Chung'zz Blues: MG RX-78-2 ver 3.0

Netflix has just added the original Mobile Suit Gundam into its library - the trilogy of compilation movies of the first ever 1979 gundam TV series.
This compilation movies are widely considered as one of the highly rated-must-watch for people who keen to know more and get into the gundam-verse.

Released in 2013.

Netflix added MSG I, II, III, Char's Counter Attack on 18/6/21.

2010 (when i was in med school) was my first contact with gundam TV series - Mobile Suit Gundam 00. It was a good one, and it remained my only one.

In 2013, i almost bought my first proper robot plastic model, the RX-78-2 ver 3.0 which was just released back then. Due to various reasons, i decided to skip it. Instead, i bought this small little thing.

This SD grade has been in the shelf for the last 8 yrs.

There are many grades in Gunpla: SD-HG-RG-MG-PG
I chose Master Grade (MG) for its sweet spot of best size and best details and articulations.

Different grades of gunpla explained

In Mac 2021, i bought and started building my first ever Gundam Plastic Model (Gunpla)

Master Grade RX-78-2 Ver 3.0

I know I'm too old to start venturing into this line of adult 'toy'. Usually guys started gunpla fever during high-school/ college period.

This is certainly one of the best hobby to kill time, especially in the current Covid lockdown period.

First time looking into the box, i was shocked by the number of runners and small parts.

What's better than starting off with the grand-daddy of Gundam?

The first gundam animation series 40 yrs ago, in 1979.
The one that started the whole universe of Gundam to this very day.
The most recognizable robot of all time.
The first ever life size statue ever built and erected in Japan, standing 18.5 meters tall.

The life-size mobile suit in Diver City Tokyo in 2014.

It was also during this period that i started and finished the 43 episodes MS 0079 TV series, as well as its compilation movies (available in Netflix now).

Original gundam series

Took my own sweet time, slowly learning and meticulously building.

Read many online 'lessons' and videos to learn this new "skill".

Now only i realize that Gunpla totally put Lego into children category.

Besides, Gunpla is much cheaper than Lego as a hobby.

The tools i used, what i consider essential

Bought water decals to replace all the original stickers

Prefer Semi-gloss than the Flat Matt (too dull) or Glossy (too reflective)

Nibbling, cutting, snipping, sanding, clipping and snapping each small parts together, then painting, panel lining, applying decals, top coating, and lastly posing and photo-shooting.

It require long hours, utmost concentrations, fine finger dexterity.

Each steps took a massive amount of time and energy and stress.

Its similar to doing an eye surgery!

After around 1 month, i finally finished building my first gunpla.

The satisfaction, the beauty - priceless.

For professional builders, they remove the nub marks completely, sand every area of the plastics, paint/ spray most parts with new colors, multiple types of coating, scribbling new lines, adding additional customized parts, weathering, diorama creations etc.

The ceiling of this hobby is endless. Much more skills are needed as compared to Lego.

I am still a beginner in this field.

For me, i'm utterly happy with small detail painting using markers, panel linings, and decals, and will continue doing so for my future gunpla kits.

Here are some of the shots of the final model of my First ever Gundam. Enjoy!!