10K on May 10, 2010

...And it passed me by...

Gundam Qan [T] MatX Pseudo Version Part VII

Feet update.  Took a while to finish the other foot, but this one gave me a chance to show how I "Rippered" the Exia's foot to fit the mods and make it similar to the 00's foot.

Well, not really a step by step process, but, you get the idea.

Gundam Qan [T] MatX Pseudo Version Part VI

The Rear Skirt Armor mod.  This is a rather another straightforward mod of the rear skirt.  I used the Exia's stock skirt, did some "plastic" surgery so to speak to simulate the Q's skirt based on the line art.  I maintained some features of the Exia's skirt and added a bit of detailing not in the lineart.  I used multiple pieces of plaplates to build up the modification laterally.  This method is easier for extending or bulking up parts that are static or otherwise do not have mobility issues.

Gundam Qan [T] MatX Pseudo Version Part V

Groin and Waist mod.  I decided to use the Exia's groin and waist assembly mainly because it's more flexible and articulated than the 00's.  As I have mentioned time again, the 00's construction is so poorly designed it's more of a downgrade from the Exia in terms of detail and articulation.  I was quite disappointed with the 00's simplicity after having seen the Exia's close to MG pseudo frame.

I started with the main groin assembly by cutting the top portion off and extending that with plaplates reinforced with small pieces of 3mm beams.  Note that I filed the edge of the plaplates at an angle so it can fit snugly onto the crevice, providing a greater bonding area and thus a stronger bond overall.

I've modified the Exia's waist adapter, trimming all the unnecessary parts and cemented the "nape" mod to it.

Gundam Qan [T] MatX Pseudo Version Part IV

Just another "quickie" I managed to squeeze while doing "real" work.

Reconstructed the shoulder mounts with the usual plaplate mods, and the tricky part of matching the vent size to the mount while still maintaining enough mobility.  I made the vent a bit deeper (or more protruding) just in case I need to trim later or reshape it.

I also gave it my now trademark interlock mods to keep the parts removable for easier painting later on.

Test fit.

Bandai Sues Bootleg Companies

In an article posted by Ngee Khiong, Bandai has finally made a legal move against TT Hongli which is argued to be the *best* in terms of knocking off the Bandai brand and another company camed Huang.  TT Hongli has gained a strong support over the years from "collectors" and "modelers" who purchase Gunpla knock offs mainly for economic reasons.  Hence, the rule at BAKUC for boxes to be brought as proof of purchase, rightly so because I've had a few people who have brandished that they have been able to enter knock offs at competitions in the past (not necessarily BAKUC).

TT Hongli, for one, has reproduced certain kits within months of Bandai's own, and have produced somewhat a comparable quality to that of Bandai's.

Gundam Qan [T] MatX Pseudo Version Part III

The build is getting trickier.  I have thought of just slapping plaplates on the Exia's stock shoulder mounts, an easy mod, when I realized it will look too thick for comfort, so I had two choices;  build the entire PAIR from scratch, or modify the stock mounts.  Either options would not be easy and have presented me with unique problems.  I opted to go with modifying the (assembled) mounts by cutting about 3mm from the top (bottom left pic), and 1mm laterally (bottom right) to fit the plaplate mod (top right).  I then "simply" made the chest protrusions, estimating just how big they should be.

Test fit.