1:144 Turn A Gundam Review-Pt1

I decided to do this review in two parts, with this one being more about the question, "What's in the box?" Since the images make up a collage, I'll address them by row separately (as I will in Part 2).

1. Open Sesame! Pretty much the cover of the box and what you'll see upon opening it. But what's all in the box?

2. The runners. Three normal runners and a PC runner (the small runner that feels more like hardened, somewhat-rubbery plastic that usually serves as extra hands and joints). I also included the small foil sticker that fills in some minor details here and there, though I hadn't used them, for a change. When comparing the runners to the front box cover, the manual, or images of other Turn A Gundam models (be it built 1/144-scaled models or other versions), or of the design itself, you'll notice that many parts that should have a variety of details or colors lack them and are of basically one color and require paint. This is the case with 1/144-scaled Gundam models that came out around the time this one came out (1999), and even before.
Now, even today, similarly-scaled models lack some detail such as "panel-lining" (filling in small gaps of what represents gaps between armor plates of mobile suits) at the very least, and some more modern models still require some detail to be filled, though not as severe a need as there were in models like this one. Those with more expertise than I can hand-paint well, or use spray cans, or buy "Gundam markers" (essentially paint in marker form), and fill in details that way. I semi-tried that, but mainly used normal sharpie markers (as well as ones with a finer point) and some paint for the feet and hands (albeit it turned out sloppy, given my lack of expertise and perhaps poor choice of paint, and you'll see the sloppiness in the second part).

3. The (outer side of the) manual. Here, you see the front cover in the center, the back cover on the right (which includes lineart of Turn A's pilot (and main protagonist of the Turn A Gundam anime), Loran Cehack. The four views of the professionally-assembled model are included on the inside. Unfolded, it's the outside of the manual.

4. The (inner side of the) manual. Basically simple instructions on how to assemble the model. Even if you do not know Japanese, the instructions on these models are relatively easy to understand.

The model might take a short while to build (a few hours when being a bit patient), which is relatively short compared to bigger and/or more complex Gundam models. When taking the pieces off of the runners, I recommend either some cable cutters, scissors, or--if you're desperate to look for something to use--nail clippers. Or all three, since some parts are tricky to cut off.


Part 2 of the review (the assembled model itself) can be found here: [link]