Robot/mech recommendations

[Renenee]

I've been watching some video's of Tested.com where they're building Gundams and I really like how these kits come pre-painted (cast in color actually) and the amount of intricate engineering that goes into them. I would love to build a kit like this, but am not familair with gundam and the other mech 'worlds'. I would love some recommendations on what would be a cool kit to get first. My only criteria for the moment are that it looks cool, is not to expensive and is not too small (used to 1/8-1/6-1/4 figure kits).

[PACinT]

Mech guy here.

Gundam has a tons of designs(many series) most come from 1/144 to 1/60 scale ranging from 6-200$.
Detail levels and part count also vary.

Personally prefer early to mid-80's robot designs like Votoms, Dougram, etc.

The Bandai 1/20 Votoms kits are nice, big and around 50-60$.

[tay666]

I've been having fun with the little SD gundams lately.
http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtop ... 0&t=115407
Real cheap. Like $15 each.

Just a heads-up though.
While some look 'ok' out of the box. They still look really toy like unless you paint them.

When I started building that little guy, I searched the web for info on him.
Found this pic of it built straight from the box.


Compared to just some basic paint work


And I do mean basic.
There is no shading, or weathering. I'm not that good yet.
Just using these kits to kind of dip my toe in the hardware end of the hobby.

[tay666]

I just realized, my response really didn't answer your question.

I think the best way to decide what you want is to look at a bunch of kits and see what catches your eye.
I actually watch gundam anime when I get a chance so I am familiar with some of the mechs.
But that doesn't necessarily make it easy to decide what to build.

Do a google image search, and just try and find a style that catches your eye.
Then narrow your search to that particular mech. See what is available in what scales, at what costs.

Personally, I just got a bug for Deathscythe kits.
I've scored 2 different SD versions so far, and am really considering getting 1/100 HG kit as well.

[PACinT]

I like the Gundam Endless Waltz designs(Deathscyth, etc) and the MS 08th,Zeta designs.

Gundam been running on and off for 40yrs now and covers original story-line and alternate universes.

Syd Mead also did some of the designs but imho he doesn't do anime well.

[Racer X]

BANDAI's Gundam kits basically build themselves. For the last 20 years they are snap kits so don't think about the parts count or anything. These are a breeze.
There's also lots of articulation and accessories so basically you are building an action figure. If you go for the (slightly expensive) MASTER GRADE kits, you are building the king of action figures. If you want to paint them, do so. They also look nice still unpainted. Usually they come with sticker sheets - The metallic variant, but still stickers, not decals.
The moving rubber joints and also the joints that keep the parts together are great.

So if you're into the larger kits (or GUNDAM kits at all) you might want to check out the GUNDAM MODEL KITS section at HOBBYSEARCH:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/gundam/
Scroll down a bit. Then look at all the various sub-sections on the left-hand side. You'll be amazed.

Oh, and don't get fooled when you read about the scale. Some of the 1/144 GUNDAMs are monstrously huge. Like the DENDROBIUM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXKNMDK2fZc

Personally, I like DOUGRAM better. It's also one of the older and classic mech series with a lot of iconic desigsn. Some were even included in REVELL's ROBOTECH line of kits back in the day.
DOUGRAM just gets rejuvenated using the latest tech by MAX FACTORY, also available at HOBBYSEARCH:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c ... ey=dougram
Snap kits (1/72 scale) , lots of moving parts, totally superior to the old TAKARA kits, can use some paint but don't really need it.

If you like your mechs insectoid-style, then maybe AURA BATTLER DUNBINE is for you:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/689/0/1
(I hope this link works)
By the look of the boxes I assume most of these these to be re-issues of old (some may consider them as "classic") kits. Need glue and definitely lots of paint. Some of the old ones were a horror to assemble. Gruesome parts-fit.

Another classic is PATLABOR which follows the adventures of a mobile police unit supported by mechs:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/749/0/1?sold=1

And yet another classic: MACROSS with the triple-changing VALKYRIE (or VERITECH) fighters.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/693/0/1
(Yep, that's what was called ROBOTECH when it was americanized)

There's lots more, but I think you should discover all that yourself.

[PACinT]

Some of the gundam designs can be quirky, finishing the one below and the Axis Angel version. Nobell Gundam is waiting for paint.

http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/SF-01_Super_Fumina

[PACinT]

Quick rundown in the Gundam kit Grades.
HG - 1/144 High Grade,
MG - 1/100 Master Grade,
PG - 1/60 Perfect Grade,
RG - 1/144 Real Grade.

[tay666]

Quick rundown in the Gundam kit Grades.
HG - 1/144 High Grade,
MG - 1/100 Master Grade,
PG - 1/60 Perfect Grade,
RG - 1/144 Real Grade.

You forgot the SD which really doesn't have a scale.
And quality can be all over the place. Some have great detailing like clear parts and such.
While others can be rather bland and depend on stickers for everything.
(still can't believe the deathscythe doesn't have a green blade )

Also, something that helped me a lot.
When you narrow things down and think you know what you want to get, search for unboxing, or oob videos.
There are tons of them on youtube.
It will give you a chance to see what they look like for real, usually in a full 360 rotation too.

I am glad I watched this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ6TN-Qr7XA
I still love this design, and went ahead and bought one of these. But I knew going in that there is a lot more extra work involved to finish it to the standards I want.
Like I don't like those big hollow areas. So, I will be filling in all those gaps in the back of the parts.
Not a huge deal, but something that may have bummed me out and turned me off of the kit if I didn't know about it ahead of time.

[PACinT]

True on the SD kits, there are also many non-grade kits. Quality often depends on when the kits were released.

[Zeiram]

Another thumbs up for Patlabor kits. The Griffon is a beautiful design. Also I'm a huge fan of Mamoru Nagano's designs from L-Gaim and Five Star Stories. There's more to life than Gundam.

[PACinT]

Patlabor is great, recall when the 1/1 mockup from the life action series was displayed in Kichijoji.

Votoms mecha is great, bassically walking one man tanks.

Great Mecha reference site: http://www.mahq.net/

[Renenee]

thanks very much for your replies, this definately gave me a better general overview of what's out there.

I find myself leaning toward the Gundam Mastergrade, either a Sazabi or a Full armour Unicorn.

I'll take some more time to look though the vast assortment of Gundam that is out there.

[PACinT]

The Unicorn is a nice design.

[tay666]

The Unicorn is nice.
Which one are you leaning towards. The white or the black?

[PACinT]

Outside shop picking up this kit:http://hlj.com/product/BAN951922

Full interior with seated pilot.

[Renenee]

The Unicorn is nice.
Which one are you leaning towards. The white or the black?

White probably, perhaps the one including the MS cage,

[AntMan]

(It's kind of late here, with me just now arriving to this Gundam party),
but what did you eventually decide on?

Also, have any pics to share, (since surely, with it being three years since
your last post here, you've gotten it built....
....and painted......
....and weathered.....
(and probably purchased a whole bunch of additional ones, right)?

[Renenee]

I decided to get both the Unicorn with MG-cage and the Sazabi, both Mastergrade. Great kits, loved building them.

I'll check if I have pics, almost all of my collection is temporarily in storage so I can't make any now. I also opted to not paint and weather them for now. I would love to do that some other time, but for now I loved how I could just focus and enjoy the building without having to paint anything to have something that is worthy of display. I always enjoy the building more than the painting, even with regular GK's.

[AntMan]

...I wrote a short review (years ago) on the first two Gundams I did, the Wing along with the Epyon.

If interested you can check it out at:
http://www.scififantmodmadrealm.com/Gundam1.html