I've been waiting to build this kit since I preordered it last April when it was first announced!
Arkhitect Advanced Research Colonizer (ARC), the first production by Dream Gear, is a 1/3000 spacecraft based upon the Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush. Two versions are offered (standard and special edition). I ordered the limited-edition Iwata version that contains special Iwata panels.
The kit engineering and details are outstanding and rival the quality of Bandai Gundam or Star Wars kits. It’s designed as a press-together model, so no styrene cement is required. The majority of the seam lines are well hidden and there were only a few sink marks visible that were easily covered up. The completed kit is about 11 inches long. Clever engineering conceals the entire lighting system that consists of 22 LEDs and 6 printed circuit boards powered by a USB connection hidden within the stand (power supply not included). The only issue I ran into were the thin wires connected to the PCBs easily broke and required resoldering. I also reinforced the connections with a dab of hot glue.
I opted to paint mine with various shades of Tamiya greys and AV washes to highlight all the details. To add some contrast, I painted the reactor core and rings Copper. The base didn’t light up as brightly as expected so I covered it up with a leftover R2/Polar Lights base painted to look like a nebula. I roughed out the basic shapes with my Artool Organic templates and then added colors with transparent paints. I busted out my Iwata Micron to add highlights and details. Once I was happy with the overall look, I created a starfield by removing the nozzle cap off my Iwata Eclipse and splattered the stars.
Rob
Iwata Padawan
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Advanced Research Colonizer
Moderators: tay666, Moderators
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- Squire of the Sprue
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Re: Advanced Research Colonizer
Totally cool. The detailing is excellent, and the base turned out great!
- Tim Fortuna
- Registered Seller
- Wizard of Washes
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Re: Advanced Research Colonizer
Very cool, colors, base and lighting are out of this world.
"There are several sacred things in this world that you don't ever mess with. One of them happens to be another man's fries..." Louis Fedders
- Big Daddy Dave H
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Re: Advanced Research Colonizer
LOVE IT! Excellent work. How large is this kit? 22 LED? It must be bigger than I thought.
- veedubb67
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Re: Advanced Research Colonizer
When completed, it's about 11 inches long.Big Daddy Dave H wrote:LOVE IT! Excellent work. How large is this kit? 22 LED? It must be bigger than I thought.
Rob
Iwata Padawan
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- Squire of the Sprue
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Re: Advanced Research Colonizer
I'm curios, how well does it spray? Is it easy to clean?
Well done on the ship but the base stands out for me!
You get a cookie...
Carl-
Well done on the ship but the base stands out for me!
You get a cookie...
Carl-