HGUC 035 FXA-05D/RX-178 ‘Super Gundam’

This is the HGUC Super Gundam kit featuring the RX-178 Gundam Mk II and the G Defensor. Early during the Gryps War, the Anti-Earth Union Group's newly-captured RX-178 Gundam Mark II mobile suit was soon outclassed by new variable-form mobile suits/mobile armor being developed by their Titans enemies. Although fairly impressive for its innovative new \”movable frame\” construction, the Gundam Mark II soon found itself left behind in terms of mobility, armor and firepower. To compensate for these shortcomings, the Anaheim Electronics Company developed a new weapon to enhance the Mark II's performance. Called the FXA-05D G-Defenser, this new space fighter-like unit was capable of docking with the Gundam Mark II.

Head: The head unit can equip the optional vulcan gun, like the other two models. It has average movement from side to side but almost no horizontal range.

Torso: The Torso construction for the HGUC Mk II was innovative to the rest of the HGUC lineup as it strayed from the traditional construction methods of having two pegs sticking out of the sides of the torso for the arms to connect to. The Mk II's arm connections are actually their own separate piece that blend the shoulder into the torso construction. This also adds slight mobility over traditional HGUC torsos. The Armor over the cockpit can be removed to reveal \”details\” but as far as I'm concerned, this feature is useless as the cockpit door still remains and there is a small box with \”details\” forged into it. I wouldn't even bother investigating this… it will only upset you.

Backpack: Pretty standard for HGUC. This backpack has boosters and two slightly moveable beam saber hilts. There is a piece you can remove to reveal a polycap that can attach to the G Defensor to make it the Super Gundam.

Skirt Armor: Like most HGUCs, the front skirt armor plates are molded together with a bar between the pelvic armor. This can quickly be fixed by cutting the two in half and making them independant. The far left and right skirt armor plates can hold the E-caps cartridges that come with the Hazel HGUC kits. There is also a fold-down hilt for the bazooka it comes with.

Arms: Standard HGUC single-joint arms here. Accurate, moderate poseability, single-jointed elbows, and a hole for the shield… whoopee!

Legs: Standard HGUC leg units, with the exception of the double-jointed foot. The front half and back half of the foot can move. This feature helps it fit into the Flying Armor, even though the kit itself was designed far before the Mk II + Flying Armor kit was introduced.

Weapons: This kit comes with the standards for the Mk II. Its beam rifle, its beam saber (molded-in-hand, non-transparent) and shield. The Beam Rifle has a handle that can extend out for the double-handed firing poses. The Shield can also be \”folded\” for storage and connects to a peg thats connected to the arm unit.

Hands: This kit comes with a trigger hand, a saber hand with the saber molded into it, and a left hand fist (with the hole down the center of course)

G Defensor: The G-Defensor is a nice addition to the Mk II. However, the long rifle for the Mk II can be flimsy and if you're not careful, either the trigger finger for the Mk II will break, or the handle of the gun will break. Its not the easiest thing to pose with either. The G-Defensor adds alot of excess weight on the Mk II so be prepared to counter for weight issues. Overall, the design and the colors flow well with the Mk II. My only problem was painting those little tiny red issiles in the nose of each of those blue \”things\” on either side of the Super Gundam. The Core block from the G defensor can eject from the whole unit, which is nice if you want to display the Mk II separate from the G-Defensor.

Overall: Its a nice looking kit with a solid construction for the Base MS. Its compatible with the later-released Flying Armor HGUC and the G Defensor can even be used on the Titans Mk II. Nothing too spectacular, but that G Defensor really makes this kit what it is.