Series: High Grade Universal Century 1/144
Title: HGUC 1/144 RX-78GP03S Gundam "Dendrobium Stamen"
Release Date: 12/2001
Suggested Price: ¥ 1500
No. of Parts: 164 + P.C.-123 + polycap sprue
Plastic colors: white, blue, red, yellow, gray
Gimmicks: fully functional manipulator claws, FF-XII-Sp “Pistil” Core Fighter

Introduction

Contributor: Jameson Leaser
Date: January 4, 2004

Of all the original 1/144 scale Gundam 0083 kits, I was the most pleased with the Stamen. It was a decent kit, fully within what I considered the High Grade range (certainly far superior to the GP01 and 02A kits). I was toying with combining the regular-use arms with the folding claw arms when I saw they were putting out a HGUC GP03S. After careful review of the ad, I pitched my previously cherished 1/144th scale kit, sold my Master Grade kit (but that is another strange tale) and committed to a HGUC-only Gundam collection..

Head

Typical sharp HGUC detail, with typical HGUC flashing on the delicate antennae. Remove at your own risk!

Torso

The torso is actually less articulated than the previous HGUC Gundams. I missed the highly poseable shoulders. The tail binders are slightly better than the original 1/144th kit. Though the back looked designed for interchangeable standard / Core Block backpacks, only the standard backpack parts were included with this kit. However, B-Club’s EX-GKP garage kit modelers stepped up to the plate and put out a (rather expensive ~ ¥ 5800) resin option set (BCL2204) containing the missing Core Block parts and a better-articulated torso - time to break out the the trusty Gundam colors, nail polish remover, and the Krazy Glue Gel!

Arms

The centerpiece of the HGUC release, and also it’s Achilles’ Heel. Fully functional manipulator claws just begging to be fooled with and neatly-sculpted open hands that look good as well as allowing the manipulator claws to properly unfold is the plus; a very weak upper arm connection is the grave minus. For whatever reason, the post-and -sleeve upper arm used in most other HGUC kits is modified in this one. The post is a long ABS socket that connects to a tab on an ABS clip which serves as the Stamen’s elbow. The connection is very weak, and the upper-arm sleeve fit on the lower arm is very loose. At the least, the upper arm sleeve gets dislocated from the elbow joint easily. At the most, the joint pops off and that very small, very thin-skinned upper arm sleeve winds up in the vicinity of your big, clumsy feet. Careful!

Legs

Typical High Grade legs, nicely proportioned, with that oh-so-satisfying sole detailing. The inner mechanism around the ankles is more finely detailed than the original 1/144th release.

Weapons and Accessories

Weapons and accessories are the same as the original 1/144th release, but of a much higher quality. The folding shield has fully-rendered e-pacs and handles that you can slip the manipulator claw into. The folding bazooka is nowhere near as crude and floppy as the original release, though it is tricky to pose (either straight armed with the elbows pointed out, or the ever-insipid under-arm pose. The beam rifle is, of course, the same as the GP-01’s, fully mobile laser targeter and everything. The FF-XII-Sp “Pistil” Core Fighter is a welcome addition, fully replicating the Master Grade release except in transformation capability (and with the resin parts, you can have your Core Fighter AND your Core Block equipped Gundam for the same price as buying two Master Grade kits. The down side? That you can have your HGUC GP03S with Core Block AND Core Fighter for the cost of two ¥ 3500 Master Grade GP03S kits).

Conclusion

The weak upper arm joint and substandard Gundam shoulder sabotaged what should have been a superb HGUC kit. And frankly, if a kit has a Core Fighter, it should also have a Core Block. Otherwise, recommended.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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