Bandai Gundam Heavyarms Ver EW 1/100 Master Grade

First: BEAST!This model kit is serious business, and I loved it from start to finish. This was my 2nd MG kit build, and after plenty of trial and error with my 1st one (Epyon), I decided to build Heavyarms with a LOT of attention to detail.I'd recommend this model for any MG kit beginner to an expert. It's impressive and fun to build, looks great when you pose it, doesn't really need an Action Stand like most models, and all the gimmicks for the missle pods are included.For the people who are just starting to paint their models, this one is a great first experience. I mixed up some Semi-Gloss Black and Gun Metal with a couple drops of Metallic Grey for good measure, and that was my base coat for the Beam Gatling, Ammo Backpack, and Ammo Belt. The HUGE blade I did in Semi-Gloss Black. The Thruster/Backpack I did in Gun Metal. For the missle pods, you're going to want to see the missles a different color than the missle containers themselves. What I did was the Black-Gun-Grey mixture for the containers, and straight Gun Metal for the missles.I hand-brushed, and I have to say I think I prefer handbrushing this model than airbrushing. The texture a brush gives the plastic makes it seem more realistic, as if it was brushed Gundanium Alloy.I also painted most of the Kit while it was still on the runners. But I realized half-way through my build that I unnecessarily painted some parts, and other parts I could've painted differently. Like I said, trial and error, but I do recommend you read through the manual a few times and get a good look at the pictures before you decide how you want to paint this model.My only complaints for the Kit itself:The Ammo Belt has a hard time staying in place. If you flex it too much while trying to pose the Beam Gatling in his hands, the belt will come off. I tried using plastic cement to keep it in place, to no avail. I guess the plastic-wire belt that you use to build the Ammo Belt isn't the right kind of plastic for cementing.The Bam Gatling does have a hard time staying in the hands, I'd recommend some sticky-tack.Otherwise, this kit was fun to build, awesome looking, and worth every penny.

If your looking for a large Gundam with a lot of guns, your search ends here with the MG Heavyarms Gundam! You get a chain gun with a chain (you have to make the chain like a tread but it's not too terrible), a military knife, a beam saber (but no actual beam which kinda blows), and tons and tons of missiles! On top of that, there are two machine guns built into the chest on top of the cockpit for even more firepower if that wasn't enough!For the build, there are quite a few pieces and you will end up building an inner frame which is really sweet and also have to apply tons and tons of stickers if you so choose. There are many stickers up front, but the amount of rub ons (dry transfer stickers) will keep you very busy in which applying decals alone took around 5-6 hours! The build though altogether went very smoothly and was very satisfying since everything goes in smoothly!The real only cons are not having a beam saber (as stated above) and the suit being unable to hold the chain gun with ease. If you mess with it for awhile (took maybe 10 min) you can get it to hold it but just try to not mess with it since the gun is very large and will fall off the hand!For around 30-40 bucks, you honestly can't go wrong with this set due to the fact that it is pretty sizable, come with tons of stuff, and even has a built in cockpit with a small little figure (like most MG's). If you like the set, go for it and trust me, you will not regret it (I know I didn't! ;^]).

This kit was the last of "the five gundams" that were released a couple years ago following Katoki Hajime's Wing Gundam redesign that was released in 2004. At first I was confused as to how the mecha designs were named and where they came from since there was the T.V. versions, Kai versions, Endless Waltz customs from the movie/ova and now these. I really enjoy Katoki's designs and his decision to redesign the original five gundams to reflect the way they appear in the OVA really made a good excuse to swap colors and milk the kits when/if they decide to release the other 3 custom gundams since we already have deathscythe hell and wing zero custom. In terms of being a built kit, I really enjoyed it. Taking some silver paint and applying it to the rockets really makes them pop when you open up all the missile bays. Since I'm a busy architecture student, I sprayed on topcoat directly onto the frames which I hung from string outside, that took away the plastic shine, allowed the stickers to blend in more unless you're really close to it, and unfortunately reduced the margin of error when panel lining so you have to be careful. This kit requires a little bit of extra work to make it look really nice but it's well worth it when it's done, making it look more like a piece of military machinery than a plastic kit with stickers all over it! Posing is fun and all the joints move a great distance standard for a kit this recent (I'm looking at you Unicorn, your inevitable perfect grade better have 180 degree bends all over the place!) it's just a shame the feet don't bend up to allow some running poses and the beam gatling gun ammo chain can be problematic when you're trying some real dynamic poses. All in all, I highly recommend this kit despite the flaws because putting a little elbow grease can really make it look sharp, you'll have fun putting the model in a variety of poses and as a fan of Katoki's designs, makes me eager for more Wing kits, especially ones from Frozen Teardrop!-Bootz