Introduction by Metal Slime

FF-X7-Bst (Unofficial Model No.)

The success of Project-V could not rely solely on the RX-78 alone, but also from the operation of supporting mecha from the Space Force/Air Force. This Core Booster is the result of continued development on the Core-Fighter series variation. The main purpose of the Core Fighter is to transport VIP (Very Important Pilot) 8 ) from fight scene as an escape pod, along with the important flight record/data to deliver to UNT's Intelligent Agency.

This booster part shares the same modular design/booster of RX-Series MS. Therefore, it can be adapted as a support fighter without sacrificing in additional production cost. If they have to engage in a dogfight, the pilot can employ 2 Mega Cannons mounted on top, or any combination on Weapon bay/rack in the lower half. In the worse case scenario, the pilot can also flee with their hi-power boosters.

The Core Fighter technology made a major comeback yet again in U.C. 0087/88 (Gundam Sentinel/Gundam ZZ), by its major supplier, the death merchant; Anaheim Electronics. [e.g. FF-08GB "G-Core"; FXA-08GB-Bst "G-Core Booster]

Trivia quiz:

Q: If Gundam XXX does exist, with Core Fighter technology, how would its Core module be called?

Answer at bottom of page

source:
1) [Gundam Sentinel] The battle of "Real Gundam" 1989/Model Graphix
2) MG RX-78-2 Instruction Book 1995/Bandai

The kit

This is a resin kit of original full scratch Core Booster by Masahiro Ando, that appeared in Model Graphix and the Gundam Sentinel book. The kit I got comes with the 2 vulcan cannons missing! But because of that I was able to pick it up at half-price, which is why I actually buy it in the first place. Anyway, replacements needed to be scratch build. Here I put it together quickly from 3mm plastic tube, tiny nozzle part, plastic plate, and putty. If you take a close look at it, you'll notice that the putty is still have a rough finishing.

As far as detail-up stuff goes, I trimmed a bit off the wings in the corner to insert clear parts. These are that little red and blue tiny thing on each side.

Painting

With the whole color scheme being the same as Gundam, is the main reason I started the project in the first place, since I was in the middle of building GP01 at the time. This way I can paint everything altogether in one sitting, without mixing the paint too many times.

Basically, the shadows go first, and then cover with white. Burner area is painted with flat black+dark iron, and seal with gloss coat (only burner, not the whole model).

Omake

The small core booster is a bonus from GONG's 1/220 Bygzam kit. Even at being less than half the size of 1/144, the details here are pretty good. The panel lines are a bit off-scale (too wide) and wings are too thick. But consider this is a thrown-together bonus kit, I have no complain on that.

For diorama details, see next page >>