Scale model shopping in Osaka
I just came back from a short holiday in Osaka, Japan and of course, it’s hobby shopping time for me when I can spare some time (and of course I did). So in general terms, the shops are all smaller than in Tokyo and correspondingly they have a smaller selection. I did not manage to …...
Rocket Punch is 20 years old!
I only realized it after checking the date I bought this domain: 11 August 2005. Oh my… Of course, my online presence is older than that but this domain name began back in 2005. And after 20 years, I still can’t decide between calling it ‘Rocket Punch’ or ‘RocketPunch’. 😛 In any case, thank you...
A visit to Brookhurst Hobbies
I just got back home after spending twenty days settling my son down for his new life in college in Irvine, California and well, I had some spare time so I popped into Brookhurst Hobbies (Google map), who this year is celebrating their fifty years of establishment. That’s an amazing achievement especially considering the state...
Remembering: The Testors Model Guide – My first modeling bible
Way back in the early 90s in college I got my modeling itch back but I thought to arm myself with some basic modeling skill first. I found this book at a bookstore (remember those things?) and read it before attempting my first aircraft kit, a Hasegawa 1/72 F-16A kit. As you can see, the …...
A shopping spree in Tokyo in December 2023
At the end of December, my family and I made a short trip to one of our favorite vacation spots, Japan! Scale modeling shopping is always on the to-do list when in Japan. As we decided to take it easy and not hit every tourist spot in Tokyo, this trip afforded me a chance to …...
A visit to HQ Hobbies
I’m currently in Milford, Connecticut accompanying my daughter to a competition and I found a hobby shop! HQ Hobbies is a 21 year old shop run by Randy and his assistant Pumpkin. As usual with an American shop there are a lot of AMT/Monogram car kits. But the shop also carries some reasonably priced Eduard …...
Mig AMMO Medium Fine 0.02mm Rigging… what was I thinking?
It’s as if I don’t get enough eye strain as it is when I’m doing my scale models. And also as if my attempt with a 1/48 scale rigging was a resounding success in the first place. Anyway, a 1/700 ship model has always been on my model bucket list which is why I need …...
Musings : Kudos to Wave Corporation!
So there I was disassembling my Wave 1/72 Legioss kit to prepare for painting when the hip joint snapped due to my gorilla strength. After some cursing and swearing, I took a look online and saw that the kit was long discontinued. So I checked the kit to see the broken part could be repaired. …...
Upcoming : Hasegawa’s what-if UAVs
Hasegawa is known for reboxing their old kits with new decals and slapping on a ‘limited edition’ label on them. Just look at how many times they have released their 2nd F-14 mold. Lately though, they have done something new with their existing kits: modify them into what-if UAVs. There has been 3 so far: …...
A visit to the 1/1 Unicorn Gundam at Odaiba, Tokyo
Every gunpla nerd is required to make a pilgrimage to the 1/1 scale Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo. It was finally my turn this time. I went in the afternoon and the Unicorn remained in Unicorn mode the whole time. I do believe it only activates Destroy mode every 2 hours starting from 11am …...
