HGUC 1/144 GP01Fb Zephyranthes Full Burnern — Original Colours, Metallic Finish

Kit: HGUC 1/144 RX-78GP01Fb Gundam GP01Fb Zephyranthes Full Burnern
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Finish inspiration: MG 1/100 GP01Fb Metallic Coating Ver.
Paints: GSI Creos Mr. Hobby Mr. Color
Status: Completed
Publication date: 16 October 2026

Introduction

The RX-78GP01Fb Gundam GP01Fb Zephyranthes Full Burnern is the upgraded, space-combat configuration of the Gundam GP01 from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory.

This build uses the standard HGUC 1/144 kit, finished in the mobile suit’s familiar blue, red, yellow, white and grey colours. The twist is a custom metallic treatment inspired by the MG 1/100 GP01Fb Metallic Coating Ver.

There is also a musical connection. The GP01Fb appears in Linkin Park’s 2003 music video for Somewhere I Belong, retaining its original colours. That appearance provided an additional reference for this build.

The aim was simple: retain the GP01Fb’s familiar colour scheme while giving it a more reflective, metallic finish.

Paints and Materials

The main paints used were from the GSI Creos Mr. Hobby Mr. Color lacquer-based range. Paint Application No. 2 Gloss Black Base coat No. 8 Silver Metallic layer No. 9 Gold Gold-coloured parts No. 13 Neutral Grey Mixed with Silver for metallic grey No. 47 Clear Red Clear colour over Silver No. 50 Clear Blue Clear colour over Silver

Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color in Black and Pink-Brown was used for panel lining, with enamel thinner and cotton buds for cleanup. A gold marker was used to highlight a chest detail.

The PC-20 and PC-123 polycap components were left unpainted.

Painting Process

Metallic Colours

All runners except the polycap components received Mr. Color No. 2 Gloss Black as the base coat.

The white-moulded parts were painted with No. 8 Silver, while the yellow-moulded parts received No. 9 Gold.

For the blue parts, No. 8 Silver was applied first, followed by No. 50 Clear Blue after the silver had dried. The red parts received the same silver undercoat, followed by No. 47 Clear Red.

The grey parts received a mixture of No. 13 Neutral Grey and No. 8 Silver. The proportions were determined through intuitive mixing, using visual judgement rather than precise measurement.

Face and Optics

The face received a gloss-black base coat, followed by No. 8 Silver and No. 50 Clear Blue.

The supplied sticker was then used to mask the optics. No. 8 Silver was airbrushed over the exposed areas before the sticker was removed.

Black panel liner was applied, and excess was carefully removed using a cotton bud moistened with enamel thinner.

The result was a pair of shiny blue eyes instead of the original green. This required additional masking and painting, but the metallic blue optics added a distinctive touch to the completed mobile suit.

Shield

The shield began with the same gloss-black base coat and No. 8 Silver layer.

No. 50 Clear Blue was then applied to the regions intended to be blue. The supplied stickers were used to mask these regions before another layer of No. 8 Silver was airbrushed over the exposed areas.

After removing the masking stickers, the shield displayed contrasting metallic blue and silver sections.

Pink-Brown panel liner was used on the blue regions, while Black was used on the silver areas. Excess was removed carefully with enamel thinner and cotton buds.

Chest Detail

A V-shaped detail on Runner A, Part 40, was highlighted with a gold marker against the predominantly blue chest area.

The marker tip produced a less consistent line than intended. Black panel liner was applied around the perimeter to frame the detail and improve its definition.

Panel Lining and a Lesson in Paint Chemistry

Panel lining was performed while the parts were still attached to their runners.

Pink-Brown was used on the silver-finished white parts and clear-blue-finished blue parts. Black was used on the metallic grey and gold parts, as well as the face. The shield received Pink-Brown on blue and Black on silver.

During cleanup, care was needed to avoid disturbing the underlying silver paint.

This build provided a useful lesson in paint chemistry: Mr. Color is lacquer-based, while Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color is enamel-based. Enamel thinner was used to remove excess panel liner, but the underlying paint was not completely immune to damage. Curing time, paint thickness, solvent exposure and rubbing pressure all affected how safely the excess could be removed.

The experience reinforced the importance of understanding paint compatibility and using solvents sparingly, particularly over metallic finishes.

Final Appearance

After painting and panel lining, the parts were assembled into the completed HGUC 1/144 GP01Fb Zephyranthes Full Burnern.

The metallic treatment gives the smaller HGUC kit an appearance reminiscent of the MG 1/100 GP01Fb Metallic Coating Ver. while retaining the original mobile suit colours.

The metallic blue and red sections, gold details, custom metallic grey, blue optics and two-tone shield give the familiar design a different surface character.

The Linkin Park Connection

The GP01Fb’s appearance in Somewhere I Belong connects this build to Linkin Park’s music and its place in the band’s early-2000s era.

The publication date also coincides with the theatrical release of Linkin Park: Unshatter in Hong Kong and Macao on 16 October 2026, making it a fitting occasion to share a project that brings together Gunpla and music.

Conclusion

This HGUC 1/144 GP01Fb combines the mobile suit’s familiar colours with a custom metallic finish inspired by a premium Gunpla release.

From intuitive mixing and careful masking to panel lining and solvent cleanup, the build offered several practical lessons alongside the visual transformation.

One mobile suit, its familiar colours, and a different metallic finish.