I can’t remember exactly when, but I was able to get my hands on a couple of old kits, like requiring-glue kind of old. These were the original Best Mecha Collection 1/144 RX-78 Gundam and the Mobile Suit Variation 1/144 Prototype Gundam. With the Best Mecha Collection recently getting an Entry Grade-style revival version, I contemplated building the older version knowing all the quirks and nuances.
I know I won’t be able to properly remove the gigantic seamlines on this kit, but I am hoping to paint it to my standards, and that requires precision hand painting. Earlier in August, I got myself one of those expensive (like around $15) God Hand fine brushes for such use case and I’m glad I did because it did make the process more manageable, and much easier. As the kit all came in this greenish white plastic, the major task is really painting the signature tri-color pattern.
Several masking sessions later and I was able to the torso, feet, hands, and the beam rifle. I still need to paint the shield and the beam sabers, but those should be easier when compared to the torso.
As standard for these old kits, they require glue for assembly which meant I had to be careful since I am assembling the parts after painting, which is the inverse of what folks typically do with this kit, which is to assemble, remove the seamlines, then paint. But given that it would require modifications to be done and is something that I don’t have the luxury of time nor skill to do, then I’m going with the paint-first glue-later approach.
Things were progressing quite well until I was assembling the right arm and broke the elbow joint. I did manage to glue it back but lost the elbow bend in the process. Contemplating the fact of further losing what little articulation this kit has; I decided to hop on to Buyee (not sponsored) and bought another copy of the kit just for the new right arm unit. This also meant that progress will be put on hold until the replacement parts arrive.
Given that my kits are now in the same storage room as the photo above, I now have a whole slew of options to pick for my next build. I can go full retro and proceed with the Best Mecha Collection renewal version, or the RG 1.0, or something completely different. For the last option, I actually have a kit in mind, and this might surprise some once I show which kit this is.
