UAE Gunpla builders - in pictures

  • Marlon Navarro, 34, an engineer, shows off his Gunpla model. He says the model kits bring back memories of his childhood. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Marlon Navarro, 34, an engineer, shows off his Gunpla model. He says the model kits bring back memories of his childhood. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • An OZ-06MS LEO build by Marlon Navarro
    An OZ-06MS LEO build by Marlon Navarro
  • The Otaku Middle East Gunpla Group meet and build once or twice a month
    The Otaku Middle East Gunpla Group meet and build once or twice a month
  • The Gundam Zeta Armada by Jonnie Teodora was recently bought for Dh2,500 by a collector who was in complete awe of the clean details and unique colouring techniques used in the model
    The Gundam Zeta Armada by Jonnie Teodora was recently bought for Dh2,500 by a collector who was in complete awe of the clean details and unique colouring techniques used in the model
  • Paulie Alcazar touches up his SD Genbusou Lu Bu Tallgeese model
    Paulie Alcazar touches up his SD Genbusou Lu Bu Tallgeese model
  • Hotelier Paulie Alcazar, 42, says he was drawn to Gunpla because anyone can enjoy building regardless of skill level, age or gender
    Hotelier Paulie Alcazar, 42, says he was drawn to Gunpla because anyone can enjoy building regardless of skill level, age or gender
  • Mhy Mhy Alcazar, 42, with her custom Super Fumina Gundam Build Fighters
    Mhy Mhy Alcazar, 42, with her custom Super Fumina Gundam Build Fighters
  • Rinoah Alcazar, 15, and brother Cloud, 5, with their models
    Rinoah Alcazar, 15, and brother Cloud, 5, with their models
  • The Harvester built by James Quinsaat recently won fifth place at the Original Mecha contest as a special award
    The Harvester built by James Quinsaat recently won fifth place at the Original Mecha contest as a special award
  • More of James Quinsaat's works
    More of James Quinsaat's works
  • Gunpla model kits depicting the vehicles and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse
    Gunpla model kits depicting the vehicles and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse
  • A Gunpla enthusiast shops for new kits at the Otaku ME showroom in Times Square Centre, Dubai
    A Gunpla enthusiast shops for new kits at the Otaku ME showroom in Times Square Centre, Dubai
  • The Otaku ME Gunpla Group at one of their meetings
    The Otaku ME Gunpla Group at one of their meetings
  • Gunpla builders' tool kits have different types of clippers, drill bits and tweezers, and a variety of airbrushes, paint brushes and glues
    Gunpla builders' tool kits have different types of clippers, drill bits and tweezers, and a variety of airbrushes, paint brushes and glues
  • The Alcazar family at their home
    The Alcazar family at their home
  • Rommel Cruz, 51, an electrician, started building in the 1990s
    Rommel Cruz, 51, an electrician, started building in the 1990s
  • Jonnie Teodoro, 37, an aeronautical engineer, is a Gunpla modeller in his free time
    Jonnie Teodoro, 37, an aeronautical engineer, is a Gunpla modeller in his free time
  • James Quinsaat, an architect, has won many awards for his models
    James Quinsaat, an architect, has won many awards for his models