Gundam Wing Model Kits

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Wings and Stuff 2017-02-26

Wings

Of all the individual components that make up the Gundam Epyon, the wings are the part I was most excited to build. They’re unlike anything I’ve personally encountered before. Yes, even the Wing Zero’s boosters don’t quite compare in size or shape. After all, the Epyon’s wings are as tall as the mobile suit itself, and are made up of several separate components which are woven together to make an appendage that appears multi-layered and intricate. I couldn’t wait to see exactly how they are made.

As is the running theme of this build, the answer is “the process is complex, and not as fun as I had hoped”. The way it works is that the bottom of each wing is sandwiched between the pieces that make up the middle, with the middle then sandwiched between the parts that make up the top. The pieces aren’t entirely flush when they’re correctly assembled, so it isn’t obvious that everything is properly aligned and attached. The only way to be sure is to invoke the gimmick which allows each wing to spread out. If all the pieces move and slide around without the wing falling apart, then you did it right. Just make sure you move each section of the wing in the proper order, otherwise you might break something (or at least encounter an unnerving amount of resistance).

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Lower Body 2017-02-24

Lower Torso

The lower torso is very long, almost skirt-like. It also has a bit of heft and bulk, particularly in the side skirts. I think this adds a lot to the look. The upper torso is quite a bit smaller in comparison, and when combined with a longer, wider lower half, it gives the Epyon a certain look, as if it is wearing not a skirt, but rather a long robe or cloak in order to conceal its true and raw anime power. Considering the show that this mobile suit comes from, that feels entirely appropriate.

Also, all the pieces feel secure and stable, which is a huge plus.

Feet

This is where the kit gets that much more ridiculous. When transformed, the feet of the Epyon become a pair of dragon heads. In order to sell the effect, the very bottom of each foot opens up like a mouth, complete with sharp, menacing teeth. What’s more, the green decals wedged into each foot becomes the dragon’s eyes. I guess if you’re going to go down this route, you ought to go big or go home.

Two two green decals will be the ‘eyes’ of the dragon heads when transformed

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Upper Body 2017-02-20

Head

The head uses quite a few different colors, but somehow it makes it work. I’m surprised at how much I like the use of white for the face guard. It stands out against the darker colors of the helmet. As for the little wings/ears/whatever that come off the sides, they don’t attach very securely to the helmet, but in terms of their look I think they’re growing on me.

Torso

It’s hard not to talk about the torso without comparing it to the Wing Zero’s. Epyon’s felt simpler to build, despite its use of a larger quantity of small pieces. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the Epyon’s chest jewel isn’t nearly as complicated to assemble.

When all finished, the torso boasts just as many colors as Wing Zero, but I’m not sure they work as well. My biggest issue is the use of yellow and that bit of green from the jewel. Alone, they might actually work, but when combined with the maroon and purple it’s a huge color clash.

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Weapons 2017-02-01

The Epyon comes with only two weapons, so this part should be easy.

The sword is made up of three main components - a large hilt (which itself resembles a short sword), a large beam blade, and a red pack that attaches to the mobile suit. A length of thick wire connects the pack to the hilt.

I’m not sure how I feel about this weapon. I don’t understand the need to make the blade so large beyond wanting it to look cool. Does it offer any practical benefit? Whatever the reason, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 2017-01-17

Picture it - Christmas Eve, 2016. I open a gift from my younger brother. It is roughly the same size package as the Master Grade Proto Zero I got from my older brother a few weeks prior. And it comes in the same kind of gift wrap. Could it be … ?

…. ohhhhhhkay, that is definitely not what I expected. Is it conspiracy or coincidence that the Proto Zero’s arch nemesis, the Gundam Epyon, appears before me? I don’t remember either of my brothers being a huge fan of the Epyon (little bro was always a Heavyarms guy through and through). And yet here it is.

After the initial feelings of surprise washed away, I was left with three thoughts.

Just like with the Proto Zero, regardless of the intent of this gift (or my feelings on this particular mobile suit), it leaves me with warm and fuzzy memories of the past, so for me they’re both winners.
This is another Katoki Hajime redesign, and once again he works his magic. I used to hate the Epyon. It was my least favorite mobile suit design in all of Gundam Wing. But this? This looks kinda cool.
Seriously, where am I gonna store these two models?

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 1 - Thrusters 2017-01-10

Thrusters

The Wing Zero’s thrusters are the biggest “backpack unit” I’ve ever assembled for a model kit, and naturally it is also the most complicated. This isn’t to say that it is difficult to build, merely that it is more involved than usual.

They begin with an actual backpack unit, which is quite large. It also boasts two “arms” which can expand out to the sides (presumably for flight mode) or fold back in. I spray painted it with the last of my Testor’s paint, and while there wasn’t enough in the can for a full coat, I actually like the worn, semi-unfinished look it gives to this part of the kit.

This photo shows off the two positions the control arms can be placed in

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 1 - Legs 2017-01-08

Unlike with a Real Grade kit, I had to build the inner frame of the legs piece by piece. I wondered how exactly that would work in regards to articulation. The pre built frame pieces of a Real Grade kit are fairly complicated, full of pistons and joints that slide in and out to give them their range and flexibility.

With this Master Grade kit, that same flexibility is brought about via the use of the same kind of “inner rail” system that I encountered in the shoulder armor. You start with two pieces, each with a railing along the inside. Another piece, with pegs on each side, is placed between them, such that the pegs slot into the rails. This allows the inner piece to not only slide up and down, but also rotate. And when that inner piece is essentially the unit’s knee, it becomes clear how it achieves the excellent articulation associated with this grade.

The inner frame showing a bit of bend

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 1 - Lower Torso 2017-01-02

Lower Torso

The lower torso is the first section of the Proto Zero that really gives the impression that this is a 1/100th scale kit. Take a look at the back plate alone. It’s huge!

Construction wasn’t particularly hard, though with decals and panel lining it took me an entire night of building to complete it. A few things stand out as I look at the finished piece. The first is that all the skirt armor attaches to the torso via hooks, which I found to be absurdly difficult to work with; the armor doesn’t attach easily, and the pieces don’t offer a large range of movement. I’m afraid of what might happen once the legs are attached and I attempt any sort of pose that brings a leg forward or backward.