Solomon GP02A (Patreon)

Build number 7 for 2024 done! This was probably the longest build in recent memory clocking in at around 63 hours. I had a very rough start to this build, the kit had a part missing when I received it so it had to be put on ice for a good month before I could really start. Then at the end I botched some decals and broke a peg on one of the arms, so I had to purchase a 2nd kit to finish the job.

Overall this is a very good kit and Solomon did a very good job in producing it. I only had some minor issues assembling it with tight fittings on some of the smaller parts, loose-ish ankles but it still stands pretty solidly. This is pretty much the definitive "Master Grade" version of this design which Bandai could only hope to match with the MGEX (or even PGU) line.

Build Notes

• I had trouble with some decals setting on the part too early, I suspect I didn't soak them for long enough. I suggest soaking them for a bit longer than usual.

• White parts V9 / V10 / V11 are internals of the bazooka and do not need to be painted

• Arm armor K6 is breaking hazard when installing

• Ankle construction E6/E1/C18 appears to be very loose, this doesn't seem to affect the overal model though.

  

• Avoid painting the cylinder end of the Bazooka (W6 / W7), if there is too much paint the part W11 will be very difficult to slide on/off if you want to change batteries

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• Small metal rivets that go onto the Thrusters (E42 / E43 etc) "appear" to be identical. E36 / E41 appear to be the unique ones which have 2 notches instead of 1
  I also had quite a bit of trouble getting these into the hole, I think the paint made the hole too small and I ended having to scrape some excess out with a toothpick.

• Some of the joints on the thruster assembly that connects to the shoulder unit feel very stiff. I suggest removing and adjusting these when posing and replacing them to avoid any pegs breaking

• I also had trouble getting these D parts into the forehead part

  

White - Grey primer -> Gaianotes Neutral Grey 1 base coat -> Finisher's Foundation White + bit of Neutral Grey for highlight (2 coats)

Off White - Grey primer -> Gaia Neutral Grey 2 base coat -> Gaia Neutral Grey 2 highlight

Blue - White primer -> AEUG MS Blue + Finisher's Foundation Blue Purple preshade -> starter blue (Finisher's Foundation Blue) -> starter white -> cover with AEUG MS Blue + Finisher's Foundation Blue Purple -> Postshade blend with Finisher's Foundation Blue Purple

Light Blue - White primer -> Finisher's Blue Purple + Finisher's Foundation Blue preshade -> starter white -> cover with MS Light Blue + bit of Finisher's Blue Purple -> postshade blend with original base color

Yellow - Pink primer -> Orange preshade -> starter white -> Gaianotes Mandarin Orange base coat -> White + Mandarin Orange highlight -> postshade blend with Mr Color Orange Yellow + GX Yellow

Red - pink primer -> preshade with Hull Red + Wine Red -> starter white -> yellow pre-highlight -> cover with GX Red + Shine Red + Red Madder -> light coat GX Clear Red -> light postshade with GX Clear Dark Red -> light coat GX Clear Red

Backpack / V-fin black - Grey primer -> Phantom Grey + GX Black base coat -> Phantom Grey + MS Zeon Grey + bit of Neutral Grey highlight -> postshade blend with original

Bazooka Grey - grey primer -> GX Black + Mahogany + bit of Phantom grey base coat -> add off white / neutral grey for highlight -> postshade blend with original

Internals - Gaianotes Gunmetal