HiRM 1/100 Gundam Astray Red Frame Review
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HiRM 1/100 Gundam Astray Red Frame Review

Allow me cut to the chase. The Hi-Resolution Model Astray is an astounding “meh.”

The Hi-Resolution Gundam Astray Red Frame (first in what may be 1000x variants if they sell well enough) is my first from the HiRM lineup. I didn’t pay much attention to the first two HiRM models due to a general disinterest in the design and avoidance (at the time) of After Colony kits. At some point I forgot that HiRM kits come with a pre assembled inner frame which Kotobukiya started, not very successfully at least at first, nearly a decade ago. It wasn’t until I opened the box that I realized the Astray was in the same vein. Thankfully nothing is wrong with the inner frame, or the rest of the kit for that matter. For the most part it’s a pretty stout, and posable, release. The very thing you’d want out of an Astray kit. What dampens my enjoyment is the design of the kit itself. read more

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Where to Start – Getting into Gundam (2022 Edition)

As a moderator over at /r/Gundam I often see folks asking how to get into the franchise and what shows to watch. Hopefully this guide will help you along that path.

TL;DR?

If you don’t have time to go through and read, it’s best to pick with one of the below series:  

         
Start with this
 
  Or pick one of these
 
   

Mobile Suit Gundam

 

Gundam 0080

Gundam 00

 

   

G Gundam

Iron Blooded Orphans 

 

Note that the above are in no order of preference or recommendation. Why I think they’re four good starting points is detailed below.

If you can’t be bothered as to finding out why the above are recommended, or just want me to make the decision for you, then watch the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The full series, all 43 episodes, is the best way to go. Though many will argue that the movies are a valid alternative. read more

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Gunpla Rumor Time – PG Unicorn?!

The following just showed up on Samuel Decal‘s news feed…

A FUTURE NEWS….

MG AGE-2 7月14日
MegaSize 1/48 AGE-3 8月
RG Justice Gundam 形状試作公開 7月21日
MG Buster Gundam 8月
MG Aegis Gundam 9月
HGUC Rose Zulu 8月
HGAC Wing gundam 8月
HGAC Tallgeese 9月
HGFC Dragon Gundam 9月
PG Unicorn Gundam 製作發表 11月 ※8月のキャラホビで形状試作公開
PG Banshee 製作發表 11月 ※8月のキャラホビで形状試作公開

For those too lazy to open up Google Translator, 月 means month, so this list represents August through November of this year. The notes following the PG Unicorn and Banshee seem to indicate that it’s currently in a testing phase and my premier at this year’s Chara Hobby???

Rumors are just rumors, but there’s enough there to get the blood flowing. HG Gundam Wing kits? A PG Unicorn?! Considering what Bandai’s been up to recently the list isn’t all the surprising. A MG AGE-2 is pretty much inevitable (though I would’ve liked to see a MG G-Exes first) and a MegaSize AGE-3, though in tune with what the previous MegaSize AGE1/2 kits, would be bloody massive. read more

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Hellebore Strike – Custom Armament Project – WIP 01 – It Begins

Generally, I’m not one to buy 1/144 scale kits. However I’ve had a project floating around in my head for a long time and the Real Grade Strike seemed to fit the bill. It’s the perfect scale and I love the Strike Gundam’s design. Plus it would give me an excuse to pick up and mess around with a RG level kit.

But wait, perfect scale for what you might ask? Well a kit bash with my ancient 1/550 scale Dendrobium of course! I’ve had one sitting around for over a decade, back from the days before I knew better and ripped pieces from the runners. When I pulled it apart I realized how great the cannon was and that it would look great by itself. Slowly the idea developed into a full scale kit bash. My first kit bash actually. And thus far, things are going great. read more

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PG Strike Freedom: Complete

After four months of paint, tears, and more paint… my black Perfect Grade Strike Freedom is complete. For those of us with ADHD I’m going to kick things off by posting all the pictures. From a technical prospective they’re rather ‘blah’ due to the small size of my studio and the humongous span of this kit’s wings, among other reasons. You can read more about that, along with very little detail about the build, after all the pretty pictures.

The Pictures

 


Click to Enlarge
| On Flickr read more

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PG Strike Freedom WIP 12: Main body… done

So at long last the body of my PG Strike Freedom is complete…


Click to Enlarge
| On Flickr

Can you spot the issues? The silvering on some of the decals is painfully evident in this shot. I can also spot at least three areas of unfortunate paint transfer via parts rubbing. The clear pieces on the wings, which normally would have had a sticker applied to them, got a coat of clear red followed by some dull coat for frosting. Probably the only aspect of the kit that turned out better than expected. Though it does clash with the rest of the design. Sadness. read more

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PG Strike Freedom WIP 11: Bring me all your bitches

It’s been awhile since I updated with my progress on this guy…


Click to Enlarge
| On Flickr

She’s certainly been giving me some heart burn for a while. What’s been killing me mostly are the decals and the dull top coat.

My issue with the decals, as you can probably tell from the photos, if you look closely enough, is silvering. Despite all of the pieces reviving a proper gloss coat before hand, along with the proper dosage of Micro Set & Micro Sol, many of the decals have silvered. Worse is that it’s very random and inconsistent, meaning I haven’t a clue what’s going on. I think it may be related to my rather unorthodox choice of body paint which I reveal when I’m all said and done. read more

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PG Strike Freedom WIP 10: Update Shots

The kit is slowly moving along. Following the issues chronicled in my last update a lot of pieces have now been repainted and received new decals. Now I await some 60 degree days to give them a good top coat.

I do have some some other pieces finished though. Unfortunately there’s some silvering/air bubble issues on the shoulder armor. Oh well. Not much I can really do about it without delaying the whole project yet again to order more decals.