BANDAIHobby Star Wars Character Line 1/12C-3PO Star Wars Action Figure, White

I have not assembled this model yet, so there maybe unforeseen faults, but should there be any problems with construction I will amend review. However the unassembled kit looks beautiful. It comes in a very professional black box with deep gloss graphics, looks really de-lux quality so if giving as a gift doesn't disappoint in presentation. The kit it's self is really finely cast with hardly any flashing and zero deformity; as good if not better than Tamiya kits and far better than anything American. The parts are moulded in coloured plastic appropriate to that parts colour but in this case that doesn't matter to much as C-3 is basically Gold Chrome platted; which is also beautifully done, it's a true metallic mirror finish. One good point is they have done his right leg, bellow the knee, silver chrome which is as per the movie, (C-3P0 is as revelled in episode one made from second-hand parts and who ever finished him, after Anakin left, probably couldn't find a complete gold skin and had to make do with an odd right leg) a feature often overlooked on other models. So there you have it a very good model kit, well made and presented only frustration is the plans and any other text is all in Japanese but that's not to bad as the stage by stage illustrations of build is self explanatory. The plans are basic black and white on the front but when you turn over for the final stages of the build they're glossy full colour. I also notice you get the odd alternate part so you can build C-3 weathered, with retainer bolt on chest and dint in forehead, as per early episode four, or mint fully restored as per the end scene of same movie. All in all I'm very pleased with this model; will I buy others in the range I don't think so. To start with they are a little small for me, at 1/12 scale C-3 is less than 6 inches, that's action figure size, I'm looking to 1/6 scale so after the MPC/ertl kit now; a much cruder model but using this as reference I can refine it. But even if I wanted 1/12 scale I've studied others in the range and feel C-3P0 is the best of the bunch as I've noticed other figures in this range, to make them pose-able, compromises have been made with the limb joints, elbows and knees are hinged, hips and shoulders are ball joins, hidden with costume where possible but often not, Noted human figures have their inner thighs cut away to articulate the legs giving them to wide a space in the crutch and flat inside legs all spoiling the model for articulation making them more action figure than scale model. Fortunately C3 escape such butchery and passes as a very fine display model figure. R2D2 would make a good companion(he come with another droid so as to give you your moneys worth).

This is an amazing and intricate piece of kit. At first glance, what seems as hundreds of pieces is enough to scare anyone off the project. Instructions are in Japanese. There are six plastic lettered frameworks (A, B, C etc) holding a selection of parts which are numbered accordingly. Diagrams are numbered in order of build, well laid out and easy to follow. There is a choice between battle damaged head or unscathed. You will definately require model makers snips and longnose pliers if not modellers magnifying glass to command more control of the smaller parts when handling.CAUTION!Some parts are frustratingly minuscule but well-made and can get lost if your not careful, so as a precaution, I advise handling and building over a shallow box or even the box C3PO comes in to help contain any unintended flicks or spring when snapping parts together. The moulding process of the parts is second to none and the coating looks like gold (which it isn't) but is a good reproduction.The instructions don't appear to include glue but I found it necessary on occasion to keep extreme intricate parts from dropping off during the build which I must say has happened to me on five consecutive and frustrating attempts with particular armature pins but once you get into the swing of things, this will be a build to be proud of.The seller's photo is a good representation of build quality and for the price will outdo some of the premade C3PO's out there.Total build time 3 hours.Lots of parts left. These are designated spares or alternate appearance options.Thank you

These Bandai kits are amazing alternatives to action figures. Whilst pricier, they are great fun to assemble, far more detailed than regular figures and rewarding to complete. 3po in particular looks much better than his matte-finish Black Series counterpart. Once you've built one more are sure to follow! (Note R2 is from another Bandai kit, C-3po pictured only is item purchased)

As someone who is not built up a model kit since he was 13 years old ( now in 40s), I was surprised how easy this was to do and how well it went together. I have fantastic it looks completed!

This kit from Bandai is up to their usual excellent production standards. The vast majority is in a gorgeous metallic gold plated plastic meaning that paint is not required for the majority of the kit. In fact none of it requires painting if you use the supplied decals, but unlike other Bandai kits I found the main decals for the wires and pipes in his tummy to be very poor, so I painted them instead, this does need a steady hand and good eyesight, or in my case lots of patients and a very good magnifier.The model is semi adjustable in its knees, neck and arms, it comes with two sets of arms the more adjustable ones require the use of a small amount of plastic that is not the same gold colour as the rest of the model and so does stand out a bit if used, even if you paint it.Bandai have been very clever with the manufacturing of this kit using offset gates on the plastic sprue (please see added picture) this does mean that with care and a sharp knife you can remove the parts with very little damage to the gold finish of model, it's not perfect but it is far better than I've seen from any other manufacturer.There are a number of options to the type of C-P3O you build, pristine, with/without retaining bolt, eye hanging out and damaged head, because of this and the fact that any writing in the instructions is in Japanese you have to be a bit careful and study the drawings. This and the fact that the plated plastic can be damaged with a wayward knife make it the trickiest Bandai kit I've done to date.Still head and shoulders above any other manufacture in terms of quality, and easy of build.