Victory! - iShop2Go AGE-2 Coloring Contest

Marvel in my magnificence! Respect it! Breathe it in! Bask in it!

In all serious needs, I'm pretty happy and surprised I won. Always feels good to have your hard work rewarded. Wasn't sure I would win as some of the other kits had better paint jobs. Plus one appears to have a breast cancer ribbon painted on. Can't really hate on that. But what I think really separated my kit was the concept. Taking a kit and making it look like another made my entry unique and I think made it stand out. Haven't heard from iShop2go yet, but I'm looking forward to getting another AGE kit. Leaning towards the Double Bullet. What do you think?

Check out more photos of the winning kit here: AGE-2 Normal - Strike Freedom colors

Completed! - AGE-2 Normal

Here is my completed kit for the iShop2go AGE-2 Custom Coloring Contest. When I first saw this kit it seemed very reminiscent of the Freedom Gundam. However, to me, that color scheme just wasn't interesting enough. So I went with the Strike Freedom color scheme.

*Check out the WIPs - 1, 2

Thoughts on the kit...
This kit is pretty nice. I don't usually do 1/144 scale kits. Haven't done one since the NG Wing kits. Haven't done an HG since the 1/100 Wing days either, so I'm very impressed with how far Bandai has come. Fewer seam lines, fewer visible numbs, better color separation, etc. I don't care much for the standard color scheme, but the design of the suit itself I like. I like it so much so, I will definitely get the MG and I'm thinking about getting another HG.

Thoughts on my work...
I think the color scheme fits pretty well. I wish I would have spent more time on it. Got squeezed with this contest and the HLJ contest ending at the same time. For the most part I'm pleased with the paint job. There are a few parts that I had to hand paint to save some time that I'm not pleased with, but the rest can out really nicely. Even the masking and touch ups look pretty good. The biggest issue I have is with the poor prep work. Lots of scratches from the sanding process. Most are hidden, but they can be seen. Overall, this wasn't my best work, but I'm pleased with the results. Not a show piece, but it's shelf worthy.

Weekly WIP - AGE-2 Normal (Part 2)

Going to be quick this week. Been busy building. 2 kits, 1 week left. I'm on pace to finish on time, so hopefully nothing too major will get in the way. Here's a preview of the AGE-2 Normal.

Here are some other finished parts that can't be attached yet.

Lastly, what's left.

I appear to have lost a part. It's the poly cap that joins the head to the body. Looking for a replacement. Not sure I can get one in time. Might have to make something.

Well that's all for now. I need to get back to work on the HLJ kit.

What else I'm into...

The Walking Dead. First two episodes of the second half of this season have been pretty good. Hopefully tonight's episode will be equally as good. As much as I love the tv show, the comic is much better. If you haven't checked it out, what are you waiting for? I recently finished the ninth TPB and I couldn't put it down. I can't recommend the series enough. Check it out!

Weekly WIP - AGE-2 Normal (Part 1)

Been working like crazy on my kit for the HLJ competition. Only two weeks left. Not sure I'm going to make it but the end is in sight. As if that wasn't enough, I decided to enter the iShop2go AGE-2 Normal competition. Might not have been a good idea given the time constraints (it ends the same day as the HLJ competition).

I got the kit snapped together pretty quickly. Then I started rushing the sanding. Didn't seem to be an issue until I started painting. You can really see some of the scratched that I missed. Anyways, here are some pics of the parts in their current state. Some need a gloss coat for panel lining.

Others are ready for a flat coat.

And others need to be painted.

As for the paint, here are the colors I am using.

 

The dark purple/blue is 2 parts blue, 2 parts black, 3 parts purple.

Right now, I think this is one of my better paint jobs. Unfortunately, my poor prep job is taking away from that. Well hopefully with some clean panel lining and creative posing, I can cover most of that up.

What else I'm into...

Don't have much time for other stuff with these two competitions, but while I've waited for paint or putty to dry, I've returned to playing Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3. I know I've mentioned this game a lot, but what can I say. I love it! If you haven't checked it out, do so. And remember, respect the foot dive!

*Check out more tips, tricks, and commentary from Maximilian's youtube channel.