3D Printing Options

While 3d printing is a wonderful tool for creating terrain you can also use it to create custom equipment for your Gunpla or miniatures or in some cases print off entire models which may not have an existing figure or model kit.  We get asked about 3D printing a lot so we’re doing a quick post to look at a few options.

DISCLAIMER: As a disclosure the MechaStellar Wargame is a non-commercial project as a result we do not receive any money or gifts from any of the below websites, we are simply posting them here as others may find them useful. 

Custom Equipment

Heavy Weapon Systems (https://hwsystems.ca/) makes custom equipment for Gunpla so if you have ever wanted a specific weapon or thruster backpack for your Mobile Suit that didn’t come in your box you can head over here and browse through the catalog to look over the various weapons and accessories.  They currently work on Gunpla scale so 1/144 or 1/100 but the owner Bryan may be able to do 1/400 scale items if you contact him.  In addition to their website they also have an etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/heavyweaponsystems/?etsrc=sdt

Since 3D printing is a very prominent field right now you can find a lot of different 3d printing shops out there. After speaking with the shop owner, Heavy Weapon Systems has offered a 10% discount to MechaStellar players via the code STELLAR10 off orders of $25+ or more.

Warships

Next up we’ll look at Warships. When it comes to Warships there are relatively few model kits and figures out there for Mobile Suit Gundam.  And even less for other series not named Harlock or Yamato.

For Gundam here are some one’s that I am aware of:

  • Old Gunpla for the Salamis, Magellan, Musai and Whitebase 
    • Prices range from $5-20 each
  • Newer Gunpla for the Salamis & Magellan, Musai 1/1700 scale
    • Price range of $50-70 per box
  • 1/400 scale Musai, White Base or Ptolemy
    • OOP and huge price range of $300-500
  • MSIA for the 0083 Musai, Albion, and Zanzibar II 
    • Price Range of $40-150 each
  • Cosmo Fleet Collection – Various ships from the OYW, Zeta Gundam and CCA but very small (roughly 2-4″)
    • Price range of $10-50 each
  • Cosmo Fleet Collection Special – Various flagships from UC Gundam, IBO, G-Reco (roughly

You can read more about them in our Stellar Warships post.

After War Gundam X has a great post-apocalyptic setting where landships prowl the earth’s landscape looking for intact and scrapped mobile suits.  Unfortunately, the Freeden, the mothership for the protagonists does not have a model either at a small or large scale.  However, we are in luck that there are hobbyists out there who have modeled the Freeden and printed it out.

Here’s an example of it on cults3d: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/1-1700-freeden-gundam-x

And here’s the space version: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/freeden-2-gundam-x

And if you would like one printed out and mailed to you here is the seller’s ebay store: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234073675627?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=rDCTDZMjQ1y&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rDCTDZMjQ1y&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

There are other warships on Cults3D and Shapeways that don’t have models such as the Alexandria or Irish Class from Zeta Gundam.  Just head over here and try searching for your favorite ship to see if you can find something.    https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/miniatures/scifi

Mobile Suits

When it comes to use Mobile Suits on the table the two ranges with the broadest amount of units are the Gundam 1/400 collection and of course Gunpla.  There are pros and cons to using each of these, you can read more in those two linked posts.

The Gundam 1/400 collection has a dedicated fanbase which you can find in this facebook group which has catalogued the original Japanese rules for the 1/400 collection and put them in English to use.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/gundamcollection

They also have some dedicated hobbyists who make 3d printed models of mobile suits missing from the collection.  You can find out more in this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/808626402873452

Some members will also post their models on the various platforms.  For instance here is a Tragos 1/400 on cults3d https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/1-400-tragos-gundam-wing

In addition to cults3d and shapeways you may have some luck checking out places like www.myminifactory.com

They typically make their own names and embellish the designs enough to make them unique but still very closely resemble the original.  For instance with just a bit of searching I was able to locate a GM Spartan at 75mm and 100mm (3-4″) and even a Megas XLR.

No one on the team has purchased or printed any of these, but if you end up doing so please let us know if you find them worthwhile.