My reason for building this model is as a research project for my art work – contemporary Samurai armor. Or maybe “research project” is my justification for taking workday time to build probably the COOLEST scale model I have ever built.

My build diary here in the ModelSpace Forum will focus on the mechanics of putting the armor together. I'll also have a supplemental posts on my personal blog at russogi.com/blog with insights and other thoughts I have about the armor design and construction and how it has, or will influence my art.

For a more detailed introduction about who I am and my reason for undertaking this project you can go to my introductory post here in the ModelSpace Forum or here on my personal blog.

Now on to the unboxing.

I ordered the entire kit rather than a part-work subscription. So if you're wondering what it looks like when the entire kit arrives in one shot, here it is.

Date Masamune used some of the best technology available in the design of his armor. This includes parts from a McLaren Honda MP4/4!

Somehow this Pack 7 for the MP4/4 was mistakenly included in my kit in place of the Samurai armor Pack 7.

In addition to the incorrect Pack 7, the Yoroi bitsu (armor storage box) is missing. The yoroi bitsu serves as both storage container for the armor and as the base for the wooden display stand to sit.

I quickly contacted DeAgostini customer service and informed them of the errors.

The correct Pack 7 was dispatched at no charge to me. It did take about 2-3 weeks to make it to me but, being in Hawaii, you accept longer shipping times as part of the price of living in paradise.

Trying to get the storage box however is an on going issue. More on that later.

I've been reviewing the instructions online and reading the build diaries of others here in the ModelSpace Forum to get an idea of what's ahead.

Since I have the entire kit, I am planning on building the armor in sections rather than following the steps in order. For example, lacing all the kusazuri (tassets) sections at the same time. I find when I work, it's much easier, and more enjoyable, to tackle similar tasks together.

But building out of order presented the problem of keeping parts from getting lost and keeping them organized. There are a lot of parts and many of them are much smaller than they look in the instructions.

Fortunately, I found that the packaging is durable enough to be opened and closed several times.

Both top and bottom are contoured to keep the parts in place and snapped together at several points keeping top and bottom securely closed.

This allows me to use them as storage containers making the parts accessible while keeping them organized.

I'll be following up shortly with another post as I start the build.

Hi,

I bought the full kit and am building it in complete assemblies as well. So far helmet/mask, cuirass/tassets and one sleeve complete. I've lost the mojo at the moment but will probably get back to it in the winter.

One tip, take care not to waste any of the blue lacing, they supply enough but not much more.

Looking forward to seeing this come together. It will be an interesting build.

Regards
Mark

I decided to start with the wooden stand. Looking at the instructions, it seemed fairly straight forward. Also, I would be able to keep some of the partially built armor sections on it as I progressed with the build.

The instructions indicate the pegs (clothespins) may need sanding. As I got started, I found all the holes, round and square, needed adjusting. Instead of sanding the clothespins, I used a 5/16” drill bit to widen the holes. Once drilled, the clothespins fit easily while remaining tight enough to keep the stand together without adhesives.

I used a Popsicle stick wrapped with sandpaper as a sanding block to clean out and adjust the square holes. For smaller areas I used a jeweler's file.

The hole for the menpo (facemask) cross arm was too tight. I worked on that for a good half hour or more going back and forth sanding the piece and clearing out the hole.

In the end, I managed to get the entire stand assembled without having to glue it together.

Good to see you started on this and some nice tips added, well done.



Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Delboy271155-

Thank you for following my build.

Before I started, I thought this would be a very "by the book" build and that I wouldn't be doing anything outside of what the instructions indicate.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to contribute any new insights or techniques to Forum members.

Turns out, as I build, I'm thinking of little mods to enhance the build but nothing that really affects it's design or look.

As they say, "nothing ever goes according to plan."

-Russ

Stand looks good. Looking forward to the rest of it.