Work in Progress: HGIBO Barbatos ver. Zealot

Intro

This is a current work-in-progress of a kitbash project that I had started - an intersection of my hobbies of Gunpla and Starcraft. This idea came to me when I saw the unique leg articulation of HGIBO kits and the head design of the Qubeley.

The main challenges of the build would be:

• Convert the Qubeley head into a braid-like appendage and attach it to the torso
• Add another point of articulation to the digitigrade legs
• Scratch build Protoss shoulder armour
• Build 4-digit hands with sockets of psionic weapons

Below are some build progression photos. For more regular updates, please follow my IG: @yulongsgunpla

Build Progression

Head segmentation and bending using armature wire, followed by scratch building and scribing work. The "hair" pieces were collected from the piping on the calf.

Scratch-building of outer shoulder panel (Exia dark matter backpack) and inner shoulder panel (delta plus shoulder details), all joined by plaplate and brass pin. Hands are from the RG Destiny with a digit removed

Leg modifications by separating the shin armour and adding a second joint using polycap, plaplate, and sprue. Also removed the piping on the calf in preference of custom radiator fins.

Torso modded by adding a removable circle sanded from the Exia dark matter spare part.

Assembled: Filled holes on the back and elbows with detail parts. The head and shoulder loops really give the Protoss vibe.

Next Steps

For painting, I'm planning on the standard Protoss gold with blue accents, using two shades of gold to give it more colour separation. I'll be sure to paint many spoons before I settle on a good scheme.

Until next time!