Following the completion of my HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam Type II kits, I wasn’t sure which kit (or kits) to build next. What I was sure of is I wanted to build a kit I have multiple copies to save shelf space, automatically making it a double build. And I guess I still have some remaining hype from Gundam SEED FREEDOM as I’m going with yet another Cosmic Era kit, the HGCE Force Impulse Gundam.
I’ve already built the old 2004 HG kit a year or two ago, so I’m expecting a much better experience with the HGCE version. Unfortunately, even the newer kit still has the Core Splendor come in all white plastic, and you even have to paint it twice for the HGCE — as aircraft and core block. Though unlike the old HG where the Core Splendor is actually integrated with the Gundam, the HGCE makes it a backpack extension via the standard 2-peg connectors.
With my practice of dealing with the more difficult parts first, I went ahead and proceeded to paint the Core Splendor. The small splashes of color here and there meant multiple masking sessions, that’s why I was just able to do these two in the past weekend. But it also means the build should be smoother from this point.
