Gunpla Freak

Gundam RX-178 Mk II Ver.2.0. - UPDATED 10th March 2016

Hi there. This is my first attempt to customize one of my favorite, completed Gunpla models. The RX178 Mk II Ver.2.0.
I got this Gunpla quite a while back for my birthday, assembled it out from the box and didn't do any modifications or linings whatsoever. After collecting a few more Gunplas, I started to experiment and got more interested in details and panel lining. So after years on the shelf, i decided to customize my RX178, just to see if I can do a good job at it. Do take note however I'm not a professional Gunpla modeler and I do this all out of fun and enjoyment.

Below is how the RX178 looks like out of the box

Sorry, didn't get a chance to snap a photo
of my own RX178 before I dismantled him.
Above is pic from the web

The Ver.2.0 is a far more superior Gunpla compared to the original, with better articulation and details to the inner frame and joints. It's an overall great Gundam from the UC universe.

However, the MG version lacks a little in the form of detailed panel linings om the outer armor, compared to his RG counterpart.

This is where i attempt to create some custom linings to make it look more ..... expensive.

Since it's a previously completed model, i didn't have to waste my time assembling the whole thing from scratch. So off the outer armor goes.

Armor off!

Snapping off the armor was fairly easy, with the help of a pen-knife. The armors were well designed and were meant to be taken off often. No broken parts!

I started off by painting some details of the inner frame with Metallic Gold and Silver markers. I used MONAMI and ARTLINE brand markers, as i don't have those specific Gundam markers from Bandai. the Monami and Artline did a pretty good job.

After all the painting and marking on the inner frame, he looks like this. Pretty cool.

Next are custom panel linings on the outer armor. This is my first try on creating my own custom panel linings, and i learned the basis from YouTube. First, draw your own custom panel line designs on the armor using a pencil (getting inspiration from other gunpla builders is great).

Next, is marking them with and chiseling them with the tools below. Note these ARE NOT the proper tools for making panel linings, as I couldn't get them in time for this build, but they did the job well.