'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude,
And my mother thought that was extremely rude.－The Who(Tattoo)
Awakening after a 700-year slumber in a sacred land, the Aura Battler reincarnated to face its fated rival, the Black Knight—this is the Sirbine.
Following up on our review of the Bellvine, this time we're circling back to the very first release in the PLAMAX Aura Battler series. Using the latest 3D scanning technology, this model kit masterfully converts the legendary 1980s "MAX Sirbine" soft vinyl kit into a modern plastic model. Its sharp, elegant sculpt and the unique texture resembling a Ferario's hide are refined and condensed into a 150mm scale.
The standout feature of this Sirbine is undoubtedly the revival of the Goddess Shield from the original DX version, designed by the legendary mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi.
While the shield itself is a single piece, the goddess relief in the center is thankfully molded separately. For painting, I referenced the box art sample, using a metallic purple-pink as the base. The goddess herself was painted with a realistic, blonde-haired human-like style to create a contrast in texture and depth.
The back of the shield was also designed with painting convenience in mind, featuring a separate inner lining piece. However, masking the irregular curved edges of the recessed areas was still quite a bit of work.
With the main body done, it's time to tackle the accessories (wait, what?). In a departure from typical model kits, the Sirbine's arms and the base of its thighs are integrated with the torso into a single, solid part. Considering this is a static display model, this design likely enhances its structural stability.
Next, we layer on the beautifully sharp and ornate outer armor. Even in a simple test fit, the Sirbine's regal Aura Battler presence is undeniable.
And then, it all comes apart again for the part-by-part painting process.
Thanks to the detailed part separation, painting tricky small areas, like the fang-like structures on either side of the mouth, is relatively easy. That said, it would have been even better if the gold trim patterns were also separate parts.
Fusing biological and mechanical elements, the almost-forgotten Aura Battler breaks free from its trembling, sacred confinement to return to the battlefield.
The manual provides four different color schemes for reference, but I didn't stick to any one in particular, opting for a freestyle fusion approach (my seam line removal was pretty freestyle, too~).
The main body color is a metallic silver with a hint of purple, mixed with some color-shifting metallic flakes.
The weapon is a legendary blade, fit for a king (just kidding!).
The scabbard is typically slung on its right rear hip, paired with an open-palm hand with slightly curled fingers.
By swapping out the hilt and replacing it with the sword part that includes a gripping hand, you can recreate the warrior's cool sword-wielding pose.
The head features a streamlined design reminiscent of a whale's tail. For the cockpit hatch on the chest, I took inspiration from the Dunbine and chose to paint it with clear green.
The gold pattern on the skirt armor, which somewhat resembles the Neo Zeon emblem, is accented with a single blue gem.
The bio-mechanical bird-talon feet and the large, curved calf armor both echo design elements from the Dunbine.
The dense network of cables beneath the armor was hand-painted with clear red. By allowing the paint to pool in the recesses, it creates an uneven depth that simulates muscle fibers, enhancing the bio-mechanical realism.
The most eye-catching feature on its back is undoubtedly the two pairs of translucent, damselfly-like wings tucked beneath the Aura Converter.
Although they are paper-thin, they unfortunately lack the etched vein details seen on the Dunbine. To compensate, I airbrushed them with a gradient of clear orange to clear yellow and added an iridescent top coat to mimic the shimmering, colorful effect of insect scales.
Almost forgot! For the final, complete form, we have to equip the soul of the machine: the great Goddess Shield.
The shield's attachment method is a bit unusual. There are no pegs or clips; it's held in place purely by slotting the sharp claws on the left hand into grooves on the shield's back. While it doesn't fall off at the slightest touch, posing it is still a little nerve-wracking.
And with that, gleaming with a violet-blue luster and a sharp gaze from its faintly visible deep red eyes, like a Formosan Whistling Thrush...
The Sirbine makes its entrance!
Comparing it to its successor, the Bellvine, you can really feel the technical innovation and evolution in kit design over time. This makes us even more excited for the next entry in the PLAMAX Aura Battler line, the Guitorre, which can't be released soon enough.
Feel my overflowing Aura Power!
