RX178-II
RX 178-II, return
of the killer palm top (funny aren't I). While engaged in the exceedingly
strange task of rabbit shopping one day (with the uni chick I gave rillian
peacecraft to) I bought this palm top (under the mistaken belief that it
was GP01-fb (I'll get one of those one way or another some day hmmmmmm maybe
even MG). This thing's almost as big as my 1/144 scale H-arms custom and
its better than the other palmtops (the trio) because although the legs
arms etc. are still one piece these are solid like resin castings (they're
also like resin castings in that there are details everywhere like they
were made in rubber moulds like resin) none of the holes that large rigid
polystyrene mouldings need in order not to get sink holes. This is because
they aren't rigid polystyrene but some kind of more flexible plastic like
that used for polycaps. Possibly some kind of semi plasticised PVC (I should
know these things being a materials engineer and all, ah well...). The pointy
parts of the mech are made of softer plastic. Apart from being fully three
dimensional with no holes etc there also seems to be a bit more detail on
this one so I'll try to make it a good as possible. I don't think I can
manage b-club resin levels but this cost 300 yen as opposed to b-club for
4500 or so so I can't complain. After filing some wrinkles like those found
on the 1/20th scale Gundam figures I started painting. For this model I
tried out a new painting technique (well new to me anyway). I think it's
called shadow painting which is described in the advanced modelling techniques
section. I followed up my shadow painting with the usual line work and painting
in the details that weren't airbrushed. Even though I hand painted the yellow
parts the yellow paint was so clear that the shadow effect could be seen
through the yellow paint (bonus). All in all I think that this Gundam has
more presence (due to the paint job, this thing is pretty much fixed unlike
the H-arms) than the H-arms custom (which I took more time and care over)
even though there are a few seems, hole etc. that can still be seen if you
look.
bravenet.com