MG Deep Striker

MSA-0011[Bst] Plan 303E "Deep Striker" is the final evolution for S Gundam. For your information, it was not even featured in the original photographic novel "Gundam Sentinel" by Katoki. Its design can be found in the MSV for Gundam Sentinel, which also contains the MA design for Zeta Plus called "Hummingbird". Personally, I get to know about the existence of these two mecha only when they were out as GFF figures. Hummingbird has both blue and red color scheme. At the moment, the production for GFF Deep Striker has being halted, thus making it extremely valuable. Read more about these mecha on Mahq.net.

For me, Deep Striker is like a condensed version of Dendrobium. The backpack mounted beam cannon, especially, looks very much like the main cannon of Dendrobium. Deep Striker however, does not allow the MS to eject from the core of the machine. Some equipments are built onto the body of the MS itself, for example the left arm is replaced with an I-Field generator. So, I guess it's safe to assume that Deep Striker is designed for specific combat assignment, sacrificing many general features of a MS in doing so.

Anyone interested in building a MG Deep Striker?



G System from Hong Kong produced the conversion kit for Deep Striker quite some time ago (just that I didn't have time to post about it -_-++), but you will need MG Ex-S Gundam to make it work. From the photos on the website, I assume that you will need two of that kit in order to get all the four thruster packs mounted on the back and lower body of the MS. Quite a crunch on one's wallet, really. Also, even though parts like the head and shoulders are similar to what you get from Ex-S Gundam, it seems like there will be different parts for these in the final assembly of Deep Striker.

The final product is just gorgeous, however, you will need to paint the model yourself to achieve the effects seen on the website.

And the price? USD370, which is exclusive of the two MG Ex-S.

Then again, I sure this is not targeted to all Gunpla fans who are buying the regular Bandai-type snap-fit model kits, but for professionals and die-hard S Gundam fans.

Also, the PG conversion pack for Quess Paraya's Jadg Doga is also promoted on the website for quite some time already. The only notable difference which I can spot is the design of the antenna on the top of the heads. Apart from that, the parts are basically the same with Gyunei's version, even its weapon of choice, the huge beam Gatling is not included, which is quite a disappointment.



Wait a minute, since we are suppose to paint the final model ourselves, what's the difference between buying the previous one and this one anyway? o_0

All images are from G System.

Toyko Toy Show 2007

I was very busy with the some last bits of my schoolwork these few days, which is why my blog seems really slow these few days.

I didn't realize that there was a Tokyo Toy Show happening amidst my work, but apparently there quite some Gunpla on display during that event. However, after seeming the photos on the sites which reported about the event, I would say there were no surprises for the Gunpla enthusiasts who are updated frequently with news on upcoming Gundam merchandises. Gunpla on display like MG Turn A (finalized prototype with color), MG Gundam Ver. OYW (real TV Color Version), HGUC Zock and so on are not new item anymore (even though they are not out in the market yet). What we can get are more details on the products, and more information as well for those who can read kanji.




MG Turn A, box image for RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. OYW (Real TV Color Type), and Char's Gelgoog Ver. 2.0 from Datsu! Mikkabouzu
There were some photos of the upcoming Gundam 00 merchandises as well, namely the FG line featuring the four Gundams. Regardless of whatever fancy product line name Bandai can come up with for these models, the concept for Gundam 00's FGs is basically from the 1-144 scale Collection Series of SEED and SEED Destiny: model kit with minimum color separation, and very little action and posability, but very low in price to feed the hunger :-) of Gunpla fans before the HGs arrive.


FG Gundam 00 model kits from Datsu! Mikkabouzu
From the photo, it seems like Bandai didn't really improve much on the articulation of these model at all, so let's see what they will do with the price instead: 500 to 800 Yen per model can be considered reasonable in my opinion.

Another big thing is the display of a 1-60 scale Gundam Excia. In both SEED and SEED Destiny, it's not surprising that Bandai will release a big-scale-a-bit-better-than-average-HG model kits for the hardcore supporters of these lead Gundams. Since the displayed model is just a prototype, so whether or not we get to see a 1-60 Gundam Excia is questionable.


Prototype 1-60 Gundam Excia from GA Graphics
There are so many products being announced for Gundam 00 when the closest thing we get to see about the animation is just the 10-second teaser. Sunrise and Bandai better make sure they work their a** real hard to give us a good Gundam anime this time! ^_^

Rise of the Gelgoog

Plenty of Gelgoogs this time. Apart from MG Gelgoog Ver. 2.0, which will be the only MG next month, we have two EMSIA figures, which are also Gelgoogs, namely the High Mobility Type used by Johnny Raiden, and the Cannon Type. While MG Char's Gelgoog Ver. 2.0 will definitely be out in July as MG 99, release dates on the other two are not included in their respective web pages, so don't forget to check on Gunota Headlines for further information about them.





MG Char's Gelgoog Ver. 2.0 from Happynet Online



EMSIA Johnny Raiden's High Mobility Gelgoog and Gelgoog Cannon from Amazon Japan
Also, more images on the coming MG Turn A are released on Fumitsu.com, along with some hot merchandises from Gundam 00. The more I look at MG Turn A, the more determined I'm NOT going to buy it. Previously I was hoping (along with many I supposed) that Bandai would revamp its appearance, most notably the infamous mustache V-fin. When I head that Syed Mead was invited to design this MG, that's pretty much the end of all hope. Haha:)


MG Turn A prototype from Fumitsu.com
I'll probably change my mind if Turn A's arch rival Turn X is also in the MG list in the future.

Then again, Turn A's awkward appearance and mecha design do have many supporters as well, and I'm sure they are eager for this model to hit the hobby shop. After MG Gelgoog Ver. 2.0, it's also time for my wallet to take a break XD

Life as a Game

This is a really nice song about life written and sand by one of my favorite singers, Zhihua Zheng. In my opinion, it’s one of the best songs to describe the life of a lowly lowly ant-size people (that means most of us) in this world. It’s just so cool to be able to listen to it once more.


A really beautiful painting named "Doorway to the Stars" by Josephine Wall. Although not entirely related to the topic, but won't it be nice to see life as how we see this painting?
<<游戏人间>>Click to play - 郑智化

世界太罗嗦, 不分对或错
像我这样的老百姓, 谁会在乎我
有钱的当老大, 没钱的难过活
就算是看不惯, 我又能如何

爱人离开我, 不说为什麽
伤心难过的时候, 我学会了喝酒
每次我都喝醉, 但从来不犯错
明天酒醉醒来, 我还是我

笑容太甜, 泪水太咸
山盟海誓, 到了最後难免会变
烦恼太多, 未来太远
何不陪我放荡游戏人间

日子怎麽过, 快乐不快乐
像这种无聊的问题你不要问我
该来的会来, 该走的会走
反正都是没把握, 不必太强求

我有我的梦, 我有我的痛
装疯卖傻的时候, 你不要笑我
也许有一天, 你我再相逢
睁开眼睛看清楚, 我才是英雄

笑容太甜, 泪水太咸
山盟海誓, 到了最後难免会变
烦恼太多, 未来太远
何不陪我放荡游戏人间

酸甜苦辣尝过
人情冷暖看破
江湖的路上, 我身不由己
是是非非抛开
恩恩怨怨不再
自由自在我浪迹天涯

Life as a Game - by Zhihua Zheng

A noisy world, no right or wrong
For an ordinary person like me, who would care anyway?
The wealthy becomes the boss, the poor lives their life in hardship
Even if I don’t like it, what can I do?

My love left me, didn’t say why
In the time of sorrow and pain, I learnt to drink
I’m drunk all the time, but I never do anything wrong
When I’m awake tomorrow, I’m be back to myself again

Smiles are too sweet; tears are too painful
Promises and oaths can hardly hold in the end
Worries are too many, the future is too distance
Why don’t you accompany me to just tour this game of life?

How to live a life? How to be happy?
Such absurd questions! Don’t come and ask me
Those that are meant to be yours will be yours, and those that are not will go away
Since nothing is for sure, there’s no need to force yourself

I have my dream; I also have my pain
When I’m wearing a mask in my life, don’t laugh at me
Maybe one day we will meet again
Open your eyes at look at me carefully, I’m probably be the hero

Smiles are too sweet; tears are too painful
Promises and oaths can hardly hold in the end
Worries are too many, the future is too distance
Why don’t you accompany me to just tour this game of life?

I tasted what is called life
I can accept the warmth and cold in humanity
In this world, I’m but a pawn
Look pass the black and white
Forget vengeance and hatred
With freedom, I tour this game of life

Painting Silver Parts on Gunpla

I'm still two weeks away from my only exam this semester, so my hands are getting a little impatience for the holidays to arrive, when I will have ample time for all the models waiting to be assembled. Considering how snail-paced in modeling, I realize that I definitely can't finish a kit if I start right now, while not sacrificing study at the same time. So, I decided to start with some panel lining and detailing on my MG Zaku II Ver. 2.0.

To start off with, I must say that it's unusual for modelers to start the whole process with panel lining and some painting. This is purely for people who are not air-brushing their models, like me, who are still saving money for my first airbrush and compressor. So, if one is not using airbrush, the color of the final assembled model will be straight from the plastic parts. However, you can definitely improve its appearance and final look, with a bit of effort and patience.

One of the easiest 'upgrading' methods is applying silver paint to parts of your model. Parts that can be (or should be in my perspective) painted in silver include:

Hydraulic pipes for the interior of the legs and arms


Hydraulic pipes for the interior of the 'shoes' - these might seem insignificant to many, since they will be embedded into armors and the painted parts may never be seen directly. But a closer look onto the model will reveal these parts, making your friends to go 'Wow!' for a while :)
Here's my way of getting the job done:

First of all, cut the parts out from the trees, clear off the gates, and sand the parts if you will.

Oops, almost forgot to introduce the tools I used for the little paint job here: paper tape (masking tape is optional), oil-based paint markers, silver and gold (I used these frequently in art classes in secondary school, didn't realize that they will be such a big help for Gunpla as well), marker for panel lining, and some good old toothpicks.

Start by panel lining the parts first. Panel lining defines the border between what needs to be in silver and what need not.

Some parts are very hard to hold, the solution is easy: just use the paper tape and wrap around the area which is not to be painted, and you'll get an instant handle.

Next, push some paint out of the paint marker. These oil-based markers are quick to dry, so if you have disposable saucers as seen in most restaurant and food centers, those would be the best container to hold the paint.
If you don't have any of those, just cut out a piece of plastic from the packaging of your model and use that as a base. Make use of everything available in that box of Gunpla eh? ;-)

Then, by using the tip of the toothpick, 'scoop' up some silver paint from the little 'oasis' :-D and you're ready to go.

For the double hydraulic pipes, just paint the parts closest to the panel lines drew just now, and the area between the pipes. The rest of the area are wider and can be reached by the huge tips of the paint market.

Something right this is good enough. The next step is to paint the rest with the paint marker itself.

And here are the completed set of pipes. Shiny~

If you do happen to paint over the edge (which is highly impossible to avoid), use your design knife to scratch the extra paint away, redraw the panel lines as well.

Here are the final result ^_^

And that's my method of detailing my model, no airbrushing, no masking tape, not even Gundam markers are needed for this one. Please feel free to try it out on your own models, but do it at your own risk. What's work well for me may not be so for you. So please don't email me asking compensation of a new model if you do run into trouble :-D But I'll be glad to answer any question regarding this method of mine.

Interim

Just submitted the Final Year Project for my MA course just now, and just one more examination to go before the completion of the entire course. If asked about my feeling, there a sense of chill just crawled up my spine when I think about how fast things are passing by in my life right now. On this very day last year, I was still wondering whether or not to continue with this inaugural course designed by my university, and today, I'm already approaching the end of the journey.

Anyway, this posting is just to clear up a few things before I move on with a new plan for my blog, probably tomorrow or the day after. Hehe, just stay tuned!

First of all, thanks to Sentinel011 for correcting my mistake about the clear sticker included for Char's Action Display Stand. Yes, that's a piece of clear sticker NOT water slide decal as initially mentioned. Thanks man! Very much appreciated.


On the other hand, I took the liberty to edit my previous post on my blogging experience. The previous one has too many typos and grammar mistakes, and some of the details of the content are seriously lacking as well. Do check back on that if you will.

Anyway, about the 'secret project' I'm talking about, hmmm~

Gundam 00 - Confirmed!

From Gunota Headlines, richest updates on the upcoming Gundam anime, Gundam 00. Details of the four main characters and four main Gundams were announced.

All images are from Dengeki Online


(Left to right) Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Paptism, and Tieria Erde


(Top left to right) GN-001 Gundam Exia, GN-002 Gundam Dynames,
(Bottom left to right) GN-003 Gundam Kyrios, and GN-005 Gundam Virtue
Although the website didn't confirm who's piloting which Gundam, it is quite obvious that there's a match in terms of color between the pilot suits and the Gundams. So, I assume that's how the producers want the audience to difference between them.

In my opinion, Lockon Stratos resembles quite a bit of Mwu La Fllaga from SEED, the oldest of the team, as well as the team leader. He should be assuming the role of team's big brother like Mwu on Archangel. Also, a girl piloting a bulky defense Gundam, that should be interesting.

Not only are the characters and Gundams were reviewed, a whole array of merchandises are lining up for you to think about as well. HCM-Pro Gundam Exia (September, 2,300 yen) and Gundam Dynames (October, 2,300 yen) are among the first few with definite release dates and prices. Some of these Gundams will also be made in MSIA and 00 Region (similar to Cosmic Region I suppose) figures as well, plus some more other product lines I'm not too sure of. Check out Gunota for the full report.

So much details some three months away from the actual anime itself. Looks like Gundam 00 is going to be mighty huge!

My Blogging Experience

As mentioned in the previous post, 20,000 visits to my blog has been a huge milestone for me since I started this blog more than a year ago. I achieved 10,000 visits February this year, and another 10,000 visits in the same year is a huge personal achievement for me.

In my blog, I might not know you, or maybe you just landed on this site accidentally when you clicked 'Next Blog' in the Blogger nav bar above. Nonetheless, for just a while, my words are heard out, and regardless of whether you're interested or not, I would like to thank you for some of your time spent on my blog.

Anyone cares to know how this blog initially looks like?


Back then, I don't even have a photo for my profile! Muahahaha!
I've added many features, including banner links, image map, and the two photo galleries not long ago. All these are nothing new or special actually, as most blogs and websites has these features as well. I like to browse through the extras when I'm surfing other blogs, so I guess it would be fun and interesting to insert some into my own blog as well.

Recently, I started adding advertisements to my blog as well, which was more of en experiment actually, to see just how profitable my blog can be to me. I always fancy the idea earning money without having to pay anything at all to blog. This is only applicable to those who are not hosting their blogs on commercial server of course. But for me, my Blogger account is free, the Flickr and Photobucket account are also free, so all I'm paying is the time and effort in blogging, that's all.

Here I would like to share with you some of my own guides in blogging. Purely personal, they are items I would apply to in my own blog. Might not be applicable for you, particularly if you've your own preference and style in blogging:

1. Minimum one image per posting - normally, each posting of mine is 'flavored' with at least two or three images. The number will increase drastically when I'm posting about upcoming Gundam Merchandises :-D I do agree that the pictures help to make your posting more meaningful, as the readers can visualize your idea with more ease.

But at the same time, watch out for copyrighted materials. Don't go copy-and-paste conveniently from others. If you like the images very much, be sure to acknowledge the source, and provide a link to the site.

2. Strictly no flaming - on the Internet, flaming means deliberately posting insults or hostile messages to another person or website. For me, that's a coward's behavior, using the convenience and anonymity of the Internet to hurt someone else. So, NO bad words about other can be or will be found in my blog, ever.

But I do enjoy reading blogs which sarcastically criticize government authorities for any of their misconduct and bad policy, like Kenny Sia's Blog, and Mr. Brown. I think as leaders of the people, and policy makers, authorities must allow the exception of accepting feedback, no matter how harsh they are from the public. So, bloggers can assume the roles as government watchdogs to evaluate the government's actions in various issues, not channel for feedback means no way for improvement as well. Like the recent case of plagiarism of love poem by one of our ministers, well, much thanks to the bloggers on the net for pointing it out, and force the ministry to make an open apology.

Power of the bloggers!

!!!
3. Your blog is not always about you - You may be the owner of your own blog, but you're still in front of the PC when you blog, not on top of the world. So, egomaniac style of blogging is a no-no for me. There are zillions of professional Gunpla modelers out there, and most of them have great websites as well. So I would just share my experience and thoughts in this hobby of mine, but would never say that so-and-so technique I developed is the only way to go. I'm sure there are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in Gunpla here in my hometown of Kuching, and they might be experienced in Gunpla than me.

So to claim that I'm good in Gunpla here in Kuching just because I'm seemingly the loudest in blogging about them is the fastest way to become infamous in the Gunpla community, and I would do all my best to avoid that.


Introducing: Egomaniac Web Video Uploading Site: the more trash you upload, like shaving with 'the whole is watching' in mind, we'll send you hate mail examples from all over the world for you to despair, absolutely free.
4. Get involved in others' blog as well! - Share the fun of blogging, post relevant comments/feedback or questions on others' blog, and you'll be noticed easily. If you really like their blog, make sure to put a link to them in your blog. It's also the best way to widen the circle of blogs of the same interest.

Just remember not to talk crap in their blog and waste their server's space. Haha~

5. Learn form the master - Not just in the interest you're addicted to, but how to blog effectively, to get ideas on page design, and to discover new external links of interesting resources they found. Blogging from behind shut doors and windows will probably make each posting you add to become obsolete and outdated the moment they are posted!

My sifu (meaning teacher in Cantonese) in blogging is Danny Choo the Stormtrooper/Darth Vader in Japan. Just check out his site.

6. Update! Update! - Now here's the dilemma for students, and workaholic, how to blog when there are so much work piling up? how to blog nicely when the only thing that comes to one's mind is the never-ending trend of assignment Personally, I would try to blog at least two times a week, that's average one posting every three to four days weekly, which is considered quite slow.

Anyway, there must be a balance between study or work and blogging. I would be a great shame if the quality of your work drops because of your penchant for blogging. You'll probably go into Ripley's Believe It or Not as the first blog-addict!

7. Enjoy! - Continue from above, some of my friends complained that they have no time to blog, and seeing cobwebs in their blog just make them more frustrated; some complained that they don't blog much because they don't have anything to blog at all. Well, for me, one shouldn't be burdened anyhow whatsoever to blog. Since it's your interest which prompt you to blog in the first place, then why kill the interest just for the sake of updating your blog. No one's threatening you to update right?

The key is to enjoy blogging I guess. When you're in the mood to blog, a few minutes is enough for some nice postings. I can't imagine a person must blog like trying to complete a thesis or something. I'm sure your readers won't like it either.


Make sure you don't bang onto your monitor screen! ^_^;;

Images are from 3gold.com Entertainment portal.

These are just personal opinions of course, feel free to comment on them (but say nice-nice woh~ ^_^)

20,000 Thanks and More!

The number of visits to my blog has just exceeded 20,000 yesterday!


Too bad my hands are quite full at the moment with my school work. I'll talk more about this milestone this Friday.

Anyway, thank you very much for your support! :-D

MG Char's Zaku II Ver. 2.0

Just got my MG Char's Zaku II Ver. 2.0 from Gilbert yesterday. As a big time fan of Zeon MS and Char Aznable in particular, I was looking forward to this model for some time now. Even though it's 90 percent similar to MG Zaku II J Type Ver. 2.0 I got not long ago, I'm really glad to add it to my collection.


The box cover is the famous battle of Loum, where Char's Zaku II made his debut and sank five EFSF battleships. Cool!


Just the model is not enough, it must come with Char's customized display stand


A huge piece of water slide decal with Char's insignia :-D
What will my other Gunpla think about this arrival, I wonder.









Also, want to know something special about the two Zaku II Ver. 2.0?


Bad copy-and-paste by Bandai, just replicate the typo 'perfectly'. For students in Swinburne University going for exam next week, make sure you don't make this mistake OK? Muahahahaha~