Getting the hang of.......

customisation. Had bought some clone troopers at a sale and decided that since I did such a 'good' job with 'Commander Wolf', I might try something else.

The basic trooper figure comes with a bazooka so I created the 1st Tactical Bazooka Squadron with a commander and two bazooka specialists.

The Commander with the squadron insignia on the chest and helmet

The men has a slightly different insignia on the chest and different colour coded uniform

1st Tactical Bazooka Squadron

Make one if you can't find......

Commander Fox from The Clone Wars. Well, technically speaking, I do have it. Just that I was kind enough to give it to my son. Thinking, I can get another one easily. However, the search for Commander Fox was futile as it would cost me $69.90.

So, what do I do? I took my son's Commander Fox and painted one of the troopers.

Commander Fox (the brown one)

Well, my first attempt at customisation is not that fantastic, but I'm proud of my insistence.

Presenting Commander Wolf

How do you know if you have too many toys......

is when you desperately hunt for a toy which you already have!

That's what happened to me when I thought I do not have the VF-25F, Alto Saotome Custom from Macross Frontier. I went on search for it and found one on Ebay. Naturally, I bid for it and bought it.

Then, as I was storing the new purchase, I realised I already had one!!! So, I decided to open one up and take some pictures.

This version is under the license of Bandai and all my other Macross Valks are from Yamato. Actually, the very first Macross was produced by Bandai but I was not one of those lucky kids who got to own one.

The main difference between Yamato and Bandai would be that Bandai focus on durability while Yamato's on detailing. In other words, you can break a Yamato if you are not gentle.

The batteroid mode and the poseability is similar to Yamato but distinctive difference is the number of metal used in Bandai is much more thus, giving it more heft.

Trying various poses to 'stretch' its limits. Not too bad though and anyway, I will be displaying it with a stand.

The centre of gravity of this guy is pretty decent as it can stand on its own despite the weight.

The major flaw here is Bandai did not consider the fact that collectors would like their collections to be anime correct. The exposed cockpit at the butt is certainly not anime correct.

The three modes again. Battleroid

Gerwalk - this mode will definitely look better on a stand.

Fighter mode, which looks really good even without the super parts. That will have to wait as I did not snap them on while taking picture this time.

Here's the pilot, Alto Saotome, the accidental protagonist (as with most animes)

VF-25F

Hunt for the Troopers......

as I practically went round town just to hunt down the latest wave of troopers from the animated series The Clone Wars (TCW).

The outcome is rather satisfying as I believe I have collected all the troopers available for this wave.

From left: 41st Elite Corps, Commander Gree, ARF Trooper, Clone Trooper Echo and Sandtrooper (not from TCW)

Back Breaking Experience......

was the feeling after spending about 3 days assembling the Master Grade 1/100 scale Unicorn Gundam Ver Ka Titanium Finish. However, the completed product is pretty much worth the effort. I initially wanted to start this hobby when I retire but if this almost killed or blinded me at my age now; I probably end up dead if I am much older.

The most difficult part is the sticker applying as they are so small and it took a lot of skills, steady hands and really good eyesight to apply them properly. There were most probably 200 pieces of stickers. The most difficult ones to apply are the dry transfer type which I spent about 3 hours in applying all 30 of them.

The version I have is the Titanium finish one that gave the model a metallic look. It cost another $50 for this finish and I am rather disappointed with it as it leaves little stubs at the cutting point of each piece.

Stubs are visible at the face and the shoulder as seen here

Other issues I have with this model is the clear stickers which does not look as concealed as water slide or dry transfer ones and that the articulation is not that fantastic.

There are two modes and I have chosen to display it in the destroy mode. see here for the unicorn mode http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig08/10083864k.jpg

Clear stickers are visible on the model

Classic RX model pose with a customised display base

Full Psycho Destroy mode

Overall, I am still happy with the model as it looks good but not up standards. Perhaps, I lack the skills to make it look really good. Anyway, I may just stop at this or maybe I should explore the Perfect Grade.......

Where have all the toys gone......

in the land of a thousand smiles? Actually, wasn't really expecting for any good buys in Thailand as toys there are like rare commodities and their pricing are riduculously higher. Maybe, I have not found the right place to buy them. Anyway, Thailand is not my primary toy hunting ground.

Managed to purchase some gasaphon 1/200 Macross Variable Figthers Collection from Isetan in World Central Plaza. The great thing I discovered in Thailand is that they actually let you know what is in the box by marking on the packaging. This only happens here when you are purchasing as a complete set.

So, this are what I have selected. Each costs 199 Baht (approximately $8), not exactly cheap but it will sure cost more in Singapore.

I have chosen only those that appealed to me
Hikaru's VF-1J in fighter modeGerwalk mode

In all gasphon toys, there will always be what is known as secret items that is limited. So, getting these secret items are purely based on luck. Well, in Thailand, these secret items are marked as well! So, I got both of them from this series.

Low Visibility gerwalk mode

Battleroid mode

There's always a first......

and it happened a little too soon. I had wanted to reserve this stage of the hobby till retirement as this can be a very time consuming activity and it is.

I had always wanted to start on model kit building and finally decided to purchase my first Gunpla model kit - 1/100 scale GNY 001 Gundam Astraea Type F2. It took me 5 hours to finally pieced it together and I am rather pleased with my workmanship.

Equipped with proto GN sword and GN shield

Strike a deadly pose

Armed with GN beam rifle and shieldWithout display stand and shield
The massive and powerful GN Launcher mounted on the shoulder

The classic GN Beam Saber

Strike to kill

The experience of building the 1/100 scale was so fantastic that I bought the Master Grade RX-0 Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka Titanium Finish. It was 3 times the price of what I paid for the Astraea but I think it's worth the price for the quality of a Master Grade Gunpla kit. Now the question is......when will I get it assembled?