Finally have the time and motivation to begin a new build, the Shin Musha Gundam :

http://www.ghostofzeon.com/wip/shinmusha/musha_wip.html

So far, test fit has been done and beginning to make a few cosmetic changes.

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome as always!

sexy... this kit always seemed to me to be beautiful, yet a pain in the ass to build. Keep this thread going and let us know of your challenges and lessons learned ;)

First lesson learnt was to pay attention to where you cut the pieces when removing from the sprues. The piping has an extra bit on the ends where they attach to the armour and it looks like it's a part of the sprue. Ended up cutting it off one piece before I noticed what was going on.

Thanks for the tip, I need to be careful and conservative when cutting gates...

Funny that you mention that, you'd think Bandai would warn in all the instructions. I've seen these warnings on exactly were to cut, since some of the tabs branch out as gates. The Crossbone Fullcloth is an example, where the little the tabs on the little skulls can be confused as gates, making you cut a vital piece.

It is mentioned in the book but when I was doing it, it was late, I was tired and I wasn't paying attention and made a boo-boo. I paid attention after that. At least it is salvageable with a dab of glue.

Awesome suit. I like that samurai feel and much better than giving a bushido to the astray...that's just half way ;)

What beads/screw did you use on the armour? And is it me or aren't the pictures any bigger than as seen on your website?

lol glad i wasnt the only with this problem. I cut both of the white armor pieces for the arms, luckly it was easly fixed with cement but still sucked when it happned. I didn't find this model too much trouble to build however i am sure paintining would be a pain (I only repainted a few of the gold pieces myself)

I've used pins in this instance. The mount hole is drilled first, then it is recessed with a slightly larger bit to allow the pin head to sit down flush with the armour.

As for the pictures, I keep them small for the WIP as there will be heaps, so to cut down on load time and to squeeze them into the page, I make them a little smaller than usual.

Update :

Finished painting the skirt but unsure what colour panel lining will be done yet :

Link: http://www.ghostofzeon.com/wip/shinmusha/musha_wip.html#update1

Also began working on the feet and legs including adding pins to the foot and leg armour.

why not dry a dark brown wash? matches with the red and might give the brass a bit of a rusty-er look?

Not a bad idea. I might test it out first and see how it looks.

New update :

Finished the torso and thrusters. Ended up using aftermarket thrusters from Ako Hobby which IC pins were added to the internals. Only the arm shields, head and weapons left to paint now then I can move on to detailing :

Link: http://www.ghostofzeon.com/wip/shinmusha/musha_wip.html#update2

Looking good. How do you glue the metal thruster bells to the plastic? Can you just use CA glue or did you use an epoxy?

Great work Scott... I'm expecting some Ako hobby M1 thrusters too. Are all thrusters attached pretty much this way, or does it depend on the kit?

Clear over metal... genius ;)

I just used good ol' Zap. That stuff will stick just about anything to anything. Plus, the brass rod acts as a support so if the thruster itself doesn't attach to the plastic, then it should attach to the brass rod which is attached to the plastic.



Depends on the kit (some kits have different thruster set ups), but generally I find that using a brass rod and mounting as I have done here works best.

Update :

Not too much in this update, just had a few snags :

Link: http://www.ghostofzeon.com/wip/shinmusha/musha_wip.html#update3

Progress will slow down a little due to the fact I need a new air brush from stupid clumsiness on my behalf. I have also begun preparing the head and weapons for priming.

New update,

Sorry it's been so long. I seem to be addicted to Fallout 3 at the moment so that is taking up most of my time! ;)

Anyway, I'm nearly done and recently masked of the sword hilt and prepared the kit for decalling :

http://www.ghostofzeon.com/wip/shinmusha/musha_wip.html#Update4

hey man that is looking really sharp and clean, cant wait to see it all put together!

Damn Good job so far on the Musha, That thing is so bad ass.