Thursday, May 23, 2013

BB Senshi Zeta Gundam & Nu Gundam Set Part 1

Much-welcomed reissues in a smart way

Working on another bundled BB Senshi kit after BB Senshi Sangokuden Asurao Moukaku Gundam, Syukuyuu Gundam and Kyoshin Elephant Set. ^^


Released in September 2009, this is BB Senshi Zeta Gundam & Nu Gundam Set. It's a very special bundled set which was released as part of Gundam's and Gunpla's 30th Anniversary celebration I think. There was no mentioning of that when it and a few other releases from the series came out. As a matter of fact, I remember the series as something that came out "just like that". ^^;

And then it ended "just like that" too. ^^;



Including this kit, here were a total of five releases from this short-lived series. Zeta Gundam & Nu Gundam Set was the pilot release, followed by God Gundam & Wing Gundam Zero Custom set, Freedom Gundam & Gundam Exia set, Gundam NT-1 and Gundam GP01Fb and finally Strike Gundam & Force Impulse Gundam set. Then again, since "membership" of kits to be featured in this bundled kit series is limited to Gundams, specifically protagonist Gundams in their respective shows, the list is not going to be too long anyway. XD

On the other hand, besides a new single box and a special sheet of clear stickers, the sets contain just reissues of previously released individual kits. This pilot release of Zeta Gundam & Nu Gundam Set for example, consists of individual kits of SD Gundam G-Generation Zero Zeta Gundam which came out in 1999 and SD Gundam G-Generation F Nu Gundam released in 2000. So, folks who had purchased some of the individual Gundam kits before the debut of this bundled kit series can skip it I think. ^^

For me, the series is much welcomed. Zeta Gundam, God Gundam and a few others are some of my favorite BB Senshi kits, but I always seemed to miss the opportunities to get their individual reissues. ^^; Having them in bundled sets was mighty convenient for me to add them into my collection. ^^ Considered as "new" releases back in 2009, this kit was readily available in most hobby stores and websites I visited as well, so for a moment back then, kits I always wanted were everywhere, and that was quite a joyful sight to observe. XD

On the flip side, having the kits in bundled sets can be troublesome as well. For Gundam NT-1 and Gundam GP01Fb, I only wanted the latter since I got Gundam NT-1 many years ago already. In normal situations, I don't want to build a kit I already did before. It may be just a BB Senshi kit to many, but the significance is still the same to me. In the end, I stick to looking for the individual kit of Gundam GP01Fb instead of getting that bundled set. I imagine the same dilemma might be experienced by other Gunpla fans as well. ^^;

Anyway, I'm looking forward to working on the two kits in this bundled set. They are much older releases - more than a decade old actually. ^^ It's going to be fun looking at how the parts and gimmicks were designed back in the old days, especially for the transformable Zeta Gundam. ^^



Introduction of the kit on the sides of box.





Instruction manuals from the two kits' individual releases are included.


A special sheet showing the placement of markings using the special clear sticker sheet included is new though. ^^


All runners.
Unlike their individual kits, some of the runners are not separated into smaller spruces.

A look at the runners' design:


[Nu Gundam] Runners A1 & A2 - A multi-color runner that contains parts for the main model.


Large head and V-fin parts.




Plenty of paintwork to be expected on these parts to realize their intended colors. ^^;


[Nu Gundam] Runners B1 & B2 - Contains all white parts mainly for Nu Gundam's fixed Fin Funnel set and HWS (Heavy Weapon System) parts.


Nu Gundam's shield appears to be the smaller part on this runner. ^^
Molded details can be seen on its rear face, which is pretty impressive for a BB Senshi kit. ^^



Very impressive molded details on all the parts, but the significant amount of paint work required is also very apparent. ^^


[Zeta Gundam] Runners with numbering from 1 to 40 - A multi-color runner that contains parts for the main model.


Head and V-fin parts which are just a tad smaller than the same ones for Nu Gundam. ^^


(Left) The leg parts seem very unique to have the heel molded with them.
(Right) Having zero articulation for the arm (not including shoulder joint) is definitely something new if you're more used to newer releases in the BB Senshi series. ^^


[Zeta Gundam] Runners with numbering from 41 to 55 - Contains all black parts mainly for Zeta Gundam's wings and weapons.


(Left) Large but simple parts for the wing binders.
(Right) Even larger and simpler parts for Hyper Mega Launcher. ^^


The tail stabilizer parts will require quite a bit of paint work. ^^;


Polycap sets: PC-6 for Zeta Gundam (left) and PC-123 for Nu Gundam.


Foil stickers and special clear sticker sheet.


(Left) The design of Zeta Gundam's clear stickers is clearly based on Master Grade Zeta Gundam Ver. 2.0's marking design. ^^
(Right) Nu Gundam's clear stickers included two red patches for its rear skirt armor, which are surprising not provided via foil stickers. ^^;


All removed parts are organized and stored in individual paper containers.

Will start working on the detailing and paint work for a number of selected parts in the next posting. ^^

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