MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 [WIP: Ransel/Backpack, Body Unit Part 3 of 5]

Initially I was confused as to what a ransel even was. A quick online check showed it's Dutch for a satchel or rectangular backpack. The Japanese equivalent is randoseru, a term that is borrowed from the Dutch ransel which itself is borrowed from the German word ränzel. That perhaps explains why the Japanese language assembly instructions refer to the gundam's 'backpack' as ransel. Anyway, that's enough of etymology for one day. On then to the 1/100 scale ransel of the RX-78-2 Gundam.    

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 work-in-progress: Ransel (Backpack)

Some new colors were utilized at this stage, for example a bluish white hue (Mr.Color Gundam UG01 MS White), a metallic color (Tamiya XF-26 Dark Copper) and a translucent tint (Tamiya X-23 Clear Blue). Also used were three different cans of spray paint i.e. Tamiya TS-38 Gun Metal, TS-42 Light Gun Metal and TS-23 Clear Gloss Coat. And apart from these single color paints, a lacquer paint mixture was prepared for the Ransel armor comprising a combination of 85% Mr.Color No.14 Navy Blue, 15% No.13 Neutral Gray and a small drop of No.03 Red.    

Gundam MS White is a slightly bluish off-white hue

Ransel color comprised a mixture of mainly of navy blue, some neutral gray and a touch of red

Versatility of Tamiya acrylic paints means they can mix with either lacquer thinner (left) or alcohol-based (right) thinner

My first use of clear paint (Tamiya X-23 Clear Blue) on an un-primed clear plastic part

Tamiya spray paint used on the ransel: TS-38 Gun Metal, TS-42 Light Gun Metal, and TS-13 Clear Gloss Coat

As has been the case so far, all the separate pieces of the Ransel were painted individually before being assembled. The only part I didn't paint was the connector piece which will eventually fix the Ransel onto the RX-78-2 Gundam's body. Because it's made out of a soft plastic material, I suspect it will not take too kindly to a primer coat or lacquer paints. In most cases these connector pieces are well hidden from view anyway hence negating any need to paint them up.  

Painted pieces of the RX-78-2 Gundam Ransel all laid out prior to assembly

Clockwise from top left: Beam saber/joint connectors and white armor inserted into the Ransel; clear parts into thrusters 

Copper stripes were hand-pained on the light gun metal thrusters i.e. copper sticker decals were not used

Final two sub-assemblies of the RX-78-2 Gundam Ransel

RX-78-2 Gundam Ransel fully painted and assembled

Painting the clear parts of the thruster with clear blue paint was a conscious decision based on the observed color of the jet trail of an in-action thruster. It was certainly more meaningful than leaving it in its original clear non-color state. In addition, the light clear blue goes well with the white and bluish grey hues of the Ransel. Incidentally this was the first time I had ever attempted to airbrush clear paint onto a clear plastic part. For obvious reasons, I couldn't prime the clear parts but the clear paint seems to adhere well to the clear plastic despite its lack of a primer coat. 

Bottom view of the Ransel shows off the clear blue parts of the smaller and larger thrusters

Top view of the Ransel; note the left and right peg-like contraptions are connectors for the beam saber

Thrusters on the Ransel were painted in Light Gun Metal ...

... with stripes of Dark Copper, and then all given a black pin wash

All in all I was extremely pleased with how the Ransel turned out. It sets me up nicely for the last sub-assembly of the RX-78-2 Body Unit. This next step involves a basic LED lighting unit as well as the RX-78-2 Gundam's neck region. It is the easiest section of the Body Unit to complete, at least the one that requires minimal painting. Even the LED lights require no wiring, just some minor assembly. Until then, I bid you goodbye until we meet again in my next post on the blogosphere.