Monday, September 18, 2017

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG WD-M01 Turn A Gundam

Link to revised review here.

It's different, and it's the 100th master grade.





















Why this kit
After so many good kits (Sinanju, Freedom, RX-78-2), I am a bit lost on what to build next.  After building 2 standard gundams, I am looking for something different again.  Surely the 100th master grade won't disappoint right?

Let's find out, shall we?





















Kit Details
The Turn A kit was released in August 2007, a A2 box kit with 12 runners and 273 parts. Yes, a lot less parts for a kit similar size to the RX-78-2.  If you look at the runner list, there are a few really big big part especially the rifle and shield.














You also get a very small sheet of dry transfer decal, not that you needed it anyway.  This kit is priced at 3800 yen.
















Good news is that the trademark mustachio is a single piece of runner.

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
This kit is very unique, so one thing you can be certain is that there is zero reuse of runners from other kit.  Except for the pink beam saber, of course.  A good omen for those looking for a completely new kit to build.

With 10 pages of build instructions, this kit is not very complicated to build.  Although it sometimes can be confusing since it is not your usual everyday gundam.  Most of the kit are big parts snapping together.  Even the head is big, fat and easy to work on.

If you don't like to put decals on your kit, good news for you since this kit has zero decal needed.  You can sharpie the logo on the head.

On the other hand, if you don't like panel lining, this is bad news for you.  This is one of the heaviest panel line kit for its size.  If you don't line this kit, it will look dull.  Get your GM01 ready cause there is a lot of drawing to do.















But overall, this is still a very pleasant kit to build.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
The look is very very subjective.  A lot of people hate it for what it is.  Mr. mustachio.  Very un-gundam-ish.  Why on earth it is piloted from the nether region.

I don't really mind on how it looks.  For me, it's like a cross over between a standard gundam and your everyday bad guys like the z'gok and acguy.  Well, maybe not that extreme but it is definitely an acquired taste.



Nuclear missile, anyone?

Accessories
(Score: +1)
Not much to brag on the accessories department.  This is where all the huge chunk of plastic goes.  You get a beam rifle, that can be carried like a briefcase.




















A very big piece of shield and my favorite among these, the gundam hammer.  Reminiscence of the grand Daitarn 3.  Too bad the legs doesn't shoot cannon and there's no sunshine attack.



Oh... did I mention that you also get a cow?




















And 2 chest silo compartment that stores a few pieces of nuclear missile.

Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +1)
This kit doesn't do as well in terms of total articulation compared to modern kits.  Lack of any backpacks do mean a very stable kit, which has absolutely no problem standing on its own without doing the Michael Jackson lean.




















The highlight of this kit is definitely the legs which can bend inwards that no other kits can.  Neat!




















All the joints are very solid, allowing maximum pose-ability.  However, some parts that flaps like the shoulder armor and the side skirt are really loose.  Even the neck and waist is a bit loose.  Stark contrast to the solid arms and legs.  Which means it will to be able to hold a pose quite well, but I'm quite worried about its longevity.

Shelf presence
(Score: Neutral)
Again, I would say, the standard gundam color scheme won't make this kit stand out as much.  But the out of the ordinary design would most likely catch an eye or two.



Bonus
(Score: +1)
If you have a display space, get the moonlight butterfly add on effect parts.  This is a super awesome looking butterfly wings, priced at 1944 yen.











Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
This is a very special kit.  One of it's kind.  If you want it to look great on your shelf, get the P-Bandai moonlight butterfly edition.  The regular release, is for those like me, wanted a different experience on a very unique master grade kit.




















Gundam: Turn A Gundam
Code: WD-M01
Series: Turn A Gundam
Pilot: Loran Cehack
Faction: Inglessia Militia, Ghingham Fleet, Diana Counter
Weapons: Beam Saber, Beam Rifle, Gundam Hammer
Release: August 2007
Box: A2
Runner: 12
Parts: 273
Price: 3800 yen

Pundit: This is a very unique kit that season gunpla builders can definitely consider getting.  Don't let your judgement on the looks turn you away from the great experience you'll gt building this kit.

Variants
This kit is one of its own.  But there's another one.
1) Turn X.  The antagonist of the Turn A series.  And it's another super unique kit that is worth considering.




















Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 104

Up Next: Strike Noir Gundam

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