REVIEW FM 1/100 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, Bandai

This is review of Bandai plastic model kit Gunpla Full Mechanics FM 1/100 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial from Gundam The Witch from Mercury series.

Bandai FM 1/100 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial Review

This item has a lot of attention points, such as the expression method of the shell unit, which has been a hot topic since before its release, and the details unique to the 1/100 scale size.

Box-Art Packaging

The package is a Gundam Aerial that expands Gund-Bit. This is cool. First, check the contents of the kit. First, let's check the contents of the box. Instructions with the same design as the package. The setting explanation is also a must-see.

Runner Set

A runner of multicolor molding. The upper right is a clear part molded in clear black. B runner that forms the white part of the exterior. The runner of "FULL MECHANICS 1/100 Gundam Aerial" has the feeling that the parts of each block are arranged together, and you can feel the feedback of the EG series.

This is also the C runner that makes up the white part of the exterior. Mainly symmetrical parts such as legs and arms. The D-runner that mainly composes the symmetrical part of the frame.

The E-runner that makes up the frame and weapons. The F runner that makes up the red part of the exterior. The F3 runner is red plated.

Let's take a closer look at the F3 runner. The plated parts are characterized by fine uneven details, and by covering these parts with clear parts, the shell units of each part are expressed.

Beam effect G runner and SB-8 runner. A large beam effect can be attached to the beam rifle. Marking sticker. Detailed cautions are also unique to 1/100 scale. The caution mark design related to "The Witch fromf Mercury" has a different impression from things like the Universal Century, so it's fresh. There are no stickers for color coding.

Work in Progress - Build Up

Arms Unit

We will start assemble from the arm part according to the instruction manual. The photo shows parts of the shoulder armor. FM Gundam Aerial has many parts that are under-gated, and consideration has been given to make the gate marks inconspicuous.

The exterior at the end of the shoulder armor can move slightly both up and down. At the top of the shoulder armor is the shell unit, which is the highlight of this item. First, attach the red-plated parts, and then cover them with the clear black parts.

With the red-plated parts attached. Shadows fall on the recessed parts, and shadows are expressed by unevenness. Then cover it with clear parts. With this layered structure, the shell unit looks like it's glowing in the back of the parts, giving it a complex and deep look.

Shoulder base and upper arm. Frame parts glimpsed from the exterior contribute to the amount of information. Around here, it feels like 1/100. The forearm contains a rotation axis as shown in the picture.

The wrist parts are interchangeable except for the thumb. A gun holding part is included in the right hand, and an open hand part is included in the left hand. The arms are complete. The rotation axis placed in the forearm allows you to bend the elbow firmly.

In addition, this item can be bent by changing the direction of the forearm, so-called "Gwara bend". This consideration is nice because the Escutcheon is directly connected to the forearm.

Body Unit

The photo shows the abdomen. The chest and hip joints are connected by ball joints, and a rotation axis is set. Connect the neck part and abdomen part with the body frame.

There is a movable axis in the part indicated by the red circle, enabling movements such as forward bending and backward movement. The joint that connects the shoulder and the torso structure is commonly found in pull-out joints.

The block on the back of the fuselage, the gray parts swing as shown in the picture. Attach the joint parts that connect the torso and shoulders. With this multiple joint, the range of motion of the shoulder joint is extremely flexible.

Combine the body parts and the back block to attach the exterior. The yellow parts of the collar and duct are one-part construction.

To combine the parts for the shell unit, first, put in the red-plated parts. Then cover it with clear parts. It's larger than the shell unit of the shoulder armor, so it's easy to feel the shadows and depth of the layered structure.

Add the exterior parts to complete the fuselage. The shell unit that shines behind the clear parts is beautiful. Multiple joints allow for natural forward bending and recoil movements.

In order to feel the range of movement of the shoulder joint, then combined the arm parts. With the pull-out joint, you can move your arms forward. It seems to be effective when holding weapons with both hands.

The range of movement in the upward direction is also very wide.

Backpack

It's a great division of parts. Combine them to complete the backpack. The brilliance of the shell unit. The handle of the beam saber can be moved back and forth thanks to the movable shaft at the base.

With this, you can naturally perform the action of drawing the sword, which was impressive even in the play.

Head Unit

It is a surprising part division even just around the mask. Just combine them for perfect color coding. The green camera part is molded in green with a pearly feel.

The helmet part is divided into 4 parts on the front, back, left and right. The base of the head is completed by attaching it to the mask parts. We will install the shell unit here. And if you attach the antenna and the red parts on the forehead. Completion of the head. The mold around the head beam vulcan is also detailed.

Legs Unit

Start with your ankles. You can see that the design is focused on the part of natural movement when grounding, such as the exterior breaking at the tip. The details on the soles are also substantial.

This is the base part of thigh. I will install the red plated parts here. Attach the exterior and clear parts from the left and right so that the plated parts are sandwiched.

This is the knee joint part. Snap it onto the thighparts from the back. Note that the yellow parts are connected to the knee joint side.

After combining the thighs and knee joints, we will combine the parts on the yellow claws on the front. As for the yellow parts on the claws, the part painted green in the photo is connected to the knee joint side, and the part that surrounds it is connected to the thigh side.

As a result, when the knee is bent, only the claw part connected to the knee joint slides following the knee joint. The yellow parts in the back are also connected to the knee joints, so they will follow and sink when the knees are bent.

At the end of the legs, assemble the shins. The FULL MECHANICS series is frameless, but the internal structure is tightly packed as shown in the photo, so it doesn't feel empty.

Furthermore, the legs are completed by attaching the exterior and combining the leg parts assembled so far. Not only does it have an amazing range of motion, but it's amazing how it draws smooth lines and moves naturally.

The pipe-like details behind the knees are also cool. The yellow claw parts will slide out when you bend your knees as shown in the photo. At the end of the main body, assemble the waist. The hip joint has a swing structure that expands the range of motion.

Assemble the frame and attach the exterior. Attach the waist armor and the red abdominal parts to complete the waist. The central frame part can be pulled out when bending forward. In addition, the front white exterior that interferes at that time can be released forward.

Remove the cover part at the bottom to expose the connection hole for the action base. Attached joint parts with different diameters can also be attached. Combining the parts assembled up to this point completes the main body.

Weaponry and Accessories

Escutcheon can be separated into 11 bit staves and base parts, and can also be connected to each part of Gundam Aerial to reproduce "bit on form". Each bit is full of highlights. The backing parts are arranged effectively, and the information density is very high.

The details on the back side are also substantial. By the way, the base part of the Escutcheon has a slide gimmick that can be opened by pulling out the long bit.

And each bit has a connection hole and axis (the shape varies depending on each bit), so you can display it independently by using the separately sold "Witch from Mercury Weapon Display Base".

Next is the beam rifle. A very clean part configuration of 3 parts. The beam rifle is complete when combined. If you connect a bit stave, it becomes a long barrel beam rifle.

Beam effects can also be connected. You can also hang it on a backpack with the included joint parts. Finally, let's assemble the beam saber. The photo is a list of weapon parts. All you have to do is put a marking sticker on it.

Summary

This FM Aerial Gundam was a wonderful and impeccable kit with much simpler parts composition than we thought, and it was very easy to assemble. We got the impression that the shell unit, which is different from the HG series, is a representation unique to the 1/100 scale that allows clearance for parts. From now on, I hope other "Witch of Mercury" aircraft will continue in 1/100 scale.