Bandai release schedule

[INVAR]

Is there a simple run down of the differences between the lighted and non-lighted SD? Besides the actual lights, obviously.

Well, don't forget the box. The box is large, shiny and beautiful. For Packaging lovers - the box is another great inclusion. I also actually quite like the modeling guide and all the pics of the ILM 8 footer. Some of them are better quality and angles than the High res pics I was gifted when I began work on the Zvezda (notice I am going to great lengths to assuage my investment in this limited kit and not the standard).

Waiting to see if other builds are able to paint and use the clear sprue pieces with success to add more accurate window details on their builds - and maybe in the future if I have the desire, I could go back and change out those parts with the opaque ones. That is one cool thing with a Bandai that the snap engineering features would allow me to do that with minimal fuss if I get a mind to do so. So - maybe I may decide later that this was a better investment after all.

The one major drawback I can see while inspecting the kit and going over the instructions - is the fact that there is no external way to turn the lights on. You literally have to remove the upper cake and conning tower, then remove the white light diffuser cowling and individually turn the sets of switches on or off and then replace the diffuser and the top cake. That aspect has caused me to think that I would have been just fine with the Standard version - albeit I would have to engineer a plan and buy and put in my own LED lighting system. But again, I really wanted to build this out of the box and not worry about that, so the trade off has yet to be seen in terms of value.

 

[StevenBills]

Okay I pulled the trigger on the Standard version. Not a bad deal for $20.

Yay for gift cards.

SB

 

[Timmythekid]

Yup, the falcon and Tantive are in the standard version, it was the first thing I searched for when I opened the box.

Honestly though, given id probably spend fifty bucks lighting the thing anyways, and running enough fibers in there to make me happy....forget the clear parts - don't regret buying the limited.

 

[Timmythekid]

Slowly starting my ISD build and a couple of comments. First, what is the point of those inserts that need to be installed in the lower hull? It's like they're there to increase part-count. Second, be suuuuuper careful cutting the hangar pieces off the sprue for the main bay - sliced some important tabs clean off thinking they were under gate. Luckily i was practicing on the clear parts first...

 

[Dmitriy311]

The one major drawback I can see while inspecting the kit and going over the instructions - is the fact that there is no external way to turn the lights on. You literally have to remove the upper cake and conning tower, then remove the white light diffuser cowling and individually turn the sets of switches on or off and then replace the diffuser and the top cake. That aspect has caused me to think that I would have been just fine with the Standard version - albeit I would have to engineer a plan and buy and put in my own LED lighting system. But again, I really wanted to build this out of the box and not worry about that, so the trade off has yet to be seen in terms of value.

the problem is firstly unnecessary crevices which let in unnecessary light. second-latches, which someday break down. I think we should put neodymium magnets in these places. question how?

 

[Peter H]

Okay I pulled the trigger on the Standard version. Not a bad deal for $20.

View attachment 1059190

Yay for gift cards.

SB

20$ for the Standard-Version? Sounds mor like the tiny Version...

 

[Dmitriy311]

Slowly starting my ISD build and a couple of comments. First, what is the point of those inserts that need to be installed in the lower hull? It's like they're there to increase part-count. Second, be suuuuuper careful cutting the hangar pieces off the sprue for the main bay - sliced some important tabs clean off thinking they were under gate. Luckily i was practicing on the clear parts first...

Do you mean the parts F8 and F11, which need to glue the foil?

 

[StevenBills]

20$ for the Standard-Version? Sounds mor like the tiny Version...

I used some Amazon gift cards I had kicking around.

SB

 

[Lichtbringer]

What is more important to you: size or quality? The Zvezda can look great with after market parts and a lot of work. Bandai looks good OOB.

Thats pretty easy to answer.

The Zvezda is big enough to give a imagination of the sheer size and power of a Imperial class SD, It´s details can be upgraded if someone wants more detail.

The Bandai has a lot of details - but will always be a tiny display piece. Cute, but under no circumstances really impressive.

 

[Analyzer]

The one major drawback I can see while inspecting the kit and going over the instructions - is the fact that there is no external way to turn the lights on. You literally have to remove the upper cake and conning tower, then remove the white light diffuser cowling and individually turn the sets of switches on or off and then replace the diffuser and the top cake. That aspect has caused me to think that I would have been just fine with the Standard version - albeit I would have to engineer a plan and buy and put in my own LED lighting system. But again, I really wanted to build this out of the box and not worry about that, so the trade off has yet to be seen in terms of value.

They did that with the 2202 EDF Dreadnaught kit from the Space Battleship Yamato line as well as the LED holders for the 1/500 2199 Yamato. It is the main reason I passed on the limited edition one and will be going for the standard one. The lighting kit is just not worth it considering how basic it is and you risk breaking lots of the fiddly radar bits removing the towers and it also leaves some undesirable gaps. Of course the Star Destroyer may be less like that, but still, it is a pain.

I could even accomplish the same lighting using simple pre-wired LEDs connected to a battery for probably half or less of the added cost

 

[Timmythekid]

Do you mean the parts F8 and F11, which need to glue the foil?

No, I don't think that was the one. It's the little hangar that you install through the front wall of the main bay in the first step where it's involved. I stupidly cut off the little tab that sticks out to the port side. Martinis may have been a factor...
Absolutely loving most of how the rest of the kit comes together - seams and points where the pieces attach to the sprues are all generally hidden after parts are put together, with the only real exception I've found so far being the 'boxes' where the smaller sublight engines mount - think I'll glue those down hard, because they don't quite sit flush against the bigger engine areas A and B, and I don't like the little gap.

 

[gizmo]

I plan on putting a toggle switch on the outside to power up and down the lights. Pretty simple to add one.

Ben

 

[r0ver]

I plan on putting a toggle switch on the outside to power up and down the lights. Pretty simple to add one.

Ben

Do you mean using the included lighting kit? I’m guessing not, but just checking.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Why not just use a remote for the lights?

 

[gizmo]

Do you mean using the included lighting kit? I’m guessing not, but just checking.

Using the supplied kit just adding an external switch to it to cut the power. I don't have the kit yet (it's shipping. ) but when I do I will work out how to do it.

Ben

 

[INVAR]

I will be VERY interested to see what you are able to accomplish on that score. I may want to mimic your efforts.

 

[Timmythekid]

Thats pretty easy to answer.

The Zvezda is big enough to give a imagination of the sheer size and power of a Imperial class SD, It´s details can be upgraded if someone wants more detail.

The Bandai has a lot of details - but will always be a tiny display piece. Cute, but under no circumstances really impressive.

I dunno, I think "cute" is equally unfair. The Big Z is a cool, imposing Star Destroyer kit, even without a lot of work put into it beyond OOTB assembly. But it's got some weird dimensions in spots though, and some rather generic, procedurally-generated-looking greebling, and while recognizable as a Star Destroyer, is always going to look a little 'off'.. The Bandai however....just screams "Avenger". The lines of the Bandai ARE the 8' studio model - after the MPC, the Cooper, the Anigrand, and the Zvezda, this is the only kit that, my eye anyways, just looks 'right'. The amount of detail present is frankly astonishing, and lines up startlingly with photo-surveys of the real thing. "Cute" feels awfully dismissive for what Bandai achieved with this kit.
Now....that saaaaaaaid.....I can't help but think back to the 'making of' features Bandai did on this kit, remember that Bandai is now in possession of damn-near perfect digital files for the 8' studio model and all of its intricate detailing, and think 'maaaaaaaybe someday...…...'

 

[Guns Akimbo]

Why not just use a remote for the lights?

Or how about a small magnetically activated switch?

 

[Portaler]

So are there any definitive good quality assembly/paint video series out there for the Bandai model yet ?

What are you guys watching/following ? It's more painting tips I'm after.

 

[Attirex]

Yay! My USA Gundam order has shipped.

So--reading the comments here, now also wondering if I'll bother with the lighting (which is unfortunate bc I already paid for the Limited Edition). Although in theory it sounds cool 1) taking top off to turn on or replace batteries is a pain 2) I'm too lazy/unskilled to mod the electric setup 3) TBH, once the SD is sitting on my shelf, not sure how often I'd turn it on anyway (ie, I don't think it will be a big thrill for the wife and kids).

Hm.