Model kit project: 1/144 HGUC GM Cannon - 02

Update 02 - Lots of cutting and fitting


With both model kits in hand, I was able to get into full swing of converting the GM into the GM Cannon.

It's like a buffet, I don't know where to start.

For the sake of keeping organized I broke the whole project down into multiple little projects by each component that required conversion, and from there I itemized tasks to perform before it could be counted as completed. This reduced my tendency to stare at a pile of incomplete parts and think "I could work on that some more... but this still needs a lot of work..."


The shoulder cannon is of course the most obvious unique component from the original GM Cannon kit. The cannon itself and its mounting point are separate pieces and designed to angle with about 45 degrees of movement, but the whole thing is housed inside the right shoulder assembly.

We'll find out how the shoulder joint is supposed to fit inside in update #12

In the last update, I had already cut this section off the front and back halves of the old kit's chest. A similar amount had to be carved out of the new kit's chest to accommodate. This included the neck collar piece as it extends over the chest vents.

Carving chunks out of a brand new kit you just paid money for is a strange feeling for the first minute. After that it becomes cathartic.

The old kit had a slightly larger and wider chest, so getting the cannon mount to line up and fit snugly with the new GM's chest parts involved cutting away a little bit of material, test fitting, add repeating the process. Eventually they reached a compromise, though I waited to prep a few other related components before properly gluing these into place or putty the gaps.

I totally knew these were going to fit and not end up a horrible failure.

The second-most prominent feature of the GM Cannon is the shin armor. For whatever reason an artillery support mobile suit needs extra protection in the legs, so here they are.  I decided I would carve down the GM II's shins as narrow as possible and glue them inside the GM Cannon's shins. This would allow me to keep the newer kit's ankle and knee joints. Combined with the fact that the shin armor was short and required an extension, this sub-project proved to be the most challenging.

Just like in highschool, being stuck with high-waters will prove to be the death of me.

The unique backpack unit turned out to be a simple parts swap; no gaps to fill, just glue in place once ready. I get to save the GM II's original backpack for some future project.

"Dear God, this parachute is a knapsack!"

The next component to tackle is the antenna assembly on the back of the head. The old kit had a very large head, so this part will need to be cut down to just the antenna mounts and then further whittled to fit the back of the new head. It will need some cutting and puttying to blend them but not any actual sculpting.

A mobile suit of infinite just, of most excellent fancy...

Next time, I'll finish up the chest and delve into the conversion of the other components. I'll be able to show off what the partially-assembled model looks like with some of the modified parts attached. As usual, stay tuned.