AFS Mk.II - Build Diary

This is the Wave AFS Mk.II kit, which I modified to reflect Kow Yokoyama's latest build showing how the suit "splits" open. I also used a "Zoids" head and a resin torso purchased at Wonderfestival.

After studying the photos on Kow's site, I set to work. A lot of cutting and scratchbuilding is required to make this suit "split open".

I tried to use as many parts from a single kit as possible, so that in the future I could recreate the model with minimal expense. I chose a 1/35th Quad Gun Tractor from Tamiya.

The headrest, quilted leather headliner, and quilted leather torso liner was sculpted using Apoxie-Sculpt.

More engine bits from the Quad Gun Tractor in place.

I wanted to make the parts look functional, and these pistons of course are impractical, but they get the point across.

Most details are hidden to a casual observer, but if you're crazy enough to really look in there, you'll see them.

I was also careful to ensure the pilot would have a realistic line-of-sight inside the helmet.

Seams on the helmet were puttied, and parts received a final primer/sanding.

Once painted, the kit started receiving its weathering and paint chips, all hand applied.

It really started coming to life! Figure received her base coloring.

And the leather did as well.

Wires were added.

Decals and dry transfers were added.

Parts were weathered with dry pigments and washed/filtered.

The model was affixed to the base, which was built up from a pre-made block, Apoxie-Sculpt, and some ground cover supplies.

The pose was studied - at this stage, some parts were not permanently attached.

All that was left to do was the figure, and the final gluing of the front torso/helmet to the rest of the suit.

So the figure was painted, and then set aside in the case as the oil paint dried.

Click here to see the final results!