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Friday, August 31, 2012

Bandai HG 1/144 Gundam AGE-FX English Color Guide & Manual

HG Gundam AGE-FX English Translation Color Guide & Manual
One of the latest releases by Bandai for the month of August is the 1/144 High Grade model kit of Kio Asuno's Gundam AGE-FX from the Gundam AGE anime series. This mecha comes equipped with a rifle (whose name I can't prounounce: Stangull? Sutangur???) that can convert to bazooka mode as well as the staple of Newtypes in the Gundam UC universe, Funnels. But in this variant it is referred to as C-Funnel. Great stand design too where you can display the funnels in a circular arc for that dramatic pose.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Yamato Macross Series 2000-2012 "All" Catalog

Yamato Macross Series 2000-2012 Yamato Toys updated their online catalog for their Macross series by adding the items made in 2012. The online catalog is basically a list of all the Macross items they made through out the years, from the toys, model kits, to the dolls and even the motorcycle helmets.

1/60 VF-1A Miria Fallyna Jenius Version Build Part I

1/60 VF-1A Valkyrie Miria Jenius version Build

This post documents the start of my build of transforming the 1/60 VF-1A No Paint Kit (with Bonus Parts) by Yamato Toys into a fictional VF-1A Miria Fallyna Jenius version. You can jump ahead to this post to see the completed pictures of this build. First thing I did of course was to translate the Japanese construction manual to English, that you can see here. The build sequence in the manual starts with the arms but I decided to bypass that by building the head first.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

1/60 VF-1A Miria Fallyna Jenius Version (Unofficial)

1/60 VF-1A Valkyrie Miria Jenius version

At the time that Miria Fallyna Jenius (Milia Jenius) defected to the side of the humans after falling in love with Max Jenius in the SDF Macross anime. I've often wondered whether she dove immediately to using the VF-1J (which was used by squad leaders) that she was seen using in the anime or whether she first flew a VF-1A, the mass produced Variable Fighter of the Earth Forces? If she did use a VF-1A I wondered also what color she would use?, most likely she would follow the color placement of Max's VF-1A but more suited to her red color scheme.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Swiss Army Knife Scissors for Decal Cutting

Swiss Army Knife Scissors for Decal Cutting

Was applying decals to a model kit today and was initially using the small knife that usually comes with the Swiss Army Knife then I realized that I should be using an X-acto knife to cut off the decals instead.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Farewell Mr. Armstrong

Farewell Mr. Neil Armstrong
Update: Beautiful article written by Michael Collins about his friend, Neil Armstrong.

Update: Just saw this great photo essay at the Atlantic on the life of Neil Armstrong. What struck me most was the family's statement on his passing:

For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.


Was saddened by the news today that Neil Armstrong, the first man to step foot on the moon, passed away due to heart complications at the age of 82.

Bandai HG 1/144 Hambrabi English Manual & Color Guide

HG Hambrabi English Translation Construction Manual & Color Guide

From Zeta Gundam anime series comes the Hambrabi mobile suit that can transform to mobile armor released as a 1/144 High Grade model kit by Bandai. It comes equipped with Fedayeen Rifle, Claw, Tail lance, beam saber, beam rifle and umihebi

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Kotobukiya Frame Arms Type 48 Model I Kagutsuchi-Kou English Manual & Color Guide

1/100 Frame Arms Type 48 Model I Kagutsuchi-Kou Construction Manual & Color Guide

Released in July by Kotobukiya was the 1/100 scale Type 48 Model I Kagutsuchi-Kou. This model kit comes from the original series of Kotobukiya which they called Frame Arms. The Frame Arms line is a collection of mecha based model kits that use a common skeleton frame known as the frame architect and from there detail parts are added onto it.

Friday, August 24, 2012

I miss Leslie Nielsen



Watching Leslie Nielsen play Police Detective Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun movies was one of the most cherished memories of my young adult life. Sad that he passed away already.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Music to Build By



I think I just found the best music to get me into the mood to build model kits. It comes from the Iron Man soundtrack, specifically the songs Mark II and Driving With the Top Down. Both songs were composed by acclaimed music composer Ramin Djawadi and were heard during the scene where Tony Stark builds and tests the Iron Man armor.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

1/8 MG Barnaby Brooks Jr English Manual & Color Guide

MG Barnaby Brooks Jr Construction Manual & Color Guide

From Bandai comes the MG Figurerise release of Barnaby Brooks Jr. from the Tiger and Bunny anime series. Also released as part of this series was the 1/8 Wild Tiger.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Bandai SD Hyaku Shiki w/ Mega Bazooka Launcher English Manual

SD Hyaku Shiki w/ Mega Bazooka Launcher Construction Manual
Quattro Bajeena's Hyaku Shiki from the Zeta Gundam Anime series gets the Super Deformed treatment by Bandai and with it comes a bonus of the Mega Bazooka Launcher included in the kit. Quattro Bajeena was the pseudonym of Zeon Ace Char Aznable as he was on a secret mission for Zeon on earth where eventually found himself on the side of the Anti Earth Union Group fighting the tyrannical Titans of the Earth Federation.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Revell 1/48 MiL-24D Hind Helicopter

1/48 Revell MiL-24D Hind

Revell 1/48 MiL-24D Hind Helicopter which I got from HobbyLink Japan a couple of weeks back. This kit is actually hard to come by, that's why when I saw it at HobbyLink Japan I scooped it up immediately. This fearsome helicopter was developed by the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). It was in a class of its own because it served as both a troop transport and an attack helicopter.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Bandai MG 1/100 Gundam AGE-2 Normal English Manual & Color Guide

MG Gundam AGE-2 Normal Construction Manual & Color Guide
From the Gundam AGE anime series comes this latest release from Bandai, the Master Grade Gundam AGE-2 Normal flown by Asemu Asuno. Earlier this year Bandai also released a 1/144 High Grade model kit of the Gundam AGE-2 Normal.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Bandai SD Blue Destiny English Manual

SD Blue Destiny Construction Manual

Released in 2001 by Bandai was the SD variant of the Gundam Blue Destiny that can be configured as either Unit 1 or Unit 2. Bandai also released High Grade variants of the Unit 1 and Unit 2.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Yamato 1/60 VF-1A No Paint Kit with Bonus Option Parts

Yamato 1/60 VF-1A No Paint Kit
Update: Decided to build a fictional VF-1A Miria Fallyna Jenius version with this kit.

Got this from HobbyLink Japan, a 1/60 No Paint Kit of the VF-1A made by Yamato Toys. It's basically an unassembled 1/60 Perfect Transformation VF-1 that the hobbyist can build and color up according to his preference. It comes with all the parts you could find your normal perfect transformation VF-1A, except that it also has an assembly manual (along with the transformation manual) and decals. Translated Construction Manual for this can be found here.

Monday, August 13, 2012

1/1000 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 English Manual & Color Guide

1/1000 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Construction Manual & Color Guide

From Bandai comes the 1/1000 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 from the anime of the same name. From what I understand the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 anime is a reboot of the original 1970 series to attune it to the advancements of modern day animation techniques. I think also to introduce to newer fans the series all over again.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Bandai SD Qubeley English Manual

SD Qubeley English Construction Manual

Haman Karn's Qubeley first seen at Zeta Gundam made into a SD kit by Bandai and released in 2001 as part of their SD line of model kits

Friday, August 10, 2012

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM RZ-041 Liger Zero Panzer English Manual & Color Guide

1/72 HMM Liger Zero Panzer English Translation Construction Manual & Color Guide

From Kotobukiya comes the 1/72 scale Highend Master Model Liger Zero Panzer from Zoids New Century Zero Anime series. Its basically the Liger Zero mounted with the Panzer Pack which is used for bombardment as its equipped with a mean load of missiles and cannons.

Other variants of the Liger Zero released by Kotobukiya were the Jager and the Schneider. If you already have the 1/72 HMM Liger Zero and don't want to buy the Panzer anymore, you can always buy the stand alone Panzer unit that Kotobukiya also sells separately without the Liger Zero included..

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Bandai MG 1/100 Crossbone Gundam X1 Ver. Ka English Manual & Color Guide

MG Cross Bone Gundam X1 Ver.Ka English Construction Manual & Color Guide
Released in 2006 by Bandai was the Master Grade variant of the Cross Bone Gundam X1 Ver.Ka. Aside from this there was also the Full Cloth Master Grade version of this as well as the SD version. This Gundam comes from the Mobile Suit CrossBone Gundam manga series penned by Tomino that came out in the 90's

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Bandai SD Crossbone Gundam X1 English Manual

SD Cross Bone Gundam X1 Construction Manual

Released in 2001 by Bandai was the SD variant of Crossbone Gundam X1 from the Mobile Suit Gundam Crossbone series. There was also a Fullcloth Master Grade variant of the Crossbone Gundam released by Bandai.

Kotobukiya ZOE: Vic Viper English Manual & Color Guide

ZOE: Vic Viper English Construction Manual & Color Guide

From Kotobukiya comes the Vic Viper from Anubis Zone of Enders. A unique feature of this mecha is it capability to transform to flying mode. This particular mecha was released in June of this year. There was also the Jehuty that was released by Kotobukiya in the same line as this.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Bandai SD Master Gundam English Manual

master.jpg

From Mobile Fighter G Gundam comes the SD variant of the Master Gundam used by Toho Fuhai. This was originally released in 2001 by Bandai so you could say that its a pretty old kit already. Aside from this, Bandai also released a Master Grade version of this as well as a High Grade version.

Bandai SD Newtype's Mobile Armor English Manual

SD Newtype's Mobile Armor Construction Manual

From the original Mobile Suit Gundam comes the SD variant of the Lalah Sune's ill-fated Mobile Armor. More popularly known as the Elmeth

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM EMZ-15 Molga & Molga w/ Canory unit English Manual & Color Guide

1/72 HMM Molga & Molga w/ Canory unit Construction Manual & Color Guide
Released in 2008 by Kotobukiya was the Highend Master Model variant of the Molga & Molga with Canory unit in 1/72 scale. The Molga can be seen in the various Zoids animated series. The Zoids are animals based mecha toys made popular by Tomy. Aside from this release, there was also the Anti-Aircraft and Carrier variant of the Molga released by Kotobukiya.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Bandai HG 1/144 G-Exes Jackedge English Color Guide & Manual

HG G-Exes Jackedge Color Guide & Manual

Released last month by Bandai was the 1/144 High Grade G-Exes Jackedge from the Gundam AGE series. The Jackedge is based off the standard G-Exes frame. It comes equipped with a dods rifle, beam saber, missile pod & a shield.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Bandai SD Byg-Zam English Manual

SD Byg-Zam Construction Manual

From the Original Mobile Suit Gundam comes the ill fated Byg-Zam of Zeon Noble, Dozle Zabi. Is it just me?, or does it look like a headless chicken? *snicker*... I guess if the producers of Gundam ever realized back then that the franchise they built would be such a hit, they would have spent more decent time in designing this mecha. The Byg-Zam was released as an SD kit by Bandai in 2001.

Bandai SD Maganac English Manual

SD Maganac Construction Manual

From the Gundam Wing Universe comes the Maganac which was released by Bandai in 2000 as a SD kit. This kit can be configured as either Rashid's commander type or as Auda type mobile suit, which has a unique claw like arm design.