GUNPLA: MG Sinanju & MG Unicorn Gundam

Posted on 27. Jan, 2009 by admin in Gundam/Mecha

Sinanju aerial strike using beam shield.

I figured when I left this blog over a year ago that I wouldn’t return. But alas my love for Gundam and Anime has returned. I plan to continue this blog on a regular basis. At least an update every month.

I start off with the Mobile Suit that brought me back, the MG Sinanju. I really didn’t expect Bandai to churn this one out. I figured the company would just direct all attention to Gundam Seed and its predecessors. But I’m glad they decided to produce the mecha.

Unicorn versus Sinanju. (Digitally rendered to include flare)

I also review the MG Unicorn which I had bought last year and played around with the idea of doing a post on it, but never got to it. My usual shooting studio, the Blue Ridge Mountains, is no longer available to me so I decided to play around with indoor settings, light and shadows and some digital manipulation.

MG Sinanju

The MG Sinanju after a triumphant battle with the RX-O.

The Sinanju is a Neo Zeon Mobile Suit from the Japanese novel “Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.” Full Frontal, the pilot’s name, operates the mecha. I decided not to put, Full Frontal(..this name is kind of odd and funny name.), in Sinanju since I found that the configuration for the seating was a bit loose on my model.

But that’s the only thing that I found that was loose on this model. It looks like a tank and it’s built like one too! I’ve accidentally dropped it a couple of times from the shooting table, with the end result being no damage and all it’s armor plates attached with no sign of letting up.

Sinanju with Beam Saber.

Sinanju kneeling with Beam Saber.

I’ve got to give props to Bandai for this model. I think it’s one of the sleekest and deadliest designs that I’ve seen for any type of mecha. Even though it’s bulky and huge, Sinanju’s maneveurability is incredible. You can see from the shot above, it’s knee joint is fully capable of bending to almost any type of pose you can think of.

Sinanju waiting to strike in the shadows.

I knew before I ordered it that there was no way in the world that I would leave it unpainted. I deviated a bit from the color schemes provided, the biggest difference is the joints and hands which I painted light gunmetal gray to give it a steel looking quality.

Sinanju in Flight. (Stand digitally removed)

One thing that I really wished I had done last year when I was putting the Unicorn together was get water decals, which I did with the Sinanju and helped a lot to give it more detail. Having said that the gold water decals that come with the Sinanju were horrible! You’ve got to have a lot of patience and dexterity in order to put those on. They are also a bit more flimsy than the water decals you buy from Bandai.

The Sinanju includes a few weapons and from what I understand he’ll be getting a big new one come April. Like the Sinanju itself, the designs of his arsenal are well done and just add to the menacing look of the Neo Zeon Mobile Suit.

Sinanju with Large Beam Axe-Blade.

Sinanju Aerial Strike with Beam Axe Saber.

Sinanju kneeling with Beam Rifle.

Sinanju strike using double beam axe blade.

As mentioned before, the gold water decals that came with the Sinanju were just too flimsy, so I had to use the regular decals for all the gold emblems that you see on the model. It took some patience to get them on and align them just right, especially for the knee and elbow joints.

The white line markings across the leg and shoulders also proved to be kind of difficult for me even using the water decals that I purchased separately from Bandai. Fortunately enough the rub on decals that came with the Sinanju were a bit easier to use than previous rub-on’s. So if I made a mistake using the water decals I could go back to the rub-on’s.

Sinanju with double axe sabers.

Sinanju in Flight. (Stand Digitally Removed)

Sinanju strike with Beam Rifle.

I’m glad I purchased the Sinanju, it’s a favorite design of mine especially since it has a kind of resemblance to the Kampfer. The poseability is incredible for it, given that it’s big and bulky. The markings on it add to the detailed look, once you get them on and aligned right. The model is a must buy for Zeon fans and all-around mecha fans, you won’t regret it!

The MG Sinanju

RX – O Unicorn Gundam

RX-0 Gundam Unicorn

The RX-O Unicorn Gundam is again from the aforementioned novel Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. Piloted by the novel’s protagonist, Barnage Lynx.

I bought the Unicorn Gundam early last year after I played around the idea of coming back earlier to Otaku Surf. This normal mode of the Unicorn, looks pretty simple enough, but it is much sturdier in this version than it is in Destroy Mode.

The decals do a great job of making it more detailed since it’s practically all white.

RX-O Unicorn Armed with Gatling Gun.

RX-O Saber Strike.

RX-0 Gatling Strike.

RX-O Unicorn Gundam Destroy Mode

MG Unicorn Gundam - Destroy Mode.

This is the reason why I bought the Unicorn. It’s awesome psycho-frame Destroy mode. I really like the fact that it has all those red psycho-frame panels throughout it’s body. This mode also is slightly taller than the normal mode of the Unicorn.

The only real downside for the model in Destroy mode, is that it’s armor is very loose, since it was made to be transformable. This can be a bit frustrating when you’re trying to maneuver the arms and legs.

Another negative is it’s knee joint which is not as poseable as previous MG’s and newer ones like the Sinanju. I went ahead and slightly modified the knee joint on its right leg for some flexibility.

Unicorn flight with Double Gatling Gun.

Moonlight Unicorn Blast Off.

Unicorn with Sabers

I like the Destroy mode so much in fact that I’m thinking about getting another one and possibly doing a Banshee of it. It’s a great design that adds more unique details to the popular well-known classic Gundams.

Unicorn versus Sinanju.

Unicorn with Beam Rifle

Unicorn Fully Armed

Well, we finally come to the end of this very long post after a very long hiatus. I’m very impressed so far with the Gundam Unicorn MG’s and hopefully Bandai will continue to produce them.

Although the Gundam Unicorn has a few problems, in reference to it’s leg mobility and loose plating, I still like the model’s design and have no regrets in purchasing it. The Sinanju, to me is an excellent MG. The only real downside again, is having the time and patience to get those gold stickers aligned correctly.

I’ve heard that the Delta Plus may be the next one they produce from Unicorn, which I think is fantastic. If they make an MG out of it, I’ll be the first to pre-order it.

The MG Unicorn Gundam

Hunt for the White Unicorn, Resurrection & Revenge

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNdIEPh28ZA]

23 Responses to “GUNPLA: MG Sinanju & MG Unicorn Gundam”

marvinryan

28. Jan, 2009

hey welcome back! it’s been a long while! ^^
Paliodor

28. Jan, 2009

Excellent work on this Sinanju, paint job is done very good and photos are great .
Sil3nC3_10

28. Jan, 2009

hey love the poses of ur Sinanju. i juz wanna ask what kind of red did u paint ur Sinanju with. Thanks
fixt

28. Jan, 2009

Hey much appreciated guys! I used Tamiya spray paint, Mica Red.
wildflug

28. Jan, 2009

Hey, nice work on the Sinanju there! I am tempted to get one, but I’ll have to get the Unicorn first. It’s nic to hear that you can make the gold parts look good without using paint ^^

BTW how did you mod the Unicorn’s legs? Did you just remove a part that hindered its movements?
fixt

29. Jan, 2009

Hey thanks! I personally like using stickers when I have to, and in this instance it was well worth it.

I just modded the right leg of the unicorn, and it’s not just one part that has to be modded. Follow the link below to the forum, and the info should be halfway down the page.

http://www.hobbyfanatics.com/index.php?showtopic=13934&st=300
Michael H.

29. Jan, 2009

Nice pics! I’m really tempted to get the Sinanju now. Didn’t realize how detailed it was.
wildflug

30. Jan, 2009

Ha ha tnx for the info dude, it’s very much appreciated ^^
yasser anas

30. Jan, 2009

excellent work! I just finished with my Sinanju. The design, those deadly curves and the details are just amazing. Zeon really are lucky to have cool mecha, just like the Sazabi. lol.

Sieg Zeon!!!
Shinjiro Toida

31. Jan, 2009

Superb photography, Surf! I have yet to shoot using shadows but it looks like you’re stepping into that type of shooting. The Sinanju is just a jaw dropping model.
Sil3nC3_10

02. Feb, 2009

hi im sori to ask such a noob q but did u use primer before painting ur Sinanju??

thanks
fixt

03. Feb, 2009

@Yasser Anas
Can’t wait to see it. Zeon does have the best, with Sazabi and of course the Kampfer.

@Sil3cnC3_10
No problem, no I didn’t use primer for any part of the Sinanju. The colors I used for the Sinanju, are somewhat similar to the plastic’s color, so I didn’t really need set down a base. On the other hand…..

BLOG UPDATE: Talking about primer’s, I used a primer on my custom Gadessa which is about 90% done.

I changed the colors signficantly to have it similar to Capt. Healing Care’s Gadessa from Gundam 00 Season 2. Look for a post next week or later this week on it.
Sil3nC3_10

22. Feb, 2009

Hey i know its kinda late for me 2 ask but can u give me any tips on how u painted the Vulcan Gun on Sinanju’s head?

im new at painting n u reali did a good work.

thanks
fixt

22. Feb, 2009

You actually bring up a point that I forgot to mention in my post. I didn’t even realize that the vulcan cannons were red UNTIL I had completely painted the model.

What I did was take apart the head completely.

I then took the one piece that had the mask and the vulcans and completely taped, with thin model masking tape, the whole piece except for the vulcan cannons and spray painted the cannons with gunmetal grey tamiya spray paint.
T

24. Feb, 2009

Just curious but what topcoat did you apply to the Sinaju?
fixt

24. Feb, 2009

I used Tamiya’s Clear Matte spray to finish it off.
T

25. Feb, 2009

Thanks for the reply. Was thinking that would be semi-gloss since it didn’t look full-on gloss or matte to me.
bazztart

26. Aug, 2009

Hi there. First of all I have to say … you have one of the best builded sinanju Ive seen!! Congrtulations:) You have done a lot of work and stoped in right time. For example G-system sinanju(their pictures) are overdetailed i thing … it isnt look good. Yours is great!! I have some questions… which colors u use for inerframe, fingers and thursters?. And how you awoid paint driling out in movable parts …example elbows. I really want to paint inerframe but this is my nightmare:) Thanx for advice!!
admin

27. Aug, 2009

Thank you! I spray painted the innerframe, finger and thrusters with light gunmetal gray Tamiya spray paint cans. I usually spray some distance away so I don’t clog up the small holes on the pieces.

As for G-System, I actually like some of their models and I’m planning on building one of their models, but it’s going to take some time.
ant1ph0n

09. Feb, 2010

got a question. will 1 tamiya spray can for the red parts suffice or 2 would be the minimum?
admin

15. Feb, 2010

I would say at least 2, if I remember correctly I used 3 cans. But I painted a second coating over the first.
Andrew Ho

21. Apr, 2010

Where did you get the Unicorn’s gatlings? Do they come with the kit? Awesome job btw
admin

22. Apr, 2010

Thanks! Unfortunately the gatling guns did not come with the unicorn.

I ordered mine. They came with a Gundam novel which you could probably find online, perhaps ebay.

Otaku Surf

GUNPLA: MG Sinanju & MG Unicorn Gundam

23 Responses to “GUNPLA: MG Sinanju & MG Unicorn Gundam”

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