Normally, I would have several work-in-progress posts before showing a completed build, but I didn’t expect to be done with the HG Gundam Naion earlier today. So I’ll just go through the work which took several days this past week.
My main impetus for this build is whether I can pull off the masking needed to properly paint the vent-like details seen in several sections. Not to mention the need to properly paint them in metallic orange since they are molded in that swirly plastic.
All the black in-between areas in these metallic orange pieces were actually masked meticulously, which is sort of a proof of concept on whether I can pull off such precision masking. If I were still using spray cans, it will be difficult since there would definitely be some overspray. But thanks to the Dspiae no-wash airbrush (again, not sponsored) I had finer control of the paint, which led to the crisp lines seen above.
As with the other Witch from Mercury HG kits, Gundam Naion also uses C-clips on vital joints, notably on the legs and the assembly that holds the VSBR-esque Vajra cannons. So much so that I’ve heard reports of these clips getting loose over time and sometimes breaking. And if my experience with the Variable Rod Rifle of the HG Calibarn is evidence enough, I’m now extra careful when working with these C-clips.
In ny case, this kit is done and I’m now looking at several options for the next one. Either I build the Lfrith Jiu to continue the Vanadis Heart train, or I build the HGUC Gundam F91 with the whole VSBR motif, or go back to GQuuuuuuX with my planned repaint of the HG Red Gundam.
