Doesn't that pose the same question as why they produce 1/144 No-Grades with 1/144 HGs, if you think that they're wasting resources with a Strike and a Strike Rouge, they're wasting resources with all the no-grades. People have different tastes and preferences. Not everyone paints their models. Besides, what if someone wants a Strike Rouge over a Strike? I believe...for example, Char's Zaku looks like just a red Zaku...so Bandai's been doing that for a loooong time.

Anyways guys, does a 1/100 ZGMF-X88S Gaia and a 1/100 ZGMF-X31S Abyss exist?

no those 2 1/100 don't exist, and i'd really like to see the gaia become a 1/100 but i doubt that would happen -_-;

http://sapporo.cool.ne.jp/kiramato/img10621778059.jpghttp://sapporo.cool.ne.jp/kiramato/img10242446837.jpg
http://sapporo.cool.ne.jp/kiramato/h..._akatsuki3.jpg
http://sapporo.cool.ne.jp/kiramato/h..._akatsuki2.jpg

For all the bling-blings, too bad this will not be in time for Xmas.

Must have that to stand beside my 1/144 Hyaku Shiki!!!!

Oh and does the 1/100 Duel build? Does it come out nice? Been thinking about getting a duel for a while.

LMAO 1/144 hyaku shiki with the Akatsuki. i'm certian that this 1/144 hg will do well. i'm CERTAIN that almost everyone who likes the hyaku shiki will want it because of the obvious blingbling mecha back to back.

god i'd love to see this in a MG form T_T

Wow that Akatsuki acually looks really good.

And Syn13, here's some pics of a built Duel. http://211.233.38.221/dalong/seed/s6/s6_p.htm

I'll see your Akatsuki and raise you a Blackatsuki....
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?i...76430wn6kx.jpg

one of colleague from Japan gave me this paper cutter as x-mas present.
time for the PG first to struct the pose... :D

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9237/p10507332lp.jpg

wtf, why is it black? is that just a demo model?

Looks good, are it the original plastic colour with the lining done with a marker?

I think that Akatsuki is in a darker more Legend-esqué paintjob.

Yeah...why is it black. Don't tell me it IS black and we have to paint it gold...?

It's only the pre-release color of the plastic, before it is colored in. Like how you'll see white-colored plastic in models displayed in model magazines before their actual release.

Now if only they'll release that in 1/100. :D

Bandai may be releasing the blackatsuki so they can get more money off the models.

They could say it was a special edition, and BAM! Instant cash.

Also, I doubt it would be a pre release, considering that they'd have to waste time/money painting it.

So, Gunota just posted this news in regards to a new MG RX-78...except Japan isn't gretting it, AND it's not really new...

I'm a bit surprised that Japan won't be getting this. I wonder if something bigger may be planned for later next year?

ya that is weird, why isn't japan getting it o_O haha that makes no sense!

Dalong has a section up for it now, it seems like it comes with some nifty MG catalogue.

For people who actually have no clue, that prototype Akatsuki model is black because the chrome plating used requires a black backing to get a deep metallic finish... Applying it on lighter colours dulls the sheen...

Yep, thats simply markered...

If anything, that link just goes further to remind me just how awful the Assault Shroud pack is... The vanilla Duel is so much nicer...

Awful? you mean the colour and detail or overall quality of the Assault Shroud?
Looks pretty good IMO but thats only what I see from the picture...Since there's no other choice I really want because I don't think there's a 1/100 B;itz...or is there?

yep there's a 1/100 blitz, i primed and painted mine just this summer. it does exist :)

Nice, got any pics? Would love to see some and how did it come out? I have too many white and blue/black(S-Freedom, Double X, MKII, GP01FB, NT-1, WZC, RX-78 and G05) gundams on my shelf, one Nataku haha:D

I didn't mean pre-release in that they released a model version before the release, but as in "this is before the release, we aren't fully done constructing the model design yet, have a look at what we've got done."

yes syn i got some pics but they are on my other comp. when i got the time to get my other comp (in for repairs) i'll post em

well here are some in-prog shots...
think this looks the most dramatic... :lol:

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/527/p10507428ab.jpg

I got the idea while browsing some site and one of them had the series of composite diorama and one of them was Goof holding down GM by its head with the sword high on air just about to struck with it...

well after sveral test think this is the best I can think of...
RX-78-2 is holding Zaku down by knee and raising beam saber to struck its head... after fearce battle where both sides received a lot of damages - Gundam is missing right arm and much of armour on its legs while Zaku lost its right leg and much of armour on the left leg plus its right arm has been but off...

started on x-mas eve (yea missus and kid are away for holiday with me being home keeper... :( ) but after done some pre-assembly haven't had time to do anything further atm...
still a lot to cover - further mod on models and redoning the base (wasn't happy with dinky base I made on CD jewel case) and etc. and that's before even starting seam line fixing and painting... :cry:

i don't know if ur gonna want to do this for ur diorama dj but i'd suggest instead of the whole right arm being taken out, a section of it is still attached. kinda like the bicep area is still stuck on ;)

too late.
entire section has been sawed away for some internal frame mod... :p
just done with damage mod and it's time for me to hit the bed...

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/7292/p10507446st.jpg

still haven't decided how far the Zaku's left leg should be - cut off at the knee or bit longer...? Also its left arm - cut off at the elbow...?

[EDIT]
another variation of pose... what do you think?

[EDIT]
what do you think?

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5477/p10507525cn.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6246/p10507511gj.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1108/p10507501gh.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9135/p10507484iy.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5139/p10507497un.jpg

[EDIT]
some more arrangment and test fit on the base...
maybe I need bigger base...?

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/319/p10507569ev.jpg
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5691/p10507551xm.jpg
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4599/p10507546fm.jpg

If your looking for pictures of Blitz Gundam, you can see it here. The manufacturing of Blitz is quite unique....

thank god those are ur MGs man i don't think id' be able to do that kind of damage on a PG when i do work on one o-O

seeing the dmg pic, i think ti's fine :) add some sparks coming out of the socket would be awesome!

another round of changes...

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6500/p10507588yh.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6128/p10507570qg.jpg

I'm not sure which is better - holding beam saber or about to pull one out...?

[EDIT]
another update...
spent half an hour to do zaku's left leg frame...

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4861/p10507619dn.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6522/p10507591cv.jpg

[EDIT]
Another round of small changes that I could do with just knife and few spare runner in few minutes... :P

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2101/p10507623hq.jpg

I'm still not sure whether to remove Zaku left leg completely or shows as cut off at the ankle by the beam saber...?

kool, i like the idea of the wires sticking out of the socket. nice :)

some more detailed damage area - and while I was at it put the metal pipe into the backpack thrusters as well as at the foot... :P Does it look convincing?

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/1973/p10507666jy.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5308/p10507680fy.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3860/p10507710co.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1996/p10507727vm.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9453/p10507732xu.jpg

appreciate any input... :D

Personally, I think you need to do a lot more damage to the internal frames... atm, it just looks like you've snapped the armour off ;)

Also, IIRC, the Zakus head isn't supposed to open... That was just added to the models to make turning the monoeye less of a chore (although I may be wrong, seeing as I only own a Zaku F2, which had an entirely removable helmet for the same function)

for zaku the hatch can be open'd - same on PG...
the damage I'm still working on and untill I get my Dremel tool I can't do much about the detailed damage on the armour - after all I'm building this with knife, cutter and super glue at the moment :(

For those who build models, I thought that I might pass this info along. Some people might already know about this, but when I learned about this I was pretty shocked.

Anyways, Bandai Japan offers free replacement parts for model kits OUTSIDE Japan. I thought previously that it was limited to Japanese residents only.. looks like this isn't the case. Note, this is Bandai Japan, not Bandai America (I sent an e-mail to them a month ago.. still no reply. Go figure. :rolleyes: ) They ship the parts requested for free.

Here's their policy, in exact words:

1. We accept free replacement for any defection or missing parts if it occurred in our production line or during the transportation. We need to see a picture of broken parts or a sprew that has missing parts in the unwrapped plastic bags when you ask for a replacement.

2. We also accept a replacement for broken parts or missing parts which occurred under customer's responsibility. This replacement will be done free of charge but it will be only one time deal. Limited within 4 pieces of parts.

I needed some parts replaced on the MG Hyaku Shiki since some of the gold plated parts came horribly scratched. Since it was damaged during transportation, my problem fit under policy #1. After sending them the pictures of the unopened parts, I got my replacement within 2 weeks. That's pretty good, considering I live in the East Coast USA

Picture: http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bandai6pm.jpg
Sorry about the horrible image quality.. I stole a digicam from a friend but for some reason it takes nothing but crappy pictures.

Just wanted to pass this info along. I had no idea that they offered replacement parts like this. I was pretty skeptical until I received my package today. :D

Anyways, just e-mail them at bandaiactionkit@bandai.co.jp They have english speakers of course. :)

Yeah when I was building my Destiny model right when i took a piece off it chipped horribly :(.

Then when I first opened the box I became utterly disappointed because i thought the standard release came with the stand too. There were way too many pics of the model with its stand so i assumed all of it came with it, not just the first press release.

Thanks a bunch DarkWarrior!

still working on the endo/exoskeleton parts on both Gundam and Zaku...

I'm thinking Im spending way more time on damage area but then it'll be the feature of the diorama so there... :x

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2429/p10507775sz.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9876/p10507766kn.jpg


http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7596/p10507782oa.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5876/p10507793dy.jpg


I welcome any constructive suggestion/comment...

That is great news, my oldest brother's PG Strike had a waist part break, and now he can't use the Aile pack because of the weight of it. But now that all changes, great stuff DW! But, I wonder if Bandai can replace the entire hand unit of my 1/100 SF. Since my SF was the 1st edition, I'm guessing the poly cap that holds the hands isn't really the best thing in the universe (it can only hold the clenched hand part, my SF cannot use the open handed part :( )

By the way, do you have any more info on where you found this out, like a website or something?

You know, you can tell the difference with the box, my Strike Freedom has a slightly raised box for the extra runners of the stand, and the box has a distinctive side and backing. Where did you buy your Destiny? did the seller say if it was normal edition or 1st? To me, they're supposed to, like HLJ says for the Strike Freedom kit, although I remember that Destiny does not have the same message that SF has.

By the way, if you want a 1st edition SF, I got mine on ebay :)

' _ '

We do?

Anyway does anyone know how much Gundam Ex-S goes for nowadays?

I've decided to make Zaku as part of ground troop and Gundam as one of unofficial ground test unit sent to Earth for field test purpose... haven't thought of its designation number - probably RX-78-0 or RX-78-1 assuming Feds somehow managed to salvage the damaged Gundam prototype and sent to Earth for field evaluation after patched up. :p

I've yet to decided the type of armour and colour scheme though I'm leaning towards the GM Ground type desert scheme...
for Zaku I may ditch the olive altogether and opt for dark brown with heavy weathering simulating the unit has been on the field for extended period went thru numerous battles with not much of repair job in between...

for the base I'm torn between city or desert...
of course making desert will save me a lot of time compared to city where I will have to case the base and broken up to simulate the broken asphalt surface - may even need the bigger base to put the building??? Nah! that will be too much of work... Either way I will have to decide this weekend what type of base I will make...

if anyone have any suggestion feel free to comment. :D