I’m happy to say that it has been two months since I started GunPla. It’s been a few days since my last build, but I did find time to start watching the first Mobile Suit Gundam anime. I also made some progress in touching up my completed builds and even finished panel lining my 1/100 IBO kits while I watched the show. I might write a review of the anime series once I’m done watching it, so I won’t waste too much time discussing it in this post.
The decision to get this kit was based on my intention to honor the Great Grandaddy Gundam and make it a part of my collection. The RX 78-2 Gundam really resonated with me because of the simplicity and timelessness of the design. It often gets featured in pop culture references and in parodies. It even made an appearance in the somewhat recent Ready Player One movie.
The funny thing is that I had the HG kit pre-ordered long before I started watching the anime. It was really tempting to go ahead and buy the Master Grade Ver 3.0 kit, but I ultimately decided against it because I had a different MG planned for June 2018.
Kit Details
Name: HGUC 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam REVIVE
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam
Released: 2015
Manufactured By: Bandai
Purchased From: Sam’s Model Kits
Price: PhP 600.00
Finding out that the kit had only three major runners left me a bit surprised. I suppose I have to thank the simple color scheme for giving me fewer runners to shuffle around during the build.
Tools Used
- Side Cutters
- Precision Knife
- Scissors
- Sandpaper (1200 Grit)
- Gundam Marker (Black – Panel Lining)
- Cloth rag
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Build Documentation
The assembly process was pretty easy. Thanks to the frame-less engineering of High Grade kits, the build time was drastically shortened. I’d like to note that the right beam saber handle comes off too easily though.
They could’ve just used a separate yellow part for the crotch V but they give you a sticker instead. I’m planning on doing some follow-up detailing once I get the necessary colors so the stickers are not a big deal at all.
The arm articulation is pretty good. Elbow joints handle bends quite well, and the hand rotation is made easy by the usual ball joint. One bad thing I noticed was that the shoulders tend to pop off from the torso when doing really wide spreads or flexes.
Finished Product
The Gundam has great balance thanks to its modest backpack and wide feet. Hip to thigh connections are quite firm and allow for nice splits or running and kneeling poses. No problems were encountered with the torso and neck joint as well.
Build Time – 6 Hours
I gave this kit a little more attention instead of using my usual OOB procedure. Most of my kits get panel lined after a review, but I did it in parallel to the assembly for the RX 78-2. The build was pretty simple, but I wasted a lot of time with my marker and rag because I still suck at panel lining.
Pros and Cons
+Great use of color separated parts
+Easy assembly
+Standard RX 78-2 equipment included as accessories
+Firm leg joints
+The shield looks pretty nice. Great handle design too. I like shields.
+Affordable af
-Shoulder joint comes off a bit too easily
-Saber handles tend to come loose on the backpack due to repeated attachment and removal.
This kit is the easiest recommendation I’ve made yet. No ifs and buts. Get this kit.
On a related note, I still have a backlog worth two boxes. Psshh. How hard can two kits be, right? Well, the first in line is the HGIBO Graze but the next one is the MG Full Armor Gundam Ver. Ka. With just these two kits, I’ve already got my hands full for the first half of June.
Also, there’s going to be a toy show on June 16-17 at a local mall and GunPla will be the main focus. Long time GunPla enthusiasts from the city will be there to display their kits. There will also be a group build to help builders who are struggling to clear their backlogs. I hope I don’t forget to bring a decent camera.
– D
Dreion's Den 
Awesome! I’ve been thinking about building this one after the Arbalest and I might do that now!
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If you manage to find it at a price close to suggested retail, you’re gonna get more than your money’s worth.
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