Bandai HG 1/60 ARX-7 Arbalest version Invisible Victory package
The plastic model kit is the rendition of ARX-7 Arbalest in the Full Metal Panic: Invisible Victory. Despite a 1/60 scale, it is just a small model after build. The impressive aspect of this kit is that it has good articulations and high detail, as what is expected from a modern model kit produced by Bandai.
Instructions manual for the kit has good illustrations, and there is no need to understand japanese to build the modelThe back page of the instructions feature some of the fictional works of the Full Metal PanicARX-7 Arbalest build instructions page 1ARX-7 Arbalest build instructions page 2ARX-7 Arbalest build instructions page 3ARX-7 Arbalest build instructions page 4ARX-7 Arbalest build instructions page 5
To build the model, first need to check and ensure all the runners are accounted for.
ARX-7 Arbalest runner A and BARX-7 Arbalest runner C x 2 and DARX-7 Arbalest runner E x 2, F and GARX-7 Arbalest runner H1, H2 and PVC connector runners for articulated joint buildingARX-7 Arbalest sticker sheet
For this kit, I had intention to make it as a quick build, then I shall be committing heresy of modeler of not using stickers.
Stickers applied to the eye of Arbalest, save time for painting the eyesArbalest head building in progressArbalest head almost doneArbalest head done, panel lining not addedA closer inspection to Arbalest’s robot headInspecting Arbalest head on the sidesFurther inspection at Arbalest head before panel liningArbalest arm build and articulations without panel liningArbalest waist unit without panel lining frontArbalest waist unit back view without panel liningArbalest body unit front without panel liningArbalest body unit back without panel lining
The part that has the most complexity of build is the body unit.
All part of Arbalest after applying thinned black acrylic paint to the model seamsPanel lined Arbalest head after cleaning the excess paintArbalest hands and front body after cleaning excess paint Arbalest back body after cleaning excess paint Arbalest AssembledAdjusting head of Arbalest for better overall picture captureARX-7 Arbalest with monocular cutter aka robot knife at the sideShotgun can be stowed at the back of Arbalest just like in the showTesting the articulation limitation of HG ARX-7 Arbalest by kneeling it downSide view of the kneeling poseHG 1/60 ARX-7 Arbalest mirrored photoshootHG 1/60 ARX-7 Arbalest mirrored photoshoot, back view
This kit takes about 4 hours to build including panel lining, it is straight forward without overly complicated mechanical part building.
