Project Zaku: Harry Potter

Wow.. I've been busy. I did get to finish off another Zaku for a friend. He wanted a themed one. It was a special request.. as I've known him for 30 years now... maybe more.

This one was fun!

Costume Zaku Helmet For Sale!!

I've been super busy lately. In full production mode. Even halted my daughter's Zaku build for this. But, it's for a good reason.

I'm building an army of Zaku helmets! And they're all for sale!!

My daughter's school is in need of funding. (Whose school isn't, AMIRITE?!?) Well, I don't have any money to give them. Don't have a lot of time to give them either. Seeing as I'm a bad baker. Can't really make scarves. All I'm good at is crafts. And I can do them pretty fast. Why not make something I like? And since I'm already in production of a Zaku helmet. The process is fresh in my head. I can replicate the entire process pretty quickly. Mass producing them wouldn't be that much more effort and time.

So, PLEASE buy one (or two) now! This will make any guy/girl super awesome. (IF they aren't already) Seriously. Like seriously awesome. It will make a perfect birthday gift. And of course, it's the perfect halloween costume.

Features:

- all foam construction

- super lightweight

- durable

- no sharp edges (for kids)*

- great vision out of helmet

- limited edition

- included pads for different head sizes. Velcro'd on/off!

- yes, it does fit adults (Unless you have a freakishly large head. Then some modding will need to be done)

- colour of your choice (Gloss or Matte finish. No metallics)

- doubles as a thought screen helmet! Scrambles telepathic communication between aliens and humans! (at no extra cost)

- OPTIONAL: free of charge. Black, see-through cloth screen to cover mask.

SO, who wants one? It's for a good cause! I don't want my daughter to be a dummy. It'll pain me to watch her sit in the sandpit ALL year round with nothing else to do.

I'll be selling this first batch at a discounted price of $100CAD (plus shipping).  And I'll even let you pick your colour!

All the proceeds will go to my daughter's school!

Email me for details or questions: gundamumpg [at] gmail [dot] com

I suggest buying at least 5. Who doesn't want a Zaku army?!?

* This Char's salmon colored Zaku is already sold!  (Zeon flag not for sale)

** There are 2 green ones already painted. Looks pretty sweet!! I'll post pics in next post.

Vintage Pilot!

Today, I was super fortunate to come across a vintage toy. A 1989 Countdown Astronaut G.I. Joe figure! (ok, i'll be honest, I had to look him up.. but, he's VINTAGE!) My brother-in-law knew I was looking for one. Because I needed a pilot to put inside the cockpit, of course!

So, I quickly whipped up a chair for him.

 Very cozy

 Yea, of course the screen lights up too!

All painted! Ready for the big show!!

Zaku: Monoeye lens

Time is running out. I needed to make a decision on the mono-eye fabrication. Many options had gone through but none would look good or had too many safety compromises.

This one is the least that looked the best. Still kind of dangerous though. O well, I'll have to keep an eye on her then. (uh.. sorry)

Lexan plastic. Heating it up in my toaster oven. When it starts to droop in the window, I pull it out right away.

The best form I had around the house was this paint can. Whatever works!

Perfect diameter

To shape it further, I just took it to my belt sander. 

For the tint, I used some leftover auto tint.

Made a small accent ring out of craft foam. Hotglued it on. And voila!

Now, all i have left to do is:
- screens in the side windows
- hot glue the lens in
- custom cut some foam to fit my daughter's head
- maybe another final coat of top coat to seal things off a bit more for durability

Chest: Paint prep

Fabrication is done (for now). Ready for paint!

Primer

 Masking

Gundam: CHEST

After putting the helmet on, I'm not satisfied with the weight balancing on it. It's just too front heavy. Since the comic convention/cosplay is happening this weekend, I don't really have time to rebuild the head. But, I can build a chest (and maybe shoulders). This way, I can anchor the helmet to the shoulders.

The chest would be made from the same foam I used on the Zaku project. So, it'll be fast.

The design is mostly from the original Strike Freedom again. And, again, I'll be modifying to make it SD(super deformed) so it'll look proportionally smaller than the head. Still going for that goofy look. I'll use my sketch as a base.

Horns

The paint is pretty brittle at this stage. I have a super sharp knife and I still can tell. I'll have to top coat it with a sealer very soon. 

Test fitted. Looking good. I like the placement and all. Time for primer and paint!

Just noticed from looking at this pic, I totally forgot to make the vents!

Zaku Paint!

Adding random details again.

Paint:

Pipes painted: