1/144 HGUC MSZ-008A1 ZII-A1 Amuro Custom

1/144 HGUC MSZ-008A1 ZII-A1 Amuro Custom

Below is the first Gunpla kit that I had built after a two year break and my entry into the Gunpla Time Discord Server Universal Century Competition in 2019.

Inspiration:

When the Gunpla Time UC Competition was announced in the Discord server, I felt like this was the inspiration I needed to build gunpla again. I took the opportunity to go to Discount Hobby Warehouse in San Diego, CA and look at their stock of kits. After browsing their selection, I opted to go for the unusual design of the ZII over the other typical options due to its origins in the Mobile Suit Variations. 

Being a Zeta series Mobile Suit, I looked to other Federation and AEUG designs for inspiration, which is when I came upon the Zeta Plus. While the grey variation seemed monotone and hard to pull off in plastic form, I really liked the red and white version, especially with the Amuro connotation.

Since I knew what colors I wanted, I looked online and was relieved to find that there was lineart that was compatible with Microsoft Paint. This helped save some time in the long run. Now I just had to play around with the layout - did I want to go for a straight pallete swap or something closer to the "inspiring" mobile suit. I was stuck on three options, so I put out a call for help which @TimberNewtype on Twitter responded to quickly. I sent him the three choices and we came together to come up with the final design below.

Process:

The entire model, save small details, was airbrushed using the Badger 105 Patriot with a Central Pneumatic 100 PSI, 3 Gallon Air Compressor. I used 3 stickers on the head for the eyes, front, and back camera.

 

You can follow the process of building this model on my Twitter page @chetario starting in October 9, 2018 forward. You can also read the Work-in-Progress post from last week.

Colors:

• Mission Models Mecha Master Acrylic Primer - Off-White
• Red: craftsmart Acrylic Paint Bright Red, Orange, White custom mix
• White: craftsmart Acrylic Paint White, Tan
• Frame: craftsmart Acrylic Paint Brown, Gray, Tan
• Light Grey: craftmart Acrylic Paint Grey, White
• Yellow: craftsmart Acrylic Paint Yellow, White
• Green: craftsmart Acrylic Paint Green, White
• Vallejo Gloss Varnish
• Vallejo Matte Varnish
• Vallejo Model Wash - Black

Basic Shots:

Mobile Armor:

Accessories:

Action Poses and Detail:

Verdict:

Overall, I found this model kit to be an enjoyable build. I keep finding it hard to stand though due to the different directions the lines in the design want to go - between the feet and chest, the angles make it seem as if he is squatting. The beam rifle and Mega Beam Cannon run into some interference issues with the elbow or backpack too. 

If I had more time, I would have attempted to fuse more of the seam lines and seal the paint a little better. You may notice some unintentional paint chips revealing the blue base plastic. I asso need to be more aware of painting every surface, some blue can be seen poking out of certain places. With the above reasons and the high caliber of competition, this model did not place in the top 3, but congratulations to the winners.

The pictures above were taken with a Canon 6D Camera, with a Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. All pictures were post-processed using Adobe Lightroom.

Thank you for viewing this thread and the support. Constructive criticism is always welcome and I will respond to each comment. Advice on how I can improve is also appreciated.

Keep Building, My Friends!

WIP: 1/144 HG MSZ-008A1 ZII-A1 Amuro Custom

Inspiration: 

    When the Gunpla Time UC Competition was announced in the Discord server, I felt like this was the inspiration I needed to build gunpla again. I took the opportunity to go to Discount Hobby Warehouse in San Diego, CA and look at their stock of kits. After browsing their selection, I opted to go for the unusual design of the ZII over the other typical options due to its origins in the Mobile Suit Variations. 

Being a Zeta series Mobile Suit, I looked to other Federation and AEUG designs for inspiration, which is when I came upon the Zeta Plus. While the grey variation seemed monotone and hard to pull off in plastic form, I really liked the red and white version, especially with the Amuro connotation.

Since I knew what colors I wanted, I looked online and was relieved to find that there was lineart that was compatible with Microsoft Paint. This helped save some time in the long run. Now I just had to play around with the layout - did I want to go for a straight pallete swap or something closer to the "inspiring" mobile suit. I was stuck on three options, so I put out a call for help which @TimberNewtype on Twitter responded to quickly. I sent him the three choices and we came together to come up with the final design below.

You can follow my progress on my Twitter @chetario starting on October 9th, 2018.

1/144 OZ-00MS2 Tallgeese II - The Martyr #Gundamber

1/144 OZ-00MS2 Tallgeese II - The Martyr #Gundamber

Manufacturer: Bandai

Scale: 1/144

Inspiration: 

    After completing the HG Chedurim SAGA, I needed another Gunpla project to do during the remainder of #Gundamber. Once I remembered I had this kit, I had to think what I wanted to accomplish. I set myself the goal of not taking any shortcuts in regards to the seam lines, which, a kit of this age, is sure to have. After some thought, I remembered that this suit had a short debut, but it's demise was climactic - which led me to try to recreate the scene.

Final shots after the break.

WIP: 1/144 OZ-00MS2 Tallgeese II - The Martyr #Gundamber

Inspiration: 

    Every November, @GunplaClub starts the hashtag #Gundamber - a gunpla building challenge to work on a model kit every day and hopefully finish the project at the end of the month. It is very much like #NaNoWriMo, or "National Novel Writing Month", and #Inktober. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, GunplaClub took a more hands off approach, but I still participated as my way to stay connected to the community at large. 

I usually choose to leave my Gundam kits "factory fresh" with little wear and tear, but I decided this kit would get a different treatment. One of the more memorable scenes in the anime is how the suit is destroyed - this kit will pay an homage to that scene. Its destruction and what he inspired gives this kit its namesake.

I won this kit through my local IPMS's local raffle still wrapped in plastic. There were English instructions included,  the Gundam Wing pamphlet contained information the American model kit releases.

You can follow my progress on my Twitter @chetario starting on November 20th, 2020.

1/144 HG GN-008/SA Chedurim SAGA #Gundamber

 

Manufacturer: Bandai

Scale: 1/144

Inspiration: 

    The MS Variations of the 00 Season 2 suits are some of my favorites. After having to make my own Seravee Gundam GNHW/3G/B, buying the Robot Damashii Arios Ascalon, I was thrilled to see Bandai release a model kit of the Cherudim SAGA. The commando nature of the model kit lent itself well to a camouflage. I had always respected builders who did Digital Camo schemes, but due to the size of the figure, I went with a stripped winter pattern instead. 

Final shots after the break.

WIP: 1/144 HG GN-008/SA Chedurim SAGA #Gundamber

 

Inspiration: 

Every November, @GunplaClub starts the hashtag #Gundamber - a gunpla building challenge to work on a model kit every day and hopefully finish the project at the end of the month. It is very much like #NaNoWriMo, or "National Novel Writing Month", and #Inktober. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, GunplaClub took a more hands off approach, but I still participated as my way to stay connected to the community at large. I'd always wanted to try a kit with Digital Camouflage,  so this is an approximation of that.

You can follow my progress on my Twitter @chetario starting on September 8th, 2020, and later on November 13th, 2020.

WIP: HGCE 1/144 Destiny Gundam [Heine Westenfluss Custom] #Gundamber

Inspiration: 

Every November, @GunplaClub starts the hashtag #Gundamber - a gunpla building challenge to work on a model kit every day and hopefully finish the project at the end of the month. It is very much like #NaNoWriMo and #Inktober. At the time, I'd lost access to a suitable location to airbrush due to noise, particulates, and fumes due to the living situation. Because of this, my model building had slowed down to either prepping kits for eventual painting or broadening my horizons with other techniques. Still wanting to participate and support the community in late 2019, I needed a kit that I would not feel the need to paint or modify to feel complete and I already know this was the correct choice.

November happened to coincide with some professional training that I had to travel for. To keep myself occupied in the evenings once my classes and homework were over, I brought the kit with me.

You can follow my progress on my Twitter @chetario starting on November 4th, 2019.