Anyone who has been around the Gundam / Gunpla world is more than likely going to have come across the RX-78-2 models. For anyone coming late to the party the RX-78-2 was the Gundam piloted by Amuro in the original series. It is the poster boy of the franchise and has had many iterations and releases.
Attainability
Arguably none as attainable as the RX-78-2 Revive. For only £12.99 (you can get it here) this HG model is both affordable and is great fun to build. Not only that but is ripe for customisation, and at that price you don’t mind experimenting!
The RX-78-2 Revive looks like this:
RX_78_2 Revive
In my case mine currently looks more like this:
Small holder of partsLarge holder of parts
As you can see I’m doing an attempt at an undercoat and paint on this. I have also wired up an LED in his helmet, and made space/holes down the inside of the suit to get the wires down to his feet. There was, I have to admit, a fair amount of butchery had to go on. However, a lot of this was a learning curve. I really want to get another once this one is done and do it totally differently.
Conclusion
If you don’t have one in your collection I really would recommend one. The Revive version is a really enjoyable build. At the end you have an iconic looking model, that has a timeless look and feel. I think when I look at this model I see the groundwork being laid for many of the suits / designs that have followed it. They may have more details, but the feel and general layout of items is often very similar.
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Weekly Shop Roundup 15/01/2023! Ok I don’t want to “flood” my Page/Socials with adverts for the shop. I want most of the posts to be purely about GunPla and the associated mediums. However, I do also have a shop so to balance it I’m trying to keep my adverts to 1 advert a week…well and when I list things so people know they can go look!
I have had, what I believe we would call, a mixed bag, this week.
The Good
On the one hand I got some absolutely stunning new models in the shop!
The images above are just a small selection of the new models that I have listed on the shop this week! If you haven’t had a look, please do go check it out, there are some super nice models in there! You can get to is easily from here.
The Bad
On the flip side a large chunk of the stock came in with damage to the boxes. I know that a lot of builders and collectors want the box to be in as pristine condition as everything else. I may have to list them on the site, with the relevant warnings, but, in the first instance I want to try and secure buyers through direct contact to ensure they know.
If you are reading this, then at the time of writing I have the following in my possession but not on the site:
The RG Zeta Gundam £31.99 + P&P
RG Freedom £26.99 + P&P
RG Freedom £26.99 + P&P
HG Setsuro £25.99 + P&P
HG Setsuro £25.99 + P&P
HGUC Gundam RX-0 Unic Full Arm Dest Red 1/144 £34.99 + P&P
HGUC Gundam RX-0 Unic Full Arm Dest Red 1/144 £34.99 + P&P
I took the images above to show the dents on the boxes. If you are interested in any of these please send me a message or an email at [email protected]. Also please feel free to forward this and let your friends know.
The Conclusion
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I was lucky enough to get my hands on an RG Zeta. Getting hold of the RG models and the MG models seems really difficult at the moment. However, I am slowly building up my stock of these models.
If you haven’t seen the Zeta it looks like this.
RG_ZETA_1
I think it looks like a stunning model, and on top of that it transforms! The model has a very distinctive style with minor tweaks / details added to the chest and waist to really make it stand out. Even the design of the legs is similar to feel comfortable, but just different enough to elevate the model to its own level.
The RG Zeta Gundam was released as part of the 10th instalment of the RG series that appeared to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Gunpla.
Key highlights of this model are:
Realistic reproduction of Zeta Gundam’s mechanism.
This kit also transforms into the Wave Rider form.
New advanced MS joint adoption.
Realistic decals included.
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At last, after much chasing and trials and tribulations this finally happened today! New Stock Alert 12/01/2023.
New Stock
As you can see the outer boxes look like someone decided that dragging them everywhere was the best mode of transport. However, I am happy to say, that those are packing boxes, and inside those boxes are 3 other big boxes. So, as far as I can tell so far, the inner actual GunPla boxes are ok. I will know more when I finally unpack them (Hopefully today!).
So my current plan / timeline:
Friday 13th Jan 2023 – Unpack and validate everything that I expect in the order is there. This also includes weighing and measuring the box sizes so that I can get them on the site.
Saturday 14th Jan 2023 – Make the listings public on the site.
So you are probably wondering, this is all great and everything but what has he got coming into stock?
Well amongst the items coming in are:
PG Gundam Unicorn RX-0 1/60
MG 00 Raiser 1/100
RG Gundam God
RG Z’GOK Char Custom 1/144
HGCE Windam
HG Gundam Heavyarms
There is also plenty of other stuff coming in but I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you! Head across to https://modelkitsltd.co.uk/shop and have a look what else has come in!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
In this post I want to highlight the lovely technicalities that Bandai have built into the models. This post specifically I want to focus on looking at the HG GunPla arms … or more specifically my RX-78-2 Revive arm.
Before I go any further I must, I feel, apologise for the state of the arm. I have been doing a lot of testing different things with it. It has been painted, cleaned painted and generally messed with. It looks currently in a slightly sorry state. I will, soon I hope, restore it to a much better condition. When I get chance I will show it off in its restored glory!
The Arm Basics
So this model, and a few others I have built, follow a similar pattern for the arms. This model has a lower section which would serve as the ulna and radius. Then a top section that would be the humerus. The ulna and radius part has two parts clip over it, with the humerus having a piece slide down over it.
Labelled Arm PartsArm with top section onUnder side forearm addedTop forearm piece addedTricep/Bicep section addedBent armShoulder added
In the images above the parts have been colour coded. Firstly the red highlighted part is the humerus. Next is the blue highlighted part which acts as the ulna and radius. Finally is the green highlighted part which is the plate which holds them together. You can see in the next picture the top plate of that is in place holding the main “bones” of the arm together. In the first image the parts labelled 1 shows where the top and bottom part hook over the posts allowing them to pivot.
The following images show the arm being built up, and the level of movement it has once put together.
What do I like?
This design is both robust and flexible. Once put together it allows for a great range of movement bending the arm and thus allowing me to put the model into far more poses. The pieces can break (I did it on the other arm) but that was user headspace error, rather than the parts. There is a load of detail on the parts, but a lot of those details are also functional. It looks like there are grooves and sections, but a lot of them, as well as looking nice, aid in guiding, and holding, the pieces in the right places. The final thing I wanted to mention is the high quality / precision of the pieces. They fit together snugly, helping to hold everything where it should be, and provide a level of stability that looser pieces just couldn’t. All of these small details add up to make the arm a fantastic piece. Both from an engineered point of view, but also from a pure aesthetic point of view.
Conclusion
I am a massive fan of the thought and design that has gone into the HG Gunpla arms. Ultimately the models really shine because of the attention to detail.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
As you all know, hopefully, this has been an exciting, and frustrating week for me so far.
On one hand my first order of items from GUNPRIMER arrived. All their items look absolutely stunning. The Starter Set (which you can find here), BALANCERS (which you can find here and here), and the RASER PLUS (available here). If you haven’t seen their products or site have a look, you can find it here.
GUNPRIMER_GateRemoverSet
I did a whole post on them when I got them listed on the site which if you want you can read here. Suffice to say I was super happy to get these in and listed on the site. Hopefully you will all find them as awesome as I do!
Now, on the other hand, I am still waiting on my delivery of stock. So far I have been provided dates from the 30th December, 3rd of Jan, 4th of Jan, 5th of Jan, 6th of Jan, and currently it is showing as the 9th of Jan. I am, I admit, very frustrated with this. There are some awesome items in there which I am super excited to get in.
However, all of that is outside of my control! So in the meantime, while we wait for that to arrive. Why don’t you have a look at the shop (here). As well as the GUNPRIMER stuff added this week, there are already some awesome models on there. Why not treat yourself to 1 .. or 2 … or 3 🙂
SILVER_BULLET_1
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
Happy new year to everyone and welcome to my shop and stock update. I hope last year was filled with plenty of models to build, and I hope that this year brings plenty more models to build!
At https://modelkitsltd.co.uk/shop I am constantly looking to bring in more stock and broaden the selection of products that we have available in the UK ready to ship.
My next order is due to be delivered by UPS on Wednesday the 4th of January 2023. Some of the items on the list have already been reserved for customers. So for example the Lfrith models I have coming in are already spoken for! However, there are plenty of other models coming into stock. In fact, I have 34 new products coming in!
Lfrith Kneeling
If there is anything you are after specifically let me know and we can have a look at what is available and my unique pre-order no pre-order methodology.
If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite I also have the Gunprimer stock I ordered coming in hopefully this week also. You can see the full range of their stock here. If they have something you are interested in that I don’t have in stock please just let me know. I am more than happy to add specific items to my inventory if they are wanted by people. I will do some posts with the products once they are here and I have the opportunity to add them to the store.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
I mentioned in my earlier posts that I have a re-stock of some Entry Grade (EG) models coming in. I thought I would go through some of the things that are possible with these models. There are so many model options with these I think they are sometimes overlooked.
Firstly I think for the money they are awesome models. They have less detail than the other grades, but the ease of the snap fit, coupled with the details they do have make them look awesome. They will never reach the heady heights of the detail or joint articulation of the other lines, but they are fantastic standalone models.
Secondly looking at the EG Nu model it already looks like it has stepped out of one of the shows. It could literally have just taken a leap out of the screen and into the room.
Thirdly I love the idea of the EG models for younger builders who, possibly, have a shorter attention span, and who want to see something appear sooner rather than later. I think they would very quickly go from plastic bits on a runner to a model they made themselves that they can be proud of.
Fourthly for those parental figures out there it offers a wonderful opportunity to bond with your young ones, while they are also getting to practice finer motor skills which will be useful in all walks of life.
Fifthly for those who just want them themselves there are so many options available with these models. Take the EG Nu model as a great example.
EG_Nu
Starting with the panels, looking at this model it offers ample opportunity to learn scribing. There are large panels all over this piece from the shield to the chest and the front flaps and legs. Even the calf muscles look like they really want you to learn scribing using them!
Panel lining is another effect that you could practice on this model. Although I will admit looking at it, you may want to practice scribing first to add a few more bits to panel line 🙂 However, if you are looking to hone your skills this is a great place to start.
I also think this is a great proving ground for painting, and painting styles. Looking at the chest and hips section I think they are so close to many other models that this provides a perfect generic model to test some paint schemes on. You can also practice shading techniques and blending and all other sorts of effects.
Lighting … well ok I need to see inside one to see how hard, or easy, it would be to light this up; I am thinking primarily on the eyes.
After market panels, and hatches. I think this is also the perfect model to try out some after market hatches and panels.
Now you may be thinking, but if I buy all those things and do all that wouldn’t I be better just buying a more detailed model to start with? I would say do both! Customising the models offers you the opportunity to make something totally unique to you. The panels will be where you want, the lines where you want, it has the chance to be exactly as you picture it in your minds eye.
Now obviously none of those things may appeal to you. However, at the end of the day it is all about doing what you enjoy. This should be a hobby, and be enjoyable. Never let anyone tell you that you are having fun “wrong”. If you want mismatched colours, you go for it. If you want one leg longer than the other, then go for it. Whatever makes you happy with your model is what you should go for. I don’t think it matters whether you customise or not, as long as you enjoy what you are doing.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
Christmas has been and gone. Hopefully people got kits, toys, and modelling supplies. I know there is nothing quite like making sure your backlog has some height to it!
If you haven’t got anything over the last week fear not! I have plenty of kits in stock with more coming and being listed from Friday. As well as that I will be hopefully getting more in January so stay tuned to see what I get from that list!
If you haven’t been to the shop have a look, you can get there here. There are some really nice kits in stock, and some nice kits coming in.
I have also had the update from Gunprimer that my package has been posted and I believe is currently in flight on the way to me! If you missed that post I did a quick mention on it here. I am super excited to get those in as they work amazing, and look amazing.
As well as some Real Grade (RG) kits coming in, I also have a restock of Entry Grade kits which are awesome for so many reasons, from their price point, to what you can do with them on the customisation front.
EG Nu
The above model for example is an Entry Grade Nu figure originally released in 2022. You can see more about it on the Bandai Spirits page here. This would be a perfect model to practice your weathering or battle damage techniques on. I also think you would be able to test out making your own templates to replace the shoulder and shield stickers with something painted directly on to blend better with the model.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
I learnt a lot in the last 24 hours about GunPla Decals. I was aware of a few things coming out the gate. However, before going any further you may be asking yourself what actually is a “decal”. A decal is a design placed on a medium that allows you to transfer it onto another surface. Think like those crappy fake tattoos you could get as a kid, but way cooler, and way better looking on your models.
What I knew so far
I knew that various kits come with different options or levels of decals. In fact one of the things when originally reading around GunPla was that the Ver Ka. kits often come with a lot of decals. From working with the various kits I have, so far, I’ve always shied away from the decals on the whole. I would tend to use the one for the visor if it is say a shiny silver or something that sits behind a clear visor. However, on the whole I avoided them till I decided to try and work with my MG Heavy Arms.
I found myself bamboozled about the different types I had.
Images
Type 1 DecalsType 2 Decals
The previous ones I had received in a kit had a shiny silver backing and were, quite obviously stickers. However, the translucence of both of these threw me. After speaking to some wonderful people online in the UKGunpla group (you can find it here), I discovered that the ones on the right are stickers, and the ones on the left are press on decals.
Application
Now I’m sure everyone has their own method for working with these so I’ll just outline what I did.
Firstly, you will find the “map” for the decals placements in the manual for the model. I also found using my magnifying glass meant I wasn’t constantly straining. Secondly as a lot of these go into nooks and crannies and corners, you will potentially benefit from taking apart some of the kit to make it easier to work with them and apply the decals. Thirdly, do not rush; a badly applied decal will make the kit look terrible.
First up were the sticker decals (Type 2 Decals in the image above). I used the tip of a stanley knife to gently lift the sticker off the backing (I also found that with multiple stickers in close proximity I would often have to hold down the next sticker to avoid lifting two). Next I would then position the sticker above where I wanted it to go on the model based on the map from the instruction manual, then gently place it down, using my thumb to apply pressure to the sticker against the part and sliding the knife blade out from under it.
Second up were the press on decals (Type 1 Decals in the image above). For these I ensured there was a piece of foam board underneath to be safe. I then used the stanley knife to cut out a specific decal. I then freed 3 sides of the cut out before laying a piece of masking tape over the top and using that to lift it. Note that the masking tape is thin enough to see the decal underneath/through it. I then placed it on the part where I wanted the decal to reside and rubbed it apply a gentle pressure using the flat end of my tweezers. Then when lifting the masking tape the decal is left in place, and the plastic it was adhered to lifts with the masking tape.
Conclusion
I still have some work to do on this, and I know that I need to also work through the weapons and build them up. However, I am, very happy with the results.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you haven’t already done so please like and follow us on our social media platforms and checkout our website!
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