Model Kit Review: Gundam Astray Red Frame HG 1/144



I have actually had this kit completed for over a year now. This was my 10th-ish (Unsure exactly) HG 1/144 Model Kit and the first Seed Astray kit. I had to actually google a picture (below) of it with zero details so I could eventually show what it looked like before I went all crazy with my gundam markers.

Straight Build (No details/Paint) Picture Belongs to ww.hexdidnt.clara.net. Used to show the model kit pior to detailing.

Out of the Box:

Red Frame Astray was not a very difficult piece to build. Easier then some of the 00 series High Grades. It came with simple pieces with no surprises. The Katana itself came in all silver with the rest of the kit coming in white, red, and dark grey skews. Nothing overly difficult so it was perfect for me when I was still new at building. It is still a great kit for newbies who are doing HGs.  5/5

Coloring & Detail:

There was some light detailing around to body, coloring dark areas either dark grey or black. This is one of the few kits that I used a black detail pin on the white for panel lining. I originally tried gray but the black set this kit off with a little more style. There was some heavy detailing on the katana and it's scabbard. As you can tell from the earlier straight build picture, the katana is all silver and the scabbard is all white. Some fine red detail pens would of been useful, but in the end I painted the entire hilt of the sword red and painted over the lines of the scabbard. I then used a Elmer's Eraser to take off the red that I didn't need. It took a bit to get this done correctly. After I tossed on some gold and dark grey and the kit was good to go. Kit came with a few stickers but I only used the logo for his left shoulder and his eyes. 3/5. It's going to take some love if you want your weapon looking good.

Stability & Movement:

There isn't a whole lot of possible joints when compared to say Gundam Exia, but the kit is good for what it is worth. It stands on it's own very well and I have been able to get it into various poses such as Kenshin's battojetsu pose as well as some other cool poses. For a HG I was very impressed. 4.5/5

Overall:

If memory serves me correct the PG Astray Red Frame was a new item at Anime Expo 09, so being able to build a smaller (and more cost effective) version made me feel like I was still one of the cool kids. As soon as I completed this kit back in 2011 I added the Blue and Gold Frames to my Amazon wish list. Unfortunately a year later, they remain there.

4.2/5

Model Kit Review: Gundam Exia 1/144 HG from Gundam 00

Having survived a move between houses, my Gundam Exia kit is finally completed. Let's get right to it!

Out of the Box:

This being my 9th model kit from the 00 series there was nothing very unexpected. I'd like to say if you've built either High Grades of 00 or one of the various Exia repaints/changed release, then you've built Exia. Most of the 00 series comes with the same types of joints and some similar body parts. Most of the kit was easily assembled with very few problems. My biggest gripe about this kit is some of the plastic ends not wanting to come out nicely. This lead to a small screw up removing the extra plastic from the very top of the head. As I mentioned before, this was my 9th 00 HG model kit and there where no surprises. Easy kit for anyone who's built a few kits already with minor flaws right out of the box.  3/5

Coloring & Detailing:

Let me tell you a little story before I go into this next section: I did my first few model kits back in the late 90's when Gundam Wing was the talk of the mecha town. I made 2-3 kits before my local Electronic's Boutique no longer sold them. I took a break that lasted until about two-three years ago. After seeing the Blood: The Last Vampire live action movie, one of my best friends who I'll call "Tenchi" for now took Yopo and myself to the local anime store in Las Vegas. (Tokyo Discount: A place for overpriced but awesome stuff.) I was looking through the items when I found a First Grade Exia Gundam for around $15. I considered buying it just to build a kit and to relive the experience I had previously. This kit would reopen the door to my model building future. Thanks to a little influence from Cable, his brother, and Tenchi, I got myself back into model kits full time.

This kit would not only be my reintroduction to model kits, but would also be my test subject for numerous model building techniques. This Exia was subbed "Bitch Exia", or "Test Exia" for my PG audience. Now, onto the review.

With most of the HQs, there was little detail needed. The more time you want take to detail the kit, the better it could potentially come out to be. There was a little painting a did on the "ears" and in a few minor places. A grey and black ultra thin marker were perfect for detailing. My goal with this kit was to honor "Bitch Exia" by giving this kit the most attention possible. I still think I have a long way to improve my model kit powers, but I wanted this kit to be almost a tribute to how much I've approved over the last year. This kit would of taken about an hour or two to detail for a normal person.
4/5

Stability & Movement:
Simple poses with or without a stand are available for all your posing needs. It's not as poseable as my 00 Raiser kit but has better movement than some of the Unicorn HGs that I've completed recently. The slim-figure of Exia makes it easy to balance but the lack in weight of the kit sometimes leads to the kit falling over if you put to much weight on one side. (Such as weapons.) Then again, at least he's able to hold all of his weapons. Seven Swords 00 can't stand with all of his weapons equipped unless you balance him using the weapons. 4/5

Overall:
A simple kit that shouldn't take anyone as long as it took me. (Again, was moving during the last few months.) If you've built any of the Gundam HGs from the 00 series, then you've basically built Exia as well. Alot of similar pieces and stickers makes it seem repetitive when you've built a few, but overall it was a fun kit to build. If you can find this kit around $17, it'll be worth every penny.
3.66/5

Upcoming Model Kit Projects! 3/19/12

Recently on a trip to HobbyTown USA in Vegas, I obtained some new kits to add to my upcoming model projects. I'd like to share them are a preview of kits I will be doing reviews for in the next few months.

First up!

Gundam Exia HG from Gundam 00 is first on my list. I received this back in December and I actually have this kit about 75% completed. Just need to finish the hips and the arms and he'll be ready for action. This isn't the first Exia 1/144 Exia I've purchased. A couple years ago when I wanted to get back into model kits I purchased a First Grade Exia from a local Anime/Japanese stuff store. From there I used it as a practice model kit to try new techniques on for improving my modeling abilities. This Exia, later named Bitch-Exia, now is part of my daughter's collection of Gundams.

In honor of Bitch-Exia, the gundam used to practice and improve my skills, this next Exia will be made using the best of my skills. My goal is to make this HQ look better then most.

Time for my next Evangelion project! Unit 00 Prototype. Luckily when I did my 0 Gundam Evangelion I purchased the decals meant for these kits. I still have most of the decals for this unit to help with the detailing. Also came with two mini-figures of Rei & Ritsuko for my painting pleasure.



Another couple of Evangelions.Both come with two mini figures that need painting. Look forward to this attempt!

HG Virtue from Gundam 00. Originally I had two plans for this kit, I just haven't decided what direction to take with it. We'll see in the future.

~Finally~

FREEDOM!!! From Seed, this will be my 3rd Gundam Master grade. This is one sexy piece of model kit! Originally, I wanted to get the RG version of this kit but someone decided that I should have this version instead. I love my Tabitha. <3

Can't wait!

If you're interested in any of these kits, I buy most of my kits online from www.gundamstoreandmore.com. Look forward to future reviews of these kits.