Rise of the machine: 2010 Gundam ver.

Last year, a 1/1 scale RX 78-2 Gundam was built for display at Odaiba, Tokyo. The event, ended 31th August 2010 (if I not mistaken) has attract many Gundam fans all over Japan and world.

But what happened after that date?

Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a place where many plastic models/toys makers' HQ and factories located has launch an event. The event: Shizuoka Hobby Fair, is to celebrate the 50 years of this (model kit making) industry.

Located 3 hours by train from Tokyo (not shinkansen or bullet train), it showcased the upgraded 1/1 scale Gundam and a hobby museum.

As the name -hobby fair-, the event is particapated by not only Bandai, the Gundam makers, it also participated by populars model makers such as Hasegawa and Tamiya.

One of the popular hobby magazine here, Dengeki Hobby Magazine, also have their modelers' work showcase here.

Back to the topic.

The 1/1 scale Gundam is upgraded, with a beam saber. If the event at Odaiba is to mark the 30th aniversary of Gundam, the event at Shizuoka is to mark the 30th anniversary of Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Model).

Also to celebrate this anniversary, Bandai with Sunrise, has produce a three part anime on the Gunpla builders theme.

Enjoy the pics....

With mist effect

With light on

A 1/1 scale Zaku head

A 1/1 scale core boaster

1/1 scale Gundam under construction

Work by Dengeki Hobby Magazine modeller

Work by Dengeki Hobby Magazine modeller

My senpai

The GUNPLA Phone

Posted in The World Of Orcaz(blog) Posted in The World Of Orcaz(Hobby Matter)

At last, the phone that I waiting for has arrived. I booked this phone more than 3 month ago (before the order for iPhone4 opened). And finally, its here. Just look at the box.

I was surprised when saw the box (not the package, not what you see above). It was soo big. Org Melayu kata: sepemeluk.

The shop assistant (店員さん), asked me if I want to take the box. I said: "No thanks, the package is big enough for me".

Not related to this post. Omlet Rice that I have for dinner that day. M size, compare it with the S size (normal size). Big? No lah.

So, what is in the package? Why so big? To answer that question, lets open it.

The package

Inside

Above is the pic showing the inside of the package. A Gunpla is also given to the buyers of the phone. At the right side is the parts to build the Gunpla. A Metal In Frame is at the left side above. And the box containing the phone at the left side bottom.

The Phone

Here is the phone. It is based on 945SH (well it is a 945SH model). White in colour. There is White Base marking, EFSF (earth federation space force) marking, and the "RX-78" writing.

Display

It has Gundam customized contents unlike the real 945SH. Here is the one of the animated wallpaper showing the drawing of a wire frame of RX-78. Another wonderful thing of the display is, it is a touchscreen and can be flipped just like other AQUOS phone.

The display flipped.

Now, lets built the Gunpla.

The parts and the instruction

Lets start with the Metal in Frame

The Metal In Frame

This is the heaviest parts.

The Frame from the back.

The frame from front.

Well, it does look like a frame. You can see the core booster at the abdomen.

Next, lets assemble the other parts.

Complete

Hmm. I don't know if what I'm thinking is true. This RX-78 is a little bit... fat(?).

With the stand and the phone holder.

Also included is the display stand and the phone holder. The design is based on the catapult of the white base.

This model is a little bit bigger than other HGs (1/144). Non scale (?)

Double Zeta Gundam

Posted in The World Of Orcaz(Hobby Matter)

Posted in The World Of Orcaz(Photography)

This is not a Gunpla.

Taken with Brenizer Method (1^st successful try). 250mm, f/5.6, 36 shots.

My "pet"...The new HARO!

I pre-order this HARO since last year, but when the date is just around the corner, the shop has been banned from Yahoo!JP (it's an online shop). How could this happened to me? Good thing that I not pay for it yet.

So, I rush to a model store last week to buy this HARO. Just cost me about 3000 yen.

Why I want to buy it so much? One of my reason is, I am a fan of haro. It's...round.. :)

But the main reason is, I want a pet to talk to. Pet are not allowed in this building where I live. If I can, I want a cat.

Haro, cannot talk just like human. Only give responses to sound. But its more better than my Pocket PC which cannot give any responses to my voice... : (

Gundam Modelling Tutorial (using top coat)

I'm not an expert in modelling, in fact this is my first time using top coat. And it is not disappointing for me to spend my money for top coat.

I believe many modellers out there use top coat for finishing their models. The purpose of using top coat is to prevent paint from scratching off easily.

But after reading some books, I found that top coat can 'hide' little scratch as result of sanding.

All my models are brush painted (no enough money to buy airbrush), and the major problem of brush painting is, the paint isn't smooth as painting using airbrush. This can be seen when painting a big area.

So, for those who brush painted their models and had same problems like me, you should try using top coat.


The picture above is a part from my HG Strike Noir. You can see the surface isn't smooth (if you can't, click on it).


And this is after I sprayed it with top coat. Its so smooth as airbrush painting.

But, there are 3 types of top coat, and there are also Mr. Super Clear that do the same job. Which one to use? What is the difference?

Point no.1 - both top coat and Mr. Super Clear has 3 types: Flat/Matt, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss.

Above is comparison of lightning between the 3 types. Above: Gloss, Middle: Semi-Gloss, Bottom- Flat・Matt.

I prefer flat because for me, Gundam is not a sports car. I don't like glossy Gundam. But everyone have their own opinion.

And above is the comparison between Top Coat [A] and Mr. Super Clear[B] (both flat).
Left line is painted using Gundam marker, middle:Hobby Color, right: Mr. Color.

Another problem is, Top Coat take a very long time to dry.

There are also many infos on top coat if you search the internet.

Enjoy modelling!

Gundam modelling tutorial

A Gundam Modelling Tutorial for Busy People by Danny Choo.

Useful for those who are busy (student, businessman, etc).

Hope this useful to you.
And don't forget to bookmark.

Link

Package received

One thing that make me more happier when celebrating New Year is a big envelope in my postbox. It is not an ordinary letter, it is actually the parts (which I lost it) that I ordered by post last week.

I'm not expecting I will received it this fast. Many people told me that I will receive the ordered parts about 2 or more weeks. But I receive it less than a week (I sent the order form through post in Christmas).

Well, its mean that my Strike Noir will finished early than expected and I can start making another Gunpla.

Gundam Scratch Built Manual

One of the books that I'm searching for modelling is.

This book is published in 2003 and it is hard to find now. I've search for the book in the internet but many of them didn't give any good result.

And luckily this week, I found this book at a model shop. But not many, only 3.

Inside, it will teach you how to built your own Scratch Built Gundam Models. There are many technique. It also have technique for beginners like me.

Not too hard for me even it is written in Japanese, because there also pictures for explanations.

Tutorial on Plastic Model Making

Today is a holiday in Japan, and I got bored.

So, I'm searching for some item and some video on Plastic Model Making. And I found this useful video on You Tube. It is a tv program called "プラモつくろう"(puramo tsukurou).

I not sure how many episodes/parts.

"プラモつくろう"shows different modellers with different technique on plastic model making. They will show you many useful techniques.

Here is my favourite: Gundam RX-78 NT-1 vs Kampfer.




This is just a part from the episode.

And here the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGfetzrkoR8

My first convertion kit

Just a little surprise when I went to a hobby show today. Dengeki Hobby Magazine is already on sale.

I know that Dengeki Hobby Magazine is issued at 25th every month. But today is 21st. 4 days early.

This time Dengeki Hobby Magazine come with a conversion kit GNY-001 Astraea for HG GN-001 Exia. Which the reason for me to bought it even though I don't bring more money (my pocket empty after bought it). Luckily, I already bought a prepaid train ticket.

Maybe I will start on Astraea after spring next year. Right now, I'm working with Strike Noir. I also have Meteor, GM Powered, and some more in my waiting list.

the conversion kit

In Progress : HG Strike Noir (45%)

I bought several Gunpla since I came to Japan, but none of them have been assemble yet. The first Gunpla I bought is Strike Noir HG.

Last Saturday I finally finished assembled it but 45% complete. I'm out of thinner. Not the paint.

One part is lost, and another part, how should I say it.....over-file when I try to file it.

So, have to re-order those parts, cost about 200 yen. Heard that I have to wait about 2~4 weeks for the parts arrived.

Here some pictures...

My strike noir on my book shelf...

Where's the armor? Lost it.

A view from above... What's that white thing at the backpack?

Closer view on the backpack. I use a piece of paper to prevent the wing from loose away.