If you're into Gunpla, you've probably dabbled in all sorts of techniques – painting, custom cuts, weathering effects – anything to make your kits truly stand out.
This time, we're checking out a wild custom build using an old-school 80s kit. Japanese Gunpla builder Hitto (@qPw582eLmKmnzjt) pulled off some masterful painting techniques and material wizardry, transforming this "Full Armor Gundam" Gunpla into something that looks straight out of an illustration – and fans are absolutely losing it over the results.
The FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam, an armor test mobile suit, first appeared in "Mobile Suit Gundam MSV". Towards the end of the One Year War, the Earth Federation Forces piled on heavy armaments and armor onto the RX-78 series to boost its firepower. The Full Armor Gundam boasted battleship-level firepower, and despite being clad in thick armor, its mobility issues were cleverly offset by massive leg thrusters.
Hitto's chosen canvas for this masterpiece? An old-school Gunpla kit from the 80s. These "Kyu Kits" (old kits), as they're known in Japan, were among the very first Gunpla releases when the original Gundam series hit the scene. Back then, Gunpla designs were much rounder, a stark contrast to both the early mobile suit concepts and today's sleek models.
But nailing that classic illustration style from the design archives? Hitto admits it was an absolute nightmare to pull off. Achieving that illustrative look on a physical model demands incredible brush control and a steady hand, and it took countless tries to finally get the look just right.
He even snapped some pics of the kit "in his hand" just to prove it's a real, physical Gunpla. Even then, fans were still screaming, "Wait, how does it still look like an illustration?!"
Hitto noted that while old kits might lack the intricate detail of modern Gunpla, painting them is anything but easy. Still, he's super proud of how this one turned out. Hitto's X (formerly Twitter) is packed with more incredible Gunpla builds showcasing his painting prowess, so if you're into Gunpla eye candy, you absolutely need to check out his feed!
via： X 帳戶ヒット