My reason for building this model is as a research project for my art work – contemporary Samurai armor. Or maybe “research project” is my justification for taking workday time to build probably the COOLEST scale model I have ever built.

I haven't had the chance to build a scale model kit in years primarily because of work. I've always put off “just for fun” projects. Not to say that some of my work projects haven't been fun to work on. But this one combines the best of both worlds.

My build diary in the ModelSpace Forum will focus on the mechanics of putting the armor together. I'll also have a supplemental posts here, on my blog at russogi.com/blog with insights and other thoughts I have about the armor design and construction and how it has, or will influence my art.

For a more detailed introduction about who I am and my reason for undertaking this project you can go to my introductory post here in the ModelSpace Forum or here on my personal blog.

Now on to the unboxing.

I ordered the entire kit rather than a part-work subscription. So if you're wondering what it looks like when the entire kit arrives in one shot, here it is.

Inside each of the big boxes are smaller packages each containing one pack. 12 packs in all.  Each pack encompasses several steps.  55 steps for the entire project.  Each pack comes with a full color instruction booklet and each of the steps are packaged in their own blister pack sealed with a cardboard backing.

  Here is a detailed look at each of the 12 packs.  For reference, each floor tile is almost 39.5cm or about 15.5" square.

As you can see, Date Masamune used some of the best technology available in the design of his armor.  This includes parts from a McLaren Honda MP4/4!

In case you missed it in the gallery above, one of these things is not like the others.

Kidding aside, somehow this Pack 7 for the MP4/4 was mistakenly included in my kit in place of the Samurai armor Pack 7. 

In addition to the incorrect Pack 7, the Yoroi bitsu (armor storage box) is missing.  The yoroi bitsu serves as both storage container for the armor and as the base for the wooden display stand to sit.

I quickly contacted DeAgostini customer service and informed them of the errors.

The correct Pack 7 was dispatched at no charge to me.  It did take about 2-3 weeks to make it to me but, being in Hawaii, you accept longer shipping times as part of the price of living in paradise.

Trying to get the storage box however is an on going issue.  More on that later.

This is my first model from DeAgostini, and my first impression was set by the packaging.  I was impressed.  Each step comes in a blister pack with a snap-fit backing keeping the parts secure. Both arrive sealed with a cardboard backing. I was surprised at the weight of some of the parts.

The model itself is made of multiple materials including metal, wood, faux leather and multiple types of material.  The kote (armored sleeves) are made of chain-mail.  Half scale chain-mail, how cool is that!

I've been reviewing the instructions online and reading the build diaries of others on the ModelSpace Forum to get an idea of what's ahead.

Since I have the entire kit, I am planning on building the armor in sections rather than following the steps in order. For example, lacing all the kusazuri (tassets) sections at the same time. I find when I work, it's much easier, and more enjoyable, to tackle similar tasks together.

But building out of order presented the problem of keeping parts from getting lost and keeping them organized. There are a lot of parts and many of them are much smaller than they look in the instructions.

Fortunately, I found that the packaging is durable enough to be opened and closed several times. 

Both top and bottom are contoured to keep the parts in place and snapped together at several points keeping top and bottom securely closed.

This allows me to use them as storage containers making the parts accessible while keeping them organized.

I'll be following up shortly with another post as I start the build.  If you have ever worked on a project like this or have any model making tips, please share your thoughts or stories in the comments below.

It's pricey, it's not the fastest, it's not the lightest, it's not the most compact and it doesn't have the best battery life but... looking through all the Surface Pro clones, 2-in-1 computers and tablets on the market today, the 2017 Surface Pro is still the the best full desktop computer system in a tablet form factor.

So who needs the new Surface Pro?  It is ideal for the person who needs it's unique form factor.

By the way, I refer to the 2017 Surface Pro as the Surface Pro 4.5.

Bottom line:  If you're like me, and have mid to high end general processor needs, a need for a good stylus for drawing and value the comfort of working on the same computer wherever you go, then the Surface Pro 4.5 may be the computer for you. 

However, if you have specific, high end needs from your computer, like heavy video editing, gaming or 3D rendering, the Pro 4.5 might be a good choice as a second computer or you might look at a cheaper Pro 4.5 clone.  If your second device is going to be used mostly for media consumption then a tablet may be a good choice.

If you're looking at the 4.5 as a second computer, then purchasing a lower end or older model might be a good way to save some money.  Pro 4 prices have dropped dramatically since the release of the 4.5. 

Microsoft has gotten bashed for not including their keyboard and Surface Pen as part of the 4.5 but this actually allows you to scale your purchase up or down depending on your specific needs. 

For example, if you don't need much from the stylus, you can either not buy a Surface Pen or buy the, less expensive older model.  I believe some 3rd party styluses work with the Surface Pro. 

Same goes with the keyboard.

You also don't even need to buy a new keyboard or pen if your old keyboard and pen are still working properly.

By making their Surface Pro hardware backwards compatible, Microsoft has created a modular system allowing the user to customize their hardware choices to best suit their needs and budget. 

I got the business bundle and opted for the i5 8gb of RAM but I didn't want the premium Alcantara covered keyboard.  Instead, I opted for the older Pro 4 keyboard with fingerprint ID.

I've been using a version of the Surface Pro for the past several years.  What do I use it for?  Everything -  from email and web browsing to sketching to 3D computer modeling.  I use it as my primary computer and it allows me to work on my primary computer wherever I go.  I even use the built in Surface screen almost exclusively.

It may not seem like a big deal, but I found that when I use a computer, for my art especially, the subtle differences between computers can be distracting and I lose my rhythm or focus on my work.  It's the small things like file locations, changes in UI and even the feel of the keyboard or mouse.

Whether it's going from home to an office or traveling to another country, as an artist, I like working on a system that feels the same.  A system that's mine. When I'm on the computer for hours at a time, I know where everything is and it feels natural.  When I jump on another machine, it's like staying in a hotel, it might have everything you need but it's just not home.

If you want to know my history and why I'm so sold on the "tablet PC" format, you can read more in my blog post, "How I Got To The Surface (Pro 3)".

The Surface Pro 3 and 4.5 allow me to have my home with me all the time.  It's compact enough that I can take it with me even if I'm not sure I'll need a computer.  It's powerful enough that I can create my 3D works in Maya.

I don't do a lot of rendering in Maya but I often work with 3D models upwards of 600,000 polygons.  There is sometimes a lag with the Pro 3 and digital drawing if I'm doing fast, heavy crosshatch but I'm not strictly an illustrator so it still works for me.

For 3D digital artists that deal with complex renders or renders with simulations, heavy video processing or artists that rely on illustrating, the 4.5 may not be enough even at the high end i7 version.  If you require specific GPU processing power, like gamers  often do, then the 4.5 would probably not be your primary computer.

My work doesn't seem to push the boundaries too much, or maybe I have low expectations.  Either way, the 4.5 has enough processing power combined with a good stylus in a compact form factor that meets my needs.  If your needs sound like my needs, the Pro 4.5 may be a good fit.

I don't care what the marketing material says, there are always compromises.  Even with the Surface Pro 4.5.  From my research, it is one of the higher priced options but if you can afford it, you make the least amount of compromises for devices with a full OS in a convertible form factor.  What you have is high end power with maximum versatility.

Do you own a Surface Pro 4.5 or are you thinking of buying one?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below.