Introduction
I recently received a HG Bracer Phoenix to build after watching some of the Pacific Rim world / universe anime which left me curious about the models. This review covers the box, what the parts look like, and the subsequent model.
In my previous post I reviewed the HG Obsidian Fury which you can find here.
The Box
The box for the HG Bracer Phoenix is slightly smaller than the other models I have built; its box dimensions are 19cm by 30cm by 5.5cm tall approximately, and as with all the boxes from Bandai the cover art is evocative of the whole world the model comes from.
Inside the HG Bracer Phoenix Box
Inside the box there is a small section of stickers and a few plastic wrapped runners. It is worth noting that I didn’t bother with the stickers on this model because I feel that it will ultimately benefit from some painting to make it standout.
Once unpacked I found the 4 runners along with the stickers. It is worth noting that as with the Obsidian Fury model the JTP-2 sprue had more parts than I needed. As is normal with these kits the runners are labelled (A, B, C, and JTP-2).
Underneath the runners was also the all important manual. Again this features some stunning artwork and helps add to the feel of the product. The art is also laid out in the same format as the Obsidian Fury front cover.
HG Obsidian Fury Build
The build itself runs along the same process as building the other HG grade models. Starting with the kits head, I then moved on to the torso, arms, and finally the legs.
I found the instructions easy to follow, and used the normal tactics of cut from the runner leaving a small piece, then trimming with a knife. To clean up visible areas where they were cut from the sprue I used 800 grit sandpaper, before finishing it with 3000 grit sandpaper. On the Obsidian Fury build (here) I used 3000 grit only and it took forever. By using the 800 grit first, and being careful, I increased the speed of the build without compromising the quality of finish.
The Final Model
After approximately one and a half days of assembly I finally had the model complete.
Pros and Cons
I really enjoyed this build. However, a couple of the pieces of the manual could do with more clarity, and I found myself, a couple of times, having to triple check to make sure what I was doing made sense. There is also an odd combination on this model between the smaller sections and the larger armour pieces. The finished model is smaller compared to the other models and with him in a crouch position he comes up to just above the Obsidian Fury’s waist. That said, personally I prefer this model to the Obsidian Fury and for me it feels more sturdy and I like the overall look of the model. I would buy it again, and I would buy it if it was twice the size!
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