Gunpla: The Mobile Suit Mobile Flat (Turn-A Gundam)

The FLAT-L06D FLAT. Simply, "the Flat", for obvious reasons. Also known as the "High heels" for obvious reasons. Sometimes called the "Flaty Flaty Flat Flat", but only by me. This unusual mecha originates from the Turn-A Gundam series circa 1999, and was designed by the recently departed Syd Mead, of Blade Runner fame. Turn-A was a series that invites lengthy digression, because it was so far removed from its own franchise. Part of this is obviously Mead's robot designs, but also due to its alternate War of the Worlds vibe, and the fact that while Yoshiyuki "kill 'em all" Tomino was back directing, he'd beaten his depression. I didn't get on the resulting anime, it would appear many people don't, but I've got huge respect for Turn-A. Because it tried to something new, and compared to the Gundam series on either side of it, that's a big thing. What does any of this mean for the Flat? Well, it means that it's part of very select and obscure group by the standards of the franchise. Turn-A had only a modest model line of, what? 7ish? Kits at the time, which is astonishingly small by Gundam standards, and subsequent additions seem thin on the ground. At the time of writing, this "ungraded" kit is seemingly the only merchandise of this Mobile Suit. And its twenty years old, if seemingly still in production.

Now, the "ungraded" bit is probably the most important part of this discussion. It implies that Bandai isn't bringing its A game to a kit, and that's certainly true here. The Flat is characterised by thin plastic, a low parts count, ill-fitting parts, and questionable colour choices. That said, what ultimately lifts it above those weaknesses, is its execution of the Flexible Ladder Actuator Technology and odd proportions of the suit. The Flat is supposed to have a white inner frame, with blackish armour plates on top, and the kit captures this well. There is an insane number of panel lines on the white components, plus a good few on the black, making for an attractive model if you put the effort in. I would however say the detail is is a little soft in places, defying both marker and inkwash techniques. Maybe I need more practice? Mind you, while the limbs perhaps have too many good opportunities for panel lines, the torso is cast mainly in orange when it's the only segment with 3 colours on the go. Hence my attempts at painting this thing, which I'm not happy with, and may come back to later. The stickers also suck, and dropped off within a day of application.

So, visually it's flawed but unexpectedly good in places. And speaking of unexpected goodness, there's the articulation, the unusual construction granting a very pleasing range of motion. The Flat ends up living up to its technobabble acronym, but that's mainly as a function of its transformation, as it contorts like a yoga enthusiast into a "re-entry mode". Its not gonna win any awards for disguise value or function, the whole fundamental weirdness of things helps. There is only modest partsforming involved too, requiring only the removal of the heel segments, which is entirely acceptable at this scale. It does also manage to have an accessory and dedicated hand, the "box beam rifle". Regrettably, it does not fold up or otherwise store, but it's there. So, looks odd, poses unexpectedly well, transforms, has a gun. That's something.

All in all? It's a case of mecha design overcoming a cheap kit. Not as appealing or as well-engineered as the Hizack, but I like the results more. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but it met my needs as a therapeutic modelling project. 

Gunpla: The HGUC Hizack

OK, lets see if I can make a regular go of this, or if I'll just loose interest as time goes on. 

I think I'll start with my most recently completed work, the RSM-106 Hizack. It's from Zeta Gundam, the first Gundam sequel, is which is about a less apocalyptic, but dirtier war. Basically, after the Federation beat Zeon, it got into some really bad habits, and the sequel follows a rebellion against it, the Anti Earth Union Group (AEUG). The thing about the Hizack is that there is basically no justification for it that works in-universe. I could be wrong, there was retcons, but still. The Hizack is a modernised version of the Zaku 2, with the same colours. Fair enough, if it was a Zeon spinoff, or even the AEUG, fielding it. Even with Zeon gone, there should be loads of Zakus knocking about for rebels to use. Trouble is, it's the Federation antagonists using this, and more specifically, The Titans. Yes, the famously elitist, Earth-first, fuck-Zeon, Titans special forces group use this thing. Seriously, guys, does this not get confusing? Does friendly fire not happen? I mean, the regular Federation forces at least paint the things blue, FFS. And what's more, isn't this thing technically obsolete versus the GM series you already have? Those can at least carry two beam weapons at once. It's not like you captured these, and went "waste not, want not". That happens in war a lot. No, somebody in the Federation decided to make thier own, seemingly leaving the design unmodified, and then gave the most Zeonic version to the guys specifically about killing Zeon stragglers. Was this a dark joke? The only credible explanation is that Sunrise/Bandai realised the Zaku 2 was a popular design, and wanted another, BUT also refused to let it be heroic.

Either that, or someone asked the Titans "Are we the baddies?" and they gave the hardest yes they could. 

Anyways. Actually putting it together was quite simple, although this probably has more to do with its "2000" stamp on the runners, than any deliberate design choice. It's mainly matter of joining two parts to form a body part, very easy, but this produces many longitudinal seams, with articulation being basic to solid. I also found the process of separating parts from the sprue to be a consistent ball-ache, with unavoidable stubs appearing in obvious places like the top of the head. The golden tubes were also unfun, being made of a rubbery plastic you have to bend, so maybe a bit of glue, there. On the plus side, the Hizack easily benefited from several basic touch-up techniques, being my first test subject for a Gundam Marker. That, and a Nuln Oil wash for the cables, really brought things to life. Mephiston Red was also used to finish the gunsight, and stickers for the monoeye was applied, although not the feet as I felt it was unnecessary. Yeah, I could paint some bits of the feet and backpack, but picking out those details would undermine the military green. I probably need to go back and do the star on that shield though. 

Despite my posing of it, its not actually possible for the Hizack to make use of the side handle on its machine gun. This would require some cutting of the component, and that's a bit of a shame, as otherwise the posability of the kit isn't bad. Certainly does “imposing grunt” well enough, and I'm possibly answering my own question with that. Also, I suppose he'd do well with a beam saber. If he came with one...

Generally, I'm pleased with how it turned out, but I'm disappointed with with the lack of weapon options, and was a little tetchy during assembly.

Return to Gunpla: a ramble ral

So, for a couple of months now, I've been building lots of model kits lately. To be more specific: Gunpla. Gunpla is the generic term for plastic models based on the Gundam franchise, hence the name, which is basically the Japanese equivalent to Star Wars. Its got giant robots, and largely functions as a sprawling war drama, and its been going 40 odd years now, so I'm gonna gloss over a few things here. The major difference between a Gunpla kit and a western model like the Warhammer 40k stuff I do, is that you get a functioning action figure at the end, and paint is optional. Gunpla scales in complexity and price, although these days its not difficult to find examples for a tenner or so. Why am I doing this? Stress and anxiety management via creative outlets. And playing/modelling 40K has shifted into the “non-fun” category. So, after occasional purchases over the last few years, I find myself building robots, and justifying it as a form of self-care.

Well, I tried jigsaws, and that didn't work.

I've mostly done the “serious” Gundam stuff, so far . The so-called High Grade Universal Century line, which gets you a mobile suit of reasonable complexity and accuracy of about 5 inches in height. But I also did an “Iron-Blooded Orphans” with its internal frame, and then a “Build Diver”. The assorted "build" series are quite interesting to me, as these are all about model-making, rather than warfare. On first impression, I'd say this was a pleasant change of pace, and right up my street. Gundam media has a certain tendency toward long-winded bleakness, and wangsty teenage protagonists, so having a lighter toned spin-off doesn't hurt. Also, model kits were of course the original Gundam merchandise, so it's actually a surprise it took the company that owns Gundam, Bandai, so long to do something like this. On the other hand, it is dropping any pretence of artistic merit. What made Gundam important in the first place was the GRIMDARK war drama stuff with giant mecha, so going "hey cool robot model!“ is missing the point by a country mile, even if this has appeal been in the Gundam DNA since day 1. The assorted Build series are transparently model adverts, but as a Transformers fan boy, I'm not necessarily hostile towards this. What I do notice though, is how Build represents a convenient way for Bandai to reuse moulds, in a manner not dissimilar to the Transformers Combiner Wars and the Generations line in general. That said, I've not engaged with any form of Gundam media since about 2009, much less anime in general. So, I've not seen the series I mention, I just read around, so don't consider me an authority. That may change, as there is an official Gundam youtube channel, but I have a low tolerance for certain “problematic” tropes in anime, so maybe not.

Anyways.

I might blog more on this topic, (as opposed to tweeting,) might not. But here's what you came for, LOW QUALITY MECHA PHOTOGRAPHY!