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This is basically a pre painted model kit that I repainted using the CGI renders as reference. The model itself is one of the most accurate looking figures (or even statues for that matter) of the Bay-verse Optimus Prime, so adding a paint job just makes it look spot on. The truck parts were coated using an automotive clear coat, so it's super shiny.
Finally I added light up eyes, which really seal the deal and bring this guy to life!
The blades are removable by removing the forearm panels and he also features a interchangeable faceplate (regular mode with mouth and battle mode)
Just for the record, this model is almost the same size as ROTF leader class Prime and a little taller than MP-10.
From the basement back to the light: a kitbashing I did in the early 90ies, in the wake of watching the Patlabor 2 movie! For those who don't remember: there is an opening sequence where a UN squad gets beaten up by a guerilla commando. The "Hannibal" powered Armor is actually available as a kit from Kotobukiya (excellent piece!), but there's also a walking tank involved in the mess, and I found it very inspiring at that time, due to its realistic/serious design.
I just caught a glimpse of that tank when I saw the film actually at the movies during a festival in 1993, hence this kit - or better kit conversion - just breathes the spirit of its cinematic paradigm, and it uses parts that were available at that time. If I were to build it again, it would probably look different. But I love the nostalgia and the fact that I started this so many years ago - and now I just got in the mood to work on it again, finsihing the original idea and concept. ^^
This is, or was, an Abitate F35C 'Blizzard Gunner' from the Dougram TV series, originally produced by Takara in 1984 or so and distributed here in Germany by Revell in the later 80ies under their infamous "Robotech Defenders" label, as a set together with an 8-wheeled tank. The original kit was built with juvenile enthusiasm and much less skill. But, actually, the model itself is not that great. It is very clumsy and toylike - but functional and agile. Since its upper side was very blunt from the start and, through the course of time, incomplete (the gun was gone, the rocket launcher found its way onto the hand of a Dorvack PA which also has been waiting for finalization since 15+ years...), I decided to revive the Blizzard's chassis and build something that looked like the mecha tank that appears menacingly in Patlabor 2's initial war scenes (just from vague memory, I did not have reference material).
That said, I transplanted a modern day (at that time) tank onto the chassis, an M1 Abrams from ESCI in 1:72. The original top of the Blizzardgunner was cut off, just wide enough to hold the M1's upper hull plate, including the turret ring. The parts actually went together surprisingly well, the M1's upper hull was only a little too narrow for the F35. The M1's front was too long, though, so the glacis plate had to be built from scratch, just in front of the driver's hatch. The result is a bit steep (froma ballistic point of view), but after the implantation the resulting proportions were very good. The flat, broad turret also goes well with the lower hull, and reminds of the movie tank. Et voilà : the JGSDF 'Type 91' was born.
Actually, it has only slight resemblance to the movie tank: the paradigm has six legs with added wheels, the turret is smaller - I suppose it is a light reconnaissance tank.
Today I'd use a different tank for transplantation, though, since the round F35 and the edgy M1 are very different in style. I suppose that I might have used a modern Russian tank like the T-72, or a Merkava from Israel.
After major bodywork was done the kit rested in the basement for years, cathcing dust, and now finally faces finalisation. I did not change much more about the kit. The only newer additions are "skirts" made from tissue paper and white glue which hide the rather ugly original joint covers at the legs, and since it was supposed to be a PKO vehicle, I would not add much external equipment or additional weapons. I also had a diorama built for it in the meantime (pics and comments still to come) for display.
Consequently, painting was quickly done: since I wanted an all-white UN PKO tank as seen in the film, the kit received an overall flat white coat from the rattle can. I checked real UN vehicles for reference, and they generally seem to be all-white, with very few markings. Anyway, I wanted to add at least some contrats, so I added a blue band at the turret (painted with Humbrol 48, Mediterranean Blue - a glossy paint, but the tone is very close to UN markings' blue and the tank would receive a matte varnish coat, anyway).
The joint covers were painted dark gray, with dry-brushed olive drab and some lighter brown and grey tones to emphasize the textures. With the bright basic color, weathering, dirt and dust would add much character to the tank, so it received a thorough treatment with a black ink wash first and "splashes" in various shades of grey, ochre, sienna and umbra with water-based acryllic paint.
Next, the UN markings were applied, they come from an aftermarket decal sheet for HO scale military vehicles.
Finally, dry painting with flat white, very light grey and silver was done, as well as some rubbing with grinded soft pencil mine. The tank now looks more beaten than a "real life" UN vehicle (at least more than any I have seen during research), but who knows where this Type 91 has been used? After a matte varnish coat, a driver and commander figure were added, and work was done!
All in all I am very happy with the result - even though I will admit that my model ha snot much to do with the movie tank, which was/is, for instance, 6-legged and much more compact (LOL!). But it is a personal interpretation, and it looks good! Esp. the PKO livery is something completely different to usual camouflage paintings, and a worthy tribute to a great meach movie: Patlabor 2!
20 - Gaideroru Class Space Battleship.
Category: Model Kit.
Name: Gaideroru Class Space Battleship.
Scale: Non.
Series: Mecha Collection.
Origin: Space Battleship Yamato 2199.
Brand: Bandai.
Material: Styrene plastic.
Release Date: Nov 2015.
Condition: Unassembled.
*Note: This is a Model Kit collected by my BB.
More in My Collection Corner.
Italeri Military Armed Pickup. Originaly this started as military kit, but I converted to civilian. Painted in matched Apple Green Factory color by custom mxing various Tamiya Acrylic paint. Wheels from Aoshima Hilux Lift up, tires from Tamiya1/32 4WD kit. Suspension is slightly raised to make it more realistic. Canvas top is scratch build using pla-plate and Tamiya Epoxy Putty, finiched in Dessert Yellow.