I'm actually in favor of parts molded in color. I'd like them to run an off-white for the basic color, and a cool gray for the cockpit frame and canopy, red (or blue) for the markings, maybe a few separate panels in mustard yellow or moss green....
I suck at painting, and if there is any chance I can get away with not painting something, I will go for it.
Conversely, parts molded in color will have to have their paint chipping effects painted on, in the opposite way we usually do paint chipping. Not sure how I feel about that....
I'd love to have a canopy frame with no glass. Finally. Why FM didn't do that is beyond me.
Obviously, parts molded in color is for the younger modelers, and it's something that has become normal in Gundam (and other) kits. Frankly, I think it adds production value. Look at it this way: Now you don't have to mask your stripes at all, you can just paint the whole piece.
I'm curious if they'll have the wing markings molded in color. I can't tell if that's the case from the photo. While the fuselage stripes are largely defined by panel lines, the wing markings aren't, so if you wanted to renumber your bird, you'd have to putty over the unused wing markings' panel lines....
Dying for some better photos. Come on, HLJ, inquiring minds want to know!
-MJ