SUMMARY:  IMAGINATIVE NEW KIT WITH INTEGRATED LED LIGHTING – PRE-COLORED PARTS FOR A SATISFYING WEEKEND BUILD OR PAINT AND WEATHER TO CREATE A SPECTACULAR MODEL – QUALITY RIVALS ANYTHING ELSE OUT THERE AT A LOWER PRICE


We were very intrigued by the model and K.C. sent us a kit.  The imaginative design is based on the Iwata HP-C airbrush!  Of note is that the kit comes with integrally designed lighting components as well.

We were curious to see what this model would be like.  The concept sounded ambitious and the information I could find online indicated that it might be a very cool model.  Well, after inspecting it, I can say my expectations were exceeded; keep an eye on this new company! 

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

The kit comes in a big box, 13.5" (34 cm) X 9.75" (25 cm) X 3.5" (9 cm).  Finished model is 10-3/4" (272 mm) in length.  There are 177 plastic parts.  Recommended for modelers over 16 years of age.  We don't have an MSRP, but we've seen it retailing between US$50 and US$70.  Considering that this is a brand-new, state-of-the-art model kit that has a full lighting kit included, this is a great value!!!

Most intermediate or advanced model builders use airbrushes to paint their models.  It’s an important tool that we sometimes take for granted.  The Arkhitect is a great way to celebrate your airbrush, particularly if you use an Iwata!  Iwata airbrushes are legendary for their precision and versatility and many champion modelers use an Iwata.  Dream Gear has an agreement with Iwata to use the Iwata name and image and the Arkhitect’s design utilizes many elements inspired by the HP-C’s components.

Here's what you'll see when you first open that big box.

Multicolor sprues are all bagged for protection of the styrene plastic parts.

For example, the needle chuck nut on the actual airbrush appears to be the exotic PanGu Core propulsion reactor on the Arkhitect!
 
Another appeal of the Arkhitect is the built-in lighting.  Like many modelers, I’m interested in the concept but have been hesitant to incorporate LED lighting in my models.  Many new science fiction kits are designed for lighting, but the kit manufacturers sell the lighting kits as an optional accessory that often costs as much as the model kit.  The Arkhitect has all the lighting components included—and all assembly and soldering has been done; the preassembled lighting modules snap in place in the model and the wiring plugs together easily.  It’s a perfect kit for the modeler (like myself) who has never built a model with lighting!

The kit is molded in multiple colors and all parts are highly detailed.  Note that the lighting kit is included, along with a USB power cable!

Recommended skill level for this model is age 16 and over.  Any modeler comfortable building Gundam-type kits should have no trouble assembling this kit.  Some of the electrical connectors will need tabs trimmed off and you'll need to be careful not to damage the wiring while doing this.  I'd strongly recommend an intermediate skill level for best results.
 
I'm very impressed by the quality of the parts.  Companies like Bandai, Hasegawa, and Tamiya have spent decades perfecting their craft and quality of the parts for the Arkhitect appears to be every bit as good as what you’d expect to see in the latest kits from one of these manufacturers.  It would appear that state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology was used in the tooling design which includes the integrated lighting.

The "A" Sprue has main body parts and some of the "Cycle-Ion Transition Engine #1" parts (the cup on the Iwata HP-C airbrush).

The "B" Sprue has habitat bulkhead parts and the "Cycle-Ion Transition Engine #2" housing.

The lighting kit likewise uses the latest technology.  Components are all surface-mount on six double-sided mini-PC boards.  The clear parts are specifically designed to work with the PC boards to transmit the lighting with several techniques including windows and diffused engine effects.

C-D-and E sprues have parts for the engine, stand, and many detail parts.

The kit comes with a stand.  The stand is integrated into the model with a switch for the lighting and a connector for the included USB cable.  The base has lighting in it as well!
 
A good indication of the tooling quality of any model kit is presence of flash or sinkholes.  This kit has none of these issues; again, it is apparent that a lot of engineering expertise went into this kit.

These parts are integral to the LED lighting.  Note that the parts are translucent, not totally transparent!  This is important for the lighting effects.

Five lighting modules are all pre-assembled.  22 LED's of differing sizes in multiple colors will make a striking model.

BUILDING TIPS?

I have some specific recommendations for success with this model based on its innovative design.  Perhaps your biggest decision will be whether or not you wish to paint the model.  If so, I'd strongly recommend painting the parts prior to building.  All clear parts must be installed during assembly of the model and it would be very difficult to mask the many clear windows and components once the model is put together.  

The kit is covered with very fine detailing that will look great with some weathering!

A high level of precision is apparent in the tooling for this kit.

Translucent plastic allows maximum transmittance of light to window openings.

Parts can simply be painted on the sprues. Sprue attachment points are in discreet places; perhaps a little touch-up will be needed in some spots.  We'd recommend washing the sprues in some soapy water, rinsing well, and allowing the parts to air-dry before painting.

The instructions include mixing ratios for duplicating recommended colors using Modo Colors paints, or of course you can use your imagination to choose your own color scheme.  

This lighting module resides inside the stand.  Note the power switch and USB adapter cord plug connector.

Surface mount technology is used for all LED's and balancing resistors.

A hollow aluminum rod is part of the stand and provides a conduit for wiring from the base to the model.

Instructions are printed on high-quality glossy paper with many full-color pages.  The 14-page document breaks down assembly into relatively simple pictorial subassemblies with some explanations in Chinese and English.  Several sprue-maps are included throughout the assembly steps to assist in parts identification while building.

Since the Arkhitect is a totally new concept, we'd recommend sticking to the instruction sequence as closely as possible for best results!

Front and back covers of the 14-page instruction booklet.

The centerfold shows a large photograph of a painted, finished model.  The story of the Arkhitect is included here.

One item where you need to exercise care is the trimming of the connector tabs.  In order for them to fit properly, some of the connectors need small tabs trimmed.  The instructions show you precisely where to trim; you'll need to be careful while doing this so you don't cut the wires or yourself!  Again, strong intermediate model-building skills will be the key to your enjoyment and a successful build.

Upon opening the instruction manual, you'll find explanations of the pictograms and a parts map.

It appears that construction will be straightforward with assembly broken down into subassemblies.  Note that parts breakdown diagrams are included throughout the instructions to make part identification easy.

After pre-painting all sprues, the individual parts could be weathered, even before removing from the sprue.  If you custom-mix your paint, be sure to save and label a bottle for touch-ups after trimming the parts off the sprues.  As mentioned, sprue attachments are all very discreet as far as we can see, but it will be best to keep your custom-mix available to keep touch-ups invisible.

This page of the instructions shows the similarities between the Iwata HP-CS airbrush and the Arkhitect!

Leaving the parts on the sprues will make it much easier to build the model.  During construction, remove the parts only needed for each step.  The Arkhitect doesn't really have "hull halves" like a typical plane, ship, or other spacecraft model.  It goes together in smaller subassemblies built around the lighting modules and leaving unused parts on the sprue will make it much easier to locate them as they are needed for each assembly step.

It appears that most if not all parts are press-fit, meaning glue is not needed!  If parts click together, I'd recommend not using any glue until you have the chance to verify that the LED's are working OK.  It would be frustrating to have the model glued shut only to find that there is a problem with the internal wiring.

In our Bonus Features for this webpage, we'll include photos of our in-progress build to provide more information about the model and details of its construction.

One thing I really like about the Arkhitect's lighting system is the USB power for the LED's.  AC adapters that convert your local AC power to a USB connection should be common and inexpensive in your home country (in the USA, there are many options for just a few bucks on Amazon).  My model display case has an AC adapter outlet strip; it will be simple to run the USB power cable included with the Arkhitect to that outlet strip.  Then, my finished Arkhitect's lighting will come on automatically whenever I turn on the power to my model display case!  Is that cool, or what??!!

WHAT'S OUR OPINION?

My expectations were exceeded as soon as I opened this new Arkhitect model kit.  Everything, from box to instructions to plastic parts to lighting is all top-quality and we hope to see additional new kits from Dream Gear.  The 2Modeler guys give this model an enthusiastic four thumbs up!

We'd like to thank K.C. Hui of Perfection Industry Co. for providing the Dream Gear 1/3000 Arkhitect Advanced Research Colonizer spacecraft kit for this review!

Whether you love your airbrush or not, you'll love the Arkhitect!

(Box side)

WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

Since this is a brand-new kit from a brand-new company, distribution channels are in the process of being set up.  We've found some sources where you can order your Arkhitect kit.  Pricing in $US.  Price and availability may vary; we'll update this listing when we become aware of new sellers.

Robot Kai:

(This image is a link to the Robot Kai website  listing for this model.  Note that pricing and availability may change)

Hobbylink Japan:

(This image is a link to Hobbylink Japan listing for this model.  Note that pricing and availability may change)

Newtype:

(This image is a link to the Newtype listing for this model.  Note that pricing and availability may change)

AliExpress:

(This image is a link to the AliExpress posting for this model.  Note that pricing and availability may change)

BONUS FEATURES

THE STORY OF THE ARKHITECT

Included in the instruction manual for the model is the fictional near-future story about the development of the colonizer/research vessel named Arkhitect.  We present it here along with some light editing.

(Box side)

"In the year 2030, after serious natural disasters on Terra cause extreme climate change and rapid exhaustion of natural resources, researchers determine the remaining habitability of the planet is less than 50 years.  All nations unite to begin a joint scientific program to develop a deep-space colonization craft.
 
In 2035, a new element was detected on the deep ocean floor, believed to be created by the planet’s core during the cataclysms.  Scientists subsequently created a new type of power generator based on this new element named the "PanGru Core."
 
In 2040, as power generation and stability of the PanGru Core were far beyond the capabilities of nuclear power, a prototype ship equipped with the PanGru Core was successfully landed on Mars and a construction base was built.  The dawn of the future was revealed when a new ion thruster engine and early space interstellar transit technology were developed from the remaining resources of Terra.
 
In 2050, the colony ship’s construction was finished on Mars.  During the previous decade, the PanGru Core had absorbed enough cosmic rays to supply power for a hundred-year journey of exploration.  Will the remnants of humanity find a new homeland during these 100 years…"

THE BUILD

Once I opened the Arkhitect kit and gave it an initial inspection, I knew I had to start building it immediately.  It really shouldn't be too hard to give it a contest-quality build thanks to the high level of parts quality.  All that detail will look spectacular with the addition of paint and weathering.  Plus, I'm really looking forward to developing my skills regarding the lighting of a model.

Stay tuned; we'll update this section with photos and even more helpful hints and tips to build your Arkhitect!