cmwolfe.net

2024

Gundam Universe Figure - Shining Gundam 2024-08-10

Hi there. This is me writing from October of 2025.

I reread this post after the getting the Real Grade Shining, and I realized that it was bad. Like, “this reads so poorly that I’m not sure I actually finished the post (which might explain why I uploaded a whole bunch of screenshots to the photo album that I never got around to using)”.

So I did something I don’t usually do - rather than just doing minor edits or fixes (which I do from time to time), I rewrote almost the entire post. Since it’s not something I tend to do, I wanted to explicitly come out and tell you that it happened.

Also - and I know this may sound weird - but the rewrite is still from the perspective of someone in August 2024, where the Real Grade Shining hadn’t been announced yet, and I had no idea it existed.

Anyway, that’s that. I hope you enjoy this new and improved post.

Gunpla Build - Real Grade Crossbone Gundam (Build) 2024-08-02

Okay, now we get to the mobile suit. The instructions have you build it from the bottom up, so let’s just do exactly that.

Feet

I just want to take this time to say that I love this dark tone of red:

It’s just so rich and deep.

But yeah, there’s not much else to say here. It’s got an inner frame and a toe bend, and everything you’d expect from a foot.

Gunpla Build - Real Grade Crossbone Gundam (Core Fighter) 2024-07-31

Okay, now that we’ve looked at the Crossbone Gundam’s mountain of accessories, let’s now take a look at the Crossbone itself, starting with the Core Fighter.

Prior to building this kit, I had no idea the Crossbone Gundam had a Core Fighter. I don’t think the F90 did, and the F91 certainly didn’t, but for some reason the Crossbone (née F97) does. Go figure.

This is one of two places on the model that uses one of the prebuilt “Advanced MS Joint” parts. Specifically, it uses this cross shaped part as a frame for the fighter’s long, bone-shaped thrusters:

Gunpla Build - Real Grade Crossbone Gundam (Accessories) 2024-07-28

In case you needed to see just how tiny some of the parts are for this kit, here’s a look at the runners:

Take a close look at things like the leg armor, or the red toe armor, and you’ll see that they’re that much smaller than normal. Or you can try and zoom in on some of the excruciatingly tiny orange parts on the A runner.

Super Dilanza Bros - Dilanza Sol (Photos) 2024-07-16

So - how does our symbol of Earthian suppression fare?

Let me put it this way - there have been plenty of times where I’ve thought to my self “this kit looks great, and looks even better in the lightbox”. But this is the first time I can remember where I’ve thought “this looks just okay …

” … but it looks amazing in the lightbox”