REVIEW HG 1/144 MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility Type [Surface Type][Wald Custom], Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai plastic model kit Gunpla HG 1/144 MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility Type [Surface Type][Wald Custom] from Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island.

P-Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility Type [Surface Type][Wald Custom] Review

Along with the HG High Mobility Type Zaku for ground use (Selma machine) introduced last time, the Wald machine has also been made into a kit. This is also an order from Premium Bandai. The price is 3,080 yen, which is slightly higher than the Selma machine.

Accessories include an anti-ship rifle, anti-ship rifle shorty, spare magazines (x2), heat hawks in 2 variations, a right gun handle, a left open hand, a rifle attachment joint, and a stand joint. Seals will be reproduced with water transfer decals, and camouflage patterns will also be replicated using decals. This time as well, there are a few Origin Zaku parts remaining.

From the movie Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan's Island, which has steadily been made into various kits, the high-mobility Zaku for ground use piloted by Waldo Ren, the vice-captain of his Southern Cross squad, has been developed into an HG kit.

This time, except for the armament, the head, waist, and leg hover units are reproduced, similar to the Selma machine introduced earlier. The kit's construction is also standard, utilizing a combination of KPS and PC-001 joints. Although it is based on the HG Origin Zaku series, there are numerous parts that differ from the ordinary Zaku, and specific components are used for a significant portion.

The fins around the hover unit are also created as separate parts to achieve a precise finish. A heat hawk and two types of rifles can be suspended from the waist. A spare magazine can also be attached to the shield.

The camouflage pattern is different this time as well, but the method of enhancing it with decals remains unchanged. Apart from the camouflage portion, the basic color scheme is replicated using molded colors.

Head Unit

Once again, the head without the antenna and the mono eye rail are intricately sculpted. The monoeye is replicated using water transfer decals or painting instead of stickers.

Body Unit

The fuselage features a distinct color scheme from the commander's Egba machine and is simplistic, resembling the Selma machine. The vernier of the backpack is a separate part, and the pipes are molded as a single piece for easy assembly.

Arms Unit

Being based on the Origin Zaku system, it allows for chest block swinging as well as shoulder movement. The joint follows a stepped mold. The spikes on the outer shoulder armor are also fashioned as separate parts, and the forearm joints are molded with steps.

The shield is the same type with spikes as before, and the magazine can be attached to the outer joint.

Legs Unit

A 3mm joint is located on the waist, allowing for the attachment of a heat hawk. The rear armor reproduces the rifle mount part's deployment state through joint parts. The waist armor remains mostly unchanged and includes lining parts. The hip joint axis can swing.

A knee drawer gimmick is incorporated to increase leg movement range. The hover unit inside the flare is accurately reproduced, eliminating any sense of hollowness. Sole lid parts are also present.

Weaponry

It seems to be an aircraft with a sniper-type role, and it comes equipped with an anti-ship rifle. Please refer to the Egba machine review for the range of motion.

Introducing the armament: This is an anti-ship rifle, the same long rifle that came with HG Char's Zaku. Only the right hand can hold the gun. The sensor will be replicated using a decal. The division is simple, resulting in a seam.

Thanks to its excellent range of motion, it can be posed in a kneeling sniper stance. The shoulder drawers are also outstanding, allowing for a two-handed grip.

Also included is the anti-ship rifle shorty, which was equipped when boarding the island. As the name implies, the barrel is shorter. It is split with a monaka and shows seams. However, the barrel section has a unique twisted detail, and it's split along that line. The kit also reproduces the magazine exchange gimmick that is absent in standard anti-ship rifles. It's shorter than a regular anti-ship rifle but still quite lengthy. It features a holding dowel on the grip to prevent shaking or instability. The molding color matches that of the Selma machine, ensuring a pleasing color scheme even without the camouflage pattern.

Two types of heat hawks are included: one for storage and one for gripping. Since both are single parts, the blade portion requires painting. Despite having only three units, each possesses a unique special weapon, offering a significant sense of satisfaction.

Comparison

Comparison with HG 1/144 MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility Type [Surface Type][Selma Custom]

The head shape and molding color pattern are identical, and except for the camouflage pattern, it's the same, including the armament.

Size comparison with the Cucuruz Doan's Island version of Gundam

The height is nearly the same, but there is a noticeable difference in the lower body's volume.

Summary

That concludes the review of the HG 1/144 MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility Type [Surface Type][Wald Custom]. The Wald machine was released simultaneously with the Selma machine, sharing the same main body design, aside from camouflage pattern decals and weapons. The molding color scheme also remains consistent.

Although the intricate camouflage pattern still needs stickers or paint, the kit's quality remains unaltered, making it a splendid HG model within the Origin series. This version also introduces new armaments, such as the anti-ship rifle and the anti-ship rifle Shorty, typical of sniper aircraft. With three units in my possession, I'm eager to complete the remaining two units as soon as possible.