Recently finished my first Perfect Grade build - Zaku II. Had a blast building this! I also tried my new Zeon inspired airbrush stencils on some areas, instead of decals. I really like the look they give! (I have an EFSF set on order too.)
Didn’t go too heavy on the weathering, but I did add some smoke staining under the rocket nozzles….
I’m currently working on PG Zaku II, my first ever PG build. While browsing AE, I came across Zeon inspired airbrush stencils, so I ordered them.
Decided to try some of these in place of some decals for logos/insignia and gotta say, I really like the look. Looks more “real” in my book, even with some edges being kinda “blurry” and not as crisp.
My very FIRST PG build! No where near as complex as Osiris was, but I’m having a BLAST building and painting it! Finally got the whole frame painted and assembled.
This is mainly a rant post:
I’m building PG Zaku II, and recently clipped the power pipe beads (T2) and separated them between torso and leg pipes, putting them in baggies.
Now, for the life of me I’m NOT able to find the “leg” bag! I know I can *try* submitting part replacements with Bandai, but I need so many (18x) plus I don’t feel like waiting 4-6 months to get them.
Does anyone have/know of 3d file for these? Aftermarket options? Sorry, I know there are comrades out there that are more hip to these sources than I am… (I’m located in US, btw).
This is mainly a rant post:
I’m building PG Zaku II, and recently clipped the power pipe beads (T2) and separated them between torso and leg pipes, putting them in baggies.
Now, for the life of me I’m NOT able to find the “leg” bag! I know I can try submitting part replacements with Bandai, but I need so many (18x) plus I don’t feel like waiting 4-6 months to get them.
Does anyone have/know of 3d file for these? Aftermarket options? Sorry, I know there are comrades out there that are more hip to these sources than I am… (I’m located in US, btw).
REA-03 Lynx: I just finished assembling the giant rail gun/Gauss rifle and this thing is a solid BEAST! So many parts, it’s basically a kit by itself…. The main body even has its own inner frame! So many cool details too, but seems unwieldy and not pose-friendly.
Also, if you remove the grip/stock, it almost looks like a spaceship…
I started building Gunpla just about 3 years ago. At the time, I thought getting an MG kit was a big deal, and even thinking of getting a PG was a pipe dream.
Well, I’m so happy- I just received my FIRST Bandai PG kit! PG ZAKU II.
Granted, I do have the Daban PGU 78 in my backlog, which I also recently ordered, but this one of my first Bandai…
Can’t wait to wrap up the REA-03 Lynx I’m making for my son. Already planning my frame painting schemes in my head!
PS: Does anyone know if there’s a PG Zaku Bazooka available anywhere?
Originally, this kit was the VERY FIRST MG I ever built a few years ago, before I had my airbrush, and the only paint I had was old Testors Enamel. I have decided to re-visit and build another using the experience I’ve gained along the way.
So far, I’m still just on the torso and head. In the past, I’ve always painted inner frames with metallics: gun metal, steel, duralumin etc. This time, I’m trying the Black and Grey approach. I’ve not tried this before, but have seen others with good results. (Thinking of a similar approach for my upcoming PGU 78)
Side Note: I’m playing with the idea of a few off color power tubes as a “field repair” aesthetic, being they’d likely use what was on-hand…
I know it’s going to be completely hidden, but I gave it a blue housing for the reactor…
I am finally deciding this is Finished. Was actually a fun (and simple) build. Dry rubs kind of annoyed me, like they decided not to follow the curve of piece, etc… (could be my mistake too)
I know it’s not perfect, but here it is…
Many of you may remember that I had ranted about this kit right after opening it. But I have to say for the record - “Man I was WRONG!” This kit has been pretty cool so far! I like the stand that it came with too. I like the “industrial” feel, almost like a rack you’d see in a warehouse.
So far I’ve got the skeleton painted, and am working on the outer shell. I added some smoke staining to the thruster bells, as well as on the ground under where the thrusters would be located. I’ve added some fluid/oil spills on the stand/ground as well. My thoughts being leaking fluids that pooled during maintenance and/or long “parked” durations…
I just got the MG Ball ver.Ka, as I’ve heard many people rave that it’s a good kit and has great details. To be honest, upon opening it I am a little underwhelmed. The runner and piece count is tiny, similar to basic HG kits… And worst of all- it has peel-and-stick stickers instead of water slides! I thought water slide decals were part of the “ver.Ka thing”?
PS: the pic is NOT my build, but one of my reference/inspirational photos I use when building. I just needed to post a pic in the post… This photo was originally posted on Facebook by Star Citizen Gunpla.
In recent months, I’ve been seeing the 10pk of Hobby Lobby Airbrush Paint for $7.99, and had been thinking that it _had_ to be garbage. Seriously. Really liked the colors, but priced too cheap to be good, right?
Now, it seems that u/Barbatos-Rex and others have been posting YouTube videos reviewing and demoing this paint, and concession was “not too bad”.
So, even though I’m a certified Kaleido fan, I got the 10pk “Weathering Pack” which is full of military style colors like greens and browns.
I’m currently building the KO GM Spartan, and decided to try the Olive Drab green on it, and WOW! It sprays smooth with a little thinning, and looks great too, plus fairly durable after drying! I’m sold! Love the twist cap too.
I encourage you to check it out yourself. Priced at only $1.99usd per bottle. Their thinner and cleaner are pretty decent too. The thinner has some agent inside that makes it cloudy but doesn’t affect color when mixed.
Thank you Barbatos Rex!
After 4 months of clipping, filing, painting, cussing while searching the floor for dropped pieces, and building I’ve finally finished my “Mona Lisa” kit.
Gotta admit, this is one hell of a kit. SO many details and such that I can’t remember them all!
I’m not the best at taking pics so I did my best…. I also added the crew guys from MG MkII kit, as I felt they added to the scene.
Also, this kit was mostly painted with Kaleido paints. (I think the dark green of the waist armor is the only non-Kaleido paint!). I love this product line SO much! Thanks Gaahleri for the awesome product!
After 4 months of clipping, filing, painting, cussing while searching the floor for dropped pieces, and building I’ve finally finished my “Mona Lisa” kit.
Gotta admit, this is one hell of a kit. SO many details and such that I can’t remember them all!
I’m not the best at taking pics so I did my best…. I also added the crew guys from MG MkII kit, as I felt they added to the scene.
After 4 months of working on it, I finally finished my Axis Osiris tonight! I haven’t gotten a proper “photo shoot” yet, just a few pics on my balcony in the evening sun.
Will be taking better pics soon!
PS- I Love how the hangar base looks on this kit!
Hey friends! I’m not the “world’s best” when it comes to weathering my builds. Typically, I’ll just hit the whole kit with a “Steel” dry brush, which as you know will define the edges and raised areas.
I’m currently working on Axis Osiris, almost done with decals and top coats. I’m sort of wanting to weather it some, but I tried my dry brush method on the waist, and I’m not too “sold” on the results.
Thinking of experimenting with sponge chipping, but what colors should I use? This is a space-based unit, so there shouldn’t be any rust, so a mahogany/hull red chipping is “out”… I used Steel for the waist, and it didn’t really look too good either…
Normally I build strictly Gunpla/mecha. I recently picked up this Bandai “Grogu” kit, so it’s my first time with an “organic” subject.
The plastic is a garish bright lime green. I am using mostly Kaleido paints (LOVE these!!!) and grey primer, using my Seeker airbrush.
Base color is OD Green
Shadowing is Dark OD Green
(Brown is Vallejo Mahogany Brown)
Still a work in progress, but I’m liking this so far!
Hover Pram is black primer, Phantom Grey, White Armor. Used Vallejo liquid mask for chipping (first time trying this technique)