Academy 1/288 Shuttle, Lets get to modeling

                It has been a long time since i last reviewed my collection. So I will start one this month.  Basically this is a simple review and simple how to build in the lazy modeler style.  The kit I am going to review is Academy 1/288 Space Shuttle Orbiter with the external Tank.

The Box

                For those of you who want or starting to venture into the world of military model kit, I will start by sharing several simple starts up with this kit.  Since the military modeling is definitely different in comparison with Bandai, gundam model kit (which most of you already know).  The most notable differences are:

1.       Glue is needed, unlike gundam which require no glue; in military you definitely need glue.

2.       All parts usually comes in single color, basic sprue color, unlike the colorful gundam, paint in military kit is mostly needed.

3.       Military kit is usually more brittle in comparison with Bandai gundam since this are for display only and not for playing.

SD Archangel from Gundam Seed

           Okay, I am lazy now, so I just gonna do a very quick and very simple review.  This is from a Gundam Seed series, The Archangel.

LOTR : Legolas Twin Elven Dagger Review

            The Hobbit movies hype is now striking me.  Even when I haven’t seen the movie, it has already awakened my interest in the Middle Earth Saga, or as most people know as Lord Of the Rings.  Actually, Lord Of The Ring is only a 3 book part from more than 15 books series I the Middle Earth history, and it is located at the very last of the history, or as the last books.  The Hobbit itself is located as the prequel for the Lord of the Ring.  So the story developed on how Bilbo Baggin managed to get the ring and why Dwarf and Elf has their grudges against each other.

Front Mission : Grilezex

                For this review, we will take a break from the Yamato and military and get more into my other collection.  Though not entirely off from the military theme, since in the game this figure is heavily used by military.  The figure in general is called Wanzer.  Wanzer means Walking Panzers and made famous from the game Front Mission.  The figures from Front Mission are not much but since it was released a long time ago, it was quite difficult to find, at least here in Indonesia.

               Now this figure is from the game Front Mission 3 made by Square Enix, a wanzer named Grilezex.  This figure itself has been in my wish list for at least 10 years. And this is one of my latest acquisitions; a friend of mine bought this for me in his visit to Singapore and in a quite reasonable price.

Takara Yamato : Part 3 : Initial Design Version

Alright, after finishing the sectioned part (click here), we get to the final part for the Initial Version. When all 7 sections is combined you get the complete Yamato in the configuration right after it finished the commissioning and enter service.

IJN Yamato with Yahagi class cruiser escort

In this initial design version, we can clearly see the unique outline of The Yamato class battleship.  Both Yamato and Musashi has the same design, and if not mistaken, the difference only in the bridge area where Musashi’s bridge was specifically design as a flag ship.

Takara Yamato : Part 2 : Initial Version Sectioned

Continuing the Takara Micro World Yamato, we get to the details; it is the IJN Yamato Initial version.  This is the Yamato coming out fresh from the factory.  The Yamato itself is a semi-finished model kit.  Only a little assembly needs to be done and they are ready for display.  Every section comes with a display stand.  But be very careful, once the stand is inserted to the ship section it almost cannot be separated anymore.  Well it actually can with 80% probability of breaking the stand.

Alright, let’s get on with the details.  I will not say too much but I will let more of the pictures do the explanation.

Takara Yamato : Part 1, The Cross Sectional Series

                Alright, after several tanks review, let start off with something different now, but still is in the military scope.  The review will be about Takara 1/700 IJN Yamato the Cross Sectional series from their Micro World series.  Basically this is a pre painted semi model kit.  The Yamato itself was divided into section of 7 ship parts which you can display in separated pieces or combined to form the Yamato. 

Takara Micro World Yamato