Being this site is all about Customization of Transformers and Robots… I had to jump into Gundam to see what it is all about. Briefly as a young child I do remember watching it on Carton Network (WHEN IT WAS AWESOME!) So with that here I am now and a Transformer Nut having to see what this other thing is…
Overall I find the concept to be pretty neat and that Transformers failed with a similar concept **cough **cough “Headmasters”… Additionally the look of these toys is insane with the level of detail and the collectors appear to be just as hardcore (if not more…)! Now storyline seems a bit “cheesy” attempting to watch some of the cartoons (not the originals wow that looks even more cheesy!) However ill spare this post of my thoughts on the cartoon till I can form a bit more of an opinion.
Anyways here is some pictures of Star Build Strike Gundam Plavsky Wing Model Kit (1/144 scale.) (Note still need to clean up some of the pieces here… Couldn’t find my xacto knife…)
This figure stands about the same height of a Deluxe sized Transformer. While Transformers usually come nearly fully assembled. Gundam Model Kits do not… In fact they are upwards of about 100 pieces all needing to be put together. Pricing on these 1/144 models are anywhere from $15.00 to $20.00 (see link below…) So for the value and size you are getting a pretty nice deal! Considering most Transformers do not have the level of details most of these Gundams have.
I would NOT recommend these for children as the plastic and pieces while can be glued in certain areas is still on the weaker side and definitely not “kid proof.” My 5 year old was pretty gentle as I was putting this one together and was accidentally knocking parts of it just posing it.
In the long run if you like Robots, and ever did Model cars/airplanes, this is much the same and I found a lot of satisfaction once piecing this together.
With this in mind you will need a few tools…
- A sharp knife, or Elmers/X-Acto X3037 Axent Knife with Cap, Blue
- Wire cutters (Helps with cutting the initial piece out.)
- Tweezers (VERY TINY ENDS!)
Some of the pieces that are “sprued” together in here are extremely delicate. Especially the transparent laser sword. Most of which you can wiggle and free them.
What is neat about these is that they fit pretty nice and tight that the pieces really do not even need to be glued. Some parts definitely could and probably should especially some of the face parts and smaller pieces.
Stickers! Now this is a part I can say was probably the biggest challenge. Tweezers are your friend! On the forehead of this dude was a small blue sticker… I probably spent about 5 minutes or more getting this perfectly in place. What is nice about these is that long as you do not push down you can pretty much slide them into place. Patients is a virtue here…
Lastly this model has one more mode with “Angel blue transparent” wings. I decided to leave him like this for now as it was more “Transformer like…” Some things do bother me about this dude, as the pieces are a bit loose, but hey we can handle that with regular Transformers right?! Overall if you like robots and mechanical things… Gundam is pretty neat as the figures are highly pose-able and this one even came with a Stand!!
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10
Recommend: Highly
Time: About 2 hours.