Bandai 1/144 RG Build Strike Gundam Full Package

The worst to buy a Gundam model. They don't give a tracking number. And my model came three days late. But I built the model as soon as I got it and finished it.

Real Grade kits continue to boast very high quality, but this release is a little disappointing because of how much it borrows from one of the oldest Real Grade kits. That's partly due to the nature of the design, and to be fair, this is easily the best looking plastic version of the Build Strike Gundam, but the limitations of the older inner frame and some of the compromises made to the design do impact things a bit.I wouldn't say I was expecting a new frame, but hoped they'd at least spring for MS Joint 4, which would have helped with leg stability. MS Joint 3, the original Strike Gundam frame, features ball socket hips, which are not ideal for the amount of weight that they'll have to support. This was a flaw back then, and it's a flaw now. Others have reported ... MoreReal Grade kits continue to boast very high quality, but this release is a little disappointing because of how much it borrows from one of the oldest Real Grade kits. That's partly due to the nature of the design, and to be fair, this is easily the best looking plastic version of the Build Strike Gundam, but the limitations of the older inner frame and some of the compromises made to the design do impact things a bit.I wouldn't say I was expecting a new frame, but hoped they'd at least spring for MS Joint 4, which would have helped with leg stability. MS Joint 3, the original Strike Gundam frame, features ball socket hips, which are not ideal for the amount of weight that they'll have to support. This was a flaw back then, and it's a flaw now. Others have reported problems with the waist attachment, likely due to having to rip apart the waist joint to assemble it. Do this wrong, and the ball socket will be made larger, leading to looseness. Another problem with this frame is the extension piece you have to insert between the bottom of the leg frame and the top of the foot. This gives the Build Strike some added height, but the softer plastic connection has a hard time gripping and will come off from the foot parts easily.With all that out of the way, what I have left to say is mostly positive. The surface detailing is phenomenal, as is the color separation. New to this iteration of the Build Strike are some translucent blue sections that go over silver or gold foil stickers to create an eye popping effect along the lines of what you'd expect from the Build Burning Gundam, its spiritual successor. These sections are used sparingly, but contribute to the overall look, along with the more extreme proportions (check the knee armor and shoulder armor). Articulation is also outstanding as you'd expect. Even the older Real Grade inner frames have this area covered well, and it's put to good use here.Extras are well done, for the most part although I am really not fond of how the Build Booster goes together. The wings are extremely thin and have to be pushed into very tight openings, so hard that I don't think it's possible not to stress them. The landing gear is also ridiculously tight. Maybe it's just my model but this part of the build was nerve wracking. Nothing broke, but it scares more me to transform this backpack than the Real Grade Zeta Gundam. It does look fantastic, however. Mount this on the backpack (using the same connection point as the regular Strike Gundam) and it'll be pretty secure, although weight issues will develop, which can be worked around by propping the cannons up as feet, or swinging them forward for use, although they don't seem to be able to pivot very well, as the landing gear connections that mount them only swing in and out. You can get them into the hands, but there isn't much dynamic posing to be done with the limited side movement. This could have been done better.Weapons include a very nifty modular beam handgun that can be combined with other parts stored on the shield to make a Beam Rifle or Beam Cannon. All of these parts have sliding mechanisms to fit snugly over the handgun and click into place, locking everything together securely. The Beam Cannon looks fantastic, with a clear green piece that feeds through the inside of the barrell, providing color accuracy that surpasses the Master Grade version. A sliding secondary handle provides additional support although the included trigger finger hand is pretty strong. The shield is not spectacular - it's a victim of the inner frame design as the shield connector comes from MS Joint 3, and it's a little too heavy for its own good, and it rests farther from the arm, so gravity is not on your side. It looks good, but getting it to stay is tricky, especially if you opt to store the Beam Cannon parts on it.Final accessories include some closed fists (new mold! also completely different shape from the other hands), two beam sabers, an action base connector and of course, the Real Grade poseable hands which are pretty much only useful for the Beam Sabers. There are extra parts for the Strike Gundam's Armor Schneider knives, but nowhere to store them. Since the attachment point for the Build Booster is universal, you can easily mount the Strike Gundam's backpack units to it, but the shoulder armor does not accept any additional parts without modification, so the Launcher and Sword configurations won't be quite perfect. Last but not least, there are the Realistic Decals that will give you plenty of marking options.There are way more pros than cons to this, and if you're a fan of the design, this is easily worth the investment. It's below the standard of the Real Grade line, but still very good, and its shelf presence is undeniable. Bring on the Star Build Strike!