Project Strike Rouge Clear Colour Version Part 3 – Articulation 2

Fuh! I haven’t been able to update for such a long time! Now with my accounting competition and national debates over and set aside, I can finally focus on what I love best, GUNPLA!

With so much work, I only managed to complete the leg armour, arms and head. Still, a small review on articulation and I’ll reveal one of the MG Strike series’ weakness. No secret or surprise though if you now your MGs. Now, pictures.

Progress on  Strike Rouge so far. I’m still very satisfied with the clear parts. No complains there, yet.

More funny articulation. Dancing perhaps?

One thing I forgot to say was how the hip armours dampen the articulation of the kit massively especially the rear skirt which pushes against the torso if you move it more than 45 degrees. The front skirt can also be a bit loose thus, simple reinforcement is required. No big deal.

Uh…. top view?

Notice, the thigh armour slides forward when the leg is bent and slides back when the leg straightens. Normal for most Cosmic Era (CE) MGs. I approve.

MG Strike Rouge has a fully movable knee cap. Helps for more realistic poses.

Hands fold all the way to the back with ease.

Close up on the head. The V – Fin looks a little awkward. Sticks out too much.

Under light the head looks weird. The scale is also a bit off, but I’ve begin to get use to it.

I would recommend future/current owners to paint the eyes and sensor. Sticker look a bit awkward because of the clear parts. Somehow, from this angle it looks nicer.

Feet detail isn’t disappointing similar to the detail on the rest of the kit. Thumbs up.

Now for the biggest articulation flaw. The ankle connector is made of PC making the ankle very weak.

Fortunately, the ankle can be improved very simply and just requires a little effort. Firstly, separate the ankle joint from the leg.

The solution is simple, just apply some plastic cement on the ball of the ankle joints and the inside of the ankle connector. Wait for it to dry, and when you connect it back you’ll notice it is stronger and tighter. Any hobby plastic cement will do, in my case, I use Mr. Hobby’s Mr. Cement Deluxe. For those who don’t have plastic cement, thin paper will do (preferably tissues). Just put a small bit between the ankle joint and the connector.

After that, doing this is no problem. The ankle becomes much stronger.

All in all, the kit looks very nice with the armour fully in place. Best thing is the leg armour doesn’t disrupt the leg’s articulation a single bit.

Next up will be the progress on the Aile Pack. Feels good to finally get back to Gunpla instead of insane 2 straight days of debates. XD

MG Exia Complete Guide

In the market for an MG Exia or looking for your next MG too buy? Well, which would it be? Standard, Ignition, Trans Am or 30th Anniversary? Hardly 1 year from it’s initial launch date, MG Exia is already in 4 different version. I believe that is a new record. So, there the dilemma begins? Which do I go for?

As it is, the MG Exia is already a very worth it kit to buy with many pros and little cons. Listed below are following pros and cons.

Pros: Great detail and articulation, heavily armed, good value for money and comes with a light up LED GN Drive

Cons: Scale not everybody’s liking, thin flimsy parts for some  areas and the colour injection could be slightly better

All in all, the pros are clear and defined but, the cons are rather subjective to one’s taste. Even Dalong.net gives it the thumbs up with a 102 points. Definitely not Astray’s 112 points, but 102 will do.

But, the main question is which will it be? Below, I’ve highlighted the main plus points and minus points for each version of MG Exia. Hopefully, it helps give a better insight.

Kit Name: MG Exia

Kit Price: 3800 Yen

Kit Status: Released, July 2009

Kit Availability: Common / Uncommon

Plus: Most refined 7 Sword Weapon System among Exia(s) of all scales

Minus: Mediocre compared to the other MG Versions

Kit Name: MG Exia 30th Anniversary Version

Kit Price: 3800 Yen

Kit Status: Re-released, March 2010

Kit Availability: Limited Edition

Plus: Most refined 7 Sword Weapon System among Exia(s) of all scales + value for money + one free clear runner

Minus: Some hobby shops outside Japan or online may sell the 30th Anniversary Version at a higher price + Limited Release

Kit Name: MG Exia Ignition Mode

Kit Price: 5000 Yen (initial release price), 6500 Yen (retail release price)

Kit Status: Released, July 2009

Kit Availability: Uncommon / Rare

Plus: Most refined 7 Sword Weapon System among Exia(s) of all scales + chrome coating for GN Swords + conversion parts for Exia Repair + rarity + great box art

Minus: Overpriced (even for initial release price)

Kit Name: MG Exia Trans Am Mode

Kit Price: 5800 Yen

Kit Status: Released, February 2010

Kit Availability: Common

Plus: Most refined 7 Sword Weapon System among Exia(s) of all scales + Trans Am color injection + metallic glitter stickers + another great box art (does it even matter? )

Minus: Poor value for money + Trans Am injection is not everyone’s cup of tea

In a nutshell, the standard MG Exia is good if you’re on a slight budget. If you are going for the standard MG Exia, getting the 30th Anniversary Version would be best. But, if it is priced more than the standard version, you’ll have to make the choice of waiting for the price to drop (and risking it being sold out) or spending a little more.

You’ve got a bit more to spend or you really like Exia Repair? Go for Ignition Mode. Try to hunt for the 5000 Yen version though, as the 6500 Yen is a staggering 30% price hike and extremely poor value for money.

Can’t get enough rampaging Trans Am Exia? Then, you’re destined for it. Most Trans Am Exia(s) will most probably be bought by serious fans of Trans Am Exia in which case spending that little extra will not be much of big deal. Be warned though, the price difference between the standard version and Trans Am version is 2000 Yen or 53%. Enough to buy a new kit. Still, this is arguably the best Trans Am kit from the 00 Series so far.

Thinking of bringing Exia’s detail to another level? Here are a few suggestions.

Product Name: High Detail Manipulator 198 Colored for 1/100 Gundam Exia MG Compatible Version

Product Price: 2400 Yen

Product Status: Released, October 2009

Product Availability:  Rare

Very pricey, the decision to spend that much money on 6 arms, I’ll leave it entirely up to you. Though, I do admit this hands are better than what Bandai currently offers. Below is a picture of the arm fully painted.

(Image is from Hobby Search)

Product Name: Gundam Decal for Gundam Exia

Product Price: 700 Yen

Product Status: Released, July 2009

Product Availability: Common / Uncommon

Highly recommended if you want to bring Exia’s detail up by one level. The decals are water slide so, it isn’t recommended for beginners. I’m a little on the fence about the price, 700 Yen can get you an SD Kit though at the same time it is difficult to find any other water slide decals by other brands costing 700 Yen.

There you go, all the versions of MG Exia(s) and their detail up parts. You can also opt to get manipulator arms, decals and metal thrusters from other brands but, they ‘re very pricey because of the small volume. It is possible to get cheaper manipulator arms but, you’ll have to know where to find.

My pick is between the MG Exia 30th Anniversary Version / MG Exia Ignition Mode and an additional set of decals.

Hope this has helped you.

Project Strike Rouge Clear Colour Version Part 2(Articulation) + Complete MG Strike Guide

So far, the legs are done. The frame for the leg is very simple. The 2 biggest disappointments have to be the hip joint which is a poly cap and the lower leg consists of only 2 parts and one poly cap. Fortunately, the detail of the frame is nice and the articulation on this kit is very impressive. The articulation is almost Perfect Grade level, especially the feet especially which is my favourite articulation point. The thigh articulation is also not bad.

Here are a few pictures of my progress. By the way, the Complete MG Strike Guide is further below, past around 12 pictures.

Progress thus far.

Clear parts look good, still.

The arm articulation is very good even with the armour on in the bend fully with no problem.

An individual shoulder joint allows the arm to move all the way up, only restricted by the shoulder armour.

Same pose as above from a different angle to show the said shoulder joint. Good stuff.

Shoulder joint has limits thought when pushed outwards, unlike current models which can extend out further still.

Great detail for the leg and superb articulation, very similar to the PG. Note the feet articulation.

The legs can bend in a bit more to make it look as if the legs are crossed. Balance is spot on, no problem.

Even without the die cast groin part and the use of poly cap, the thigh is still pretty strong. Not to mention, the body is light. Note, when leg armour is off, the legs can bend forward a bit.

The mentioned feet articulation. Most current MGs have it but, this is impressive for such an old kit.

Full shot. The feet allows for running poses which is quite common for a Strike.

Conclusion? MG Strike(s) have very impressive articulation (almost PG) especially for the offered price. Not a one-eyed MS fan but, a big fan of articulation without the extra price tag? Get a MG Strike. As it is, there are 6 variations of the MG Strike (not including Limited Edition) : Aile Strike, Strike Rouge, Strike IWSP , Strike E IWSP, Strike Noir and Launcher & Sword Strike. Yup, a lot! Both MG Aile Strike and MG Strike Noir have been re-released with clear parts in conjunction with Gunpla’s 30th Anniversary. My recommendation? Go for the standard MG Aile Strike, either the re-released 30th Anniversary Version or the Limited Edition Bazooka Version. At 3800 Yen, it has the best value for money. Second option would be to go with MG IWSP Strike which is 4200 Yen, meaning 400 Yen more. Below are the details of all the MG Strike(s).

Kit Name: MG Aile Strike

Kit Price: 3800 Yen

Kit Status: Re-released, March 2010

Kit Availability: Limited Edition

Kit Name: MG Strike Rouge

Kit Price: 4000 Yen

Kit Status: Released, September 2004

Kit Availability: Rare

Kit Name: MG Strike IWSP

Kit Price: 4200 Yen

Kit Status: Released, October 2006

Kit Availability: Rare

Kit Name: MG Strike E IWSP

Kit Price: 4500 Yen

Kit Status: Released, February 2008

Kit Availability: Rare / Uncommon

Kit Name: Launcher & Sword Strike

Kit Price: 5000 Yen

Kit Status: Released, April 2008

Kit Availability: Rare / Uncommon

Kit Name: MG Strike Noir

Kit Price: 4500 Yen

Kit Status: Re-released, February 2010

Kit Availability: Limited Edition

For those who are interested, I’ll also show the box art for the Limited Edition MG Strike(s).

MG Aile Strike + Bazooka

MG Aile Strike ~ Phase Shift Off (image from Dalong.net)

MG Strike Rouge Clear Colour Version

Well, that’s all folks.

Happy Gunpla-ing!