For any Gunpla enthusiast, customization is where the real fun begins. From custom paint jobs and scribing to heavy weathering, the possibilities are endless.
Recently, Japanese Gunpla YouTube channel Puramin's Plamo Factory showcased a stunning custom build of the HG 1/144 TX-ff104 Arios Gundam from "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe," reimagined in the iconic colors of the ν Gundam. The incredible finish and next-level craftsmanship have left fans in awe.
The star of the show is the massive mobile suit from "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe," the HG 1/144 TX-ff104 Arios Gundam.
Puramin initially struggled with choosing a color scheme. After some thought, he noted that the Arios's core unit is actually the RX-94 Mass Production Type ν Gundam. This sparked an idea: "What if the Arios was the legitimate, enhanced evolution of the ν Gundam?" With that concept in mind, he set out to give the entire mobile suit a ν Gundam-style makeover.
The video begins with the model already assembled. Puramin's strategy was simple: if you can't see it, don't paint it. This meant that for the core Mass Production Type ν Gundam, only the exposed areas would get a new coat of paint.
First, he completely disassembled the finished kit to extract the inner ν Gundam. Parts that are completely hidden in Arios mode—like the lower half of the calves, the inner torso, the inside of the waist, parts of the head, and the backpack assembly—were left in their original state.
Next came the modifications. The most bothersome detail for Puramin was the hollow gap visible on the sole of the foot behind the knee. While most modelers would fill this with putty or pla-plate, he discovered that a part from the RG ν Gundam was a perfect fit. He simply swapped it in, saving a ton of fabrication time.
With surface prep complete, it was time for airbrushing. Since the theme was the ν Gundam, the primary colors were set to white and black. Although many associate the ν Gundam with a deep navy blue, the creator opted for a stark black this time.
However, the black sections weren't just a simple flat black. Puramin custom-mixed a deep, bluish-black to bring the overall look closer to the ν Gundam's signature style.
He used water-slide decals from both the "Hathaway's Flash" general-purpose set ② and the "Char's Counterattack" Earth Federation Forces set to further enhance the military aesthetic.
After painting, Puramin applied weathering. He started with a matte topcoat, then applied a weathering wash over the entire mobile suit. Once it was partially dry, he wiped it down with paper towels and used solvent to create a natural, worn look. A final semi-gloss topcoat sealed the deal.
The completed Arios retains its original imposing and heavy presence, but the ν Gundam color scheme transforms it into what looks like a massive, frontline weapon of war. Not only does it feel more substantial, but its military vibe is also significantly amped up.
The enhanced details, from the panel lines and decals to the weathering effects, are absolutely stunning. Even the creator himself remarked, "This paint job turned out to be a huge success."
Fans flooded the comments section after seeing the final product: "This color scheme is a perfect match!" "The ν Gundam colors are always a classic!" "It already looked heavy, but now it looks even more heavily armored!" and "This is basically the final evolution of the ν Gundam from an alternate timeline!"
Many viewers agreed that the Arios's original design already carried strong influences from the ν Gundam lineage. Decked out in the classic black-and-white scheme, it doesn't feel out of place at all; in fact, it feels like this is how it was always meant to look.
▼ Check out the full build video
If you're looking for more Gunpla inspiration, be sure to check out the "Puramin's Plamo Factory" YouTube channel for more awesome custom build videos!
via： X@ぷらみん/プラモ系YouTube