Summer vacation has ended and this is what I have to show for it. I think I'm halfway done. Tail, back flippers, and guns missing. The decals were especially fun because you never really see it with this many.
I threw the Gojulas into the ocean two months ago.
Acquired a Gojulas. The reference pic is obviously closer to the TOMY Gojulas. More stable and fits the mosasaur silhouette better than the HMM Gojulas. There are some discrepancies though. I can fix that.
Replaced the motor and reconfigured the pegs. I want this to move, even if it might not be necessary, being configured for underwater operations and all that. I'd at least want to put new pegs to keep the legs stable. I want at least the head and tail to be articulated.
Alterations to the body like trimming, smoothing out or covering surfaces, fixing parts in place, dividing the tail into segments, and finally making the No.18 components. There where, for example, some discrepancies with actual Gojulas and the No.18 base Gojulas body so I have to fill those in as well as covering the holes where the pegs were before. The lower jaw was also a bit confusing, because it's just... literally slapped on top of the base Gojulas art. The original rubber cap is still peeking from underneath! I'll take it as a sign for some creative liberties. And of course, making educated guesses on the few blind spots like the inside of the mouth. It's like making cosplay. Not a new thing then.
Tried the palette. As it turns out, the body has all the colors I need sans the rubber caps, and I'm already done with the alterations. Mixed some paints, and I think I'm satisfied with it. Also perused my collection of spare decals to look for usable ones. The biggest problem decals-wise is recreating the hydrojet GM18 RZ-001/M018 one. I think that's what it says. Trying to look for something close enough to the font. Not an immediate concern though.
So far, so good. Definitely a long-term project, and I'm feeling inspired seeing two other fan-made No.18s. Didn't occur to me to type "Gojulas Mariner" in katakana the first time I looked for others' work.
Bought this kit last January during the Tokyo trip, opened and finished it during Golden Week, and the LED light for the eye canopy just arrived so I've taken the final photos just now.
Anyway, really solid Zoid, very satisfying build. Settled for the RZ designation because that's what I grew up with. Probably the last HMM I touch for a bit as I'm currently teaching a Gojulas how to swim.
I've had the Ogre for a while now. It's not painted or anything (in the future probably), but it has such a menacing aura to it that I wanted to do more than just solo poses with it. The second photo was my original attempt a year ago, while the first one is the most recent, with the Ogre subduing something more... appropriate.
One year ago I found an Ultrasaurus in a secondhand shop for cheap. Missing parts like the lower jaw and comms antenna, dead motor, yellowing plastic. Cleaned everything up, replaced the motor inside the gearbox, crafted the missing parts as close as possible to the originals, painted everything. Now, it walks once more. Finally got some good photos outside. Hard to find building-less perspectives where I am, but I guess it sells the scale better.
It's supposed to be the base Guardian Force Ultrasaurus, hence no side cannons. Modified head cockpit, modified back hangar, plus something else under the runway. Procrastinated heavily on the Gravity Cannon, unfortunately.
I had a Geno Breaker when I was a kid and it was my favorite, so I wanna put a bit more effort into this kit.