I recently received a third party kit that I'm very excited to build. This is the "Wolf Industries - Wolf Model 1/100" and is very inspired by the Barbatos Lupus Rex from Gundam IBO.
This is my first third party purchase and I am smitten. The box left a lot to be desired, but it was the shipping that had me worried. The box arrived pretty banged up (on the side and back) but none of the cardboard had torn. Then I discovered it had been shipped by the store with no tape?? Just the folds of the cardboard holding everything inside.
Shockingly, all the parts are still inside and undamaged, but I was very concerned.
On to the kit after the cut!
First, oh my god it is so sharp! I'm very happy to have decent callouses on my fingers or else this would be brutal. I know it's Iron *Blooded* Orphans, but come on. Some of the connections are tight and the fear of impaling myself demands my full attention during the build.
Some edges have a very thin 'flap' of plastic, but a blade will take it off with no pressure. I'd rather be looking at slightly too much plastic than not enough.
I do think it's worth it though! The plastic is easy to cut, has a nice matte finish and a lot of detail. The standard white has been changed to a cool grey and the standard yellow exchanged for more of an orange. These colour changes help it feel a bit more real than the brighter colours of the official design. I've never been a fan of the yellow bandai uses and I almost always paint over it.
Next up the inner frame!
This is 6 pieces pre assembled (2 legs, 2 arms, hips, torso). Each is a mix of plastic and two metals, chrome for the piping and pistons, and a bronzy steel for the frame itself.
Each metal joint is tight enough that I have confidence it can support a lot of weight (which the mace will certainly test).
My only concerns for the inner frame are the plastic aspects of the shoulders (but it cam with spare parts), and the small plastic connecting the elbow to the upper arm. Given the width of everything else, this feels quite small. I hope it bulks up with armour attached.
Well, thanks for reading! I'll post more as the process continues. I'm really looking forward to the build and all of the weapons and effect parts, so many effect parts!
