Bandai Star Wars Model Kits – Guide & General Grievous Photos
Bandai Star Wars Model Kits – Scales, Build Tips & General Grievous Photo Showcase
Bandai Star Wars model kits deliver screen-accurate detail with smart engineering—snap-fit assembly, color-molded runners, and crisp panel lines that look great even unpainted. Whether you’re brand new to plastic modeling or a Gunpla veteran expanding into a galaxy far, far away, this guide explains each product line (1/12 character kits, 1/72 starfighters, and palm-sized Vehicle Models), recommends tools and paint approaches, and gives you a deep dive on the fan-favorite 1/12 General Grievous with photos, features, and posing tips.
Why Builders Love Bandai’s Star Wars Kits
- Snap-fit engineering: Parts are designed to press together cleanly—no glue required—so you can focus on fit, clean-up, and finish instead of adhesives.
- Color-molded parts: Multi-color runners minimize painting; a quick panel line and matte coat already looks “film ready.”
- Iconic subjects & readable detail: From Stormtroopers and Boba Fett to X-wings, TIEs, and the Millennium Falcon, the surface detail is sharp and camera-friendly for displays.
Product Lines & Scales (At a Glance)
1/12 “Character” Series
Fully posable figures—Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, The Mandalorian, and the standout General Grievous—with swappable hands, accessories, and optional stickers/decals for markings. Great for display shelves and photography.
1/72 & 1/144 “Starfighter” Series
High-fidelity starfighters and walkers sized perfectly for a desk or detolf shelf. Expect clean panel lines, optional landing gear, and multiple display choices (in-flight stands, open/closed canopies on certain subjects).
Vehicle Model (Palm‑Sized)
A compact line of highly detailed, palm-sized kits—Star Destroyer, AT-AT, small Falcons, and more—ideal for quick builds or diorama accents. Despite their size, the molding is surprisingly crisp; many modelers paint and weather these as weekend projects.
Spotlight Build – 1/12 General Grievous (Photo Gallery + How It Works)
What’s in the Box (Key Features)
- Scale & height: 1/12 scale; roughly 7 inches (18 cm) tall when assembled.
- Display options: Parts to configure two-arm or four-arm modes; four lightsabers (two blue, two green); removable cape.
- What you build: ~9 runners, two sticker sheets, illustrated manual; Bandai’s insert-molded joints give a wide range without floppy connections.
- Assembly style: Snap-fit and color-molded—no glue required; paint optional but recommended for premium results.
Posing & Stability Tips
- Weight advantage: Because the model is lightweight, it balances better than many heavy figures; use a slight forward lean at the ankles for aggressive stances.
- Arms & sabers: For wide “windmill” poses, seat shoulder balls fully and press elbow caps tight; light hand pressure improves grip on saber hilts.
- Cloak posing: The stock cloak sits best when you “pinch” the neck area under the collar plate; some builders upgrade to custom capes for more natural folds—purely optional.
Fast Finishing Workflow (2–4 Hours)
- Clean-up: Nippers + fine sanding sticks (800–2000 grit) on nub marks. Keep the bone-color surfaces smooth; they show scratches easily.
- Panel line: Use a cool grey or “smoke” enamel panel line wash on the ivory armor; use dark grey on the black endoskeleton. Wipe excess with enamel thinner on a cotton swab.
- Matte coat: A light matte varnish unifies plastic sheen, making Grievous read “real.” Mask the clear saber blades first if you’re spraying.
- Optional weathering: Tiny sponge chips (dark brown) along knee/ankle edges, then a faint warm dust on the feet sells battlefield wear.
Who This Kit Is For
- New builders: Learn snap-fit, panel lining, and simple weathering on a dynamic subject that looks great out of the box.
- Display collectors: The skeletal silhouette + cloak reads beautifully in cabinets; four-saber pose grabs attention instantly.
- Photographers: High-contrast surfaces (ivory vs. black frame) and striking saber colors make dramatic shots with minimal lighting gear.
Essential Tools & Supplies (Short List)
- Double-cut nippers for clean part removal; a single-blade nipper for final gates on visible armor.
- Sanding sticks 800–2000 grit; a glass file for final pass on ivory panels.
- Panel line pen (cool grey + dark grey) or enamel wash with cotton swabs and thinner.
- Matte varnish (rattle‑can or airbrush) to knock down plastic shine.
- Precision tweezers for small stickers/decals; masking tape if you topcoat around clear blades.
Painting & Detailing (Quick Wins)
- Ivory armor: Base is already molded; a thin buff/ivory edge highlight on the most exposed plates adds realism without a full repaint.
- Endoskeleton: Semi‑gloss black with a faint graphite rub on high spots reads like polished metal.
- Cloak: Keep the red lining rich; a gentle black-brown pastel along the bottom edge feels cinematic.
- Eyes: If you paint them, use a warm yellow‑green dot with a microscopic black pupil, then gloss—this sells the stare.
Other Popular Bandai Star Wars Kits (What to Build Next)
- Darth Vader (1/12): Great “first character” kit; glossy helmet vs. matte armor is a satisfying finish exercise.
- Stormtrooper (1/12): Clean white armor benefits enormously from panel lining—fast and rewarding.
- Boba Fett / The Mandalorian (1/12): Weathering playgrounds—chipping, dusting, and fabric capes.
- X‑wing & TIE Fighter (1/72): Classic starfighters with crisp panel lines; perfect for oil pin‑washes and light streaking.
- Millennium Falcon (multiple scales): From palm‑sized Vehicle Models to the large 1/144 and the iconic 1/72 “PG” version for advanced builders.
- AT‑AT / AT‑ST: Legged subjects that look fantastic with grime, streaks, and snow/mud pigments.
Troubleshooting & Common Pitfalls
- Stress whitening on ivory parts: Use a sharp nipper flush to the gate; sand progressively and finish with a gentle polish. Avoid twisting off parts.
- Loose joints over time: A tiny swab of Pledge/Future floor gloss or clear acrylic in a ball joint, then let cure—adds just enough friction.
- Sticker silvering: Warm the sticker with a hair dryer and burnish; for a premium finish, replace with waterslides if available.
- Cloak fit: Tuck the collar under the shoulder plate and form soft folds; if you want a drapeable look, aftermarket cloth capes exist (optional upgrade).
Link to Shop
Browse Bandai character kits, starfighters, and palm-sized Vehicle Models in our Bandai Star Wars model kit collection.
FAQs – Bandai Star Wars & General Grievous (tap + to expand)
No—Bandai’s Star Wars line is snap-fit and color-molded. Glue and paint are optional, not required.
1/12 for posable characters (Vader, Grievous), 1/72–1/144 for starfighters, and Vehicle Model if you want palm-sized quick builds.
Approximately nine runners, two sticker sheets, four lightsabers, parts for two-arm and four-arm modes, a removable cape, and an illustrated manual.
About 7 inches (18 cm) to the top of the head, depending on pose.
Light weathering (panel lining, matte coat, tiny chips) adds realism quickly, especially on ivory armor and the black endoskeleton.
Yes—designed to be palm-sized quick builds with surprising detail; they’re great for practicing paint and washes.
The stock cloak works well for most displays. Some hobbyists swap to aftermarket fabric capes for more natural drape and posing—purely optional.