Master Grade RX-79 (G) Land Type Gundam 1/100 Scale Model Kit

The MG Ground Gundam is an old kit. There's no way around that. The engineering isn't as slick as modern kits and the pose-ability suffers in some areas that prevent super dynamic poses (the hips are ball-and-socket joints, there is only rotation at the waist, no chest bend, the hands need some help holding the weapons, etc.). The proportions are outdated--not bad, just more of a chunkier, "classic" look.That being said, the kit is solid. Both literally (the joints can hold whatever pose you can get them into) and metaphorically: seam lines are almost non-existent on the Gundam itself, color separation is top-notch (the yellow arrow on the waist is a separate piece! always a plus!), and there are some dry transfers in addition to the (limited) marking stickers (and some extra handles and vents you can glue on as you see fit--neat bonus!). It's not going to blow you away, but the kit has a ton of charm. The head sculpt is excellent (I think the painted images on the box don't do it justice), and the proportions give it a retro 90s vibe that feels true to the anime. A stylized, long-legged pseudo-super-robot this is not, and the design feels as realistic as a giant robot can. It's also from back in the day when the manuals had gorgeous line art depicting cutaway details and inner mechanisms, which only adds to the immersion while building.If you like the design, you shouldn't be scared off by the kit's age--it holds up. Don't go in expecting a modern build and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Granted, this is an earlier Master Grade kit, so the design and engineering is dated compared to today’s MG kits. I would honestly call it more of a 1/100 scale HG kit than a Master Grade, due to lack of internal structure, lower part count and finer details.That said, it was still a very enjoyable build! I made mine with a custom “jungle” color scheme and weathered to look used and abused as compared to the typical “showroom new” look.I love the gimmicks it has- the backpack and heavy cannon, which breaks down and stores in the backpack, the little crane arm next to the cockpit hatch for pilot to board/exit (I’m thinking of attaching a small piece of thread as a cable) and the removable ammo magazine for the cannon, which also has visible shells!Well worth the price (less than $40usd)

Such a fun build! Lots of fun little features for the 8th MS Team fans.All the gimmicks are fantastic and the articulation is great. The backpack holds the giant rifle, and it mounts to the kit well! The kit is quite sturdy with the larger UC style of Gundam and doesn't require a stand for most poses.I don't paint as I don't have a steady hand but either paint or panel line this kit. I opted for some basic panel lining and it really made a difference! There is a lot of white and even with both stickers and dry transfer decals applied those helped but the panel lining made a world of difference.I am a sucker for good gimmicks and this provides. The cockpit opens with an integrated hatch mechanism, which is always a plus in my book compared to simply removing a piece. Also the sabers are stored in the calves of the suit AND the suit can lean and grab them for some pretty cool poses!

08th MS Team is my favorite Gundam series, treating its universe less like super hero robot Dragon Ball Z and more like a war documentary. It's gritty and personal, showing a side of Gundam that I personally think is too often ignored. That said, the model itself is pretty good but has a few flaws. The most notable issue is that the feet have zero articulation, by which I mean that they are a single piece of red plastic that does not bend in any way. The ankles solve a bit of this problem by allowing some decent ball joint mobility, but the issue really becomes apparent when you try to shift the legs - the backmost foot will stick off the ground unnaturally and can make the model unstable (you can even notice this in the official photos of this kit). The hands have a great, rigid construction but they are not that effective at holding weapons. The smaller beam rifle sits very loose and kind of droops in his hand. The model's forearms have an annoying construction that comes apart too easily. The upper cap by the suit's elbow is a separate piece that's more than happy to disconnect itself and slide around. The 'calves' on the leg have beam sabers inside them but they don't close 100% so you can always see a wider than normal gap. It's not a particularly pretty model when unpainted, it has stark contrast of colors and looks very much like a cheap toy (I recommend painting it).It's still a wonderful Master Grade but just don't expect the same level of articulation as some other models. The range of arm movement and leg movement can be very limited but the use of screws in the arms and legs helps the rigidity of the whole kit a lot - it definitely feels stiff. It comes with a very unique functional backpack that carries its larger artillery rifle in a disassembled state. It's a really stand-out feature that looks great.If you're a fan of the design or love the show, this is a must-have. If you're a fan of mecha or models in general, you might be happier with a newer kit. This one is in dire need of a 2.0 update to address these problems.

A bit on the old side of the MG line, but a great kit'