Gunpla: The Thread

[mrsnrub]

Hi folks, sorry to hijack tabletop gaming but there really isn't anywhere else seems a better fit for us modellers. And if you bear with me there is a gaming aspect to all this.

I wanted to make a thread for those of us on the forum who are into Gunpla, the building of Japanese Gundam models (as well as zoids and other mecha anime!) and we have been sort of hijacking the Awesome action figures thread and it isn't really fair so I hope you don't mind us making this our home.

This is my first build which I completed last night, it isn't perfect but it is a start and I hope to go from this:

to something along these lines:

So please feel free to share your builds, questions and dream models here.

[wev]

Is your model pretty much as its constructed straight out of the box? As you may have seen in the Fantastic Action Figures thread I've got a model of Virtue from Gundam 00 coming my way, I'm wondering if there's any good tutorials to follow to take it from the standard look to being something a little closer to that second pic.

Also what equipment would I need?

I already have a few Airfix basics, so craft knife kit (admittedly a cheap one), I know I need a cutting mat but what else?

EDIT: A quick google throws up this set of tutorials, which whilst written for American Gunpla modellers can easily be used for us guys if you ignore branding

http://otakurevolution.com/content/laymans-gunpla-guide

[revlob]

I'll be building my first, soon. I'd be interested to hear what you found difficult or weren't happy with. I've done a little wargaming miniature building/painting, I'm hoping at least some of the skills are transferable.

[mrsnrub]

Wev to get to that stage of the second pic you are going to have to emply an airbrush and do something called "Pre shading" which is covered here http://majorwilliams.blogspot.co.uk/ which is a treasure trove of stuff.

I just basically went for a straight build with no frills this time out to get a feel for it. I would say don't maybe set the bar too high for a first attempt. Buy a cheap gunpla and practice first, then try a new technique on each one as you go.

I plan to actually fully paint the next one.

The panel linging could have maybe gone a bit smoother, but they seem to have gotten better with a spray of matt varnish (humbrol is only £4.99 and not too much frosting!)

A lot os skills are transferrable from Warhammer etc. I do them myself so I found it gives me a bit of a grounding.

I plan to eventually get a decent airbrush and have a good run of top grade models. Another valuable thing is that they will have wee gaps in them from time to time so putty filling and sanding is invaluable. I plan to do that next time out.

All in all a very enjoyable hobby though. Can't wait to see y ou guys first builds!

[LaParka]

Must. Resist.

I had a look at building some sets a while back and was pretty confused by all the different types and scales. Do they release many Zeon mechas?

[mrsnrub]

loads, theres a fantastic one in Gundam Unicorn, big green one with four wing shield things.

[wev]

mrsnrub, just looking at the two pics you posted again, is that a completely different model? There's colour differences in certain area's, slight body differences and alternate stickers.

[mrsnrub]

Yeah they are differnt models. Top one is my own which is the RX-78 GP01 from Afterglow of Zeon in a 1/144 scale, the other is nicked off some other site as a comparison of how it would look with better skill.

I am only starting out myself, so I think it will be fun for us all to collaborate and give each other a "leg up" so to speak.

[wev]

My Virtue isn't due to arrive until just before Valentines Day itching to get my paws on it and build

[mrsnrub]

I know that feel

[Chooch]

Go back to the other thread. I don't read in here.

[SuperBrother]

Almost done with my Zaku sniper. I got hold of a Dremel type tool with grinder bits to do some bits of damage to some of the panels and I tried out some drybrishing on the detailed bits. Pretty happy with it overall as an experiment. Pics soon.

I've found an ace model shop in the Jewelry Quarter in Brum who carry all the Tamiya range, plenty of airbrushes and loads of scale stuff for diorama building. Just setting up some Ebay auctions of old gaming shite to fund my first airbrush.

[Arn X Treme]

See my problem with all this painting and stuff is even though i have a good understanding of color theory (temp, light, shadow) i actually suck at blending and mixing color etc.

I'm quite happy to have a play and build some kits but i know deep down i will never get things upto scratch to go even a shade towards the stuff on that blog.

But damn it is still really nice to look at.

[Arn X Treme]

Right I completed my second Crossbones Gundam SD Kit tonight, I even tried to do some panel lining and even though it's a bit wonky I reckon I'll get better results next time.

The stickers were a little easier second time round, and the panel lining will be better once I learn to get the excess off.

I have to admit I'm still very nervous about doing a non-sd kit but fingers crossed I may get the courage to try it tomorrow evening.

[wev]

Ooh, they're awesome.

This is going to get expensive isn't it!?

Will somebody please give me a job!!! :'(

[SuperBrother]

Pics of me Zaku. Couple of mistakes, couple of things I can do better next time but all in I'm reasonably happy:

[wev]

Where do you guys order your kits from?

I used these guys on ebay

and have been hit by a Customs charge and collection fee for it today, which I'm not in a position to pay for until the end of the month, do any of your sellers do anything to try and prevent customs holding it?

[mrsnrub]

I have used Japan Cool and will be using gundam mad Hobby Link Japan.

Superbrother did you paint all over that mini of just do the weathering?

Im planning on spray painting my next build, then for my birthday I will be getting an airbrush to do preshading.

[SuperBrother]

For that High Grade Zaku I just painted the panel lines with a diluted enamel paint wash then did the weathering with Tamyia acrylics on bare plastic, finished with a coat of matt spray. The paint took really well and it was dead easy to do with some layered drybrushing and a bit of work with a sponge brush for the mud & rust.

You do need to make sure to wash the parts in soapy water before starting to get all the oils off first otherwise paints and topcoats can go pear shaped.

Shops wise I have used:

Hobbylink - always mark at full value so will attract customs for packages over £18

Tokyo-Hobby (ebay seller) - again full value marked plus customs charge

JoyHobbyStore (ebay) - $10 toy in the description, bob on!

JJHobbyShop (ebay) - again marked down

Even with the customs charge my MG kits from Hobbylink have worked out cheaper than any UK resellers and most of the charge was the £8 post office handling thing. What I will do from now is have them send kits two at a time so the charge is comparatively less per model.

Last but not least check this out! I was born in the wrong country........... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnSqQUKvLIk

[wev]

Would Acrylic Humbrol work for panel lining? I've got plenty of that, but would require some paint thinner.

I've discovered why Customs charged me, the people who I bought it from on ebay pretty much stuck an invoice on the outside of it. I wont be ordering from them again.

Anyhow, not even allowed to look at the box until tomorrow!

[SuperBrother]

I don't see why acrylics won't work for panel lining, it's just a case of using the right thinner and getting the consistency down. Probably best to practice on a couple of pieces first as it's easy enough to clean off.

I've seen a few people on blogs that use oil paints.

[revlob]

If it came from overseas, they have to declare the value of the product on the outside of the parcel, by law. Not everyone does it, and some who do put a deliberately low-value on instead, but it's pretty normal, isn't it? I find it odd that you'd choose never again to order from someone who only did what they were supposed to!

[wev]

If it came from overseas, they have to declare the value of the product on the outside of the parcel, by law. Not everyone does it, and some who do put a deliberately low-value on instead, but it's pretty normal, isn't it? I find it odd that you'd choose never again to order from someone who only did what they were supposed to!

Ah well I didn't know that... still really frustrating that I had to pay half of what I'd already paid out for the product+packaging to UK Customs, and in actual fact I didn't pay over £15 for it, which according the Customs sticker on the parcel is why they held it. I paid £13 for the item and £8 for the postage, the box said I was charged £15.01...

Not their fault, fine I accept that, but still rather irritated by it all.

[SuperBrother]

It's daylight robbery, Royal Fail slap £8 on top of the VAT for "administration"

Sure, if you're paying £100's for something then an arbitrary £8 charge isn't too bad. My last two packages incurred £2-3 VAT which makes the admin charge look ridiculous. Although it's a bit shady many ebay sellers openly state they will mark down or mark packages as a gift to avoid this nonsense.

Gunpla fanatics, avoiding tax like Amazon & Starbucks since 2013!

[wev]

Yeah I got the £8 charge and another £3.01 on top of that, as I said I paid £13 for the item itself so nearly ended up paying twice as much for it as I'd already paid out. I'll send a message to the seller before leaving feedback though (not leaving feedback until I've been allowed to inspect it all tomorrow!)

[wev]

The obligatory "before" shot

Didnt realise it was that blurry, my camera phone doesn't appear to like the lighting in my lounge (to be fair, it is shit... the lighting that is)

[wev]

It has begun! Didn't realise that each body part required so many steps and parts! (although this is the main core of the torso)

[wev]

So here's the cosntruction step by step, well mostly, you've got the torso above and I missed out a few pics of uninteresting things like the arms and legs being under construction. If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen these already I'm also going to get some better posed shots with my proper camera once the lighting is better (for the Action Figure thread) as my camera phone just isn't up to the job by the looks of things.

So here's the head

And Virtue's rather large bazooka

The entire upper body assembled

Prior to the construction of the shoulder cannons

And the finished product in a suitable pose

Took about 7 or 8 hours and many cups of tea/coffee Now I'm itching for my next build, although I need a job first...

[mrsnrub]

That looks superb mate. Virtue is a nice choice as its a personal favourite of mine. The HG line is fantastic detail for great value. Great work. If you are going to do panel lining a staedler 0.05 or even a 0.03 line marker are perfect. I sealed mine up with humbrol acrylic matt varnish which is a fiver. Great fun. Well done on a great build!

[wev]

How did you apply the varnish? Do you just apply all over? Also wouldn't using a pen require a really steady hand? Mine aren't particularly steady I watched a video that used paint and paint thinner to do the panel lining, involved making the paint very very runny and almost clear when applied, dropping a dot on the engrained bit and just moving the body part slightly to let it run and do its thing before tidying it up a bit.

Virtue's my favourite in what I'm watching at the moment (still early on in 00), not keen on the pilot but I love the really chunky look of the Mobile Suit, the legs, bazooka and the shoulder cannons are ridiculously oversized which makes it look amazingly powerful (its also surprisingly nimble!)