

Introduction:





The HG Graze Custom was my first introduction to the IBO line of model kits. The basic Graze design has become a fast favorite since completing this build. It's a cheap and cheerful build that I would encourage anyone to pick up. The basic Graze comes in several flavors, I also have a Schwable and Ryusei-Go hanging out on my desk waiting for paint.





I think one of the reasons I like this design so much is because it looks like it has drawn inspiration from some of the mecha featured in the older Armored Core 2 game. I played this game and many of its sequels a lot as a kid. The head and shoulder designs look similar to parts from the Crest Company . I'm strongly considering building an armored core style kitbash build including these parts down the line.





Kit Talk:





I actually built and painted this kit in about 6 hours over the course of a single weekend during the middle of my MG Sazabi Ver. Ka build. That project was starting to drag and I wanted a quick win to keep up my morale. Unlike most of my builds, this kit is pre-shaded, I decided to go this route as it was a quick and easy way to add detail without weathering, or decals or other time-consuming processes.





One area of this kit that I firmly believe needs to be corrected is the long seams along the lower legs. I fused this seam after painting all of the frame parts, and them carefully masked and painted the area.









Hit the bump for the full photoshoot





Photos:





I really like the little booster backpack on this design. It looks very retro compared to the rest of the mobile suit.









Action Poses:





I played around with spinning the kits on the base for a lot of these shots.









You can just make out the photoetch part I included inside of the thruster bell.



