Gunpla Worklog: 1/100 Gundam Astraea FA Kai - Update 3

Here is a minor worklog update for my 1/100 Gundam Astraea Type-F. As I had stated in my previous worklog, I will be modifying this kit to make it into another version of the Astraea line... I am actually aiming toward creating a FA Kai version (Full Armored), but I've yet to come up with a cool name for it. More on that in a later post.

So with what limited time I get to work on this kit, I had used most of that time to sculpt & design new / modify part for this kit...mainly using epoxy putty & pla-plate. I have also primed most of th upper body, as well as performed a bit of kit bashing for a new GN booster. This update will mainly just display some of what I done to the upper body and the new GN Booster. Last time we left off where I was at 30% modify state, but now I am at about 50% modify state, so still quite a lot of work to be done.

This image display the results on the head where I had used epoxy putty to lenghten the antennas.

Here all the labled parts are 100% epoxy putty & pla-plate, maticulously sculpt, sand & panel lined. The two square holes on the new piece is for a pair of vulcun cannons (silver tube) to be installed later.

The new GN Booster shown at the back is created using parts from the 1/100 Gundam Dynames & MG Freedom Gundam. The GN Booster itself is at 40% completion pending wings extenions, some small parts created from pla-plates, & new panel lines.

The back of the head is an extension which was sculpted using epoxy putty.

Here are various misc images of the work done thus far.... most of the new parts still requires a bit of sanding to smoothen the surface.

Next update, I should have all the upper body components & details completed. And I would also start to work on the legs and weapons accessories.

Hope to update soon!

Mobile Suit Gundam 00I Manga Preview from Zeonic|Scanlations

Here is the preview manga (from ZeonicScanlations) for the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam 00I manga series.

I surely hope that ZS will pick up this series and gives us regular releases. Is too bad they are thinking to drop the Gundam00F manga translation after releasing 2 issues, since that series had been licensed in the states. Although no decision had been made as of this time, but I am pretty much convinced they will drop it.

Anyhow...enjoy the scans from ZS.
(Drop by their site, and make a friendly donation if you want to continue to see regular quality releases)

All Scans are from ZeonicScanlations

HG00 1/144 Cherudim Gundam GNHW/R - New Images

New images of the upcoming HG00 1/144 Cherudim Gundam GNHW/R

Release Date: July '09
Price: 1,890 Yen

Images from ToysDaily

HG00 1/144 Arios Gundam GNHW/M - New Images

Some new images of the upcoming HG00 1/144 Arios Gundam GNHW/M

Release Date: August '09
Price: 1,800 Yen

Images from ToysDaily

MG Exia (Regular & Ignition Mode) - Box Arts

Box Art Images of the MG Exia (Ignition Mode) & MG Exia (Regular Ver.)

Images from ToysDaily

MG Exia (Ignition Mode) - Updated Images!!

A batch of new images for the upcoming MG Exia. Very nice after all...

MG Gundam Exia - July '09 (3,999 Yen)
MG Gundam Exia Ignition Mode - July '09 (5,250 Yen)

Images from Toy World Forum

Some new images of the Robot Damashii (Side MS) Regnant.... a big toy!

Release Date: Oct. '09 (Pre-order had started since May 22nd)
Price: 9,450 Yetn

Images from CyberGundam

Gunpla Worklog: 1/100 Gundam Astraea FA Kai - Update 2

So I've been trying to work on this kit a little bit each evening...but not always possible due to other priorities I have. However I had set a goal to finish this kit within 2 weeks time (starting....now), so that I may begin my next project, MG Sinanju (w/ fellow blogger BusterBeam & Gaijin Gunpla).

I've been enjoying working at my recently renovated plamo station in my sun room. Is more roomy and it allows room to browse thru some gunpla magazine when I need some enlightments, as well as room to put some of my toys there to play when I get bored.


Last time my worklog left off with modification completed to the shoulder joints & torso joint (waist). And also apply epoxy putty to do some mod to the shoulders...but since then I had other ideas. Now I want to make this a really modified Gundam Astraea.

So as a start, I used epoxy putty to create a new look to different areas of the kit. Currently I am still in the filing / sanding phase with the putty, but I thought I would write an update to my progress.

This images show the current enhancements to the head, shoulders, legs. Notice that I've already lengthened the legs to complement the new broad shoulders. I've yet to sculpt the knees, and will work on them shortly...

I have lengthened all the antennas on the head, as well as added some body to the front of the forehead antenna. (Sanding in progress)

Added extension to the shoulders, and also more body to the back of the head. It was fun sculpting the head piece, and I was pretty satisfied with the enhanced look. (Sanding in progress)

A shot to see the look from the side..

And here, the last images show the difference thus far from the time of the pre-built to the currently 30% modified status of the core body. The modified parts has increased the height by 1 1/2 inches. Still lots of work to be done, as a lot of other parts has not been attached to the core body yet.

Hopefully, sometime next week I can finish all the modification to the core body, and added new panel linings to them. And then I will work on the following accessories:

- New GN Boosters to be attached to the back

- New GN Sword that will either be holstered on the GN Boosters, or on the torso (akin to the Astray)

- A modified Shield

- The regular guns that came with the kit.

Until next time...