech, are they only doing series under a specific brand? If so, that's highly annoying. I just got my first two Revoltechs the other day, and was pleased.


What was your revoltech figure, what was it like? I’m interested in the line but don’t have any yet. There’s no specific brand as far as I know, but I still doubt Bandai would give out the Rights for Kaiyodo to make Gundam revoltech just because Bandai wouldn’t profit from it as they’re Gundam stuff will sell better than to give Kaiyodo the rights, would be nice though.


Eva-04 and Mass Produced Eva(with Wings); both from Evangelion, of course.

I'm quite impressed so far. Articulation is amazing. All joints are tight and are able to move naturally. The sculpting is top-notch, and the painting is beautiful. They come with a variety of interchangeable hands, which really boosts the number of poses the figure can take.

The quality of the plastic also seems pretty good, and the joints don't seem like they will snap easily. I wouldn't recommend playing with them, though I would recommend them highly for collectors.

I don't have them in super-dynamic poses at the moment, and my lighting is bad, but for what it's worth:

Both Figures:
Image

Front view of Mass Produced Eva:
Image

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:48 pm
by rob_charb
SpacerAM2 wrote:This is the one I'm aiming for. If I succeed building it and I like it. I want to get Char's Red Zaku 2 next.

http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-MG-RX-78-2 ... B00005BXIB


Honestly, I would not get that version of Gundam. That looks to be the original MG release from way back in the 90's. While a decent kit, it pales in comparison to newer versions of the RX-78-2. If you want a good Gundam, go for the RX-78-2 ver OYW. That is, hands down, the best MG Gundam available. Or, you could try to get the Gundam ver 1.5. It's not as good as ver OYW, but it's pretty decent nonetheless. The one you're currently looking at will have limited poseability, not as high quality plastic and need a lot of work/painting to look good.

When building them, you'll need a good pair of snips, a good file and some fine sandpaper. If you want to do the panel lines, I recommend you get a Gundam Panel Marker to start out with. They go on very easily and can be erased using a good white rubber eraser. All MG come in, for the most part, accurate colours. However, there are always places that need painting. You get stickers for things like the eyes and sensors and sometimes for other places, but usually the foil stickers suck quite badly and ruin the look of a MG. I would highly recommend painting the sensors and eyes, it will look leagues better.

I've been doing Gundam models for over 7 years now, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.