So here's the pics I promised of my finished MG Nu Gundam Ver. Ka, along with some thoughts on the kit.
So right off the bat, the kit is a looker. It fixes the weird proportions of the original Nu Gundam's design and adds some interesting micro detail that was absent from the old version. Mechanically, it's no slouch either. Even though some of the more recent models Bandai has released have identical if not superior features, the fully articulated hands and the elegant mounting system for the Fin Funnels still impress. The only real major qualms I have with the kit are its exceptionally top heavy nature when displaying the Funnels on its back and how it holds the Hyper Bazooka.
Or rather, how it doesn't. Getting the Nu Gundam to hold the HB is frustrating; Actually posing with it is nearly impossible. The angles at which you can get the pins in the hand and the Bazooka's grip to link together AND get the stock over the shoulder are extremely limited.
On the other hand, the posing system for the Funnels works great. Since displaying them in deployed mode is such an integral part of the kit, Bandai included a special stand in the box for the Gundam and its Funnels. Getting the Fins where you want them is easy, and once you get them there, they'll stay put for the most part.
The decals are a mixed bag. The water slides give great results visually, but actually applying them is tedious, and their delicate nature means the margin of error is very, very low. The Ra Cailum logo above is actually kit bashed; The decal sheet includes two versions of the same logo, one of which is split into two decals to facilitate the optional mode which exposes part of the underlying Psycho Frame by moving and removing certain parts of the outer frame. Being the butterfingers that I am, I ruined the upper decal after I'd already applied the lower, which forced me to cut the single piece decal in two and try make the upper section match.
I made a similar mistake on one of the decals above the thrust vents on the "skirt". I managed to make a clutch save by cutting out a section of the red Bandai logo on the sheet(which, thankfully, was also printed as a decal), applying that, and cutting the decal that I'd already applied correctly to match. This is the side that was applied correctly:
...and this is the side that was completely kit bashed:
Pretty decent looking, considering.
I made a number of other mistakes on the decals, but I was able to use other decals on the sheet in their place, so none of those mistakes were nearly as drastic. Phew!
All in all, I dig the kit. I think I did a pretty decent job with it; this is my first MG kit and only my second Gunpla, so I'm pleased that the end result is actually presentable. I'll probably buy one of the new RG's or the MG Turn A next, once I recover from the 70 dollar price point on this fellow.
They don't even offer to sell it lol.
