Thursday 21 July 2016

Star Wars Darth Vader - Bandai 1/12 Scale Model Kit [Completed]

Darth Vader is finally finished. This model kit from Bandai has been a real joy to put together but not so much to paint. He's only the second 1/12 scale figure I've completed from Bandai's Star Wars line, the other being an original trilogy Stormtrooper. So now trooper TK-421 has none other than the Dark Lord of the Sith himself for company. Two welcome pieces in my small Star Wars collection.

If you only knew the power of the dark side
TK-421's joy at defeating Darth Vader in rock, paper and scissors was short lived

As a 1/12 scale plastic model kit, Darth Vader has two distinct shortcomings when compared to the Stormtrooper. Firstly, breaks in the appendages' joints look more natural on the latter. Secondly, the rigid plastic cloak on Vader's back not only looks unrealistic but it also makes posing more difficult. 

Come with me, it's the only way ...
Darth Vader's cloak has just one coat of paint on it i.e. matte black

But in focusing on the kit's "failures" I'm in essence actually comparing the Bandai version, rather unfairly, to more realistic (and way more expensive) versions from Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles. Not really a like-for-like comparison. Priced at just ¥2,592 Bandai's version is very good value for money, and in my opinion an excellent addition to any Star Wars fan's personal collection.

Various posing options for Vader's right and left hand
Weapon handles were painted to resemble Darth Vader's personal lightsabre
Details on the handle accurately depicted Vader's lightsabre

One thing that really impressed me about this kit is the high level of accuracy in the detail. Take for example, the vertical ridges on Vader's glove which is similar to the costume in Return of the Jedi as opposed to the horizontal ridges found in A New Hope. Another example is the weapon handle which is not generic but specifically detailed to resemble Vader's personal lightsabre. It's little things like this which convinced me that a lot of care and attention went into the making of this model kit.   

Join me and together we will rule the galaxy as father and son ... words all fathers long to say
Darth Vader against a dark background ... it kinda works too

With the Bandai Star Wars 1/12 scale model kit of Darth Vader completed, I can resume painting my work-in-progress Dark Sword Miniatures Female Mage on Stairs figurine. At the very least, working on my proxy for Game of Throne's Princess Myrcella Baratheon will inject some bright and cheerful colours back into the blog as my previous post can attest to. Up next is her skin tone and laying on flesh colours will further consolidate the overall colour scheme. I can't wait. See you in my next post!

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19 comments:

  1. Finished, and well finished! Beautiful and impressive Dark Side figure!

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  2. Wonderful, i can hear him breathing from here!

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    Replies
    1. Vader must have the coolest breathing ever ^_^

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  3. Whatever the shortcomings of this kit, you've definitely made it shine!

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    1. Well, if shine is the right word for a mostly black figure that is...

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    2. LoL ... glossy black has its own 'shine' as it is. Thank you Moiterei :)

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  4. Great job, it certainly stands out as a cracking collector's piece.

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    1. It's not a top notch piece but for limited budget collectors like myself, you're very right ... it's a great piece to have in my collection. :)

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  5. Nicely done. It does look an amazingly crafted kit, and expertly finished by you of course! Good job!

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    1. Many thanks spunkybass! In the end I didn't do much really but then again this piece doesn't need much meddling. Just as long as some neat-within-the-lines painting can be done for Vader's details it should turn out OK. And varying the black surfaces of course. Less is more kinda thing.

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  6. Looks superb dude! Its amazing how versatile the kit is with all the little options it must be tough deciding on what to use and when!

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    1. Thanks man! The hand options are easily detachable so not much work is involved in striking the different poses. :)

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  7. Very nice work, and i think it looks great even with the rigid cloak piece. :)

    The two models look superb together. Kudos! :)

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    1. Thank you pulpcitizen. If only they made a cloth cloak. That would've been way cool. Cheaper to produce too but I guess harder to maintain quality control.

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  8. Most amazing work. The overall effect is impressive. The Force serves you well...

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    1. Thank you Suber. Your abundance of faith is most pleasing ... get it? get it? (groan I know) ;)

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  9. Nicely done! The mix-match between gloss and matte worked really well.

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    1. Thanks! In researching the 'colour scheme' for Vader I was actually surprised so many of the blacks is matte.

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