[Kit Insight] Bandai Macross Delta MechaColle-04 Sv-262Hs Draken III Fighter Mode [Keith Aero Windermere Use] (Light Build)

The latest in Bandai's MechaColle line of tiny but highly-detailed model kits of the Variable Fighters from the Macross Delta series, the Draken III has the simplest build out of all the other VFs released so far, featuring even lesser parts than the grunt Nightmare Plus (Outer Rim Colonies Use).

However, the colours and details on the Draken III are fantastic out of the box, although some gold will serve to better accentuate the details on the engine area. The stickers for the Draken III are trickier to position and line up, but once done, the shiny gold stickers magically beautifies the Draken III even more, even if it will mess you up for a bit.

Now, let's look forward to the 1/72 scale model kit of the Draken III - it's sure to be epic.

[Kit Insight] Bandai BB Senshi #400 Knight Superior Dragon (Light Build)

The Superior Dragon is an enigma: a gold-plated SD with gloss-injected red parts for the price of a high end High Grade model that looks superb out of the box. A little chrome to the silver parts and some gunmetal to the frame parts on the backpack makes this little cute thing stand out in your shelf.

The only gripe for this kit is that the plated parts are not undergated: they still use the same touchgate found on most BB Senshi model kits. Care would have to be taken when trimming the nubs to prevent accidental scraping or nicking of the plated gold.

All in all, the Superior Dragon is a beautiful addition to any Gunpla collection. Just don't expect to play with it much.

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai MG 1/100 ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam Blanche

A recoloured variant of the P-Bandai MG 1/100 Destiny Impulse Gundam Regenes released some years back.

Release date: September 2016

Pricing: 5616 yen

[GBWC] GBWC 2016 Singapore Leg Results

Congratulations to everyone who won! Do us proud in Japan!

Click below to view all Winners!

[NEWS] Gundam Produce Art: The Origin - Exclusive Gunpla

The Gundam Produce Art: The Origin exhibition will take place in Tokyo something in August this year. It will be similar to the Art of Gundam exhibition held during the same time last year. Of course, no Gunpla exhibition will be complete without Event Exclusive Gunpla!

[GUNPLA] Upcoming HGBF 1/144 Gunpla Releases

More Gunpla releases coming this August with the screening of Gundam Build Fighters Try SP! In addition to the ZZII, Gyancelot and Pandagguy, we now have a new Beargguy (Beargguy P), new 00 Qan[T] Custom as well as a new Back Weapon System for the Lightning Gundam!

Release date: August 2016

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai HGUC 1/144 Prototype Stark Jegan

Huge missiles characterise this less-tactical version of the Stark Jegan.

Large missiles!

Release date: September 2016

Price: 2700 yen

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai RE100 1/100 Efreet Schneid

The first P-Bandai model kit from the RE100 line, the Efreet Schneid builds on the fantastic mold of the RE100 Efreet Custom to deliver a close-combat variant that is armed to the teeth.

Release date: September 2016

Price: 3780 yen

[GUNPLA] BTF RG/HG 1/144 GN Sword IV

We all knew this was coming: a 1/144 scale full colour plastic model kit of the GN Sword IV complete with clear green parts for the GN Condenser blade material. The many configurations this GN Sword IV can achieve doesn't hurt as well.

Release date: TBC

Pricing:: TBC

[GUNPLA] Motorking 1/100 Zaku Tank

An oddly appealing third party creation of the relatively obscure Zaku Tank, a mish-mash of available military equipment desperately cobbled together by a losing Zeon Dukedom during the dying days of the One Year War.

This kit comes with multiple LEDs.

Release date: TBC

Pricing: TBC

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGUC 1/144 Delta Gundam Unit 2 GFT Limited Clear Colour Ver.

Clear red version of Delta Gundam Unit 2, only available in Gundam Front Tokyo!

Release date: July 2016
Price: 2500 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai RG 1/144 Zeta Gundam 3 Initial Verification Type GFT Clear Color Ver.

Beautiful clear colour rendition of the RG Zeta Gundam 3!

Release date: July 2016

Price: 3400 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGTB 1/144 Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Ver. GFT Limited Metallic Colour

 

New GFT release - a metallic colour version of the HGTB Full Armor Gundam!

Release date: July 2016

Price: 3000 yen

[NEWS] Hobby Art Tetsujin Competition 2017

After a gap of 12 years, Hobby Art Gallery (HAG) will be organising the Hobby Art Tetsujin Competition 2017, the definitive model shop Gunpla competition here on our tiny island! A no-holds-barred, anything-goes modelling competition not restricted to age, language or religion, Tetsujin 2017 promises to be an eye opening event for the local modelling scene!

[NEWS] Hobby Art Tetsujin Competition 2017

After a gap of 12 years, Hobby Art Gallery (HAG) will be organising the Hobby Art Tetsujin Competition 2017, the definitive model shop Gunpla competition here on our tiny island! A no-holds-barred, anything-goes modelling competition not restricted to age, language or religion, Tetsujin 2017 promises to be an eye opening event for the local modelling scene!

[Kit Insight] Bandai SD EX-Standard ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos (Ver. GPN)

The latest in Bandai's line of more articulated SD scale model kits, the Barbatos might be small on features and detail, but it is a largely adequate kit given the low retail price of S$9.90. Frankly, the Barbatos is one of the best-looking SD EX-Standard model kits thus far, with the stickers working pretty well here.

This Barbatos actually looks and feels like its NX Edge Style cousin, from the gigantic V-Fin to the detailing on its weaponry. But the NX Edge Style variant has bendable knees, so there's that.

This Ver. GPN build essentially retains the essence of the Barbatos and made use of almost all the stickers that came with the kit. For added depth, metallic black was used for the frame parts, dark blue was applied to the blue parts, some grey thrown in for good measure as well as Copper Gold for the striking V-Fin.

Overall, the SD EX-Standard Barbatos can help to shave off a lazy afternoon (or multiple lazy evenings).

[STAR WARS] Bandai Star Wars 1/12 Clone Trooper

Model kit version of the tenacious Jango Fett clones grown for the Grand Army of the Republic!

Release date: June 2016

Price: 2592 yen

Seems like you get two different helmet designs as well to reflect the different phases of Clone Troopers.

Gunpla Expo 2016 – Half-Time Report

The annual Gunpla Expo in Singapore has been in full swing for 13 days since 1 June 2016, and will continue for another 13 days before bidding our little island a fond adieu. Despite the Expo being the flagship Gunpla event for the community each year, this time it feels a little different.

It feels a little… empty.

[GUNPLA] MADWORKS 1/100 GN Arms Type E

This is sure to be a monster!

Release date: TBC
Price: TBC

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai 1/72 VF-31J Siegfried (Hayate Immelman Use) - Blu-Ray Exclusive Clear Ver.

Beautiful clear rendition of the upcoming 1/72 Siegfried from Macross Delta!

Release date: TBC

Price: TBC

[GUNPLA] Bandai MG 1/100 Full Armor Gundam Ver. Ka [Gundam Thunderbolt Ver.] - Preview Images

With each preview image, the Full Armor Gundam looks more intense!

Release date: July 2016

Price: 7000 yen

[GUNPLA] Magic Toys MG 1/100 TR-1 Advanced Hazel

Magic Toys is continuing their line of MG scale Hazel kits, this time with the Advanced Hazel. Pictures of their first Hazel Custom can be found here.

Release date: TBC

Price: TBC

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai HGBF 1/144 Gerbera Tetra (Kirara Use)

A pinkified version of the regular Gerbera Tetra, as if there are not enough Gerbera Tetras already.

Release date: August 2016

Price: 1944 yen

[GUNPLA] Premium Bandai HGCE 1/144 Blast Impulse Gundam

Finally, an honest-to-god Blast Impulse model kit! Ostensibly, it's based on the new HGCE Force Impulse [REVIVE] mold, which is fantastic!

Release date: August 2016

Price: 2160 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai RG 1/144 Sinanju

The latest RG looks lovely, with its gold-plated trim, gloss injection parts and engineering gimmicks.

Release date: August 2016

Price: 4104 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGIBO 1/144 Gundam Frame (Tentative)

We still don't know the name of this badass, but we now know that it is packing a lot of heat.

Release date: August 2016

Price: 1512 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai 1/100 Graze Custom

In addition to the Tekkadan Graze Custom, this particular Graze set comes with parts to make the Graze Ground Type, which doesn't exist in any other scale.

Release date: June 2016
Price: 3240 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai BB Senshi SD Gundam Barbatos DX Full Set

Not to be confused with the already-released SD Ex-Standard Gundam Barbatos, the BB Senshi variant is cuter and comes with all armor parts and weaponry ever donned by the Barbatos in the anime series. Therefore, you can make every Form of the Barbatos, although you are only given one Frame.

The best part is that it's not a Premium Bandai online exclusive.

Release date: August 2016

Price: 1296 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGUC 1/144 Full Armor Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode/Red Color Ver.]

Yet another recoloured variant of the HGUC Unicorn Gundam, this time with parts for one Hyper Beam Javelin! Previously, the only way to get HG 1/144 scale Hyper Beam Javelins was via a hobby magazine premium which cost a proverbial bomb.

Release date: June 2016

Price: 3672 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGUC 1/144 Hyaku-Shiki [REVIVE]

Basically a Hyaku-Shiki 2.0 in HG 1/144 scale, the annoying pee-gold is being used here. However, looks like a solid kit overall. The low price doesn't hurt as well.

Release date: August 2016

Price: 1200 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGTB 1/144 Zaku I [Thunderbolt Ver.]

Fantastic work with the box art for the anime version Thunderbolt kits!

Release date: June 2016

Price: 1944 yen

[GUNPLA] FPM PG 1/60 Hyper Beam Javelin (Unicorn/Banshee Use)

Third party, full colour plastic model kit of the Hyper Beam Javelin in Perfect Grade scale! Allows you to add even more badassery to your PG Unicorn or Banshee!

Release date: June 2016

Price: TBC

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGBC 1/144 Eastern Weapons

Weapon pack for HG 1/144 scale Gunpla! Lots of goodies here!

Release date: August 2016

Price: 648 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGBC 1/144 Northern Pod

Add-on build custom accessory sets for HG 1/144 scale Gunpla. We can't really tell what it is supposed to be, but seems like there are variable weapons and two head units which can be used for grunt customs!

Release date: August 2016

Price: 648 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGPG 1/144 PandaGGuy

Yes, it's a panda-themed PetitGGuy holding a stalk of bamboo.

Release date: August 2016
Price: 648 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGBF 1/144 ZZII

A fantastic looking variant of the ZZ Gundam, just look at those killer heels! The Waverider mode is badass as well!

Release date: August 2016

Price: 2808 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGBF 1/144 Gyancelot

Sexy looking Gyan variant from the upcoming GBFT SP OVA!

Release date: August 2016
Price: 1944 yen

[GUNPLA] Bandai HGCE 1/144 Force Impulse Gundam [REVIVE]

Shinn's Mobile Suit is looking sexy!

Release date: June 2016
Price: 1800 yen

The Way Forward

For regular readers of the Gunplanerd blog, you'd have realised that I share a lot of stuff (new releases, news, builds, etc.) on my Instagram account (@jamespartan), the most recent of which can be seen in the In.Tag.Me widget at the top of this blog's page. However, the widget fails to display sometimes, and some of you may not have Instagram accounts to view my posts.

As such, I will do my best to replicate the content on my Instagram account here on the Gunplanerd blog as well, to give readers an additional source of information as well as to ensure a more regular stream of content here. I can't guarantee complete information all the time as I rely on a vast network of sources across a number of different platforms, but I will do my best to provide as much as possible.

There will be no discrimination here, everything and anything that is remotely related to Gunpla will be shared here. Along with the flagship Bandai brand, I will also share information on third party model kits, accessories, add-on kits and what not. Dragon Momoko, Mo Show, Hobby Star; all these are fair game. I also surf Chinese marketplace Taobao a lot, so expect to see interesting kits popping up from time to time. I will also share pics of my loot crates as well.

I hope that you will continue to visit Gunplanerd blog and thank you for all the support thus far!

[GBWC] Gunpla Builders World Cup 2016 Singapore Qualifiers

GBWC 2016 happened a little too early this year, catching many local builders off guard. As such, there are only 69 entries for 2016's edition of the competition, as compared to 109 entries last October. Clearly, the three-week preparation and submission deadline is a major turn-off.

Hit the jump to view all GBWC 2016 entries!