Gundam Puzzle

Saw this in the mall a few days ago, a bootleg Puzzle of a mecha that surprisingly looks a lot like a Gundam. Initially I thought that it was Freedom Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny, turns out that the knee and head antenna design are different.

Takara Dinobot Swoop

I mentioned before in this blog that I had a Dinobot Swoop toy that I had bought when I was a kid. At that time I really wanted to buy Snarl since he was my most favorite of the Dinobots. Chiefly in part also because the stegosaurus was my most favorite dinosaur. That was when I was into my "dinosaur" loving phase in the second grade. Yep, you could fall in love with dinosaurs without having had to watch Jurassic Park *snicker*

Hobby Search SAL commemorative sale from Feb 2 - 10, 2010

Update (02/11/2010): Whoa, it seems like it has been extended further till the 28th of February and because of which I also realized that its a leap year this year *snicker*

Update (02/04/2010): Looks like the sale has been extended till the 11th of February.
Online Anime and Hobby Seller, Hobby Search, announced that they were having a sale from February 2 to 10, 2010 to commemorate the start of their SAL shipping service.

1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L Construction Part III

Picking up again from where I left off on my quest to build the 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame. I was a bit preoccupied these past few weeks with other problems that it gave me no drive to build the Gundam Astray Blue Frame. Thank God though that those were finally resolved, thus allowing me to build up the needed concentration again to build this beautiful kit.

1/72 VF-27 Lucifer Normal Type

Looks like the 1/72 Cannon Fodder VF-27 model kit made by Bandai has a name already, VF-27β Lucifer Normal type. Saw these pics over at Amiami, plus its product page over at Bandai Hobby Site. Selling price over at Amiami is 3,980 yen. At Hobby Link Japan its selling for 5,500 yen. 5225 yen at Hobby Search, 4125 yen over at HWJapan

1/144 HGUC RGZ-95 ReZEL English Color Guide

Gundam Unicorn based mecha are coming out of the wood works thanks to the upcoming Gundam Unicorn movie that's scheduled this year. One of the mecha being churned out by Bandai is the High Grade RGZ-95 ReZEL of the EFSF. This is the regular cannon fodder version, there is supposed to be a command version coming out soon. From my understanding is that this unit was born out of the desire to mass produce the Zeta Gundam. It was based out of the Methuss' frame, hence its ability to transform to aircraft mode.

MG ZGMF-X56S Force Impulse Gundam English Color Guide

Update: Translated Construction Manual for the MG Force Impulse Gundam can be found here.

Shinn Asuka's Force Impulse Gundam from the Gundam Seed Destiny series of anime. Launching from the Minerva battleship of ZAFT are the Chest Flyer, Core Splendor, Leg Flyer and Force Silhouette pack which merge to form the Force Impulse Gundam. There is another variant of this, which is the Sword Impulse Gundam which can be had by Shinn by changing only the weapons package of the Gundam. When Shinn Asuka moved on to the Destiny Gundam, the Force Impulse was taken over by Luna Maria Hawke.

Master Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame Clear Parts version

Just saw that Amiami changed the title of the MG Gundam Astray Red Frame Kai from the Gundam Seed Astray side story being sold for 3,650 yen to a "clear parts" version.

1/100 GN-006 Gundam Cherudim English Color Guide

Update: Translated manual for the 1/100 Cherudim can be found here.

Last of the Color Guides from the Gundam's of Gundam 00 to be translated is that of the GN-006 Gundam Cherudim. The Cherudim succeeded the GN-002 Gundam Dynames that was flown by Lockon Stratos. Like the Dynames, this is the long range specialist of Celestial Being.

1/100 GN-008 Gundam Seravee English Color Guide

Tieria Erde's GN-008 Gundam Seravee from Gundam 00 Second Season that replaced the Gundam Virtue. Like the Gundam Virtue the Seravee also plays host to a second Gundam, the GN-009 Gundam Seraphim. Unlike the Gundam Nadleeh however, the Gundam Serpahim is not encased within the armor of the Seravee, rather it is a separate Gundam altogether that rides piggy back facing the opposite direction.

1/100 GN-007 Gundam Arios English Color Guide

GN-007 Gundam Arios from the Gundam 00 Second Season, piloted by Allelujah Haptism of Celestial Being that was made into a 1/100 non-grade kit by Bandai. The Gundam Arios was preceded by the Gundam Kyrios in the second season of Gundam 00. Like the Kyrios, the Arios can transform to airplane mode which gives it speed and maneuverability superiority over its opponents.

DIY Panel Line Scribing Tool

Decided to be productive despite the rains by making my own Scribing tool that I can use to panel line my model kits with. Its been a week of torrential rain in my parts and because of the humidity can't really get anything done painting wise. Initially I was thinking of getting a small screw driver then sharpening it with a sharpening stone. After some thinking I thought that it might be difficult drying to get a suitable diameter for panel lining. So my second option was to use a sewing needle.

Macross Chronicle 41 and 42

Scheduled for release on February 4, 2010 is issue 41 of the Macross Chronicle. While on February 18 will be the release of issue 42. Previews for the two issues were already posted at the Official Macross Frontier blog.

Issue 41 previews include:

Mechanic Sheet: The Vajra of Macross Frontier. They are said to be biomechanical weapons, as in live beings that produce their own weapons. In the Macross Frontier series they were even shown as having the capability to adapt like the Borg against their enemies. Without the "assimilation" factor of course *snicker*

1/72 VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts English Color Guide

Update: 04/19/2010: Translated VF-25 Super Parts manual can be found here.

In case you bought your 1/72 VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie model kit without any Super Parts, you can always buy it separately because it was sold as a separate kit by Bandai.

The super parts first made its appearance in the very first Macross SDF1 series in the early 80's. Hikaru Ichijo used a VF-1S equipped with Super Packs in order to fight off a flight of Zentradi threatening Misa Hayase's shuttle. The super packs give the VF additional speed and range with its attached boosters as well as added protection with its armor then offense with its cargo of missiles.

MG GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam English Color Guide

Update (04/19/2010): Translated English Construction manual found here for the MG Strike Noir Gundam.

Only got to watch the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer episodes last night. And because of it got interested in the GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam piloted by Sven Cal Bayan as a member of Phantom Pain. Ran into the 3 episodes accidentally at youtube while I was looking for video on Conan O'brien's last show at NBC *snicker*

1/72 RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Angeloni version English Color Guide

Update: Translated English Construction Manual for the 1/72 RVF-25 Messiah can be found here.

Luca Angeloni's RVF-25 from Macross Frontier was made into a 1/60 DX Chougoukin toy and a 1/72 transforming model kit by Bandai. I'd like to think that the RVF-25 was designed to pay homage to the VE-1 Elint Seeker from Macross DYRL. Compared to the weaponless Elint Seeker, the RVF-25 has offensive armaments and 3 armed Ghost drones.

Bandai 1/72 VF-25S Messiah Valkyrie Ozma Lee version English Color Guide

I could never understand why I could never get myself to like the design of the VF-25S Messiah Valkyrie of Ozma Lee. Maybe its because the head design and color scheme doesn't appeal to me? I have a feeling it has more to do with the head design.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Saotome version English Color Guide and Manual

Macross will always be my most favorite anime because that's what started it all for me. Like if Shoji Kawamori knocked on my door today and told me to watch nothing but Macross from this day forth, I'd do it! Haha, ok kidding aside I'd do it if he promised to make Macross anime's every year... hahaha, ok serious this time.

1/100 00 Raiser (00 Gundam + 0 Raiser) English Color Guide

Update (04/03/2010): English Construction Manual for the 1/100 00 Raiser Designer's color version found here.

Setsuna F. Seie's penultimate ride in Gundam 00 second season, the 00 Raiser. Well I guess that will hold true till the Gundam 00 movie comes *snicker* The 00 Raiser is formed by the docking of the 00 Gundam (pronounced Double 00 Gundam) with the 0 Raiser that is reluctantly piloted by Saji Crossroad. Aside from an additional weapons platform, the 0 Raiser serves to regulate the twin GN drives of the 00 Gundam in trans-am mode.

Hobby Link Japan's Tools Page

Just saw this recently on Hobby Link Japan's (HLJ) web page, a new page that makes it more convenient for model kit builders and hobbyists to browse their hobby tools inventory.

MG ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam English Color Guide

Update (03/31/2010): Translated English Construction Manual of the Strike Freedom can be found here.

Can't believe that its only now that I've translated the color guide for the iconic ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam flown by protagonist Kira Yamato in Gundam Seed Destiny. Along with the colors for the Strike Freedom master grade kit is the color guides for the two included figures of Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne. I find it kinda weird though that there is no mention in the color guide of the Gold color used in the joints, intake, etc parts of the Strike Freedom.

Bandai MG 1/100 RX-93 Nu Gundam English Manual & Color Guide

Amuro Ray's RX-93 Nu Gundam from the anime series Char's Counter Attack. Definitely a very peculiar design for me because the fin funnels are placed off center from the back shoulder. It kinda breaks a paradigm for the need always for symmetric design in order to equate a sense of balance. I still prefer the design of Amuro Ray's RX-93 v2 Hi Nu Gundam over this.

1/144 HGUC Kshatriya English Color Guide

Update (03/09/2010): Construction Manual of the Kshatriya was translated to English here.

I initially didn't like the design of the Kshatriya from the Gundam Unicorn Movie but eventually the design did grow on me. Enough that I hit the "Google" and researched this mobile suit. The Kshatriya belongs to the Neo Zeon faction in Gundam Unicorn and is piloted by Marida Cruz.

GSI Creos Gundam Color Chart

This post has been updated. For a list of the translated paint list of the GSI Creos Mr. Color Paints, refer to this post. List of Gundam Markers can be found here. List of Gundam Color Paints can be found here. List of Gundam Color Spray can be found here. translated Color Chart for Gunze Sangyo Solvent Paints, I decided to tackle next the translation of the Gundam line of paints made by GSI Creos. The long list of Gundam related paint products are anchored by its core products of the Gundam Color, the Gundam Spray and the Gundam Markers that aren't limited to just panel lining use.

Gundam Color

The Gundam Color line is great because it saves you the trouble of having to mix the correct paint shade together for a Gundam model kit. They usually come in the shade commonly found in Gundam mobile suits. If you can't find these at your local hobby shop, you can always try at Amazon as I saw a 3rd party seller selling it for about $$$$ a bottle.

Mr. Color Paints Color Chart

Update:If you are looking for a paint color conversion chart, you can find it here.
Update: Updated this post to incorporate the color guide in only one large file. This file corrolates the Japanese names from the color guide at the Japanese site to the mr. color color guide found at dragonmodel's usa that was pointed out by SachielOne. The color guide will now include the english name as well as the translated Japanese name, both will be separated by a "/".


Update: It was pointed out to me recently by reader SachielOne that the English names of the GSI Creos paint are different than its Katakana name printed at the bottle. Am working now to change the said color chart. In the meantime, just to correct a bit, the most common colors found in the Gundam Model kits are Indy Blue and Daytona Green. Their English Equivalent are Bright Blue (C65) and Bright Green (C66)

Translated the color chart for the Mr. Color solvent based line of model paints from here. Click on the image below to enlarge. There might be errors that I do not know of as well as some katakana that couldn't be translated correctly, these are enclosed in double quotes ("). So kindly use this chart at your own discretion.

On the side of English translation of the color image is the product code no(preceded with a "C") that you can use as reference when ordering the color at the hobby shop.

Before painting a model kit I'd really recommend cleaning the parts first with detergent water then spraying some primer/surfacer on the part. I learned that the hard way when I encountered some paint stripping issue with the MG Rick Dias that I was building. Primers, because of their formulation, help the paint stick to the part. There are model kit specific primers/surfacers available but since its not available in my region I just use industrial spray can based primers for my model kit painting activities

If you are looking for translated bandai model kit color guides, you can find them here.

DIY Painting Clip Base

I'm currently using a Styrofoam board as my base where I stick my home made painting clips for drying of the freshly painted model kit parts. The problem with this is that after prolonged use it gets tattered and won't hold the painting clip as securely as you like. There were a lot of close calls wherein once I stick it in it would swing to the side and almost hit a painting clip with a similar newly painted part attached to it. If ever that happened, it could result in man-hours lost trying to strip the paint and repainting the part again in order to get the smudges off caused by the collision.

MG MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable ver English Color Guide

Update: Translated Construction Manual of the MG MS-06S Zaku II of Char Aznable can be found here.

I guess since I posted the translated color guide already of Char Aznable's Rick Dias, Hyaku Shiki and Rick Dom, I should at least post about his MS-06S Zaku II that started it all in Mobile Suit Gundam.

Bandai MG 1/100 MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki English Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

I mentioned before that one of my most favorite Mobile Suit design is that of the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki which was flown by Char Aznable in Zeta Gundam under the alias, Quattro Bajeena. Of course its second only to the Rick Dias that I truly love... hehehe

Bandai DX Chougoukin VF-25F Tornado Messiah Valkyrie (Alto Saotome ver)

Just saw this posted at Amiami, the DX 1/60 VF-25F Tornado Messiah Valkyrie Messiah of Alto Saotome from Macross Frontier the Movie. It's retailing for 12,450 or 30% off from the regular price. You can pre-order this online from their English Language site. The release date of this is late March of 2010.

Bandai MG 1/100 Rick Dom Char Aznable version English Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

I just love the design of the Rick Dom of Char Aznable. Mainly because of its lines and the sheer bulk of its frame as well as its weapons. I think however that the design of the back is sorta weak, having only a small thruster backpack. I felt that this was where the Rick Dias design improved on this Zeon design, with its larger boosters that emphasized power and helped accentuate its size. Nothing that a little pla-plate and a penchant for scratch building can't fix... hehehe

1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L Construction Part II

Not much yet to show for in my construction of the 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame except for the chest part. A lot of the delay was due to the time spent in deciding which blue paint to use from my inventory of spray paint.

Master Grade Rick Dias 2.0 Rebuild Part VII

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in

- Michael Corleone (Godfather III)

Just when I thought I was done with the re-painting of the Rick Dias I found in a hardware store some Pylox Percussion Blue that matches the arm colors slightly of Quattro Bajeena's Rick Dias. It was cheap too since it was old stock. I don't even think Pylox makes this color anymore since I don't see it in their chart of available colors.

Bandai MG 1/100 MSZ-006C Zeta Plus C1 English Color Guide

I don't know much about the MSZ-006C Zeta Plus C1 variant of the Zeta Gundam that was operated by the AEUG. But it has a great color scheme for the Zeta series of Gundams. Aside from the color scheme the huge gun that's mounted on its arm makes it distinct and stand out from its Zeta brethren. Plus I'm a sucker for long range weapons, so what's not to like about this design?... hehehe

Bandai MG 1/100 Full Armor ZZ Gundam English Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

I posted before the color guide for the FA-010A FAZZ, now in this post is its younger brother, the FA-010S Full Armor ZZ Gundam.

Bandai MG 1/100 Zeta Gundam 3 White Unicorn Ver English Color Guide

A variant of the Zeta Gundam that was flown by the iconic Amuro Ray was the MSZ-006-3 Zeta Gundam 3. It was released as a limited edition Master Grade kit with a unique stand. This Zeta Gundam variant was seen in Green Divers and Gundam Evolve ep 9.

Bandai MG 1/100 FAZZ Gundam English Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

No doubt the FA-010A FAZZ from Gundam Sentinel is one of the best designed Gundams ever. Either that or size and firepower definitely helps make a model kit prettier? hahaha, I think its a paradigm that I have to break but don't really want to.

Mech9 Turns 1!

At this exact date last year, the first post of this blog was made. You could say that it was hardly creative as it was your garden variety "Hello World" post, but my what happens in a year.

Yamato Toys Starship Troopers TAC Fighter

Posted on Yamato Toy's website is the TAC Fighter from Starship Troopers. You can usually see the TAC Fighter in the movie doing the bombing runs on the bugs at Planet P. The kit will cost 13,440 yen and will be released by March of 2010. According to the product page the production run is limited to 1000 and that the fighter length is 110 mm. The resin stand that comes with the kit will have a serial number to indicate its production number.

Bandai 1/100 Vent Saviour Gundam English Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

Recently released Van Saviour Gundam from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED VS Astray side stories. Based from the Saviour Gundam frame of Gundam Seed Destiny that was made by ZAFT and operated by the Librarian. Decided to translate the color guide of this one after translating recently the Color Guide for the Nebula Blitz Gundam.

1/100 Nebula Blitz Gundam English Color Guide

Update: English Translated Construction Manual of the Nebula Blitz can be found here.

Translated the color guide of the recently released Nebula Blitz Gundam, its one of the Gundams from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED VS Astray side stories. The Nebula Blitz Gundam is piloted by Lily Thevalley. Don't really have much to say about the Nebula Blitz Gundam since I have had no contact with the side story. Must be selling good though to merit a production run from Bandai.

Bandai MG 1/100 MS-18E Kampfer English Manual & Color Guide

This mobile suit is on my want-to-have list of model kits. The MS-18E Kampfer from the Gundam OVA War in a Pocket. And like its German sounding name, it definitely sports a world war II German military motif. Yep, those potato mashers on the side of the knees sure raises that impression on me.

1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L Construction

Decided to skip the construction of the 1/100 Gundam Dynames and go ahead with the build of the Gundam Astray Blue Frame. This wasn't part of the package of Gundam Astray's that I bought at HWJapan. This was something I bought at the mall.

MG Crossbone Gundam X-1 Full Cloth English Color Guide

Megasize 1/48 RX-78-2 Gundam

Update (03/26/2010): Translated Construction Manual can be found here.

Update (03/07/2010): Hobby Search has a great review put up of the 1/48 RX 78-2

Update (02/19/2010): Looks like the product page of this is up already at the Bandai 30th anniversary site. Release date was listed as 03/06/2010. This behemoth is listed to be 375 mm tall.

Quite interesting too that it states there that no tools are required to build it since the parts come easily off the runners (refer to "point 1"). But there is this tool included known as the "double separator" to help release the parts from the runners (refer to "point 5"). Then there is the patent pending "click part" for the joints of the arms and leg to help improve the posing of the model kit.

Box shot was also posted at the page.


Talk about dying and going to Gundam Heaven. This was posted in Amiami's English website. An honest to goodness 1/48 RX-78-2 Gundam in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Gundam Model kits. No release date was given but the pre-order price was set as 5,680 yen with already 25% knocked off from its shelf price. It says however on Amiami that the kit is already available. Confusing really. I can just bet that the price of shipping of this could even equal or surpass its selling price given the size of the model kit.

MG Gundam UC Unicorn Gundam Movie Version SP Pack

Also seen at amiami's website was the MG Gundam UC Unicorn Gundam Movie Version SP Pack (tentative name only) that is scheduled to be released by March 2010. Its pre-order price at Amiami is 5,480 yen which is already at 25% reduced price. Pictures depicted are of the prototype version, so actual unit may still vary.

Master Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame Kai

Update (03/12/2010): Translated Construction Manual can be found here. Color Guide, here.

Update (02/16/2010): Product page is up already at Bandai Hobby Site.

Update (02/11/2010): Its up for pre-order at Hobby Search for 5000 yen. Hobby Link Japan also has it for 5000 yen.

Update (01/27/2010): There seems to be a Master Grade Clear parts version of the Gundam Astray Red Frame out in the wild.

Just saw these pictures posted at Amiami's English Website. Its the prototype pictures of the Master Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame Kai. Its up for pre-order with the pre-order price being 3,650yen (25%) at amiami then the shipment date being Feb 2010. However, since its still at pre-order stage, there are times that the shipment date may be pushed out.

Bandai HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver G30th English Color Guide

During Gundam's 30th anniversary, there was a tie up of the Gundam franchise with the 7-11 store franchise and one of the things that came out of that was a limited edition HG RX-78-2 Gundam in 7-11 Colors. Below is the translated color guide for the 7-11 Gundam.

Yamato Toys Macross Line-up for 2010

Yamato Toys posted on their site a list of Macross toy related releases for 2010. Already known to the fans were the release of the 1/60 VF-1 Armor Pack (7140 yen, January 2010), then the Macross Motorcycle helmets (38,640 yen, Feb 2010) then the VF-11C with Super Pack(15540 yen, July 2010). Then there was also the announced release of the VF-1S Hikaru Ichijo weathering version.

Kotobukiya HMM 1/72 Blade Liger English Manual & Color Guide

Since I've already gone ahead in translating the color guide for the 1/72 Gun Sniper from Zoids, might as well translate the color guide for my favorite zoid design, the Blade Liger. Well this is one specific for the 1/72 Blade Liger made by Kotobukiya.

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM RZ-030 Gun Sniper English Manual & Color Guide

Was actually quite surprised when I found out that Zoids comes in model kit form. Growing up I already saw Zoid toys, was quite curious as to what they were when I first saw them because they looked like mechanized beasts turned into war machines.