Modeling To-Do!

Why is it that the itch to work happens when we cannot physically or mentally? Since my arm is still wrecked I took the time to organize my thoughs on paper and dust off the workbench while updating it with new equipment, tools and space!

Gundam Wars V: Secret W [Model Graphix Special Edition] Review/Preview

This is an old favorite and a must own for any Wing loving model building fan! This book is old and the builds reflect it in classic anime style. While they not be as flashy as modern Master Grade builds, the amount of scratchbuilding done alone, nevermind the amount of rare designs and kits getting a spotlight, if that isn’t enough there is plenty of rare resins and even the first time someone had painted a Tallgeese based on Katoki’s orignal artwork with yellow accents!

Gundam Wing Endless Waltz Visual Book [Hobby Japan Mook] Review/Preview

 

This rather old book (8-29-1997) was the first GundamW Hobby Japan related mook/book. Reading the date you should know what to expect a bunch of clean builds of the older (non HGAC/PG/MG) kits mixed with a few nice suprises such as a really, “Real Tall-geese,” a few scratchbuild Virgo’s, builds of Bandai’s rare LMHG kits and the “Black Tallgeese” which is the only published build seen of B-Club’s Tallgeese resin kit. The first 76 pages are all modeling related, after that we get a picture recap of the Endless Waltz OVA and Production art. Tossed in there are a few CG altered images of model kits recreating scenes from the OVA…

 

 

GundamW Endless Waltz 3D & Modeling Book [Dengeki Hobby Books] Review/Preview

新機動戦記ガンダムW Endless Walts3D&設定資料集

 

This recent release (Dec, 2011) release is Dengeki Hobb magazine’s answer to Hobby Japan’s Gundam modeling books. Being recent this book features all of the new EW Master Grade model kits. A long book in 100% full color at 133 pages featuring only Katoki’s designs.  I like the presentation better than the Gundam Weapons books, however it features less progress images than them.

The first builds in this book are clean representaions of the original Endless Waltz designs over a span of 70 pages. Most being made from released HG and MG kits starting with an OOB MG WZC and D-Hell…

After these 3 the kits featured are the 1/100 HG kits made into a MG-like format.

After these builds get out of the way the book take a focus on Katoki’s Early Type Wing designs even exploring into the GundamW: Glory of the Losers add-on equipment. Unfortunatly not all the Gundam’s GOL equipment was revealed as only the first couple volumes were relased when this book released. Thus the only non OOB Early Type MG gundam were Heavyarms and Sandrock.

Following up the Gundams is a 1/100 Tallgeese and a OOB MG Epyon. Ending on a high note is a sculpted diorama mimicing Frozen Teardrop’s (The Gundam Wing Novel sequel) cloaked Snow White and Warlock Gundams. Hind sight it is very sad Frozen Teardrop has been going on for 5 YEARS and only 1 gundam design has been revealed, especially when Katoki has been done designing for Gundam Unicorn for quite some time…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gundam Weapons: GundamW Endless Waltz Special Edition Vol.1 Review/Preview

Gundam Weapons: GundamW Endless Waltz Special Edition Vol.1 <Renewal Version>

Gundam Weapons: GundamW MG XXXG-OOWO Special Edition <Renewal Version> (alt.  title)

 

For this feature I just wanted to focus on the new builds shown off in the Special Edition Renewal Version. The rest of the book it the exact same as the original version that was released years ago that can be bought and found on the internet easily.

The book opens up with a dual sided pooster like most of the recent Gundam Weapons have. The front featuring all 5 of the featured MG Endless Waltz gundams (shown in this issue) together, the backside has a picture of MG WZC and custom Epyon (featured in the book) after a beam saber clash.

The First Build in this book is of the recent MG Wing Gundam (TV Version.) The build is primarly OOB with only signifigant modification being that the shoulder was lenghthened a bit.

The 2nd build come from a more recent Hobby Japan issue, the build being a of a 1/100 HG Wing Zero (TV version) that has signifigantly updated portions and has been modified using the MG Wing Gundam.

The 3rd build is of a 1/100 Leo made from an HG 1/100 Tallgeese III kit.

The 4th build is of the MG Deathscythe KA (early type) which has been build OOB.

The 5th build is the very popular MG Wing Zero (TV) which was made using the old HG Wing Zero and MG Wing Zero Custom kits.

The 6th build is rather interesting to me. It is a kitbash using the HG and MG Wing Gundam. The result is very interesting and rather give the MG kit an original Okawara feel which is nice.

The last new build is easily my favorite. 1/100 HG Deathscythe Hell (TV) modified to match recent MG portions. Everyone always over shadows this design with Katoki’s endless waltz design as the TV design’s original kits look a bit odd when not in action on the TV.  After seeing this I think a lot of people will like it more. This build alone was enough for me to rebuy!

 

The rest of the book is the same goodness!