Gunpla

Bandai's 1/100 Master Grade Sinanju was my first build of 2009*. (I haven't proofed this article, so suck it) From a build quality this kid if fucking fantastic. Not only does it look great, but it's a big sucker, considerably taller than most MG Gundams. Much to my surprise this kit lacks pollycap joints. While I hated that on my Crossbone the mechanics here are great. The joints are innovative and make for lots of movement. The only issue here is that the shield can be a bit heavy (at least with the beam saber things attached) than the arm can support. If it's clipped on the forearm it has a tendency to pop off all to easily or slowly cause the arm to dip down. This was one of the most frustrating models I've worked on. Not so much on part of the actual design or build quality but due to my own inexperience.

Just wanted to post a note that I've updated the Top Coat Guide to include picture comparisons. Go me!

If you're as impatient as me you often brush things by in the store quickly, not often gathering all the details. One such item for me was the Char Aznable theme's action base for 1/1444 & 1/100 scale kits. The bag art contains pictures of the stand covered with Zeonic & Char markings. For a while I thought, "that's nice, shame I don't have any of Char's Gunpla or it would be a good fit" moving on to the clear action bases instead. What use would a Char detailed stand for my RX-87-2? Well, turns out the detail makings aren't actually the base at purchase, but they come as a sticker sheet with each base. Granted I notice now there's a small thing on the front pointing that out but the pictures give no indication. (There's no way in hell the marking in the photo are stickers) Lesson of the story?

Welcome to the construction guide! The goal here is to review some of the basics of taking transforming that box of plastic runners into a proper Gundam kit. Beginners who have picked up their first kit have probably opened up the box, looked at the runners, than the Japanese instructions. How do you feel? Excited, maybe have a sense of tribulation? Well worry not!

Despite the number of small parts and the Japanese instructions putting together a kit perhaps the easiest part of the hobby.

Basic Terminology

Before we begin it's important that you familiarize yourself with some of the common terminology. Those plastic things with all the pieces attached? Those are called runners. The parts of the runner which connect directly to the kit's pieces are called sprues. When you cut a piece from the runner and sprue there will likely be a little piece of plastic left sticking out of the piece itself, that is called a nub.

Master Grade for only $15? Well, it is just a Ball...

Some view the Rick Dias as being under appreciated, others I imagine hate it. Personally I think it's an awesome design and a worthy evolution of the Rick Dom family. Coincidently, it also makes up a damn fine model. This was my first time using real Gundam markers, the Real Touch version to be specific. They work excelent and cleaned up very well. One issue I had with construction were cutting the nubs off the exterior lower leg. When I removed them and did a light sanding I found that there was still a lighter area (presumably due to a compression of the plastic from nipping). My attempts to sand them out only resulted in a lack of uniformity between each side (easy to see in the picture).

First timers might be wondering where exactly to start. There have been hundreds of kits released since 1980, if not thousands. Over the years the complexity and engineering has (generally) improved as Bandai's production technologies and design methods advance.

Size and Scale

Gundam models, like most other plastic models have an accompanying original to model ratio, or scale. A 1/100 kit would be roughly 100 times smaller than actual size of the object the kit represents. A 1/60 scale kit would only be 60 times smaller resulting in a larger model.

If you're looking to build Gunpla you're going to need some tools. Thankfully you only need a small set at your disposal to accomplish great builds. 

 

Must have...	Must have if you’re building regularly...
A pair of basic hobby nippers

Hello and welcome to the Layman's Gunpla Guide!