[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 LGZ-91[HWC] Lightning Gundam [Heavy Weapons Custom] (Customised Build)

Model Number: LGZ-91[HWC] Lightning Gundam [Heavy Weapons Custom]

Designation: Gunpla Fighter Kousaka Yuuma's Custom Made Mobile Suit for Long Range Heavy Assault

Designed primarily for Gunpla Battle instead of the Artistic Grand Prix, Yuuma's titular mobile suit is equipped with the Lightning Back Weapon System (itself armed with a beam cannon in the nose and a pair of medium missile launchers), a duo of heavy anti-mobile suit guided missiles and an auto-tracking grenade launcher for shredding enemy armour, in addition to a pair of beam cannons mounted on the side armour panels.

It also retains the Long Beam Rifle and its beam sabers, giving the Lighting far more combat versatility and flexibility in addressing tactical situations.

With this, Team Try Fighters would probably have blazed through the qualifiers more easily.

Yuletide Greetings!

Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! 

Happy building in 2015!

The Melancholy of Destiny

"For whom do we fight for? For whom do we die for?"

[Kit Insight] BTF MG 1/100 MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam (Painted Build)

Model Number: MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam

Designation: AEUG Variable Attack-Use Mobile Suit

A reimagination of the titular mobile suit piloted by Judah Ashta in the ZZ Gundam series, this sleeker, slimmer and far sexier version eschews heavy armour for superior agility, mobility and speed. The design however, may be a tough pill to swallow for some.

But not for me.

[Kit Insight] HGRC 1/144 G-Valkeryie (Customised Build)

Model Number: "G-Valkeyrie"

Designation: Single Production High Performance Close Combat Mobile Suit

Out of all the mobile suits introduced thus far in the G-Reco series, the G-Arcane is one of the few that doesn't want to make me pull my hair out (no, the G-Self is not amongst the few). Seeking to create a "girly" mobile suit modelled after my Dark Valkyrie in mobile game Kiritika, the original plan to use a HGFC Nobell Gundam was abandoned after checking its size and specs; something bigger and more substantial was needed.

[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 EZ-SR[DE] Devastator (Customised Build)

Model Number: EZ-SR[DE] Devastator

Designation: Team SRSC Customised Mobile Suit

So much to do, so little time!

[Accessory Analysis] HGBC 1/144 Ez-ARMS (Straight Build)

A weapon pack for your HG 1/144 scale Gunpla, the Ez-ARMS support weapon is a combination of the equipment from the Ez-SR Intruder and the Ez-SR Eliminator, namely the arm guards (minus the electromagnetic knuckles) and backpack equipment switchable between the Intruder's hi-mobility boosters and the Eliminator's 180mm cannon and missile pack.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki (Theatrical Clear Ver,) (Straight Build)

The Hyaku Shiki is one of the first ever HGUC kits to be released, as such, the construction is basic, rudimentary but surprisingly sturdy and solid with the end product looking beautiful, The theatrical clear version of the Hyaku Shiki accentuates the colour and overall look of the kit, in certain areas even more so than the chrome gold limited edition.

Here's hoping that the upcoming HGBF 1/144 Mega-Shiki will use an updated mold, preferably from the HGUC Delta Plus or even a whole new mold entirely (fat hope).

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Thank you for all your support, I will continue to post and update more often!

[Kit Insight] HG Gundam Seed 1/144 MBF-P01-Re2 Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina Custom (Gunpla Expo Exclusive) (Light Build)

Plated gold should be only gold Bandai ever does for golden kits. 

The pee gold of non-plated kits are just sub-par as compared to the shiny-ass awesomeness of chrome gold. It just accentuates the sexiness of the kit to dizzy heights. Coupled with the clear black parts of this limited edition Amatsu Mina, the completed kit just looks superb.

But an Astray still needs its katanas.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk II [AEUG Colours] (Theatrical Clear Ver.) (Light Build)

A rather sexy limited edition reiteration of the HGUC RX-178 Gundam Mk II in AEUG colours, featuring a combination of normal clear parts with solid-molded ones.

It's an old-timey kit, but it is still a beauty.  

[Kit Insight] HG Gundam Seed 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (Expo Clear Ver.) (Straight Build)

Limited edition version of the HG Gundam Seed Destiny Gundam, with glittery wings of light! The stickers however, are from the original version, so do not really mesh well with the clear version.

As with the normal version, the Destiny still suffers from balance issues stemming from those massive wings. Nevertheless, it is still a beauty.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 MS-06F Zaku II (Mass Production Type) & RX-78-2 Gundam [Gundam Breaker Ver.] (Straight Builds)

Essentially limited edition recolours of old HGUC kits, these come packaged with the Gundam Breaker PSP Game. 

That Zaku colour is ridiculous though.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 MS-15-2C Gyan Mass Production Type [Commander Custom] (Customised Build)

Model Number: MS-15-2C Gyan Mass Production Type [Commander Custom] 

Designation: Zeon Command-Type Mid Range Support Mobile Suit

Not overly outlandish for UC engineering standards, the Gyan Vulcan developed by Susumu Sazaki in Gundam Build Fighters Season 1 represents a rational development pathway for the original prototype Gyan. Had the Gyan been slated for mass production over the Gelgoog, the final outcome of the One Year War might have been different.

[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 RGM-237C-2A Powered GM Cardigan [Assualt Package] (Customised Build)

This is how I envision Hoshino Fumina's starter Gunpla to be: offense is the best defence.

[Kit Insight] MG 1/100 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam with MS Cage (Straight Build)

There are a few Master Grade Unicorn kits out there, but this one right here comes with that awesome-as-heck MS Cage, a crucial accessory for many garage dioramas out there.

It definitely looks better than a System Base.

[Kit Insight] MG 1/100 Shin Musha Gundam & Shin Musha Gundam Sengoku no Jin (Straight Builds)

This appeared as a boss in the first episode of Gundam Build Fighters Try, a classic Master Grade. 

As with MGs, they can fun to build but a pain to pose.

[Kit Insight] PG 1/60 MBF-02 Strike Rouge (Straight Build)

Perfect Grades are really beasts of Gunpla, combining all so many feats of engineering into a mean 1/60 package.

I look forward to my Unicorn.

[Kit Insight] HG ACE 1/144 MSA-0011[Bst] S Gundam Plan 303E "Deep Striker" (Straight Build)

Big mean deep striking machine.

Or so it was envisioned.

The concept and design is good and all, but the execution failed to do this giant any justice. Non-fitting parts, loose components, poor colour separation, absence of foil stickers (even for the eyes), an imbalanced frame and many more building and design issues mar an otherwise impressive kit.

Such a pity.

[NEWS] PG 1/60 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam - New Images & Promotional Video

After teasing us for an agonising two months, we finally get a proper look at an honest-to-God actual product model and box art of the upcoming Perfect Grade Unicorn Gundam, with decals and all. Bandai also released a number of photos showcasing the gimmicks and features of the kit.

Pictures from Gundam Guy

That leg articulation. 

That poseability.

Those weapons.

That [Destroy Mode] Unchained.

Seriously, just watch the 5-minute long promotional video for the Gunpla. If you haven't had a reason to buy this bad boy, this is it.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 RGM-89S-2 Stark Jegan Type 2 (Customised Build)

Model Number: RGM-89S-2 Stark Jegan Type 2
Designation: EFSF Limited Mass Production Anti-Ship Heavy Assault Mobile Suit

Missiles are great and all, but if all six you carry get shot down even before they reach their intended target, it's time to rethink your ordnance strategy.

[Accessory Analysis] HG 1/144 GN Particle Wings of Light Effect Part for Gundam Exia (3rd Party)

This makes your HG 1/144 Exia kits even more badass!

[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 Star Build Strike Gundam Ver. RG Mode (P-Bandai Hobby Online Shop Exclusive) (Straight Build)

Yet another Build Strike variant, this time in RG discharge mode colours, with all inner frame instances of grey replaced with glittery clear blue. The rest of the kit comes in the usual clear format offered by Bandai, with the box printed in monochrome as a symbol of its exclusive status.

[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 BG-011B Build Burning Gundam [Customised Build]

The protagonist mobile suit of Gundam Build Fighters Try, the Build Burning Gundam is designed with the latest in Gunpla molding technology, Bandai's superb kit engineering as well as contemporary trends in model kit production.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 MS-06R-2A[C] Zaku II Hi-Mobility Commander Type (Johnny Ridden Custom Machine) (Customised Build)

This is what Johnny Ridden would have piloted if he was made commander of the Zeon forces during the dying days of the Principality.

[Season Premiere] Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 1

After a dry spell of more than three months, we finally got a full dose of Gundam Build Fighter action! Already, the first episode shows a lot of promise, with new characters and developments while still referencing events of Season 1. Where else would you find a protagonist Gundam bursting out of a Dom!

From the release schedule of GBFT model kits thus far, the focus seems to be more on Universal Century mobile suits as opposed to the other timelines, although that might change once we get the main premise underway.

So in the meantime, set damage level to A and please set your GP base!

[Kit Insight] HGBF 1/144 PPGN-001 Gundam Exia Dark Matter [TRANS-AM Mode] (Straight Build)

A C3 2014 Hobby Fair Exclusive, this version of the Exia Dark Matter is molded similarly to any of the other TRANS-AM kits, albeit with improvements and slight modifications. One of these changes are the glittery stickers - yes, the stickers themselves are given the glittery treatment to enhance their sparkle and shine. The clear parts have also become clear blue, which contrasts really well against the maroon-purple palette.

Each runner is molded in a TRANS-AMed colour, which means little to no work is to be done before snapping this kit together. This kit is an excellent addition to any Exia collection.

[Kit Insight] HGCE 1/144 GAT-105E-3[Ex] Gundam Exceed Strike (Customised Build)

Model Number: GAT-105E-3[Ex] Gundam Exceed Strike

Designation: OMNI Limited Production Black Operations Use Hi-Mobility Mobile Suit

Armament: 

• 4 X head-mounted "Igelstellung" 75mm Multi-barrel Anti Air CIWS
• 2 X MA-M02G "Super Lacerta" beam sabers
• 2 X MA-M1171 "Gemina" Beam Assault Carbines
• 1 X AQM/EX-1 "Exceed Binder" Multi-Role Assault Platform
• 2 X MGX-1904 "Solidus" Beam Cannons, mounted in lateral thruster sections of Exceed Binder
• 1 X MGX-2235 "Calidus" Multi-phase Beam Cannon, mounted in main body of Exceed Binder

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn [Destroy Mode] Theatrical Limited NT-D Clear Ver. (Straight Build)

This is easily one of the more unique limited edition kits in my collection. Featuring a blend of three different limited finishes for Gunpla (standard clear, glitter clear, pseudo-metallic finish), this special Banshee Norn nevertheless suffers from the highly-visible stress marks that plague clear parts, although said drawback can be easily rectified or hidden.

Surprisingly, the parts also come in a plethora of different colours, more so than even the regular HGUC kit, making for a very delightful and beautiful build.

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 AMX-101E[G] Schuzrum Galluss [Ground Commander Type] (Customised Build)

Model Number: AMX-101E[G] Schuzrum Galluss [Ground Commander Type]

Designation: Neo Zeon Limited Production Heavy Terrestrial Combat Mobile Suit

The original Galluss was a high performance combat machine, able to hold its own against high end Federation mobile suits quite decently. The Schzurum Galluss that appeared during the final episode of Unicorn was in a word, underdeveloped. It didn't kick much ass before taking a booster to the face, what a tremendous waste that was. A ground combat variant of the Schzurum Galluss, this limited production mobile suit combines the best of modern and past technology. Incorporating features that made the Zaku so formidable during the One Year War, the ground type Galluss features substantially more armor, many more weapons and of course a proper thruster-equipped backpack that was curiously missing on the original.

Outfitted for heavy terrestial combat, the Schzurum Galluss Ground Type is able to stay on the battlefield for a lengthy period of time before requiring resupply. Issued to veterans and mobile suit team commanders, the Galluss is able to outperform most of its Neo Zeon and Federation contemporaries in terms of armament, armor or maneuverability. One striking feature of the Galluss is the lack of beam weaponry, armed almost to the teeth with solid weapons. This is due to the proliferation of I-Fields and other anti-beam technology, choosing to focus mobile suit resources on reactor power and speed than on the megawatts of beam weaponry. Therefore, the Galluss is a nightmare for mobile suits that have no answer to its speed or anti-beam coated armor, quickly reduced to shrapnel from the Galluss' machine guns and bazookas. 

[Kit Insight] HGUC 1/144 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] Ver. GFT Color Clear Ver. & Limited Gold Coating Ver. (Straight Builds)

Personally, I prefer the one with the gold coating, but it costs almost twice as much as the glittery clear version.

Nevertheless, they are still Unicorn kits with Armed Armor DEs - simple, rugged and beautiful.

*Warning: lots of photos after the jump.*

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 Expansion Effect Unit for Neo Zeong "Psycho Shard" (Light Build)

Just a small add-on for my little HGUC 1/144 Neo Zeong.

Okay fine, it's huge.

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 MSN-06F Sinanju Schwarz "The Black Death" (Customised Build)

Model Number: MSN-06F Sinanju Schwarz "The Black Death"

Designation: Neo Zeon Custom Newtype-Use Psychoframe Mobile Suit

Designed with long range assault and siege warfare in mind, the Sinanju Schwarz features an astonishing loadout of ranged weaponry to decimate foes from afar. It doesn't help that the mobile suit is best used with a Newtype to take advantage of its psychoframe's deadly properties.

One of the more puzzling features on the original Sinanju is the absence of psycommu weapons to take full advantage of the psychoframe embedded into the mobile suit. The Schwarz addresses this deficiency, featuring a pair of somewhat Sazabi-style Funnel racks housed on top of the boosters, for a total of six medium funnels. In addition, the Schwarz also mounts two fin-like salvos of Funnel Missiles on its legs, for a total of 20 missiles to obliterate foes.

In the age of beam dispersal screens, I-Fields and beam-resistant coatings, the need for solid-based weaponry has been revisited. Even though such munitions deal lesser damage than beam weapons, they still pack a wallop, and can be a force to be reckoned with in the right hands. The Schwarz mounts two rocket bazookas as standard equipment, one under the beam rifle and another under the shield. This gives the mobile suit an all-encompassing style of attack, blending solid and beam weaponry into a vortex of destruction that few can escape from. The only downside is that each bazooka only holds a total of five rounds, but the weapons themselves can be ejected once ammunition has been spent to avoid becoming deadweight. 

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode][Deactive Mode] (Expo Limited Mechanical Clear Ver.) (Straight Build)

This is one beautiful limited edition Unicorn kit.

Gunplanerd: Towards the Future

First of all, I would like to thank all for the support shown to Gunplanerd. It is truly heartening to see page views to each of my posts, however low they may be. As long as people are visiting the Gunplanerd blog, I will continue to publish posts.

On this note, I am pleased to announce that I will refining the theme and style of Gunplanerd. Rather than focus on model kit reviews, which are actually very commonplace online, I have decided to shift the blog’s focus to my customs, placing emphasis on the real-world applications of my modified model kits.

This objectives of this renewed thematic approach is twofold. Firstly, it serves as an anchor and focal point for my modifications: to always try to get the most grounded, most realistic approach to model kit customisation. Military applications of mobile suit technology are broad and varied, with multiple tracks of technological development presumably in progress during any of the conflicts in the Gundam metaverse. For example, the Jesta Plus, which is a logical progression that will not be out of place in the continuity of Gundam Unicorn, a “what if” scenario.

Secondly, this theme will make full use of my creative juices, fleshing out would-be scenarios for my customs, throwing them into “real” combat situations. This would give everyone a better idea of this particular modification, what was the motivation behind its development and what role it is supposed to fill.

Once again, thank you for all the support and stay tuned for more updates from the Gunplanerd!

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 AMX-101E Schuzrum-Galluss [Heavy Assault Type] (Customised Build)

Model Number: AMX-101E Schuzrum-Galluss [Heavy Assault Type]
Designation: Neo Zeon Anti-Ship Combat Assault Mobile Suit

Gallery

Kit Insight: MG 1/100 ZGMF-X56S/ι Destiny Impulse Gundam Regenes [P-Bandai Exclusive] (Straight Build)

Pics first, words later!

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 MSN-006A1-C Zeta Plus Commander Type (Customised Build)

Model Number: MSN-006A1-C Zeta Plus Commander Type

Designation: EFSF Limited Mass Production Transformable Mobile Suit

An increased-performance Zeta Plus, the Commander variant is issued to veterans, working with two other standard Zeta Pluses in a high speed asault fireteam of three mobile suits. Designated as a command unit, Zeta Plus-C is equipped with a simplified Hyper Mega Launcher from the Zeta #Gundam, allowing it to attack targets from a far greater range with a more encompassing field of fire. Zeta Plus teams are usually deployed with the Delta Destroy to tackle GUNDAM-level threats, clearing the battlefield of grunts and mid-level enemies to create situations for the Delta Destroy to directly confront enemy GUNDAM type machines.

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 NZ-999 Neo Zeong (Customised Build)

Pictures first, text later!

Kit Insight: RG 1/144 MSM-07S Z'Gok Commander Type [Char Aznable Custom Machine] (Light Build)

This is a pretty simplistic RG kit with a small sheet of tiny decals, but some components are tricky and best tackled with patience and a little time.

Although the design is peculiar and non-standard, the Z'Gok is superbly suited for its role as an amphibious assault unit.

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 RGM-96A1 Jesta Plus (Customised Build)

Model Number: RGM-96A1 Jesta Plus
Designation: EFSF Mass Production General Purpose Mobile Suit

Kit Insight: HGUC 1/144 MSN-001B1-D2 Delta Destroy (Customised Build)

Model Number: MSN-001B1-D2 Delta Destroy
Designation: EFSF Close Combat Anti-Gundam Transformable Mobile Suit

Accessory Analysis: HG 1/144 Hyper Beam Javelin (Gundam Ace Vol. 6 Premium)

The Hyper Beam Javelin has always been a favourite weapon, right from the spiked-ball shape version that appeared in the every first Mobile Suit Gundam. It is a weapon that seemed to be stuck in two timelines, having an exceedingly ancient and dated shape, form and function that combined beautifully with Gundam-timeline technology. The damned thing was even thrown around like the pointed javelins of old!

Gunpla Gallery: RG 1/144 GN-001 Gundam Exia [Trans-AM Mode] (Gloss Injection Ver.) (Light Build)

Simply put, the RG Gundam Exia [Trans-AM Mode] is a beautiful machine.

The gloss injection finish on the plastic gives it a nice metallic sheen that is usually achieved by airbrush painting, and the clear greenish-yellow parts for the GN Condensers really convey the ‘powered-up’ sentiment of the Exia.

Kit Insight: SD BB Senshi NZ-999 Neo Zeong (Painted Build)

The NZ-999 Neo Zeong is a beast of a mobile suit/mobile armor. 

When it first appeared in the final episode of the Unicorn Gundam OVA, it messed shit up right from the get-go, taking control of ECOAS Jegans and turning them on each other. And that was when the full machine was still concealed. Suffice to say, the Neo Zeong was a badass machine, and the HGUC version is the largest HGUC kit ever, with the box itself larger than the packaging of any known Perfect Grade Gunpla.

While I save up for my own HGUC Neo Zeong, I decided to take a trip down memory lane with the construction of a SD-scale Gundam, the scale that triggered the entire hobby. Even as a SD, the Neo Zeong is still a goddamn beast.

Kit Insight: HGTB 1/144 RGM-79 GM (Thunderbolt Sector) (Light Build)

By now, you should already know that I have a thing for grunt units. The past few Kit Insights have been on grunt kits and my latest customised project is the Ultra GM, the epitome of an awesome grunt unit. The RGM-79 GM is the predecessor to all grunt units bearing a compound sensor, that is, the visor that is fixated on the head unit in place of two individual Gundam-type optical sensors. Therefore, when the souped-up, Thunderbolt-style version appeared, I knew I had to get it. It just looked too right to pass up.