So I was reading about @stikpusher recent 12 hour build. It got me thinking. I’ve never built a Gundam before and I have this little Entry Grade RX-78-2 that’s waiting to be built. It’s simple and could be great for a fast build. Then I was thinking, “wouldn’t it be cool to do a group build of this specific model”? It’s relatively cheap (typically around US$10), readily available, and has the benefit of Bandai’s easy assembly.
Now I’ve never run a group build before, but was thinking the rules would be along the lines of.
New, unstarted kits of the Gundam Entry Grade RX-78-2
Out of Box Build. No add-ons or parts exchange from other kits (not even sure if that’s possible)
A short time line to minimize the desire to make it “perfect” (that may just be my problem). Say 6 weeks after everyone has had a chance to obtain their model.
Paint it however you like, or not at all. It is molded in color after all.
That’s it. Nothing more to it. Feedback is very welcome.
Just a suggestion, but focusing on only one particular kit might scare aware potential participants. Increasing to more types of the same family/scale/etc. will allow for more participation.
It also might be hard to find, given the scarcity of certain Gunpla kits. But yeah that Entry Grade Gundam is waaaaaaaay better looking than the one I posted. Note that the pic is of the weapon accessory kit, not the actual kit.
Here is where my mind was at when I tossed this idea out there. Keep in mind nothing is set in stone. This is just where my mind was when I laid out the suggested ground rules.
That it could be fun to do a build that was quick to complete. Not a race, but using a kit that naturally finished fast. This way setting a timeline became more about preventing scope creep than forcing a fast build. I also wanted a subject I hadn’t done before. Gundam in this instance. And invite others along to play. This kit was chosen because of it’s near universal availability (I think). Possibly encouraging those who hadn’t tried this before (like me) might consider it and those who had already built it, might see it as an opportunity to encourage the uninitiated and further grow their aim for modeling world domination! Er. I meant expanding our horizons.
Plus I thought it might be cool to see a bunch of different people’s takes on the exact same kit. The only reason I said OOB was to make the 6 weeks a more achievable goal.
I’m all for changing any of the guidelines though I would like to keep it to a relatively short timeline since that was my original inspiration. What would get you guys excited?
I think it’s a great idea to be honest! Keeping in mind what @RealG and what @stikpusher said, what if the GB is oriented to a general RX-78-2 OOB (or with paint mods)? What I mean is like all grades are accepted, but as long as it’s an RX-78-2, so MG, RG, SD, HG (all like 7 variations haha), and PG (if you’re feeling rich and adventurous). I think that should fix the problem of kit availability as well as the restriction to one kit (yea it is one mobile suit, but there’s so much variation within just purely grades).
Or if that doesn’t work, we could just do a RX-78 family build, so this would include variations like the FA-78, the NT-1, the G-3, Perfect Gundam, the RX-78-01, the Pixey, the GQuuuuuux version. Although the GM is technically a variation, I think it’s too different to count. As long as it has a RX-78 something in the model number, it would count.
The original idea to build the entry grade RX-78 has its merits, like low cost and simple assembly. But even the real cheap first grade kit I posted a pic of is not readily available.
But I support the idea, and think if we had to punt, make it a RX-78-2 GB. No GMs, no offshoots or later variants like the RX-178 Gundam Mk.II. Just any RX-78-2 kit in any shape or form. If the box says RX-78-2, it’s good. There are a lot of kits to choose from.
I like this idea because it gives a focus and purity to the GB. It also can help answer the question “What IS a Gundam?” to the folks who are not familiar with the property.
If someone knows of a reliable source for the entry grade Gundam, please share it.
I was thinking about the first grade kit too, but oh man, is that thing just donkey or what? Bandai even molded the beam saber like a short baton to pay homage to the OG kit. I mean, really? Yeah, that’s Japan mania for you.
I like the idea of making it any RX-78-2. It’s a valid entry so long as it has RX-78-2 on the box.
The amazon link shared by NWANN32 is the best deal I’ve seen for the Entry Grade kit.
I also found it at
Though shipping was like $10
If Hobby Lobby is an option, they carry it regularly in store. Usually around $12 unless you hit them during their regular 40% of sale. Then you can snag it for like $8.
OK I’ll watch this endevor.
But I hate learning new things and being “forced” by you youngin’s to learn about another genre of modeling. Geesh I’m just sorting out Automobiles from my WWII Alied Aircraft.
OH My head is hurting already
I got that kit too when I went to Yokohama! I have 3 RX-78-2 variants in my backlog, but I don’t know if I want to build them. I have the EG America Version, the Yokohama one, and also the clear GBWC one.
I do really want to build an MG Ver. Ka at one point.
The MG Ver.Ka Gundam is really good looking, but it’s a generation 1.0 kit. As such, it kind of just stands there looking awesome. If the hip and ankle joints can be modded to a gen 2.0 level, it could probably do some great poses.
I built the GM Custom, which shares its internal frame with the Ver.Ka Gundam, and thus shares the limitations of leg movement.
@Propduster, happy to have you along. Always good to have people cheering on from the sidelines. I certainly hope it turns into a lively and fun GB. This is my first Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Model). We’ll see how it turns out.
Geesh I’m just sorting out Automobiles from my WWII Alied Aircraft.
