Woody [Completed: Out-of-the-box build of the Bandai Toy Story plastic model kit with selected parts painted]

 It's not often I get to say this, but one whole project series is now complete! While my Toy Story project comprises only a measly pair of plastic model kits, I'll still gladly take the win, however small. That Woody turned out better than I expected is the cherry on top. Maybe its because I like Buzz Lightyear better as a character. Or maybe I didn't truly believe Woody would make a good kit (he's actually a soft toy after all). Whatever the reason was, I ended up loving the shelf-presence that the Bandai Cinema Rise Standard - Toy Story 4: Woody kit had, more than Buzz. Way more.

Toy Story 4: Woody; a Bandai Cinema Rise Standard plastic model kit [completed, front view]

Toy Story 4: Woody; a Bandai Cinema Rise Standard plastic model kit [completed, back view]

 Putting Woody together was a much simpler and more straightforward process compared with what I experienced with Buzz Lightyear. Reason for this was an absence of gimmicks in Woody, versus the one found in Buzz's spring activated jet-pack wings. This in turn translates into uncomplicated parts sans somewhat fiddly spring mechanisms. However more work is needed for Woody in the form of painting of selected parts in order to make him color accurate. So the overall effort needed to get to the end result (of a fully-build, partially painted kit) is still roughly the same.

Major sub-assemblies of Toy Story Woody prior to the final assembly process

 Individual sub-assemblies such as Woody's face and hand options, his arms, torso, pelvis/groin, legs, and hat were first put together prior to the final assembly process. Below are images of the various sub-assemblies, with the corresponding captions describing the work done on them. By looking at the individual sub-assemblies in detail before putting them together to make up the final kit, I feel that we can better appreciate the myriad of little details that may get lost in the overall picture.   

Cowboy hat in its original molded-in brown color, but with the band painted in umber

Face options:: the middle one is painted (cheeks and lips) while the ones on the left/right are not

Both arms (checkered grooves panel lined with orange rust) and all the hand options

Torso plus neck (front view) with the neckerchief, shirt (panel-lined with orange rust) & buttons (painted with gunmetal and black), vest (panel-lined with black), and sheriff's badge (given a dark brown wash)

Torso plus neck (back view) with the neckerchief, shirt, and vest with pull-string ring

 One thing that kind of disappointed me about this kit was the lack of a gimmick for Woody. But to be fair, the only gimmick suitable for Woody would've been an actual working pull-string that activates a recording of his voice like in the movies. That's impossible for a relatively cheap plastic model kit. Meanwhile I love how Bandai has got the articulation spot on for Woody. For example Woody's knee can bend forward like a marionette, similar to what you would see with a ragdoll toy, which is what I believe Woody to be. So essentially this is still a fantastic model kit representation of Woody.

Pelvis/groin (front view) comprising the jeans panel-lined with orange rust; the belt loops painted in blue; and the belt buckle given a dark brown wash

Pelvis/groin (back view) comprising jeans panel-lined with orange rust, and belt loops painted in blue

Gun holster in molded-in brown with the ribbon painted a combination of red, gold, and dark brown

Legs with jeans and boots in their original molded-in colors (i.e. blue and brown respectively) while the molded-in gold boot spurs were given a dark brown wash

Hexagonal clear display base, together with a peg attaches Woody securely to the base

 Earlier I mentioned that Woody seemed to have greater shelf presence than Buzz Lightyear, Perhaps it's due to Buzz's relative lack of vivid colors in comparison with Woody, or it's because Buzz is shorter than Woody, or maybe it's the fact that Woody has a gigantic face versus Buzz's significantly smaller facial profile. Or perhaps I'm just making something out of nothing. Anyway, one thing is for sure. They both look great together. They are best buddies after all. So if do you get one of the Bandai Toy Story kits, you can't afford to ignore the other. In other words, I recommend getting both.    

Buzz Lightyear and Woody on separate display bases that have been linked together (front view)

Woody and Buzz Lightyear on separate display bases that have been linked together (back view)

 Following the completion of Woody and Buzz, I'll be headng towards what are technically more difficult and time consuming projects, namely Gunpla or mecha kits. Those require more planning and painting, and a lengthier project time from start to finish. Or I might even continue with some shelved armored fighting vehicle projects, although I'll likely work on the former rather than the latter for now. In any case, this brief relaxing hobby period is over for now, at least until I'm mentally worn down again by the complexities of the more difficult mecha builds. Regardless, I'm just thankful the hobby train shows no sign of derailing yet. For that I'm grateful. Until my next post, be well and happy!