QUBELEY

The base kit for this project was the BANDAI 1/100 Master Grade (MG) Qubeley Embellir. I was drawn to the kit as the head design resembled the head of the Xenomorphs from the Alien Franchise, and the spare parts that are typical of Premium Bandai releases gave me confidence to customise the giant hands.

With this being the second Gunpla kit I attempted objectives were lax. I wanted to highlight details on the inner frame, add articulation to the hands, and increase detail on the external armor.

To show off the fin funnels and run with the Alien themed head, a tail was added, and the funnel container was made the tip of the tail. 3D printed parts were designed to fit polycaps and mount the tail to the torso. The tail segments were also 3d printed and spike details were added with recycled runner material.

Details on the inner frame were highlighted by removing sections of armor allowing them to peek through. I did not have spares of the external armor so I took my time by marking out and masking, before picking up the tools. Being this methodical also helped achieve symmetry between left and right side pieces.

Panel lines, plating and mechanical details were added to external armor parts with unused parts and failed 3D prints. Marking our and masking was heavily used again for placement of these extra details.

The giant hands were customised by separating the segments and adding flexible 3D printed parts I designed to complete the ball and socket joint already moulded into the parts. To allow the flexible 3D printed parts to hold a pose thin gauge wire was poked though the centre of the 3D printed parts.

Through researching reference images, a paint scheme was decided with shades of blues, greys and metallics for details. Test pieces were created to prevent future heart break and confirm a path to the desired finish. The texture in the finish intentional as I wanted to create a worn finish with a wash catching in the details of the texture. However, once I had top coat on the kit I chickened out and never applied to wash. Next time I guess!