HGUC Geara Zulu Part 8

Minor upgraded look
More images of the just completed HGUC Geara Zulu. ^^

The "plainest" view - even the grenade launcher on the beam machine gun is detached: ^^







The full armament view:


Simple tab behind the fixed one-piece spare magazine part connects it to the front skirt armor.


(Left) The waist must be swiveled to the side first to make room for the weapon rack.
(Right) A small panel on the rear skirt armor has to be removed for the weapon rack to be mounted.


With the weapon rack equipped to the back of the model kit.
The clearance between the thrusters and the rack is pretty tight, but it's enough to allow the waist to maintain its swivel.
As shown in the previous posting, the upper body can be pulled upward to give the waist more room for extended movement anyway.










Closeups on the details:




[Head and body]






[Waist, back and skirt armors]





[Arms]



[Beam rifle]






[Legs]
This is the second completed HGUC Geara Zulu in my collection, after the first straight assembled kit back in July 2010. The panel lined details and paint work for certain parts gave the kit a more "completed" appearance, but they didn't radically change its appearance. Even the biggest highlight of the kit - all the emblems didn't seem to be more impressive because they are painted this time. The paint work outcome is slightly more solid-looking than all the foil stickers used. In other words, all the stickers given for the kit itself are actually sufficient to bring out the great look of this kit. ^^ In the end, having most of the important details painted instead of using the stickers seems to be more for personal satisfaction - it's always satisfying to see that all the trouble of painting, drying and panel lining the parts produce good-looking results on the finished model kit. ^^

Personally, the most impressive paint work is the interior of all the thrusters which were painted using Gaia Metallic Color No. 122 Star Bright Gold. Although HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Unicorn Mode] and [Destroy Mode] had their thrusters painted using that bottle paint as well, their thrusters are smaller and less in number as compared to Geara Zulu. The outcome of the shiny metallic gold paint inside the parts continues to impress me after seeing it the first time on BB Senshi Sangokuden Tenshouryu Koumei Nu Gundam. ^^

Back on the first first straight assembled version, I placed extra numbering details on the large right shoulder shield using spare dry transfer decals. This time, the shoulder shield is being left blank on purpose though. ^^ MS Emblem Relief 01 from Builders Parts HD coming in next month features a Neo Zeon insignia that seems perfect for that component. I'm considering getting that extra option part set to enhance this kit's appearance. ^^