Series: High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) 1/144
Title: RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam
Release Date: 2002
Suggested Price: ¥ 2000
No. of Parts: 114 Gundam Mk-II parts + P.C.-123 + polycap sprue and
74 G-Defenser parts + P.C.-123 polycap sprue
Plastic colors: dark blue, light gray, dark gray, yellow, red + light gray, yellow, blue
Gimmicks: G-Defenser with removable Core Fighter

Introduction

Contributor: Jameson Leaser
Date: February 4, 2004

Like with the Dendrobium, pretty much half the review for this kit is already written. I was just as jazzed about this release as I was about the HGUC Zaku, and was just as eager to get my hands on it...

RX-178 Gundam Mk II

The AEUG-colored RX-178 release -supposedly. The colors this part of the kit are molded in are the Perfect Grade Gundam Mk II colors, which seem to be a bit darker in the grays than the suit pictured on this website. Since I’ve never seen either Zeta or Double Zeta Gundam, I’m not entirely sure these are incorrect (perhaps these are the Double Zeta colors). If so, well, it’s either repaint or swap parts with the Titans RX-178 and then repaint if you want anime-accurate colors. It’s still a great kit, whatever color it is...

FXA-05D G-Defenser

The real news in this review. I was expecting this as an EX-series release - I figured it was as inevitable as the AEUG-colored RX-178. Releasing both kits together was really cool (especially considering the EX-Series models are supposed to be one-run limited releases). I’ve previously owned the original G-Defenser kit (bought for my original HG RX-178), and folks, this one’s a lot better! This G-Defenser is actually designed to fit this RX-178! The G-Defenser attaches to that hole in the RX-178’s backpack - no flopping off as with the original 1/144th release. the construction of the square rear stabilizer is far, far superior to the original, though less anime-accurate, I guess. Where the original’s horizontal stabilizer slid up in very weak rail connections in the twin vertical stabilizers when docked with the RX-178, this release loses the barely visible vertical stabilizers and replaces them with sturdy arms which fold the part up against the suit’s back. The G-Defenser’s wings flip up, it’s Core Fighter is better detailed - I could go on and on. One caveat though: the wings are molded in light gray, and color-matching the G-Defenser’s blue is difficult. I suggest Gundam Colors for this kit (it’s blue is practically the same as the GP01’s if that helps).

Weapons and Accessories

While the external power cable on the bottom of the long beam rifle isn't a separate part as it was in the original G-Defenser (which was a spring), the excellent tight construction of the weapon more than makes up for the lack (and you don’t have that damn spring popping the damn weak bottom flap off of the long beam rifle). It attaches well to both the G-Defenser and Gundam Mk II, and because of it’s relatively light weight, you can pose the weapon without the sag you’d find in larger-scale kits. However, mine has the annoying habit of popping off the back of the gun hand if it’s fooled with, so be careful.

Conclusion

Overall, this kit is fully worthy of the HGUC line, and I’d recommend it to any Gundam modeler.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

<<back to Gundam