I can't really comment on where to get kits as I'm in Montreal and there's literally only 3 hobby shops that normally carry Gunpla in this city.

But I just think the context of your query is super-awesome.
And made me realize that the first kit that I built as an "adult" (ie, trying to clean the sprue nubs, painting, panel-lining, etc) was in 1999, so it's been 20+ years for me too. If I had a kid, I'd love it if they got into this hobby too with me.

 

Yeah, this time last year she said she was doing them. so i gave her my hobby knife and gundam marker for panel lines and told her the last time i’d done one was before she was born. she is 17. even though i didn’t directly influence it. it’s fun to pass on what i know from when it was my thing.

 

I almost think it's cooler she got into it independent of you. That just means the modeller bug is in your genes!  

As for other places in the US that stock kits, I know Barnes and Noble carries some.

 

Hobbytown USA typically has an excellent selection of kits of both Gunpla and Gunpla-like, though I'm lucky to live 30 minutes away from one.

Of course, you could order from a US retailer - I recommend USA Gundam Store. They ship on Fridays and it's $10 flat rate, but that shit ships fast.

https://www.usagundamstore.com/

 

So I got my Tiasha in today and after messing around with her, tried out the cross combination..


In person, she almost feels like a sexier version of Master Chief. What people don’t tell you about the cross combination though, is the inverse, which is much better.

 

 

The one posing on the floor is hot... I mean the standing one, the standing one!   

 

Man, finally building the RG Force Impulse and the V-fin snapped at the tip. (the white one) I really wish Bandai could do something about these super thin parts with nubs on them. They managed to do it on the yellow one so I don't know why the other didn't. >:I

 

Anyone have this kit build, broken for parts? I need the backpack for a KB.

helmwige reincar 1/144

 

The RG Eva Unit 01’s horn snapped when I built her, so I know that pain.

 

General assembly finished. i'm gonna be painting the gold trim on her costume, as well as some facial detail.

got the work cut out for me with the two alternate expression face plates included, however,
since both extra plates are provided bare, and fully dependent on itty-bitty waterslides for eye and facial details.

time to break out my MICRO-SOL, MICRO-SET and MACRO-GUMPTION, as
getting Waterslides right ALWAYS makes me about as nervous as a Cat in a room full of Rocking Chairs.

after all, getting facial details on a character figure model JUST RIGHT is about as utterly crucial as anything has ever been...








EDIT; 12/12/21: lip detail, dress trim, underskirt and sole painting generally finished, some stubborn touch-up/cleanup left to fight with.
still have those alternate face plates left to handle, however; those will surely be the trickiest by far.

i mean, i'm hardly the worst with Waterslides, but they do nevertheless give me the willies every time i deal with them. they CAN be tricky at times, after all,
and one generally gets but one chance to get them just right...

 

Aside from here, what are the current good Gunpla forums? I miss the days of Hobbyfanatics, ZeroG, Mechatalk, Gundam Eclipse, etc.... Thanks

 

Everything is now discord  

 

So I’m looking to buy a top goat for my gundam, and I would like to know, does anyone recommend a specific brand? Also, is a matte finish or gloss finish better for gunpla?

 

Mr hobby or tamiya.

 

We used to have Lamanchas and Nubians, but they were so hyper sensitive to change in diet or sickness. We ended up burying nearly the entire herd, save for the ones who jumped the fence to the crazy neighbor's place (he technically held the fence open to attract them in with his briar goats).

... your typo, not mine.



*HARO LOL*
-
Seriously though, the cheap and easy solution is Testors Dullcote.

 

There is no "better" in regards to matte or gloss; it mainly comes down to what you're looking to get as an end-result.
In general, most people will matte-coat solid colors, and gloss-coat metallics and clears, but even then there are exceptions.
You do you for the final product that you want to end up with.  

 

I was hoping you'd be the one to catch onto that typo.

 

Honestly, I have no idea what that even is

 

Man, so I finished the RG Force Impulse and... It's not as great as I thought it'd be. The V-fin snapped, which is always annoying and it still boggles my mind that Bandai hasn't figured out a better way to mould such a small and delicate piece. the forearms are really loose and slide off of those weird rounded pegs, the articulation feels counter-intuitive and like there's a lot of stress in the shoulders and knees, and the backpack feels flimsy. The little pop-out thrusters on the lower wings especially were shit, stressing and almost snapping the pegs they clipped on before actually attaching. Had to rip them apart and apply pressure from the inside instead.

Also that stand adapter is garbage. Why is the peg hole pointing forwards? It means any other stand you use is going to look obvious and get in the way of such a small, lithe figure. And it has that stupid main attachment that's custom-designed for action bases rather than just a simple friggin' peg hole like everything else in the world. I feel like I'm 0/2 on the Force Impulse. Maybe it's just not the MS for me.

 

An often bitter, general agreement? ... wow, it's the perfect metaphor for internet social interaction. so Meta..
We can all agree with Cyclonus, just stay away from tumblr. At least my DA page is still rated "No Rule 34."

Everybody knew this was coming, I just don't have pictures for this one. Goats are buried in my past, very much literally and I didn't have a camera back then. The Moobile Sweeties are fine by the way. nothing new to report.