MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 [WIP: Torso Inner Frame, Body Unit Part 1 of 5]

Work on Grandpa Gundam himself begins with the Torso Inner Frame of the Body Unit. Progress on the RX-78-2 is only moving along at a moderate pace due to the need to paint the individual parts before assembling them. But I expect things to speed up somewhat as I slowly get the hang of the unique paint/build process a Gundam model kit entails. Ironically I find this slow paint and build process to be extremely gratifying even if at the same time I'm frustrated by the slowness of it all.    

Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam Version 3.0 work-in-progress: Torso Inner Frame

It was during the course of painting the inner frame that I got to thinking I'll need to retire my cheap Made-in-China airbrush soon and start using my Mr.Hobby Procon Boy Double Action airbrushes (0.2 and 0.3 mm) instead. I'll most likely limit use of the cheap airbrush on test work or perhaps priming. Why change now? Well, I feel a lot of prep work (e.g. preparing metal paint in specialized thinner) is being wasted on sub-par results (e.g. flaky metallic finishes). Now it could be I didn't properly mix the paint or perhaps mixed different brand thinners and paints that are incompatible to each other. But I suspect it's likely caused by the cheaper airbrush's poor paint atomization.

Paint and thinner materials used in the painting of the Torso Inner Frame

Torso Inner Frame after a few coats of Tamiya LP-20 Light Gun Metal diluted with Gaia T-09m solution

Vanes on the ducts located on the upper torso after a few coats of Mr.Color Gundam UG03 MS Yellow

Only two colors were needed at this stage namely Tamiya LP-20 Light Gun Metal and Mr.Color Gundam MS Yellow. To create depth especially on the metallic pieces, I used the Mr.Weathering Color Multi-Black panel liner. This oil-based weathering paint seemed to have a matt effect on the top gloss coat. So to avoid the glossy metal finish from becoming flat after panel lining, I cleaned excess panel liner with the Mr.Weathering Color Solvent. Since the Mr.Hobby website states that the panel liner is an oil-based paint, I also tried using white spirit as a cleaning agent with some success.

Mr.Weathering Color's oil-based black panel liner was used to create depth on the painted pieces

Not shown here is the Mr.Super Clear (Semi Gloss) top coat which I applied on the yellow duct vanes. My plan, for now at least, is to apply a semi-gloss coat on all the outer panels of the RX-78-2. The gloss finish will be reserved for parts covered with metallic paint. Below are a series of photos which show the individual parts being assembled into the Torso Inner Frame of the RX-78-2.

Torso Inner Frame prior to assembly (note: shoulder articulation joints partially assembled)

Shoulder articulation joint assembled and duct vanes attached to supporting structure

Shoulder joints attached to inner frame and duct vanes enclosed in supporting structure before ... 

... they were attached to the backbone of the inner frame

Torso Inner Frame comprising upper torso (top) and lower torso (bottom)

Upon attaching upper torso inner frame to the lower torso inner frame, I noticed articulation at the point of connection allows for sideways movement of the torso (see below). 

Upper and lower torso can be moved independently left or right at the point of connection

In addition, articulation within the upper torso itself allowed for it to bend forwards and backwards (see below). Other articulation include shoulder joints which I presume allows the arms to rotate with a significant amount of freedom. From what I can tell so far, the inclusion of an inner frame should provide a sturdy skeleton frame for outer armor panels to attach onto as well as for posing flexibility. 

Part of the upper torso itself has ability to move slightly backwards ...

... and forwards which together with the left and right movements suggest many poseable options for the torso

View from top down shows shoulder joints have a high degree of movement ...

... as they should in order for both arms to move freely

View of the Torso Inner Frame, from the bottom up

Some modellers display the RX-78-2 just by its inner frame sans any outer panels which necessitates that the entire inner frame be painted in a myriad of metallic colors. This is to denote the variety of metals that make up its inner frame. However, I intend to display the RX-78-2 with its armor intact with only parts of the inner frame showing through. This means I'll be painting only up to three variety of metallic hues namely Light Gun Metal, Gun Metal and Dark Copper, all Tamiya paints. At this early stage, the Torso Inner Frame only required the Light Gun Metal metallic paint color.  

Back view of the Torso Inner Frame onto which the Ransel (backpack) will attach

Front view of the Torso Inner Frame with the duct vanes attached

Next on the to-do-list for the RX-78-2 Gundam Body Unit is its outer armor panels. Paint will need to be airbrushed on and decals applied before they're attached onto the inner frame. Aesthetically the next step should be more interesting to work on and to read about. With that and with the weekend upon us, here's wishing you progress in your projects in the coming two days. As always, thanks for reading my post and for following my work-in-progress on the Grandpa Gundam. Au Revoir. 

Neon Genesis Evangelion enters project pipeline & some personal EVA treasures in my collection

Neon Genesis Evangelion was the first anime I owned in hard copy in the form of DVDs which I had scrounged and saved to buy, a few years after entering the workforce. So naturally the Evangelion series holds special meaning for me. Directed by Anno Hideaki, this iconic mecha anime first aired in 1995 in Japan. It has since seen a reboot through a series of movies i.e. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone [1997]; Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance [2009]; Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo [2012]; and Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0 [eta 2020]. It took me long enough but I finally got my hands on some Evangelion scale model kits and resin figurines to add to my project pipeline.

As my personal hobby convention would dictate, wherever possible each project universe should comprise a scale model (mecha/vehicle) and figurine kit. Sometimes it's only possible to find either one or the other and not both. So far I've been lucky as two other sci-fi anime universes included in my project pipeline had both (check out the third- and second-last photos below). 

Bandai Limited Model High Grade kits of the EVA-00 and EVA-01 as well as a 1/6 scale resin cast of Rei Ayanami

E2046 miniature 1/6 scale resin figurine kit of Rei Ayanami

Bandai Limited Model High Grade plastic scale model kit of EVA-01 Test Type

Bandai Limited Model High Grade plastic scale model kit of EVA-00 Protoype

Both the EVA-00 Prototype (Yellow) and EVA-01 Test Type model kits were chosen for a specific reason. In Episode 6: Showdown in Tokyo-3 of the original series, there was a scene in which EVA-00 holds up a shield to protect EVA-01 from a Fifth Angel attack as the latter was preparing to take another sniper shot at the angel. It's a cool scene I would love to recreate in a diorama, if I can find miniature trees in the correct scale. If not, I'll just pose them together sans a diorama setting. As for the figurine, my first from this universe will be Rei Ayanami who is the EVA-00 pilot.

Screen capture montage of a scene showing the EVA-00 (left) and EVA-01 (right) 

Back in the 90s when I first got into anime in a big way, there weren't many shows which held my interest. For a show to interest me then it had to have two things going for it. A great storyline and excellent animation. The latter characteristic was harder to come by in an age when digital animation technology wasn't the norm like it is today. So back then what caught my eye was work by directors like Anno Hedeaki (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Watanabe Shinichirō (Cowboy Beebop), Oshii Mamoru (Ghost in the Shell) and the great Miyazaki Hayao (My Neighbor Totoro, etc.). And my first anime series was of course Anno's 26 episode Evangelion which debuted in 1995.   

DVDs  of the original 26 episode series and The End of Evangelion movie still in pristine condition

Aside from the DVDs which I have carefully kept in pristine condition (see above), other Evangelion keepsakes included Gashapon or capsule toys I was collecting at a time when I was introducing my then young son to anime. (Incidentally it was then, sometime in the last decade, when I dropped the "excellent animation" requirement and just chose to enjoy any anime with a good storyline with him.) Gashapon, they are dispensed from vending machines in a random fashion so that you are never sure of what you will get apart from a limited range of products that is specified. What I remember is being extremely lucky in that I got Rei, Asuka and Shinji (see below) almost on my first try.   

Neon Genesis Evangelion Gashapon or Japanese capsule toys

Three separate capsule toys consisting of Rei Ayanami (left), Asuka Langley Soryu (center) and Shinji Ikari (left)

Pen Pen the penguin came together with the seated Shinji Ikari figurine

Also in my collection is a recent addition i.e. an artbook titled Evangelion Illustrations 2007-2017 (see below) published just last month by VIZ Media. This artbook showcases illustrations featuring characters from the series that was used on bullet trains, CD covers, film posters, etc. Here's a bit of trivia: when I first saw the characters drinking UCC Coffee I had no idea that it would eventually become my favourite brand of coffee. Now I drink up to three cups of the stuff everyday.     

Recently released artbook Evangelion Illustrations 2007-2017 is an English version of the Japanese original

Back cover of Evangelion Illustrations 2007-2017 artbook

Artbook contains a decade's worth of Evangelion illustrations used in various commercial settings

Sample page of Evangelion art work showcasing the characters and EVA units

Yet another sample page of Evangelion artwork; this time on the female characters

Info on the last page clearly shows that this artbook was published just last month, June 2019

As mentioned above, there are actually two other E2046 resin cast figurines (see below) in my project pipeline, and it's highly likely that either one would precede Rei Ayanami on the airbrush turntable.

Mobile Suit Gundam universe project pairing of the RX-78-2 and Sayla Mass

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 pairing of the battleship (Cosmo Reverse version) and Yurisha Iscandar

Before starting work on any new figurine, I have to first finish painting the Race Queen. She is coming along nicely and should be the next hobby project to be completed. After that I will decide on who next to paint ... either Sayla Mass from the Mobile Suit Gundam universe, Yurisha Iscandar from the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 universe or Rei Ayanami from the Evangelion universe. 

So that's that. A new sci-fi universe has entered my project pipeline. Neon Genesis Evangelion it is.

German Heavy Tank Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger (Henschel Turret); a MENG Model 1/35 scale model kit [Completed]

Slightly over a year after work began on a scale model recreation of Tank 124 of Pz.Abt. 505 circa September 1944 in Poland, the journey is now complete. In this recreation, a 1/35 scale plastic model kit with zimmerit decal as well as photo-etch metal accessory parts by Meng Model was used. 

Meng Model German Heavy Tank Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger (Henschel Turret)

To paint and weather the King Tiger, I had to use a wide variety of materials. These consisted of lacquer, acrylic and oil paints as well as pastels, enamels and pigment weathering products. At the very least, by working on an armored fighting vehicle (AFV) project one will expose oneself to many different hobby techniques. Techniques that will certainly come in handy in the future.  

Tank crew of the German Heavy Tank Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger

Black uniform of the tank crew required subtle contrasting to stand out

'Charging Knight' symbol adorns the side of the King Tiger's turret

Prior to final assembly, I touched up the face one of the tank crews (figurine that is pointing to the distance). My aim was to lighten the shadow near the bridge of his nose as well as improve the eyes. I succeeded in fixing his left eye which was the most problematic but totally forgot to fix his right eye whereby some of the whites of his pupil had leaked onto the eye lining below. But because this imperfection isn't really visible to the naked eye, I've decided to leave it as it is for the moment.  

Oops, looks like I missed a spot when touching up the crewman's eyes

Shiny blue metallic paint mixed with silver made for an interesting lens effect

Look Herr Commander ... enemy tank at our 2 o'clock

Scheiße! It's two T-34s trying to flank us

It's okay Herr Commander, if I point at them long enough they'll go away

A Meng Model scale model kit is arguably best attempted by a modeller with an intermediate to advanced skill set. But this particular King Tiger is one of Meng Model's easier kits, with a lower than usual part count compared to their other kits. So although the King Tiger is only my second AFV project, the aforementioned fact plus my previous experiences with Bandai Star Wars kits meant that the journey I took with this AFV scale model kit wasn't as painful as it could've been. 

Technically, Tank 124 still had half of its front left fender attached (based on historical tank wreck photos) ...  

but I hated the asymmetrical look so I decided to remove that together with the side skirts and other fenders

Overall weathering was restricted to show minimal to moderate dust and dirt accumulation

Inward bending tracks were also noted by other modelers signifying a possible shortcoming of the kit

Tank numbers '124' and 'charging knight' symbols are both water decals ...

... as is the zimmerit layer coating the turret and upper hull

Dust and dirt weathering was applied on the tank tracks and road wheels

Front view accentuates the sloped armor of the King Tiger, which made it difficult to penetrate

Painting little details comprising the tank's pioneer tools and other tiny parts on the hull provided a sense of comforting familiarity for me as I was more used to working with miniature figurines and their accessories. In that respect, the same went for both the tank crew. Unsurprisingly these were the bits that I completed quickly versus the significantly slower pace for the rest of the tank.  

Wood grain on the hammer (and axe, see below) handle was etched out using a sharp hobby knife

Wood grains on both instrument handles were made clearer by treating them with a dark wash  

Spare tracks have paint chip effects while tow cables display weathered metal effects 

Water decals were weathered to better blend in with the hull's zimmerit coated hull

Rear exhaust pipes display soot, burned metal and rust effects

'Charging knight' decal was also weathered as to better blend into the hull

Level of weathering on the tank tracks was just enough to show moderate dust and dirt accumulation

Below are shots of the King Tiger (Henschel Turret) sans her crew from an isometric viewpoint. It gives a better view of the tank tracks, upper hull and turret top.

Isometric view of the King Tiger (Henschel Turret) sans her crew

Without her crew, the King Tiger then had its turret hatches closed

Isometric shots afford observers with a better view of the tracks and turret top

Rear turret hatch actually opens up but because the inner section is unpainted, it remains closed

Color scheme seems dull but this makes sense as dull colors generally provide better camouflage

Even at 1/35 scale this kit is a huge beast, measuring roughly 28 cm (11") in length from gun barrel to rear exhaust

After receiving a coat of primer and paint, the spare tracks fit tightly/securely onto the hooks on the turret

Recreation of Tank 124 of Pz.Abt. 505, albeit with some creative license applied in parts

After the trails and tribulations of a moderately difficult scale model kit, I believe my next AFV project should revert to a simpler and quicker build. However, this'll be balanced by a more difficult painting process that involves learning a new airbrushing technique i.e. color modulation. All I know at this stage is that I would like to work on a German AFV that saw action on the Eastern Front during World War II. Something much smaller than a heavy tank. Until the reveal, I would like to thank my dear readers for having patiently followed the progress of this lengthy project. Thank you!