| MG
1/100 RMS-106 Hizack
Series: Master Grade (MG) 1/100 Title: RMS-106 Hizack Release Date: 08/2004 Suggested Price: ¥ 3000 No. of Parts: 12 runners + soft plastic + polycaps Plastic colors: dark green, light green, red, yellow, gray, transparent green-yellow Gimmicks: 120mm machine gun; beam rifle (3 ammo clips), shield, beam sabers (1 handle, 2 removable blades), heat hawk, missile pods
Contributor: Wilson “Oruma Yar” Lam Date: August 23, 2005 UC 0086: After the disastrous Operation Stardust (Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory), the Earth Federation founded the Titans, an elite force to deal with matters of the space colonies. The Titans use extensive force to suppress the colonists, however, and tensions mount steadily. To further strengthen their forces, the Titans develop and mass-produce the new generation of mainstay MS, the RMS-106 Hizack. Only the third Titans MS that is made into model (the other two being GM Quel and Gundam MK-II Titans version), the Hizack is the first baddy in my MG model collection. The model looks good in pictures, but how good really is it?
Very similar to the head design of Zeon’s Zaku. The movable monoeye is connected to the internal structure of the head, with a clear visor and the green armor plates covering the head. The upper hatch can be opened to reveal the inner structure and adjust the monoeye. The cables around the head are annoying: you have to string the bead-like pieces onto the plastic cable, which felt as if you’re going to tear apart every time, and the resulting effect is not that great, either. The head can turn freely around and can look up and down by about 15 degrees.
The Hizack has a well-detailed torso, featuring the cockpit, as per standard. The core chest is connected to the arms via double-jointed shoulders, which would allow great movement. Power cables run from the front of the chest to mid-torso; they are similar to the head cables but easier to make. The cockpit hatch can be open to reveal the pilot inside; but it is hindered by the power cables, and cannot open fully. The waist is a one-piece affair directly connected to the torso. Although the waist is ball-jointed, its mobility is hindered by the skirt armors all around. Front and side skirts are movable; while the rear skirt armor is immovable, it provides a clip for either the beam saber or the missile pod rack. The ball-joints for the legs are modeled like those of the Ground Gundam, which means that the 2 plugs are movable inside the crotch area and translate into greater articulation. The backpack of Hizack houses its main thrusters and the fin-shaped retro thrusters. The retro thrusters can rotate and move, though it should not be played with in excess for fear of breaking it.
The Hizack has a pair of good arms. The two shoulders are jointed to the torso via double-joints, which allow the arms to swing forward. This will prove important to pose the Hizack holding its rifle or machine gun in a two-handed fashion. Each arm has 2 power cables that run from the upper to the lower arm. Mold in soft plastic, the cables look okay but prove to seriously hinder the arms’ movements. Each elbow has a hole for the shield’s plug-in. The Hizack has only one pair of standard holding hands.
Hizack’s legs are connected to the main body via ball joints. Well-detailed lower legs with detachable armor and leg thrusters; these can be removed to reveal the inner leg structure. The Hizack’s foot unit gives me a pleasant surprise: aside from the usual 2-jointed ankle, there is a THIRD joint on the foot itself, which allow the Hizack to rear up on its toes, so to speak. With heavy legs, sturdy joints and big feet, the model is well balanced and won’t fall easily.
Shield- Can be attached onto either arm, but cannot be held by hand. The plug can rotate 360 degrees around, although the standard mode is parallel with the arm. The room near the hand is storage for 2 spare beam rifle ammo clips. Beam saber- One handle, two transparent greenish-yellow removable blades. Handle can be stored on the clip of the rear skirt armor. 120mm Zaku machine gun custom- The Hizack’s main weapon. Molded like a refined Zaku machine gun, it has only one drum of ammo. The weapon can be held two-handed. Beam rifle- A basic gun with three ammo clips. The two spare clips can be stored in the shield’s storage. Heat hawk- A refined version of the Zaku heat hawk, it is three times larger and looks much more menacing. It can be stored on the back of the missile pod rack. The model mold is gray, whereas the original coloring is green, gray and dull silver. Some painting required. Missile pods- Each pod is connected to the body via a rack that runs around the back. Missiles can be removed from the pod. In my opinion, however, the rack is too wide and when equipped, the missile pods will force the arms to remain in an open position. Also, the missiles can come loose and fall halfway out, so handle with caution.
Some additional notes before closing: -Coloring: the basic coloring is done well and can be tolerated without painting. -Posing the Hizack: a joy in itself. The Hizack has great articulation, especially in the legs. It can even kneel a bit, though the pose will be a bit tilted. -Posing the Hizack (II): although the machine gun & beam saber look good, I personally like the Beam Rifle + Missile Pod + Heat Hawk weapon combination better—it gives a feel of heavy firepower to the Hizack. -Posing the Hizack (III): one may consider taking the missile from the missile pods and arrange them (via wires) into an all-missile-launch pose. -The Hizack, unlike the Zaku, has no “Commander type” and no antenna. -As seen in the animation, there is also an EFSF blue-colored Hizack, a sniper type Hizack Custom, and a Hobby Hizack (from Char's Counterattack ). I suspect that at least one of these will show up later on… The Hizack is the first baddy monoeye MS to join my model collection. I must say, however, that the model is very well made and more than worth its price. It is a good buy and a must-get for you Titans fans. |
