HG Strike Freedom - 1 - Snap fit

The cool thing about the Strike Freedom, and I realized this while building the PG, is that it's completely symmetrical, outside of some minor differences in the beam rifles so that they can combine together.

It's an older HG and lacks some of the modern joint technology implemented in more modern HG's (see any of the Unicorn suits) but it's not really that bad.

My biggest problem is the proportions.  The feet seem too big and the face seems kind of childish.  It's hard to say what it is but it doesn't look that fierce to me.  That's something I hope to rectify later.

My standard build practice these days is to cut most of the pieces off the runners (outside of the really small ones that can get lost easily) and combine their respective halves together lightly, just so that they're easier to find later.  Gunpla building has taken on an essence of building a 3d puzzle for me.  After I'm done cutting everything out I sort them by section (legs, waist, torso etc.) and then look at the manual for what PC parts I'm supposed to use.

I want to get as much plastic out of the box as I can so it becomes less confusing for me as time goes on.  I hate searching through the runners looking at the letters wondering if I have the right one or not.  I just do it by eye now.  Easier and faster.

So here are some shots of the runners and some just for the sake of testing out my new camera.  As of this writing I've talked to my friend about what colours she wants to use and I've separated the parts accordingly.  She decides the colours but I'm going to do the scheme.  The next step is to prep the parts for painting.

Glad I can get a clear zoom in for a change.  LOVE this new camera!

Time to get rid of this stuff!  Takes up too much real estate in the box.

Look at that chin!  WAY too long.  Ridiculously long actually.  That needs to chopped down.  And I did chop it down.

Another angle.  Don't like this face much.  I think it's the cheek things.  And that chin has got to go.

OK not bad!  It's got potential.  Now to see if I can unlock it.

HG Strike Freedom - Preface

This might be coming out of the blue for a lot of my regular readers but let me explain. I have a Japanese friend who visits me occasionally and she always asks me what Gundams I want so she can bring them when she comes. I told her how expensive they are here and how I don't really want to buy them in Canada anymore.

When we met she said that she used to like watching me make them and didn't know that so much went into them. Since it was something that she's always associated with good times with me and it's something Japanese she really wants me to have them. That and the fact that she's just really kind... She's brought me two Jesta's, the Shenlong (which I actually kind of chose for her. She was born in the year of the dragon.) The Phantasy Star Eleanor model for myself and two for my sister (Shino and Whitill). This time she brought me the Zee Zulu, 1/144 Yellow Submarine hands, Kotobukiya Gattling Gun set and another MG that for now shall remain unnamed.

I orginally asked for the RG Mark.II but the release date was pushed back on the AEUG version and the Titan's version was sold out on the first day. Bad luck. One of the things I asked her to do this time was to think about a suit that she would like to pilot herself. Something she though she could see herself inside. Her original choice was the MG Wing Zero Custom. When she went back to buy it it was sold out. What a dissapointment. I would have loved to have built that one but maybe I'll have the choice to do it sometime down the road. Her second choice was this one. The Strike Freedom. She said she liked it because it was something that needed a 'special' pilot haha.

She had seen me working on the frame of the PG Strike Freedom (at that time I had just finished painting it gold and was fixing the one wing. Sephiroth mode as some of you may remember.) She has since seen the completed suit that I finished during the "Gauntlet" but it didn't register when she picked it out that the PG I was working on and that she was so familiar with was actually the same HG that she picked up. Either way its kind of fitting... And I was glad for the opportunity to see what type of a woman she is from her choice. I am more than happy to make another Strike Freedom but this one will be a monument to her.

I've already built the Gattling gun and the extra hands and have place them on my MG Mark II ver.2 and the Ecopla 1/144 Mark II. They're both great additions and I totally recommend them. The only problem with the hands is that they are very fragile (obviously) and it was kind of pain to get everything to stay in place while I assembled them. As such I used a bit of glue to stiffen them up but it worked to excess bonding the plastic and now I've lost of articulation in the hands! I don't want to fidget with them too much and risk breakage so I'm just content to leave them as they are right now. Totally worth it though, especially for the price.

I had started on the Zee Zulu already and am mid-way through that snap-fit but after I talked with her today I've decided to switch over to the HGSF. She said that I should be doing that one first because she want's to see it quickly haha. I told her that I'd do that one last but she said "ダメ"　so I changed my plan for her. She was just joking and didn't expect that I would do that but now she's happier and if she's happy I'm happy. That's probably something most of us men should keep in mind when dealing with women. If you can make them happy and it's not really an issue just do it. That kindness will come back to you later.

Anyways here are some pics and some shots of my new work area. I've decided to combine my laboratories together in order to increase productivity. A true lab is one that you can sleep in and I finally have that now. Again. Haven't really had a setup like this since I left Japan. Refinement. That's what it's all about.

New Beginnings

I suppose it's appropriate. I do kind of feel like I'm starting over.

At the height of my Gunpla career I was living in Japan and working full time. I think having a full time job helped with my Gunpla. I had a routine and I was always working on something. Be it assembling a new kit or painting another one. I'd do a little bit each night before I went to sleep. Kind of a thing to relax and unwind a bit before wrapping up the day.

Yet sometimes it did the exact opposite. Sometimes I'd get like a fever and really want to finish something and I'd just keep going and the time would fly by. That's the dangerous side of this I guess. In my case I can't finish until the entire section I've allotted for myself is complete. Like a checkpoint. And then after that I'd want to re-assemble things to see how it looks... and then I'd want to do a bit more and on and on. It can be brutal.

During the past year it's been pretty crazy. A lot of ups and downs and getting used to things and re-acclimation and whatever. Life and Gunpla are intertwined. At least in my case and my life is constantly changing so naturally the Gunpla follows suit. Actually, let's not say "changing". Let's say "evolving". Which brings me to my next project. I've decide that it's going to be the 1/100 HG Endless Waltz Heavyarms Custom.

Now from looking at this picture I can already tell a couple of things. They left some stuff out that you can find in the MG version of this. Specifically all the missile pods on the waist. They just aren't on this model.

I'll be starting a new job soon. It's my first full time job since I've been back... so hopefully it will bring a return of normalcy and routine back to my life. I'm been living for a year as a Ronin and it's kind of nice to have a master to serve again. I know it sounds strange to say that but there it is. Plus this is my first real job I've had in my home country. I hope everything works out but I'm nothing if not flexible.

Anyway after seeing all the images on the net recently of the new MG Heavyarms, I decided to pull my own out and take a look at it again. It kind of symbolizes what's been going on with me recently. Not quite complete. Not new. Semi discarded... very cheap but I'll find a way to make the most of it. Making 1 and 1 = 3 somehow. Realize what you have and make the most of it instead of always striving for the next and newest thing. Flies in the face of convention I know but consider it... This was isn't for everyone but it is for me.  I like this "Mecha Recycling". In the meantime I've been transporting the Gundams that I re-assemble to the display area in the basement. That's basically the process. There are only a few left in my room now.

Here are my sword fighters.

1/100 Red Frame - The Vangaurd

OYW Gundam with MG Red Frames swords.  2nd kit I ever painted, right after 1/100 Red Frame.

Musha still waits for his turn in the sun.  Only the frame work is done on him.

Asianskill1 this is all your fault.  If I hadn't seen your MG Heavyarms I probably wouldn't have went downstairs to grab my own.

This is one of the few Gundams that comes with an alternate face and I go and lose both of them.

I bought this guy when I was about 20 while in Buffalo, New York.  I was at a shop called Target.  We don't have those in Canada but apparently that's all about the change next month.  I got him for a really good price too.  Comparable to what I'd pay in Japan... but that was a different time.  A different era economically.

At first I was just going to do a simple clean up of this guy.  As in dust him off, re-assemble, pose and put him in the display case but as I was working with him I realized that it'd be very simple to make him look really good.  My skills now are light years beyond what I knew when I was 20.

This guy is just an HG and an old one at that.  It'd be very easy to disassemble him and spruce him up in just about every area.  Joint range, seam lines, details, panel lines and naturally I'm going to recolour him.  And yes... face fabrication.

I look at him with new, older and wiser eyes now.  Eyes that have evolved with time and experience.  New but old.  Old but new again.  Maybe some things are just timeless

Ah... I'm adrift in time. I just finished FFXIII-2 today.  What a time traveling mind **** that was!  But such a beautiful beautiful game!  Actually since I'm here let me drop some candy for the fans.

Anyway since that's done and I destroyed Skyrim I have nothing really to play until Mass Effect 3.  Which I'll get for sure but maybe after this guy is done.  No need to rush.  The games will always be there later. (Man I am getting old.)

But for now I just want to have fun with Gunpla again.  I don't care so much about what happened in the past.  The past will always be there but the present demands your attention. 

It's time to just live in the moment and work towards the goals in the future.  Starting here.

Red Army

If you've been a reader here for any length of time you know the story behind these. No links to that. I'm going to leave that in the past where it belongs.

The crew is slowly coming out of their boxes. One Gundam, one shot! No retakes!

New Gunpla Releases

I thought I was out of the game... but they keep drawing me back in...

Can I resist these... I don't know... This one is going to be hard. I might be forced to order these just to see what the process is like.

Ah! If I was still in Japan at the time of release I wouldn't give this a second thought but...

Well I have time to think about it at least.

G.G. is the source

ANA Gundams

Looking at this I can't help but feel really lucky. ASM hooked me up with the RX-78 in August during the 1/1 pilgrimage. He bought the 00 for me later but him and Gaigun split the cost and gave it to me as a going away present! The generousity!

Thanks guys! I REALLY appreciate it! It's so beautiful! The O Raiser is also built but isn't featured in this pic.

Note: The kit comes with a simple 3 part stand that should be standard in every HG from now on in my opinion. It's so simple I don't see why they wouldn't do it. Cheap and effective.

Anyway I love this kit.  I have a bit more love for the 00 after building this.  I also have a lot more love for extra finish kits.  Nubs are a pain but the overall look compared to the work put in makes it worth it to me.

HG Nobel Gundam

Welcome to the family.

MG Rezel + HG Delta Plus

*Cue tears of joy mixed with misery*

Every time I think I'm out... they pull me back in again. I'll never be free. MG Rezel... wow I never expected that... with complete transformation mechanism... oh... *drooling* HG Delta Plus though... Could it possibly be made into a MG?  I still think there's a high chance of that...
I'm even thinking of getting the HG Sinanju... just because why the f not? Can someone tell me why not? Please tell me why not...

all hijacked from Ngee as usual.

HG Zaku Warrior: Lunamaria Hawke Custom

Gallery here. As usual I will post the write up a bit later. More pics than usual as I'm intending for this gallery to be used as a tutorial for my new "speed" 1/144 build process (which I'm starting to realize has it's own flaws but it's still faster than what I was doing before). The other two Gundam's in the gallery I didn't build myself (assisted) but the 3 of them are a set regardless.

HG Murasame - Review

The Murasame was always a suit that intrigued me. A mass production transformable mobile suit. It's like a dream come true for me. I have an affinity for these from the VF-11 to ReZel to the Bawoo. I love all of them and I love them all for the exact same reasons.

But let's stick to the MS at hand, this Murasame, which Lupes refered to as a cross between the Zeta and Astray Gundams in the comments section of this post, which I believe is a somewhat accurate description

Being a mass produced suit, it doesn't come with a lot of weapons. One beam saber, one rifle and a shield. The weapons you can't pose are the vulcans in the head and missle pack in the front skirt (which just looks like some extra design tossed in there just break up the blandness) and a beam cannon in the tail stabilizer. And there are, of course, the missle pods that attach to the wings.

From HG Murasame

First... This kit doesnt have a lot of options for movement. There isn't a whole lot of lateral movement in the legs and its hard to get decent poses for it.

From HG Murasame

And the shield is pretty oversized for the suit.
To get it to transform you have to remove the arms and head, plus detach and reattach the legs to the extra hip unit specially made to help with the transformation (shown with the missile pods).

From HG Murasame

It's a nice kit but the proportions are a bit off to me It doesnt really look cool enough. I'm not sure what it is. Too round maybe. Stocky. Blocky. I like it in MA mode but MS mode doesn't really do it for me. I don't know maybe I was hoping for a bit more. I'd only recommend this suit if youre a Murasame fan and even then...

Still though I'm glad I have it because of the reasons I mentioned in the first paragraph and it does look pretty good in MA mode, so I'm just keeping it like that for now.

From HG Murasame

I was planning on painting it in a simple "special command" unit theme. Changing the red to blue or gold. And I think I still will. I'm probably going to combine it with my Althun/Asran build when I ever get around to that... (I've finally started working on it but don't tell anyone!)

My motivation for the MGIJ has sank a bit (which also happens... but I'm not starting on painting the Musha until I finish the MGIJ completely.)

That said, I enjoyed posing it with another flying Gundam, the 1.5, even though they're both from different universes.

From HG Murasame

I decide to use the stickers on this kit because it really looks TOO plain without them. So use the stickers or paint it but even you leave it plain... it looks REALLY plain.

I'm giving this Murasame kit 3.5/5. 2.5 for the kit and an extra point because it comes with it's on stand.

Q&DWIP 4 - HG Astraea Type-F: Alternate Configuration

Thanks for all of your comments on the colour scheme everyone. Take a look at this set up and see how it compares. After seeing it with the Exia parts on I have to say that I like it a bit more and will probably just remove a lot of the white and give it an 'Aqua' look. I currently have it displayed in my room like this so I'm think I'm just going to clean this up, repaint in the same colours and detail it. Man there are so many things you can do with this kit! I removed the Exia shoulder and the 2x beam sabres and traded them in for the GN Short and Long swords on the hips. Each hip can hold two weapons now! That four all together. Man it's just too strong! Love this thing. Take a look.

Strange. I actually want to work on this a bit more than MGIJ but... priorities! I suppose I can just continue doing what I've been doing so far and just work on multiple kits at once.

Q&DWIP 3 - HG Astraea Type-F: Assembled

Sorry I forgot to crop the pics so they're a big larger than usual. My idea of spraying on the panels didn't turn out so well.  Well it did and it didn't. I mean I got rid of the red but... what do I do with it now? I really have no idea what type of paint scheme I'd like to give it! I like the metallic green/blue but I don't think the metallic blue works with it... and I don't know what to do about the white either. Any ideas? I really could use some help on this one!

That said... this model is totally ****ing sick. The weapons. Man... the weapons!!! This thing is stacked beyond belief! I kept the Exia shoulders just because I wanted extra beam sabers. This is it fully armed from a couple of different angles. The display stand was a good call I think.

From Plamo Addiction

From Plamo Addiction

From Plamo Addiction

From Plamo Addiction

From Plamo Addiction

From Plamo Addiction As you can see this model comes with all the parts to make the Exia if that's what you want.  Basically this is a 4 in 1 kit.  Exia/Astraea/Astraea Type F/Astraea Type F2. After making this I can't understand why anyone would NOT want to buy this kit.  This is probably one of the best kits I've ever made just based on versatility alone.  Not to mention that you can use all of these weapons with other HG 00 kits if you're inclined to do so.   What to do about the colours though...