HG Astraea Dark Arms WIP #4

Polishing up a few seam line removals in the chest area.

Magnetic mounting point.

Hidden wrist beam sabres.

HG Astraea Dark Arms WIP #3

The fingers can move in the show so I figured that I'd stay true to that.

I've decided to keep the 4 beam sabres that the original had but rather than attach beam sabre handles I'm going for hands free operation and permanent mounting points one in each toe and one at each wrist.

I figured I'd put together all of the spare Exia parts into what I refer to as the By-Product Gundam. Oddly enough I like the look of so I might paint it too.

HG Astraea Dark Arms WIP #2

My least favourite part of the Exia Gundam has always been the skirts while most MS have a skirt Exia is romping about in its underpants.Seriously Exia find some modesty.

So far I've built up some side skirts for my build and I'll be keeping the Astraea front skirts and the Avalanche's rear skirts. There will be some things mounted in the side skirts yet, so that is why they seem extra wide.

The next part I started work on were the weapon hard points for my GN Sward Kais and GN Sword Rifles. For the Sword Kais I cut into the plastic and installed magnets to attach them.

To mount the Sword Rifles I used a different tactic using some bits from the same HG 0 Gundam that I used parts form to build my HG Seravee II.

HG Astraea Dark Arms WIP #1

I figure that I'll start early on the Bio/Backstory stuff.

So my kit the HG Astraea Dark Arms will be based on my first ever modified kit, the HG Exia Dark Arms. I guess that it would be the first kit that I ever posted here at GE. If you were to describe the Exia Dark Arms in the terms of the GE Gunpla Builders Championship it would be a Close Quarters Space Use Gunpla. While the powers of the Exia were potent at close range it could be taken out
on the approach by long range weapons. Hand carried machine guns had to be tossed aside to make
use of blades for close range fights making the Exia a once only hit and run gunpla, a disadvantage
for a longer running battle. Throwing beam sabres was a further limitation for the model as they were of limited range and there were only the 4 mounted on the machine. Further trials in battle show the need for improvements in armour, speed and acceleration. Plus, the paint application was somewhat lacking.

My plan is for the Astraea Dark Arms to be an upgrade of the original in every possible way; to solve all of the problems I mentioned above and a few secrets I've cooked up to go with.

Completed Kits #7: Armoured Core 2Ball [VG GB]

I've decided to stick with calling this 2Ball, just for the hell of it.

Anyway, everything is done. For what was red I used Krylon True Blue, for what was grey I used Krylon Flat Black, and all of the frame parts got a coat of Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze, a few bits also got some Krylon Brilliant Silver and Gold. In addition I did a lot of hand painting or at least a lot for me, with some Vallejo Copper and White Gold.

For more information in its construction check out my WIP Thread at GE.
You can see more of my AC 2Ball in my Google+ Album or in my Showroom Thread at GE.

Armoured Core 9Ball Update #2

I'm feeling pretty good because I've actually gotten some more of this done. Got just a little bit more done, all of the black, gunmetal and blue parts are now painted. In addition I painted a few bits in both copper and silver by hand.

Everything is looking pretty much done a this point, all of the frame parts are taken
care of now and I've got it assembled.

You can see more of my 9Ball work in progress at Gundam Eclipse.