MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 [WIP: Leg Outer Panels & Hip Joints]

Like meat on the bones, the outer armor panels - when attached to the Leg Inner Frames - provide a significantly bulkier presence to both legs. This might seem like a natural progression of the build but the designers deserve some kudos for designing great looking shapes, combining both sharp and rounded edges, to deliver legs with oomph; legs worthy of arguably the most famous Gundam.    

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 work-in-progress: Leg Outer Panels &  Hip Joints (isometric front view)

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 work-in-progress: Leg Outer Panels &  Hip Joints (isometric back view)

Although I would've expected it to be the other way around, the part count of the Leg Outer Panels turned out to be actually higher than those of the Leg Inner Frames. Detailed analysis shows this was due to the larger single-piece-molded-parts on the skeletal frame (as an equivalent think femur and tibia on the human leg). Apart from some minor masking, the painting process was straightforward.   

Numerous tiny pieces of the Leg Outer Panel parts were all individually painted before assembly

Meanwhile, putting it all together was almost intuitive but not quite. I don't have the experience for that to happen yet. There was a lot of referencing to the instructions to make sure the right pieces went into the right place. But if push came to shove, say I lost the instructions, I dare say I could've figured it all out like a jigsaw puzzle if I spent enough time tackling the assembly task. Below are the series of photos showing the various parts being slowly put together one sub-assembly at a time.

Pieces of one Leg Outer Panel all painted up and decaled; awaiting assembly onto the Inner Frame (center)

First some of the outer panel pieces were pieced together prior to being attached to the Leg Inner Frame

At this stage, most of the outer panels have been attached to the inner frame except for the knee area

Only the uppermost Leg Outer Panel (white part) is left unattached together with the Hip Joint (metallic part)

RX-78-2 Gundam Right Leg: Outer Panel & Hip Joint fully attached to the Inner Frame

As is the case for the entire RX-78-2 Gundam so far, color separation of the leg outer armor panels was well thought out by the Bandai designers. I just followed their recommendations and painted the panels as intended in the instructions. What's nice to know is that one doesn't really have to follow the recommended color scheme. Because the parts are already separated based on color, one could use that as the basis to paint your own color scheme. For example, you can just replace the light brown panels with another color say pink; the light bluish grey with violet; and the white panels with red, or a different combination all together. This would result in a whole different Gundam altogether.

Color separation on the outer armor panels make the leg look less flat as a whole

Orientation of the Hip Joint means that this is the right leg of the RX-78-2 Gundam

Exposure of the innards at the back of the knee ensure the inner frame is not completely covered up

Metallic innards are most visible around the knees, especially when the leg is bent

Decals on the leg aren't numerous but enough exists to increase the realism of the whole pice

Color separation of outer panels; metallic innards; and strategically placed decals form a potent mix

On my previous post I had shown that the Leg Inner Frame could bend in on itself at a 180 degree angle. And as expected, once the outer armor panels were attached the leg could no longer bend that much. At best the thigh could only bend around 120 degrees towards the calf. But in all fairness, even this level of movement was extremely impressive considering the bulkiness of the outer armor.

As expected, the outer panels on the leg prevent it from fully bending in on itself

Freedom of movement of the leg with the outer panels attached was still very impressive

Notice how the outer panel armor on the knee opens and closes to facilitate flexibility of the joint

Now complete, both legs are part of larger Lower Body section that also comprises the Ankles/Feet and a soon to be completed Waist Unit. Below are photos of both completed legs.

Both legs of the RX-78-2 Gundam sans ankles and feet (front view)

Both legs of the RX-78-2 Gundam sans ankles and feet (inner side view)

Both legs of the RX-78-2 Gundam sans ankles and feet (back view)

Both legs of the RX-78-2 Gundam sans ankles and feet (outer side view)

For the legs to be part of the larger Lower Body it needs to connect to the Ankles/Feet via holes on the lower end and to a Waist Unit via Hip Joints on the upper end (see below).

Ankles/feet will attach to the holes (see above) at the end of both legs

Hip Joints at the other end of the legs will attach to the soon-to-be-completed Waist Unit

So all that's left of the Lower Body to be tackled is the Waist Unit. This will be the next step. Once done, the lower half of Grandpa Gundam will be ready for assembly. And as always I leave you with quote that may not be entirely relevant but it's a quote nonetheless. This week we have a quote from Lucifer Morningstar who says ... What I hate more than anything is a liar, a charlatan, someone who doesn’t believe in what they say. That's a lot of people to hate. Oh well, have a great week ahead!