MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 [WIP: Leg Inner Frames]

As with the arms and torso of the RX-78-2 Gundam, the legs possess an inner frame that can be assembled first before the outer armor panels are attached. In all instances - on the arms, torso or leg - when inner frames were being build, the assembly design has been such that some pieces outer armor would invariably become part of the overall mix. Visually these outer armor panels stick out by virtue of being the few non-metallic pieces of the inner frame build (see below).

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 Work-in-Progress: Legs Inner Frame (angled, side views)

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 Work-in-Progress: Legs Inner Frame (angled, front & back views)

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 Work-in-Progress: Legs Inner Frame (opposite side views)

Similar to the Arm Inner Frame before it, the number of parts involved in the Leg Inner Frame build was surprisingly low. Both had assembly processes that were considerably less complicated than the Torso Inner Frame which comprised a fairly high part count. The only issue of note, if you could call it that, was the need to mask some of the parts during the painting process. This was more of a chore rather than being difficult, due to the need to mask tiny parts with big clumsy hands.  

Leg Inner Frame parts were all individually painted before being assembled

Compared with the arms and torso, it was actually much easier to build the leg's inner frame. That could have been because I had become more experienced at this stage or it was due to the inherent design of the build. Either way I found it almost effortless when putting the Leg Inner Frame together. Perhaps the parts with hooks confused me for a while but it wasn't too big of a deal.

Parts of the Leg Inner Frame painted up and awaiting assembly; no decals were required at this stage

Trickiest part of the Leg Inner Frame build was attaching the hook-like parts together (see 11 o'clock position) ...

... which was then attached to the largest inner frame part (see center piece) ...

... a small piece with the copper surface was then attached to the lower end of the center piece

Upper section of the Leg Inner Frame was attached to a side metallic panel which will eventually cover up the knee joint (see extreme right)

One of the two RX-78-2 Gundam Leg Inner Frames after the parts were fully assembled

White and light brown sections constitute the Outer Armor Panels of the Leg Inner Frame build

Holes and pegs seen on the inner frame will be points onto which the Outer Armor Panel will attach

Masking was required when painting the lower section (see copper atop the light brown surface)

Good articulation design of the build allows the Leg Inner Frame to bend almost 180 degrees onto itself. However, it's likely the knee joint might not bend as much once the Outer Armor Panels are attached onto the inner frame. At the very least, I would expect this level of articulation to allow the RX-78-2 Gundam to execute the "take a knee" pose, once the mecha is fully assembled. 

Leg Inner Frame freedom of movement: Fully bend in on itself at an 180 degree angle

Leg Inner Frame freedom of movement: Bend at a 90 degree angle

Leg Inner Frame freedom of movement: Bent at a 45 degree angle

Leg Inner Frame freedom of movement: Fully extended

It's a shame that most of the leg's inner frame will eventually be covered up by the outer armor panels.There is a beauty to just the inner frames themselves. In fact some modelers have created an "open hatch" version of the build in which they leave all the Outer Armor Panels half open to give visual access to the inner frame. Although I won't be doing my own "open hatch" version, I still had to paint the inner frames. Even with the outer panels fully attached, some inner frames still show.

Front view of the RX-78-2 Gundam Leg Inner Frames

Side view of the RX-78-2 Gundam Leg Inner Frames

Back view of the RX-78-2 Gundam Leg Inner Frames

Opposing side view of the RX-78-2 Gundam Leg Inner Frames

While I've managed to keep to my self-imposed minimum of one blog post a week by writing about my backlog of completed stuff, it has been relatively quiet on the actual hobby front these past month or so. Thankfully it's not another episode of the dreaded hobby malaise. It's just life imposing itself on available hobby time. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. And with that I leave you with a quote from Stranger Things 3 ... Yeah, the real world sucks, deal with it like the rest of us - Jonathan Byers.