Attention: BANDAI will stop selling kits outside Japan

[modelguts]

Bandai's first R2 release really should have included optional chrome-plated dome parts.

R2 has more of a luster steel or aluminum type of look. Tamiya does this sort of paint finish for the wheels on their car kits. An Alclad lacquer would be perfect for this.

Unless you want the medal ceremony look, R2's dome doesn't gleam. It's just easier to spray down chrome plating (to whatever degree you're looking for) than spray-on the stainless steel look with masking.

If you've had a close look at the kit, it really is an ingenious design in the way the dome parts go together. I don't think it could have been designed as whole piece and still have the space to fit all of the parts, as they are fit from the inside of the dome.

No complaints about the assembly or fit at all, just the molding color chosen for the dome. It's a matter of sanding the two dome parts, airbrushing them chrome (like Tamiya X-11) doing the dome assembly, masking around the seam, re-airbrushing the seam and spraying the masked dome with a gloss coat for some reflection. Optional chrome-plated dome parts would have given the snap-fit hobbyist a much easier time.

Here's the 1978 MPC kit's dome parts as a reference:

 

[Zombie_61]

...Here's the 1978 MPC kit's dome parts as a reference:

View attachment 559221

It's a shame they went to all the trouble to chrome plate that part, considering how woefully inaccurate it is.

 

[modelguts]

It's a shame they went to all the trouble to chrome plate that part, considering how woefully inaccurate it is.

Yeah, they didn't even bother lining up the top panels, let alone managing the proportions. Some came close, but MPC/ERTL never nailed a SW OT kit.

 

[Zombie_61]

Yeah, they didn't even bother lining up the top panels, let alone managing the proportions. Some came close, but MPC/ERTL never nailed a SW OT kit.

The sad thing is that the rest of the kit isn't too far off; it's certainly better than their C-3PO kit.

 

[modelguts]

The Bandai product page for the First Order special forces TIE is online.

Bandai's next kit slated for 2016 is a rather expensive ¥4,320 (extra finish?) Captain Phasma.

 

[Galactican]

YAY! That means, Phasma will be fully chromed!!!

 

[Zombie_61]

YAY! That means, Phasma will be fully chromed!!!

True, but their 1/12 scale C-3PO was fully plated and it didn't cost that much. :confused

 

[modelguts]

True, but their 1/12 scale C-3PO was fully plated and it didn't cost that much. :confused

Bandai has an upscale chroming they use mostly on Gundam kits called 'extra finish', significantly raising the price, which was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the cost of the Phasma kit. Another cost factor is that Phasma apparently comes with an optional cloth cape in addition to the molded one.

 

[Zombie_61]

Bandai has an upscale chroming they use mostly on Gundam kits called 'extra finish', significantly raising the price, which was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the cost of the Phasma kit. Another cost factor is that Phasma apparently comes with an optional cloth cape in addition to the molded one.

Ah, thank you. I'm sure Bandai has their reasons for setting their price points where they do, but I'm not overly familiar with their model kits. In fact, I'm not sure if I've ever built one of their kits, and I've been building models since 1969. :lol

 

[Galactican]

I'm totally into their figures so far (the only vehicles I have from them are the AT-ST and the Y-Wing). The higher price also could be a way to raise the TAF sales (I have seen many items which are fairly over-priced, with Hasbro's poorly painted 5-POA figures on the lead). However, I am still curious...

Anyway, it is good to have an alternative for the Figuarts version for those who have missed it (I am one of them).

@modelguts : Do you have an example of how that "extra finish" may look like? Is it better than standard chroming?

 

[edge10]

Captain Phasma page at Hobby Search:

http://www.1999.co.jp/10361689

She looks pretty shiny to me.! (be sure to click on the little pics)

 

[modelguts]

@modelguts : Do you have an example of how that "extra finish" may look like? Is it better than standard chroming?

Bandai's 'extra finish' is used to produce full chrome, shiny chrome, satin chrome or irridescent/pearlescent chrome in any color.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwqBkyamoOA

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Phasma looks pretty good. I'd probably battle rough up that chrome up a bit. I'm going to assume Ms. P doesn't spend a lot of time buffing her shell.

 

[Outamyhead]

My wife ordered the 1/12 Boba Fett kit for me for Christmas, should be here early-mid January, can't wait...Now I just need that hunk of junk with the new dish.

 

[SGK]

I'm looking for ways to justify the cost; she is indeed taller than the average stormtrooper (but only carries a blaster), a plastic and cloth cape, and more articulation than the similarly chromed C-3PO I suppose. I don't see their extra finish or coating being used on Phasma, I believe the technique is reserved to Bandai's special edition kits. Perhaps they have a surprise for us but Bandai has been typically honest with their previews.

I'm curious on how they'll pull off the cloth cape, cloth parts included in action figures generally suffer from thick fibres and stiffness unlike actual clothing due to the limitations of physics. Bandai has previously attempted using different materials in their kits but with mixed results.

 

[modelguts]

I'm looking for ways to justify the cost; she is indeed taller than the average stormtrooper (but only carries a blaster), a plastic and cloth cape, and more articulation than the similarly chromed C-3PO I suppose. I don't see their extra finish or coating being used on Phasma, I believe the technique is reserved to Bandai's special edition kits. Perhaps they have a surprise for us but Bandai has been typically honest with their previews.

The preview says (Google translate), "Product image is a thing of in the planning and supervision." Bandia's 1/12 C-3PO was listed as ¥3,780, so the extra ¥540 may very well be just for the cloth cape.

I'm curious on how they'll pull off the cloth cape, cloth parts included in action figures generally suffer from thick fibres and stiffness unlike actual clothing due to the limitations of physics. Bandai has previously attempted using different materials in their kits but with mixed results.

I purchased Bandai's 1/12 Darth Vader, but the segmented cape was such a turnoff I never built it! Bandai's 1/12 Phasma cape looks much better.

 

[Galactican]

I have added a cloth cape to my Bandai Vader using a well-flowing piece of women's lingerie. It looks great now.

 

[SGK]

The preview says (Google translate), "Product image is a thing of in the planning and supervision." Bandia's 1/12 C-3PO was listed as ¥3,780, so the extra ¥540 may very well be just for the cloth cape.

A cost of ¥540 above C-3PO sounds reasonable; It's way too early for me to judge a kit coming out in roughly three months, my bad.

 

[Galactican]

I guess the average price for oversea orders will be about 30 -35 $ (with free shipping ).

 

[modelguts]

The 2016 kits after Phasma are: 1/72 Poe Dameron X-Wing & 1/12 C-3PO (TFA red arm version). Bandai also has a Japan exclusive 1/12 Shadow Stormtrooper.