Monday, August 6, 2012

WIP: HGUC RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode)



I have managed to rush the HGUC Unicorn and finished it in a few days, it almost turned out the way I wanted it to be. Just wanted it have a bit more shading. This is my 4th painted kit and I've been using the basic Tamiya Sprayworks so i really cant do much pre/post- shading. I haven't decided also what to do with the bazooka, which I've painted with the same sky grey color as the frame and joints. This has no panels lines whatsoever too which is cool for me and I think will stay that way.




Colors used: 

What used to be White Parts:

Base coat: Matte black
2nd coat: Sky Grey/Matte Black - 60/40
Final coat: White Gloss

What used to be Dark Grey: 

Sky Grey

What used to be Blue/Navy Blue:

Sky Blue/ Field Blue - 50/50

* All were Tamiya Acrylics


















Really hoping i can understand the phrase "Patience is a virtue" so as to lessen the bloopers i have on my kits. This time the bloopers weren't on the painting aspect (I guess??) but on the sanding part. Ive managed to miss some nubs (Which are now pretty obvious after painting) because im that lazy that i dont prime my HGs. But I'm still glad I'm improving and acknowledging that experience is the best teacher.


Next up should be the Geara Zulu (Angelo Sauper) or the Sinanju.. both HGUCs still.


Feel free to comment and i appreciate your feedback so i can improve on this. Thanks.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Review: HGUC 1/144 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode)

 I just finished snap building this white beast. Though it did took me 4 plus hours including nub mark trimming. 

 The details on this kit looks awesome and is almost Master Grade like!




Articulation:

Just a little bit past 90 degrees on the knees. It is double jointed but just hindered by the suit's design.

The knees feel a little weak and a bit loose. Not sure if its just on my kit but its on both knees. Will probably have to remedy this when painting.




Same with  the elbows. A lot like 110 degree rotation forwards



and the 70 degree.. backwards  

Weird!


Shoulders will be able to move this high. The piece on the arm that holds the beam sabers might hinder it from going any higher though.


Shoulders leaning forward and back.


The unicorn can do this much with both its feet flat on the ground.



Attempting splits, it can stand though it looks awkward.


Haiiiyyyaa!! Front high kick! Ankles bent that much. You'll have to cut the front skirts in the middle also to separate them



Unicorn Gundam kneeling


 But you will see that the rear foot is laying flat sideways (cheat!)



The head is double jointed as well. Head can tilt up thus be able to stare up to the skies, of course where all Unicorns belong.. :))






Weapons and Accessories :

Hyper bazooka!

Theres a peg within the bazooka that you can slide out so as to stick it on the backpack similar to what the RX-93 Nu Gundam looks like.


There are 2 pieces you can attach to the Hyper Bazooka's rear end. The left is basically a cap or plug while the one on the right is the ammo.


Heres how it looks like without any of the two


..and with the cap

 
..with the ammo


and it also has a spare ammo, sadly you can't replace it as the brace that holds the ammo is already molded to it

As you can see below the one on the left is the spare ammo and the right is the one used to attached to the bazooka..


You can use the spare and attach it to the rear skirt. 


On to the shield. The Unicorn's shield is pretty small for my taste though.



You will be using these pegs to attach the shield to the Unicorn.

The one on the left is to attach it to either arm, it just snaps on. The right is used to peg it to the back. This is actually the same place where you can plug in the hyper bazooka (so you can't store them in the backpack at the same time).





Two of the beam saber handles are stored in the forearms of the Unicorn.


Awesome right? One problem though.. He cant handle the sabers properly
See below :

Note: It does come with 5 hands or manipulators, 2 clenched fists to handle sabers (R and L), 2 open palms (R and L) , and 1 trigger finger hand (R only)



Size Comparison : 

Just a few kits i happen to have access right now. 

HGUC RX-0 Unicorn Gundam vs HGUC Sinanju


HGUC RX-0 Unicorn Gundam vs HGUC RX-93 Nu Gundam


HGUC RX-0 Unicorn Gundam vs MG Red Frame Astray Kai




Final Thoughts: 
  
As I've mentioned in my previous post, first impressions would be that the Unicorn mode would be one of the most boring Mobile Suits out there. And then i reflected.. Why is the tallgeese my favorite mobile suit? 

Well enough of that. This suit just grew on me, the longer i stare on its "whiteness" the more i see "Potential". Thats why im so excited to at least do some painting on this kit. 

The details as mentioned are superb and Master grade like. The articulation, well not really that much posable as to the newer HGs. This is actually its design as the MG version is not that much poseable as well. 

The hyper bazooka has plenty oppurtunities for detailing also. The only gripe i had with this in regards to the weapons is It can't hold the beam sabers vertically


But nuff said, this kit is well worth buying. Dont be fooled by the number of plates, it does come with plenty of parts. The only thing better is if you can get the version with the Unicorn head stand



Thanks for taking the time. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions.



 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Unboxing: HGUC 1/144 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode)

Recently been addicted to HGUCs and was pretty stoked after getting this one.


The first time i saw the anime, I was saying.. "this must be the most boring Gundam ever!". The colors (or lack there of), the plainness, the stiffness... ughh!

But what do ya know? This Gundam grew on me. Now i say its minimalistic, yet very complicated :)


Lets move on to the contents then.



You will get the manual and 3 plastic bags.



1 A plate - just Dark Gray and Blue, no clear parts




1 B Plate - Main white parts







2 C Plates - Again, same white, usually consist of parts for arms, shoulders and legs




1 D Plate - Same Dark Grey as with the ones in Plate A though ive noticed thee are a bit thicker than the previous ones so its really hard to get a clean cut so be careful.


Polycaps - nothing special here though you'd be left with 3 x #2 pieces here


Clear Parts for the Saber - You will have 4 saber handles for this kit but only 2 Beams for the Saber





And i almost forgot.. the foil sticker. This would go to the eye ( or visor sort of) and the other is for the camera as well just behind the unicorn horn.



Overall: 6 plates of White and Grey awesomeness. Pretty much excited of painting this kit. I think ill snap build this in 1 to 2 hours ( Though unexpectedly took me 3 hrs along with trimming of excess nubs)


Will post the snap built unicorn in a bit with my nab thoughts as well :)