Yes, I had preordered mine during a time when I was unemployed and should not have done so. It was a disappointment when I got it. I ended up painting the canopy opaque because the clear part just looked terrible. I later got a Gradius III version, but I sold it a few years ago. Here is my build:
No, that wouldn't be possible. Besides, the new Plum kits are far better than the old Atelier Sai kits. Plum is a competent model company. Atelier Sai tried to do something they did not have the engineering know-how to do, and it ruined the company. I've been considering selling my completed kit. It was the "Sky Girls" version Vic Viper. Whatever cosmetic differences with it to the Gradius 4 or 5 models are, I am unsure. I might find a buyer on a videogame forum or something.
Well, you said about me getting it back from the person I sold it to, and that wouldn't be possible. Yes it is possible to still find one of these Atelier Sai kits. YAJ has a Gradius II one listed for 5,000 yen when I checked there a few days ago. I'm just telling you that these kits aren't very great. The canopy alone is crap. But, you have demonstrated in this thread that you are very capable of modifying kits. Maybe you can vacuform a replacement or something. I'll send you a private message. I'm just telling you that you could get one of the new Plum kits for less. They are smaller, but are pretty fantastic.
