Back from another hiatus to finish this project. As usual, will do some proportion changes to this kit (with the help of some references I found on the net). 

So far here's where I left off. Already widen the thighs, shoulders and torso area. I also lowered the crotch-thigh connection. Quite happy with the results, will just have to add some details and maybe proceed to painting after.

My latest build & commission work. Probably my last build of the year too. Its a 1/35 UCHG Core Fighter from Bandai, also a Ver. GFT which I think has a nicer set of waterslide decals compared to the usual hardgraph version. Its an OOTB build with a G3 (gray) color scheme as requested by the client. Also decided to give some subtle shading and highlights just to give some depth to the monotonous scheme. Its a very nice model kit to build and paint, assembly is perfect as expected & not much sealing is needed. My only advice/caution to other modelers out there who will also build this is to be a bit careful on the enamel wash, some parts gets brittle easily after the exposure to enamel thinner/paint. Aside from that its a must have kit!

More photos at -- Mechaion Designs

Happy Holidays!

Started working on my next commission build. This time its a UC Hardgraph 1/35 Core Fighter from Bandai. So far so good, as expected perfect fitting and the amount of details is quite impressive specially in the cockpit area. Assembly is also great, very minimal sealing and masking required. 

Size comparison with an old-school 1/144 Core Fighter model kit.   

My longest reigning shelf queen is done! It’s an MG Kampfer from Bandai. Took me some time to finish this due to on and off progress. I made some modifications on the proportion since I find the OOTB kit to be a little fat/bulky for my taste. First is I extended the waist for about 2.5mm, same with the crotch area. Also did some armor trimming to expose some of the internals especially on the torso area. Reshaped the medial and lateral leg armors. Added some after-market parts (round molds & o-bolts), styrene rods/strips and panel lines to give additional details. Color scheme was retained coz' I still want to preserve the original look except for the red shoulder armor which I got the idea from the Ifreet Custom.

MG Kampfer before painting.


More photos at -- Mechaion Designs

Almost there...

Here's my latest build, its a 1/100 NG Exia. I also used the works of A2 Crafts and Ewac Zone as reference. My goal here is to give the kit some details to be a bit closer to its MG counterpart. Here are some of the WIP photos;

 

- Addition of panel lines.

 

-Extended the neck joint by 2mm.

-Lowered the peg connecting the thighs and waist, reinforcing it with a copper wire and plastic sheets.

 

 

-Pre-painting modification of the thighs.

-Hollow parts filled with epoxy putty then sanded.

-I also used Wave's O-bolt on the torso for added details.

-Sharpen the weapons.

More photos of the finished kit at -- Mechaion Designs

It's nice to build my own kits from time to time. But still thinking if Im going to keep or sell this one. :)

Here's the 3rd and final kit of the commission builds I took. Also my first Hard Graph model kit from Bandai. As a fan of armour kits I find this one very impressive specially the perfect fitting and good amount of details. My only gripe is the quality of plastic is far compared with other brands that produce military kits such as Tamiya, Trumpeter and Dragon, which more resistant to enamel thinner or turpentine. 

About the build... primed with Mr Surfacer 1000 and painted with both Gaianotes and Mr Color lacquer paints. Pinwash applied using Tamiya enamels. Filters and Colour variation was done using Artist Oils. Dusting was also achieved using powdered pigments. Honestly I find the whole build a bit clean for my taste. If it was up to me I like to add more weathering (larger chippings, rust and mud) but the client only wants a subtle amount of it. 

With all 3 commission builds done, I can finally proceed and finish my own kit which is already 2 years old in the making due to on & off progress.

More photos at -- Mechaion Designs

Back for some more and probably last update for this build...

Chippings applied (handbrushed with Dark Gray (Gunze) lacquer paint.

Almost home! Here's what I did;

-Pin wash using Tamiya Dark Brown Enamel

-Used artist oils for filters

-I also used oil paints for colour variation/paint fading.

-Gloss coat applied

-Decals

Will still have to add some pigments for weathering the lower hull and tracks and a final flat coat.

Pre-shading started by painting the edges and panels black then toning it down with white.

Base coat applied, I used Mr Color Sandy Brown. 

Then highlighted with a mixture of Sandy Brown + Yellow + White.

Here's another view, highlights are much more visible.

Back to work! The kit was primed using Mr. Surfacer 1000. Preparation for the shading also done, I painted the panels and edges with black lacquer paint. Theory here is when I apply the base coat which is somewhat yellowish the layer hitting the black surface will give the kit a nice shade or shadow.

Since I dont want the contrast of the base paint to be that strong I applied White on the surface just to tone down the black, turning it into gray. This will also make the base coat pop even better and coverage a bit easier.

Same goes with the wheels...

Progress is quite slow due to the cold weather which is giving me a hard time due to condensation and making my AB to spit water.

Here's the size of the Semovente compared to a KV-1. Its just that massive and Im liking it.    

Bandai even provided some photo etched parts for additional details which I think are great.

 

PE parts for the "cage". 

I think these PE chains for the smoke grenades are the hardest part of the build for me. They are so small and quite fragile to work with especially if you have big hands. 

Dry fitting stage is complete and ready for priming.