Science Fiction Flavour

Category: Film

  • Ohmu

    Bandai’s 1/20 Ohmu from Studio Ghibli was completed today, coinciding with Hayao Miyazaki’s 85th birthday, a fitting tribute to the creature’s origin.


    Painting & Weathering:
    All parts were base-coated with dark hobby paint, then airbrushed with plant-green paint to add natural shading. Tamiya Panel Line Accent (brownish-red) highlighted crevices, giving an organic, weathered appearance.
    The clear orb-like eye parts were first coated with a silver marker and then layered with transparent red hobby paint, creating depth and a soft glow.


    Assembly:
    Sides, base, and optic units assembled smoothly. The legs and other limbs, totaling over 50, required careful attachment. The final result is a fully articulated and visually dynamic creature.


    Reflections:
    Pre-painting parts simplifies assembly and ensures consistent weathering.
    Silver under transparent red produces realistic glowing eyes.
    Patience is essential when attaching repetitive parts, but the visual payoff is significant.
    The finished Ohmu serves as a miniature homage to Studio Ghibli’s imaginative creatures.

  • Buzz Lightyear

    Bandai plastic model kit, base-coated in dark tones and airbrushed with desaturated colours for a weathered finish. Water-slide decals add a more grounded, tech-like look. Built to commemorate Toy Story’s 30th anniversary.

  • Carcharodon carcharias

    A snapfit plastic model from Bandai, released through the Exploring Nature Lab product line. The mouldings were of solid-plastic, translucent-plastic, and rubber materials.

    I had the solid plastics airbrushed with Mr. Hobby paints, and the translucent and elastic pieces left unpainted. Panel line accentution solution was applied to the rubbery parts.

    In the final assembly, the pieces gripped together firmly.

  • Batmobile (Batman Begins version)

    Scale 1/35 plastic model from Bandai. A good majority of the components were snap-fit, while only a few required adhesive to hold. Super-glue was used to keep some of the wing flaps in place. Mr. Hobby paints were used to airbrush the parts and Tamiya panel line accentuation solution to bring out the details on the parts’ recesses.

  • All Terrain Armoured Transport (AT-AT)

    Scale 1/144 plastic model from Bandai.

    A snap-fit project with overall straightforward building instructions. The machine has numerous flat surfaces which can be satisfying to airbrush. Comes with intricate detailing parts and removable side plates.

  • Iron Man Mark XLIV Hulkbuster

    Scale 1/7 pre-painted model kit from Fondjoy. The set contained three runners’ worth of parts for assembly. The limbs came pre-assembled. I performed panel line accentuations before building the model.

    After construction, the cockpit housing became clad with magnetic parts. The optical lenses and several nodes on the body came with lights and batteries pre-installed.

  • Terminator HK Tank

    1/32nd Scale Model Kit from Pegasus Hobbies. Spent considerable time joining the parts with super glue. Held the continuous tracks together with staples. Used a nipper to “drill” holes at the machine’s faceplate and neck plate to facilitate the connections for the Lighting Unit bulbs. Performed weathering airbrushing with Mr Hobby paint 306.

  • Aerial HK Machine

    1/32 scale plastic model from Pegasus Hobbies. A straight forward kit that can be assembled quickly with the occasional use of cement. There were plenty of panel lines for accentuating, particularly at its “belly” where the details are more intricate.

  • Skeleton Tyrannosaurus

    Scale 1/32 plastic model from Bandai. A snap-fit kit that is straightforward to assemble and airbrush. The finish build captures the natural contours and bone-like detail of a genuine museum display.