Series: Master Grade (MG) 1/100
Title: RX-78 Gundam Casval Rem Deikun Custom
Release Date: 10/1999
Suggested Price: ¥ 4500
No. of Parts: 243 + polycaps + film stickers + dry transfers
Plastic colors: metallic red, metallic rose red, metallic black, black, transparent
Gimmicks: beam rifle, beam sabers (2), bazooka, shield

Introduction

Contributor: Dash "Zeonic Ace" Tekkaman
Date: January 20, 2004

Head

The head is one of the most interesting parts, much like all of the "access panels." First you construct the face plate and the inner mechanics of the head; then you have the choice of an adjustable V-Antenna or a solid V-Antenna (I went with the solid, looks better). Once you have the "face" complete you build the helmet around it. I personally liked that I didn't have to use those crappy eye stickers you always get with a Gundam; the ones that never fit. The head comes together in a way that gives the perfect black "eye brow" with yellow eyes effect. I have to say the head was one of the easier parts of this, and it looks great.

Torso

The torso is one of the most intricate parts of this bad boy. First you put together the inner part of the upper chest, followed by the outer shell; you'll notice there is a huge gaping hole! Don't fret, they provide a nice transformable Core Booster or Core Block part with Casval inside for you to slide in there; the cockpit even opens so you can see him. Once that scare is over, you perform the usual construction of the lower torso. Though there a difference from the 1/144s and simpler 1/100s; an adaptor that lets you use the Core Block or Core Booster as the core of Gundam, it's very cool. A little nifty note, the hip armor has a small hitch where you can hang the beam rifle, for a neat western holster effect. There is also a lovely little addition of C-jointed thrusters, so they stay on! Quite a job if you are fumble-fingered like me but well worth it.

Arms

The arms were pretty standard. Not a lot to say here except to tell you about the nifty "access panels" on each forearm and a nice swiveling elbow. This adds a couple of steps to the normal arm construction process. The forearms have a gap in them that the arm's internal mechanics go in, then there is a small hinge and panel that covers the mechanics(had a little trouble with it at first, but once you get in on straight it looks perfect). The swiveling elbow is a neat concept as it is a part you construct and plug into the normal upper arm. The hands are very nicely put together too; the classic fists and open hands are provided, as usual. The neat part are these very flexible fingers: trigger finger, 3 gripping fingers, and a nice thumb that is on a ball joint. These hands make it wonderfully easy to pose the Gundam with weapons. Love the arms, a little involved, but well worth it.

Legs

The legs, always a nice break during Gundam construction, the easy part....HA! The legs on this model are detailed, a little more involved in construction than usual, but still a break from the rest of the body. Leg construction is pretty normal up until you get to the knee. They added a nice little connector that makes the knee twice as flexible, and very stable. The back of the legs are adorned with the ever famous "access panel" to show you the "calf" thrusters. There is also an internal mechanics part that goes on the "ankle." The legs are very stable and I was happy to see my Gundam could stand on the first try...for a change!

Weapons and Accessories

Well, there isn't a hell of a lot to say here. This model comes with the standard beam sabers (w/ detachable beams), beam rifle (w/ moving handle, moving sight, and a handle to mount it on Gundam's hip), bazooka (w/ moving magazine holder, no magazine , and no missiles :(), shield (w/ adjustable handle, it also attaches to the back for storage), a Core Block (w/ Casval in the cockpit), a clear Casval Rem Deikun Figure (I had to color this thing, not easy!), and last but not least the Core Fighter (w/ a Casval figure to look cool and stand in front of it, landing gear, and it's transformable). These are a lot of fun and I like the little Casval figure, easily losable but neat none the less. I personally would have liked to have seen a heat hawk with the kit. I also would have liked a colored Casval figure; coloring him killed my Gundam pens (where was his Char mask?!).

Conclusion

This model is, by far, my favorite Gundam model EVER! Not only is it the always ass-kicking RX-78 Gundam, but Char Aznable is at the controls! I want to use the conclusion to tell you about what I did with my personal model, after completion. I added a Zeon logo to the left shoulder, the Char Aznable Logo to the right shoulder and open area on the face of the shield. I added the kill count logos to the bazooka. I have my model heavily armed; shield mounted on the back, bazooka in the clip, beam sabers sheathed, and beam cannon at the ready. They gave you choices on a few parts: The solid or adjustable V-Antenna, and the black or rose red ankle covers(I went with the rose red). This is a great model; solid, poseable, well constructed, detailed, and it cleans up VERY easily...none of those damned plastic notches on it(they came off very easily). Char, Casval, Quattro, whatever you want to be called you customize a mighty fine Gundam, and until I see a Casval Rem Deikun Nu Gundam Custom, Sieg Zeon!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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