MG Exia (Non-Ignition)
Just some shots taken from my building of the regular MG Exia. I actually wanted the Ignition mode and when I was ready to buy it, it was all sold out at my local hobby store so I picked up the regular version. I still might pick up the Ignition mode later because I do want the chrome blades and LEDs for the GN drive; plus I can always make one the Repair version and keep a normal Exia as well.
This was my first attempt at a Master Grade, and my 7th overall Gunpla. I just got into the Gundam universe recently after having watched the whole season 1 and 2 of 00 during the summer. It struck me as being so good of a show with its immense depth and great characters that I watched it again for a second time. I'm finishing up Gundam Seed now and I've already got my MG Aile Strike and MG Strike w/ IWSP so those will be my next projects.
Building the GN Drive was fun. Unlike the GN drives of the lower grade 00 Gunplas, this is one where you actually assemble the engine.
The clear stand included to display the GN drive is a very nice addition to the kit.
The imprinted words, possibly laser-etched, on the clear green cover pieces are very subtle yet add alot of depth when looking at the model.
Inside of the GN drive chamber. The LEDs that come with the Ignition mode would shine out through the slit area in front.
Shot of the cover piece on Exia's forearm.
Part of the internal frame of the Exia's leg.
Mmmm.. quite bendy lol. Although Exia doesn't have a complete internal frame, this was my first experience with Gunpla internal frames and has since made me want to check out the PG line. Astray Red Frame is first on my list, followed of course by the 00 Raiser coming out by the end of the year.
White armor covering it all up. These pieces are also easy to detach once you have Exia fully assembled so you can play around with having most of Exia's legs showing only the internal frame.
Bandai advertises these clear thick holographic rubbery plastic pieces as "New Material". I've heard some people don't really care for them, but I actually like them a whole lot better than say just putting on a sticker.
Taking a break during my late night modeling to watch some Gundam Seed.
Exia's waist has alot of moving parts. You've got to fiddle around with front and back skirts when posing Exia's legs as they can either get in the way or just pop right out.
Body is complete! Now for the weapons.
00 trying not to look impressed lol.
Exia Roll Out Color Version? Hehehe.. just tripping out with the B/W setting on my camera.
Exia's GN Sword is simply awesome. Previous to this MG, I had built the 1/144 HG Exia and although I knew I couldn't expect much - these weapons are 100 times better.
The matte-like silver coating is nice, although the chrome bling with the Ignition mode is cool too.
Time for detailing and touch-ups. It takes more time, but my current method is to build the model and afterwards take it apart for touch-ups to any nub marks and to panel line.
Exia gathering up his Ki for a Metsu Hadouken lol.
I saw a pic where someone had Exia posed with a standing kick so I just had to try it myself lol.
That's as many images as I can upload to this post so it will have to end here.
MG Exia is awesome and was damn fun to build!
I wish my exia look like yours. Do I have to use sandpaper after I clip the parts off?
Thanks for the compliment! For the cleanest possible surface after clipping off the parts, I would definitely recommend using sandpaper. Tamiya brand makes a Finishing Abrasives sandpaper pack with 3 types of grit - 400, 600 and 1000. That's what I use. The white pieces are the easiest to sand off because they have a softer, clay-like composition. The colored pieces have a much more plastic feel to them and can scar easily after sanding. For the colored pieces, I always use Tamiya Fine and Finish compound after sanding and buff it off with a toothbrush.
wow, thanks for the words of wisdom. I was having troubles about those.
Nice build. I'm actually getting this kit soon when I order the rest of the kits I want. I looked at the ignition, but decided that I wasn't going to pay $10-15 more for LEDs I'd stop caring about after a few hours, a repair mode I would never use (it just looks to clean to be a repair mode, and I dont feel like weathering and scarring up a kit). The chrome blades are neat, but I like the non-chrome ones just as much.
considering to buy a gundam, maybe one o these . . .
oh, the regular kit doesn't have an LED?..
im gonna buy one of these one of these days...
I've got this kit on order from HLJ. Can't wait for it to arrive :D