WD-M01MS ∀ Gundam Shin

After being away from Gunpla modeling for a few years due to real life obligations and circumstances, I was able to have the chance to finish something for a local shop's P-Bandai event. This was the only Premium Bandai kit I had in my collection (and after moving twice in the intervening time, I was not ready to purchase any more) so I thought it would be a good refresher on the ins and outs of building Gundam once again as a simple HG kit.

Compared to the original Turn A design, this has more classically RX-78 Gundam features, such as the chin/shield style face, blocky knees and shoulder pads, and the beam sabers stored flanking the sides of the head. The kit itself has great proportions and is relatively smooth to construct.

The kit was painted with a mix of Mr Color lacquers for the flat colored areas and then Alclad metallics for the high shine areas, which were then buffed. The metallic vents on the back of the legs were the most satisfying area to do as the two-tone copper and silver mesh in a satisfying way. Everything was pretty straight forward with little modification, the only addition was holographic gel film for the eyes.

The base was a simple piece of wood end scrap from a thrift shop painted and airbrushed with a masked Turn A emblem. Since it was a return to modeling for me, there are definitely a few rough areas and some areas that show less fit and finish than to be expected as I was re-learning some techniques like airbrushing and seam line cleaning and part joining cleanly once again.

While this kit certainly is not my best work, it was great to have something to show at a local event again. I have been actively involved in the community for a decade now and after all that time, no matter what awards or cool exclusives there are, it is has always been the great creative people I have met that have survived in my memory. Thank you to everyone who enjoys my work and hope to see you again.