MG 1/100 Providence Gundam Review - Devil Arts

MG 1/100 Providence Gundam Review - Devil Arts 

(Photo taken from weibo.com/devilarts)

Hi Guys! This is my first review for a Gundam model kit. This is actually my first build for this brand. I don't know if this is their first kit but this brand is new to me. This third party brand named Devil Arts. I don't have any idea if this brand is new or it is one of the old knock off brands that change its name that I've suspected but no one knows. But I'm glad they release this kit one of my favorite gundam in the Gundam Seed Series. I already saw one of its prototype I think it was 1 or 2 years ago from a GunPla group in facebook but it was just released last December 2016 and also Bandai release also their MG Providence in the same month. And only this month it already land in the market here in Philippines.

Manufacturer: Devil Arts

Scale: 1/100

Grade: Master Grade

Gundam Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Name: ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam

Pilot: Rau Le Creuset

Price Range: 900 Php to 1,400 Php (Depends on the area)

Kit Content: Unit, Water Slide Decals and Manual

Overview of the origin of Providence Gundam

The ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam is a mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and piloted by Rau Le Creuset of ZAFT. In the mid of Cosmic Era (Timeline where the Gundam SEED took place) 71 the ZAFT produce a series of advance mobile suites based on the stolen Earth Alliance G-Project mobile suites. Like the GAT predecessors this is also equipped with Phase Shift Armor and they added a feature the Neutron Jammer Canceller to counters the effects of the EA's Neutron Jammer. This is Nuclear Powered suits that allows them to use limitless Phase Shift Armor activation and combant tolerance.

The Providence Gundam is equipped with DRAGOON System as its main weapon. It allows pilot with high spatial awareness to control multiple wireless guided weapon pods, which can be used to launch a devastating attack from multiple directions. The Providence's DRAGOON system is mounted on the large backpack and the hips, and includes 11 weapon pods that mount a total of 43 beam gun. Other armaments of the suit include four CIWS guns, a shield with two small beam guns and a beam saber, and a hand-carried large beam rifle.  

This suit was first seen the the final day of war, September 6 CE 71, Rau used the Providence Gundam to battle against the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam piloted by Mu La Flaga his long time rival  and his former subordinate Dearka Elsman piloting the GAT-X103 Buster Gundam to show its true power that heavily damage the two mobile suits. And he also dealt with Kira Yamato piloting the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam equipped with METEOR unit that destroyed the METEOR unit during their battle. But even though the METEOR unit was destroyed, Kira manages to strike his beam saber tot he Providence Gundam on its cockpit that wounded Rau as a result and then hit by a misfire from Gamma Emission by Nuclear Explosion Stimulate Inducing System or GENESIS laser that destroyed the Providence Gundam and killed Rau in the process.

First Part: Box Art 

First look on the box art of the Devil Arts Providence Gundam. It is labeled ZGFM-X13A Providence Ver. Sun it that because they can't use the original name of the Gundam because of the copyright. I don't know why it is labeled Version Sun but maybe its named after Sunkaka. In the box art they didn't indicate its grade but you can see the scale is 1/100 and then indicates Full Frame but for me its still a Master Grade because of its features. The box is simple the front cover only has the design but it does not affects the quality of the kit. The Providence Gundam is so bulky not only because of its DRAGOON system mounted on its back but its body is so big maybe to proportion the main suit to its DRAGOON.

(Devil Arts 1/100 Providence Box Art)

Second Part: Runners

 The kit is consist of 25 trees of runners. The detailing is nicely done the panel lines are pretty sharp. I couldn't tell the comparison to MG Providence Bandai but I can tell that its pretty decent and can't compare to a knock off quality. 

In the inner frame runners at first glance you can see that is broad and has only minor detailing. Some are under-grated  some are not. The quality of the plastic is quite good. Touching the inner frame runners I fell that its like close to the plastic most of TT Hongli. The Outer armors flat finished and I like it. Some of the plastic is a little bit soft so be careful when cutting and trimming.

The kit has few color separation mostly light grey for the outer armors and 1 runner for the red, blue and yellow parts. And it also has effects parts for the Dragoons and the beam effect on its MA-MV05A Composite Armed Shield System.

The quality of the poly caps are somewhat hard or crisp just like also to TT Hongli. But its not an issue for a modeller they are many solutions for that. But I don't recommend to paint the poly caps it will become crispier and could break easily.

Third Part: Decals

This kit comes with 1 sheet of water slide decal and 2 foil stickers for the eyes of the Kit. The quality of the foil stickers is somehow better than other bootleg brands. 

As the water slide decals, the printing quality is excellent. The decal is already pre cut which means we will deal with the trimming of excess in the decal. 

I am happy that the decal they include in the kit is water slide because its easy to apply not like the dry transfer decals are a little bit hard to perfect. 

(Devil Arts Providence Gundam Water Slide Decal Sheet)

Forth Part: Head

 The head has excellent parts separation. Be careful of the v fin its a little fragile be cautious when cutting from the runner and trimming of excess plastic. For me I don't usually use foil sticker  for the eyes and the sensors I actually prefer to paint it my self. But you can also use Gundam Markers if you prefer it depends on you on what to use.

Fifth Part: Body

  The body is so broad and bulky. It does not have open hatch for the cockpit for this kit. The pull out mechanism on the joint in the shoulder can be pulled out for dynamic posing. There is also a feature like other MG that the body can bend a little left and right. And also the torso can be bend a little front and back.

Sixth Part: Arms and Shoulder

  The shoulder is plain and simple. A pretty straight forward build. The arms is very articulated as seen below the comparison of the arms bend with outer armor and the inner frame. The inner frame of the arm is so broad but it not a problem because it will be covered by the outer armors. A little issue also is in the inner frame that the part cant be snap together but its not a problem when the outer armor is placed. 

Seventh Part: Waist and Legs

The waist is a pretty straight forward build. Plain and simple. The legs are bulky as of the design of the providence. The Inner frame is broad but its not important. The important is that the details in the is sharp. It would be easy to panel line. The part that amazed me is that I expected that the kit is bulky and the legs will hinder the articulation because of its bulkiness. But I was shock see the the image below even with outer armors its still can be bend to its fullest.

Eighth Part: Overall Review

Extremely detailed kit, the fitting is excellent. An excellent purchase.

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Tools for GunPla

Tools used in GunPla

In this article we will discuss the different tools need for GunPla hobby. Here are the quick list. 


Basic tools 

Side Cutters - This tool is used to cut the parts from the Runners. Side cutters are one of the essential tool in this hobby. The alternative for this one are nail nippers, scissors, cutters. But I'm not recommending using this alternatives because using those alternatives will leave stress marks in the plastic and the kit will not look good. If you want to have a neat kit use side cutters. I am using Plato brand for the side cutters, I bought is around 250 pesos here in the Philippines.  And there are also good brands aside from Plato.

(Side Cutter I'm using Plato Brand)

Hobby Knife - This tool is use for primarily for cleaning the excess nubs on parts left by side cutters. This is also used in cleaning extra plastic flashes and hairlines left from manufacturing. Also used for cutting / slicing Plaplates for custom use.  This is also one of the essential tools for the hobby. For this one I'm using Creston Brand but my blade is from X-Acto Brand and I'm using #11.

(Hobby Knife with X-Acto #11 blades)

Sanding Sponge / Sticks - This is used to clean the remaining nub on the part left by hobby knife. If you plan to have a clean build you have to use this. If you cant find any sanding sponge / sticks you can use Sand Papers with high Grits. I'm using 600, 1200, 2000 grit of Sand paper using it gradually to have a better finish.  



 

(My DIY Sanding Sticks, Sand Papers glued in Popsicle stick for easy handling)

Tweezers - This is used for easy handling and application of stickers / decals on the kit. This can be also used to pick up tiny parts that your hands can't. I'm using the kind of tweezers used in electronics bought in any electronic shops. But there are also hobby grade brands but its just the same for me.

(Generic Straight Tweezers used for Electronics)

Cutting Mat - This is basically placed on the top of your table used to protect your table from scratching when using hobby knife in slicing. This also prolong the lifespan of your hobby knife blades. I'm using generic cutting mat bought from school supplies store.

(Generic Cutting Mat)

Gundam Markers - Gundam Markers are usually used for detailing of you model kit. It is the easy way of detailing than painting it. It also used in covering up those discolored stress marks from cleaning nubs.

(Gundam Marker Set used for SEED Series)

Gundam Panel Line Markers - Panel line markers are used for panel lining your model kit to highlight the details in the panel lines, edges and etc. There is also good alternative for panel line markers are the pigment pens fine tip 0.1 or 0.05 that could be bought in school supplies section which is cheaper that Gundam Panel Line Markers.

(Gundam Panel Lining Markers)

(Uni Pin 0.1 brand alternative for Gundam Panel Lining Marker)

Paints - This is used for painting in your model kit. For detailing and recoloring of model kits. There are bottled paints that can be used for hand brushing and  also used for air brushing. There is also spray paints. Hobby grade spray can such as Mr. Hobby, Tamiya and Etc. and you can also use some industrial spray can like Bosny, Nikkon and Etc. Some of the hobbyist they take the paint out of the can and used  for air brushing. The process is called decanting.

(Tamiya Bottled Paints)

Others

Cotton Swabs - This is used for cleaning for excess panel line. It is also used in the technique reverse wash. 


Lighter Fluid - This is used for cleaning for excess panel line. It is also used in the technique reverse wash. 

Alligator Clips on Sticks -  This is used to hold Parts for spray paining or air brush painting. 

Masking Tape -  Used to mask the area you don't want to be painted. 

Eraser - Also used for cleaning excess panel line. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Hope it help you.

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What is Plastic Model (PlaMo) and Gundam Plastic Model(GunPla)

 

(RG 1:144 RX-78-2 Gundam)

What is PlaMo?
Basic information about PlaMo short for Plastic Model. PlaMo is a plastic scale model made as a kit and being assembled. A plastic model kit is represents different subject such as military armors, cars, motor bikes, gundams and etc. Plastic  Models differs its difficulty  by their scales. It often to be snapped built out of the box. And then paints details for realistic look.

(One of my build 1:144 HG Barbatos from IBO Series)

What is GunPla? 
GunPla are model kits made of plastic that represents various Mobile Suit and even characters from the fictional Gundam universe. Gundam is a popular mech anime / novel made by Bandai. GunPla begun its popularity in early 1980s in Japan and other asian countries and 1990s in parts of America and Europe.

GunPla model kits composed  of several  parts or what they call "runners". The parts are being cut using different tool such as side cutter and hobby knife and snapping all the parts based on the instructions of its manual. Some of the hobbyist after the kit is built they have to panel line the kit to emboss its details. We will further discuss panel line on my next blog.


GunPla differs its difficulty through its Scales and Grades. Scales and determine the size of the kit based on its ratio of the Mobile Suite in the anime or manga. GunPla has different scales range from 1:144 which is the most famous that has Grades such as HG (High Grade), RG (Real Grade) and etc. There is also 1:100 wich is bigger than 1:144 that has Grades such as NG (Non-Grade) or RE/100 (Reborn-One Hundred) and the MG (Master Grade). And There is also 1:60 which is even bigger than 1:100 and has also a Grade on NG(Non-Grade) and PG(Perfect Grade).

Common Scales and Grades

1:144 Scales 

(HG 1:144 Barbatos)

High Grade 1:144 (HG) - Most of the Gundam has a HG it is the most common grade of Gunpla this grade mostly . These are appropriate for intermediate gunpla builders and the most common among the other scales. This grade of kits feature easy snap-fit construction, decent intrinsic detailing on parts (which is rapidly improving with technology), foil stickers and/or realistic decals for markings and a generous complement of weapons, beam sabers molded in clear plastic as well as other spare parts.  

(RG 1:144 Aile Strike Gundam)

Real Grade  1:144 (RG) - This is a new scale that was released last 2010. This 1:44 scale has the most detailed. RG has inner frame and features a more detail and articulation which is somehow can be compare to Master Grades. Not like HG 1:144 use foil stickers this grade has a lot more runner color separation is also achieved primarily through color-molded components and parts. RG kits has the widest range of motion with each joint due to Advanced MS Joint technology, with inner frame parts molded onto a single runner for ease of construction.

 1:100 Scales

(MG 1:100 Freedom Gundam 2.0)

Master Grade 1:100 - MG is definitely bigger and better than the HG. Offers more articulation and features. There's also the addition of the inner frame to make it more detailed. This is suitable for advanced gunpla builders. Master Grade kits differ from other 1/100 Non scale Gunpla with their level of detail, articulation, and proportions second only to the Perfect Grade line. A majority of the kits feature a skeletal inner frame with working hydraulics; some also accommodate Gunpla LED Units for light-up gimmicks.

(1:100 Gundam Dynames Pic from Google)

Non Grade  1:100 (NG) - Non grades 1:100 are basically HGs in different scales. Most newer HGs are restricted to 1/144 scale so when Bandai wants to release a model of a different scale with detail and articulation similar to HG, they usually are given no grade. They could also be used to refer to older kits that were manufactured before the grading system was put into place.

(RE/100 MSK-008 Dijeh Pic from Google)

Reborn-One Hundred (RE/100) - RE/100 is a line of Gunpla established in 2014, designed to featured certain mobile suits in 1/100 scale but separate from the Master Grade line. Unlike the MG line, these kits are not as complex. While they share the same level of detail on outward appearance, most of the RE/100 kits do not have a a full inner frame. Those that do, however, feature only a very simplified one.






1:60 Scales

(PG 1:60 RX-78-2 pic from Google)

Perfect Grade 1:60 (PG) - The pinnacle of Bandai model kit technology, PG kits come only in the big 1/60 scale. These are massive sets that boast huge packaging boxes, hundreds of parts and plenty of stickers/decals for markings to add on to already impressively-detailed parts. The quality of plastic used is much higher than any other Grade, and certain kits come with metal components, wiring for LEDs as well as other construction gimmicks.





 
Non Scale

(SD Nightingale)

Super Deformed (SD) - Not based on any particular scale, the super-deformed style features comically proportioned models, the most noticeable features of which are their very large heads. Super Deformed Gundam kits are often very easy to construct but offer very limited articulation and require paint and detailing to truly "finish" the kit. The most famous line is the BB Senshi (or "SD GUNDAM BB Warriors" in English). There are also separate product lines: for instance, Superior Defender Gundam Force and Ganso SD Gundam (discontinued in the 1990s). Most kits of this line are from the Musha Gundam series and the Knight Gundam series.

 

Thank you for reading my first blog I will discuss the different tools being used in GunPla building and the alternative of each tools.

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