Master Grade RX-78 GP01Fb Zephyranthes model kit

Several weeks after obtaining the Master Grade RX-78 GP02A “physalis”, i suddenly thought of:

Why not get its rival, RX-78 GP01 aka Zephyranthes?

Zephyranthes is piloted Kou Uraki in his pursuit to stop Gato in GP02A “Physalis” from using its nuclear weapon against Earth Federation. There are two versions of Master Grade GP01 in market, namely the original GP01 and the modified GP01fb or “full vernian”. GP01Fb is upgrade and repaired GP01 after it was defeated in space, severely damaged by Cima because it does not suitable for battle in space due to its lack of boosters. Hence, to be effectively battle in space, various thrusters (“vernians”) are mounted in GP01 to give it extra maneuvers and additional armors are also mounted, hence the suffix ‘Fb’ represents the upgrade (or full vernian is read ‘full bernian’ something in japanese)

Please click image for full size.

The box

Rival box - but its size only half of Physalis'

The box is precisely half of that compared to the box of RX-78 GP02A Physalis. You can even insert two GP01Fb’s box into GP02A’s box!

Left side

Features: Separable core fighter, mounting mechanism, additional armor and additional legs.

Upper/Bottom side

Right side

This side outlines more about the model kit. The pilot cockpit cn be opened, retractable shield, interchangable breast verniers, and beam rifle ammunitions.

The rich features of GP01Fb has already made me excited, but what made me even more excited is that it made this gundam more flexible to engage in combat with my GP02A!

Opening the box…

Preview of GP01Fb

Opening the box, there’s a piece of card gives large view of the gundam.

Parts list

The parts list here will be more extensive because of its lesser quantity compared to GP02A.

Shield and foot parts

The blue parts are for shield and the red ones are for the leg section.

Body and shoulder parts

White arts

White parts mainly for body armor.

Grey parts

Grey parts are for inner frame (skeletons) of the gundam, yellow for chest, transparent red for bean rifle, and colorless-transparent for core fighter windows, eyes and sensors.

Grey parts II

More grey parts. The red part is also the foot armor.

Grey parts II

Major parts

More white parts. Do you see the large part for the shield?

Assembly:

As usual, i started assembly with parts that requires least painting:

Legs

I drew lines for components present in the skeleton. It is not an easy task.

Waist

At this point, the leg and the waist can be assembled, but the frame won’t stand because there are no foot to balance it.

You might have seen that the white armor parts are not pure white, slightly aqua or green. I dont like my gundam to have that kind of color so i ordered white gundam marker to give it a complete makeover.

I am also not satisfied with the foul red colors of the red parts of gundam. It’s too red, very very red and looks annoying. The yellow parts for the chest also looks very striking yellow and not ‘natural. I also decide to paint it as well.

For the line arts, i think the black pen i have been using will not be suitable for bright parts of GP01Fb. I also decided to obtain a fine tip grey marker.

Hence, there’s more time to wait for the marker to come….

After the yellow, white and markers come

Hands

When i got white marker, painted the non-pure white parts using white gundam marker to make it looks more white. the gundam assembly can go quickly now as the required tools has come.

Lap armor

Lower body partially completed

I have painted the foul red parts using gundam marker, using metallic red color. It looks nicer now.

Closer view

It looks nicer compared to the original ones, and it reflects some light to reveal more of its shape.

upper view also complete

The blue parts does not give me problems. the blend quite nice with other parts of the gundam. After some linearts, i assemble the upper parts and the arms.

Working upwards

Then i assemble abdomen. White markers really come in handy. At this point too, i also prepared the rear armor of the legs.

Rear view

I think that’s just 40% complete. More to do.

Core fighter complete and connected upper and lower parts

I quickly assembled the core fighter (an aircraft that can combine with the gundam), hence there’s no pictures of it… The gundam is already look nice.

Breast armor assmbled

Next is the chest armor and boosters. I painted the inner parts of the verniers to red color to make it look nicer.

Next is the head…

Head completed

As usual, white parts repainted, eyes and sensor painted using flourescent green. Areas surrounding the eyes, blcak.The red parts repainted with metallic red. Finally, the artlines drawn using fine tip grey marker.

Beam Rifle, backpack (core fighter) included

The backpack is also finished in a breeze.

Since it’s quie finished now, i have time to take pictures of GP01Fb.. Let’s see

Side vernians can be expanded

The side vernians mounted on the shoulders can be expanded or retracted. I painted all verniers with red metallic markers, including the all in shoulders.

View from other side

Close view of big vernians

Personally, i like the picture above very much.

Shield included

I also included the partially finished shield, knee armor and leg armor. The shield is a big piece of white plastic repainted.

Vernians from behind

Verniers. There are really lots of verniers in this gundam, and it take lots of time to paint it. Nonetheless, it was fun.

Currently, there’s the progress of my GP01Fb. Check back soon for updates and complete model!

03-Sept-2008

Assembly almost complete.

Linearts drawn

Zephyranthes is nearly complete now. What’s left: Decals, coloring v-sign at the chest to yellow.

—–

séeput is excited

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Tags: assembly, GP01Fb, gundam, master grade, mg, rx78, zephyranthes

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