Re: HG Aile Strike Gundam (1/144) Open Box Review

"George Caswell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Thu, 20 Nov 2003, Heavyarms wrote:
>
> > > > I'm a little disappointed in the small number of runners in this
box,
> > > > especially considering the price.  Heck, the HGUC Z'Gok came with at
> > least
> > > > three runners (I believe) and it was four dollars cheaper.
> > >
> > >    Two important differences:
> > > 1: The Z'Gok isn't a Gundam, and therefore it's less popular.  (Sad
but
> > true.)
> > > Therefore it's cheaper.
> >
> > Z'Gok rules!  I used that as an example.
> > Char's Zaku was cheaper, and it had more runners.  This is "Char's Zaku"
so
> > it HAD to have been a popular kit.
>
> > The GP01, Rick Dias, Bawoo, Gelgoog, and Rick Dias had as much, if not
more
> > plastic, and were all the same price.
>
>    But not as popular as the Strike.  Plus the Strike is super-gimmicky.
That
> adds value that most kits can't compete with.
>
> > >    I can't fathom what's so bad about the beam saber included with the
> > kit.
> > > The hand molded onto that beam saber hilt is nearly B-Club quality.  I
> > could
> >
> > I don't like it.  I'd rather have some open hands and "box hands"
included,
> > than a specialized hand.  I also like the clear plastic the beam sabers
have
> > been molded in over having to paint my own.
> >
>    Clear beam sabers actually look really crappy, and that soft plastic is
a

Not when the kits are backlit.

> bitch to smooth out.

I use a Dremel on them, never had a problem getting those seam lines out.

A desire for open hands is understandable, but if you
> say anything else positive about those box-hands I'm afraid I'm going to
have
> to write you off as some sort of deranged mental patient.
>

>From a vantage point of three of four feet (which is the distance most
people viewing my kits observe them from) they can't tell the difference
between the box hand or the "specialized hand."  I like the box hands
because you can usually alter the angle the beam saber is held in the hand,
with the hilt either angled back of the wrist (like in a downward slash
motion), straight out (like when hold the saber in the at-ready position),
or angled away from the wrist (as in a swing follow through).  These allow
for a wider variety of more realistic poses than, for instance, the beam
saber in the Strike kit.  I can't pose the Strike Gundam in, for example, an
overhead slash pose because the beam saber looks silly with the hand holding
it "pistol" style.  It's hard for me to describe, it just looks funny, but I
can fix it with the "box hands."

> > George, it's an open box review.  In MY open-box reviews, I typically
only
> > describe my first impressions when opening the box.(I only paint what
needs
>
>    Perhaps you should wait until you have more useful information before
> reviewing the item.  And if you care at all how your finished models look,
you
> really should paint everything.
>
> ---GEC
> Projects page: http://1-4-4.home.comcast.net/
> "I am but the humble student, who seeks one day to snatch the scratchbuilt
>  pebble from the master's fully articulated hand."
>