From Gundam to Decepticon Part 3: Final Starscream Reveal

Every custom reaches a point where the hard work is done, but the build isn’t finished yet.

For the HG Murasame Starscream project, paint and structural tweaks laid the foundation. This final stage is about locking everything in, refining the surface finish, and presenting the kit in a way that fully sells the concept.

This is where a custom stops being a project and becomes a piece you’re proud to display.

Sealing the Work: Top Coat Decisions

The biggest finishing decision on this build was the surface finish. Starscream isn’t a weather-beaten grunt; he’s proud, theatrical, and convinced of his own superiority. The finish needed to reflect that.

A soft matte/satin top coat was chosen to:

• Preserve the vibrancy of the red and blue
  

• Reduce raw plastic shine
  

• Blend decals into the surface cleanly
  

• Keep the kit looking refined rather than toy-like

All parts were sealed in subassemblies, with care taken around the cockpit and sensor areas to preserve clarity

Final Assembly: The Moment It Clicks

Reassembling the HG Murasame after finishing always feels different from a straight build. This time, the transformation back into MA mode finally matched the vision that started the project.

The colour blocking now defines the silhouette:

• Red wings dominate the profile
  

• Blue thrusters visually anchor the rear
  

• Light grey armour unifies the design
  

• Decepticon insignia punctuate the theme without overpowering it

Posing the Decepticon Air Commander

Presentation matters, especially for a character like Starscream. This kit was never meant to sit flat on a shelf; it belongs in the air.

Flight poses were chosen to emphasise:

• Forward momentum
  

• Aggressive nose-down angles
  

• Wings slightly canted to suggest speed and control

An action base turns the Murasame into what it was always meant to be in this build: a jet first, a Gundam second.

Straight Build vs Custom: A Visual Shift

Looking back at the original straight build, it’s striking how little physically changed and how completely different the kit feels now.

This is the power of concept-driven customisation. With the right idea and commitment, a familiar kit can become something entirely new.

Closing Thoughts: Why This Build Matters (To Me)

This project wasn’t just about repainting a Gundam. It was about reconnecting with something that stuck with me long before I ever touched a Gunpla kit.

Growing up watching Transformers, Starscream was unforgettable. The jet that screamed across the screen. The arrogance. The ambition. The way he always believed he deserved more than he had. That character left an impression, and this build was a way of bringing that nostalgia into the hobby I enjoy now.

Taking the HG Murasame and pushing it toward that memory felt natural. It wasn’t about copying a design beat-for-beat; it was about translating a feeling. Fast, sharp, confident, and a little dramatic.

That’s what this build represents.

Final Reflection

From straight build to finished display, this series was about showing that custom Gunpla doesn’t need to be extreme to be meaningful. A clear concept, thoughtful execution, and respect for what inspired you in the first place can take a kit much further than you might expect.

If this build encourages you to revisit the shows, characters, or designs that shaped your own childhood and reinterpret them through Gunpla, then it has done exactly what I hoped it would.

Read From Gundam to Decepticon Part 1: HG Murasame Build & Plan here.

Read From Gundam to Decepticon Part 2: Recolouring HG Murasame here.

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