Others may object but I find airbrushing easy. The first time I used one, and I got a perfect spray. No orange peel, no fisheyes, just a nice flat even coat. When I first started handpainting with a brush, I kept getting brush marks. Even now I still get em from time to time.

Airbrushing has the highest start up cost, but allows for much greater flexibility and effects, while hand brushing is relatively cheap, but requires extensive practice and/or great skill to achieve a passable finish. Of course you can't just get one or the other. Even with an airbrush you will require brushes for detail work and washes and among other things.

I personally like Enamels over Acrylics and Lacquers. I live in NYC so Lacquer fumes are way too nasty. Tamiya acrylics with the exception of their clear/smokes are crap every time I've tried em. PollyScale acrylics I've been using more frequently as they seem to be alot more durable are available in many more shades. Oh and hand brushing with acrylics is a big no no. I primarily work with Testors Model Master line of enamels as they seem to have the perfect balance of toxicity and durability. Fumes are bareable and they seem more durable than the acrylics I've been using. I also use artist oils for panel washes.

BTW if you're going to get an airbrush, you MUST get a face mask with organic paint filters. Not one of those cheapo dirt/dust masks, but a real painters mask.

OMG. Airbrushing does require a high start-up cost. A compressor costs 450 bucks in Aus, and a good airbrush is around 60 bucks i think? Then, there's the paint and the mask. And pretty much a new desk with lamp on it. Hmmm, modelling IS a high cost hobby, like my photography hobby. Lolz

A$60 for airbrush?
Mate where you can get the high quality one at that price - and I mean not those Taiwan made ones?
Iwata cost way more than that... T^T

Just in case no one has mentioned this yet:

1/100 Legend apparently contains parts so that the stand will be compatible with your 1/100 Destiny, Strike Freedom, or Infinite Justice (in case you do not have a stand for any of those).

Just passing along what my friend in Japan told me.

It shouldn't be THAT expensive. I bought my startup setup; compressor and a Badger 360 for around 280 USD like 3 years ago. You could probably by the same thing for around 200 now. I also bought a Badger 150 for around $70 USD as a secondary/backup airbrush. Its a great steal at the price.

Price of an MG Sazabi Kit: $90
Price of rebuilding it the first time: $10 (base, paints, etc)
Price of Core Works Sazabi Conversion Kit: $180
Price of rebuilding the Sazabi to incorporate the above conversion kit: $50

Having Yutaka Izubuchi (Designer of the Sazabi) siting down infront of the third rebuilt Sazabi, signing the Sazabi's shield.... Priceless

Wow, doesn't get much better than that. Nicely done.

That is awesome.

Is the Core Works Strike Freedom conversion set completely out of stock for good?

wow i bow down to you gamera, that is f-in sweet!!!

That is what their website at http://cw-shop.co.kr/ has been telling though.

Needs translation of what MG kit to what conversion kit from CORE-WOrKS plz >.> .

Ah damn, I want an MG Strike Freedom BADLY in some way, the 1/100 looks horribly disproportioned, the 1/144 is too small, and the 1/60 is far too large >.<
The 1/100 scale range only needs the Akatsuki's (if they're not planning to release a Saviour 1/100 or Blast Impulse) and then I guess they'll move on to making Master Grades? Aside from the Freedom Extra Finish of course.

How long did it take for the release of MG Aile Strike and Freedom to be released after the first SEED finished release?
An MG SF would probably my last, final prime model I'd ever get, unless another overpowered, better mecha is released, lol v.v...

I think MG Aile Strike was out in early 2003...check dalong for more info.

it does pops up on Yahoo Japan from time to time.
expect to pay around 15000-20000 yen if you can get one

I thought you were awesome before, but now you're truly a God amongst men.

Strike was out in 2003, Freedom in the summer of 2004, so unless any Destiny MG's comes out this year it's probably destined for next year.

gamera, how was the whole anime con event? could you give us a recap on how the tutorial thing went?

The con went very well... to an extent. Major issues like lining up to get tickets for an event only to line up again after getting said tickets to go to an event.... lame. Folks invariably spent 6 hours in line to see a less than spectacular Masquarade....

But in terms of the model building workshop.. I think it went very well... The model competition has the same complaints I've had about it since last year's pathetic contribution level. More on that here:
Con report complete with pictures and my commentary on things.
http://www.gamerabaenre.com/ax_2006.htm

this one is out!!!!

http://www.1999.co.jp/dbimages/user/...g/10049595.jpg

1/144hg verde buster preview

http://www.gundambase.com/community/...1&news_idx=232

http://www.gundambase.com/imagedata/20060706/VERDE1.jpg

gundam perfect grade model spare parts??
 

Hi Guys,
I have recently completed a perfect grade gundam RX-78-2 kit (as pictured on this page: http://www.gundamstoreandmore.com/rxgunpergrad.html) -- and to my horror I realize I've somehow lost the small red part that goes smack in the center of his forehead! I've looked everywhere (including tearing open every vacuum bag in the house) and have given up hope. Can anyone think of any way I might be able to get my hands on a replacement for this part, (short of buying a whole new robot)? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!