Gundam

[dyrl]

The model kits, not the regular figure toys - which I don't much like...

Anybody else build these?

I've fot the OO collection in 1/144 scale and a few of the MGs - my favorite so far is Turn A Gundam. I really like how different he is- kind of gladatorial and old fashioned - a very "proto-industrial" look about it; fitting in perfectly with the early XX century aesthetics of the show... the cow also adds to his charm.

My least favorite Gundams all seem to come from Seed- it's like a fashion show consisting of Cybertron Optimus Prime's cousins; lots of sharp wings and juts and superduper mega guns...

Gundam Wing endless Waltz I appreciate - but mainly for the wings; as a Gundam it's kind of unimpressive.

I also like the Pirate Crossbone.

In terms of Enemy mecha - I like what OO offers up - the Tierren are very cool.

Anyone else build these?

Pete

[legios]

I've only owned one Gundam kit, it was the early (pre-Endless Waltz refit) Wing Gundam. Wasn't that impressed with the kit to be honest - the parts fit was a bit iffy.

Interesting that the Turn-A Gundam is your favourite. Isn't that the Syd Mead designed one that is often held as being out of step with the general aesthetics?

Not a big fan of most Gundam designs to be honest - although I sometimes like some of the enemy mecha. The "mook" mecha in Wing I quite liked, they had a nice mass-produced aesthetic.

(I really didn't like the feathery wings on the Wing Zero Custom in Endless Waltz. They look odd to me, as if they fail completely to fit in with the rest of the design aesthetic)

Karl

[dyrl]

Yes - TurnAGundam is the Syd Mead design, and I don't understand why it gets so much flack.

First of all - it SHOULD be out of step with the general aesthetic, because the premise of the show is that technology has reverted to early twentieth century standards... so it is the future, but some cataclysmic war or some thing or other has set people back to the level of 1910...

Ergo - Turn A has to fit in with this sort of aesthetic and I think it does a swell job of looking industrial and heavy. Also, insofar as the basis of the original Gundam design was the Samuraii, the basis of the Mead design is a Roman Gladiator -

Generally, I really like it. It's big (much bigger than other more "standard gundams" - it has a really cool leg mechanism - where you see how gears and panels move as the leg moves. The ship pelvis is nifty and the suitcase gun is class A....

Also - I agree with you about liking some of the enemy Mecha. I particularly like the Tierren in the new Gundam OO.

But so far, the main thing keeping me to Gundam are the kits.

I advise you pick up an up to date Master Grade kit - it is very complex and loads of fun to build.

Pete