REVIEW HG 1/144 ZGMF-1027M Duel Blitz Gundam, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 ZGMF-1027M Duel Blitz Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 ZGMF-1027M Duel Blitz Gundam Review

From the movie *Gundam SEED FREEDOM*, the Duel Blitz Gundam has been newly released as an HG kit. The price is 2,970 yen.

Included Accessories

The kit includes a high-energy beam rifle, two saber blades, a wire for the Grapeneel II (with the claw of the Grapeneel II in the bottom right being surplus due to the runner arrangement), a full set of Assault Shroud, and a stand to display the floating Grapeneel II.

The kit comes with various stickers for sensors, the interior of the Assault Shroud's thrusters, and foil stickers for the orange parts.

Duel Gundam State

Initially, the model is in its Duel Gundam state. This is the unit from the movie *Gundam SEED FREEDOM*, where the Duel Gundam was secretly modified after being scheduled for disposal. The base form remains almost identical to the standard Duel Gundam. However, the cockpit has been replaced with one from the Zaku Warrior and switched to nuclear power.

Kit Details

The kit is entirely new with no reused parts from the old HG Duel Gundam. The joints are up-to-date, using KPS without any ABS or polycaps. The Assault Shroud is also included, allowing for a switch to its equipped form.

Color Separation and Assembly

The color separation of the Duel Gundam has improved, with the shoulder frame parts molded in grey. Stickers are limited to sensors, ensuring the model looks accurate even without additional painting. Seam lines have been minimized and turned into detailed panel lines, making them less noticeable.

Head Unit

The head unit shows significant refinement compared to the HG version, with a sharper silhouette. The head camera is color-separated, though the Igelstellungs require painting.

The twin eyes are clear parts with a bright fluorescent green tint.

Chest Unit

The chest duct is color-separated, maintaining a well-balanced, three-dimensional appearance.

Backpack Unit

The saber rack on the backpack can rotate. The square thrusters need painting, including the edges in orange, which might be slightly tedious. The rear pack connection has a two-hole type, allowing compatibility with various packs. The Option Parts Set Gunpla 01's Aile Striker, which has a two-hole conversion joint, can also be attached.

Arms and Shoulder Frame

The arms feature properly separated parts for the shoulder frame. The shoulder armor side plates move, and the forearm seams are detailed and recessed.

Hip Joints and Leg Unit

The hip joints can drop, making kneeling poses easier. The legs have a smart shape with well-separated frame colors. The ankles are smaller in balance with other HGCE units. The knee seams are recessed.

The feet have cover parts with no hollow spaces.

Articulation

The articulation is excellent, with a wide range of movement in the abdomen. The elbows can bend until they nearly touch, and the shoulders use a combination of BJ and axis joints for precise movement.

The shoulders swing well, and the abdomen can swing sideways. The leg articulation is high, with good ground contact due to the hip drop mechanism, allowing for easy kneeling.

Comparison with HG Duel Gundam

The proportions have improved, and the color separation has advanced. The model is slightly larger, like other HGCE kits.

Upper Body Close-Up

The hip and arm joint holes, which were visible on the HG, have improved in appearance.

Lower Body Close-Up

Seams are less noticeable, and the legs are about the same length, but the ankles are much more compact.

Weapons

The kit includes only the beam rifle; there is no shield. The hip joints have 3mm holes for various stands.

175mm Grenade Launcher and 57mm High-Energy Beam Rifle: Slightly larger than the old HG, with the grenade fixed in place.
MA-M99E Beam Sabers (Magna Sectio): Two standard clear blades are included. The backpack grips can be pulled out and held.

The arms' limited range restricts the angles for holding the rifle. It can be aimed forward but not outward.

The high-energy beam cannon can be deployed with the grip, allowing hand-held use. The saber remains unchanged in shape.

The included lead wire allows the Grapeneel II to be deployed from the arm, with no complex disassembly required.

Assault Shroud Conversion

The leg units attach two parts on each side. The arms have armor plates attached to the shoulder frame, with weapon-storing units placed on top. The forearm armor also includes weapons, with the wrist armor changing from blue to black.

The chest and waist have four units each that cover the respective areas, including the backpack.

Duel Blitz Gundam Completion

The Assault Shroud significantly changes the weaponry and shape of the Duel. The arms feature weapons reminiscent of the Blitz Gundam. The shoulder-mounted units store a high-energy beam cannon on the right and a saber and missile on the left.

The Assault Shroud has detailed color separation, with many parts molded in different colors. However, some areas like the waist armor's orange, the leg thrusters' black, and the Grapeneel II's wings use stickers.

Articulation with Assault Shroud

The chest and waist armor of the Assault Shroud are segmented, and the front armor is movable, making it much more maneuverable than the HG Assault Shroud. The chest's black parts are also color-separated, but the ducts behind the shoulders need painting.

High-Energy Beam Cannon

The right shoulder's MA-M1600/D2 high-energy beam cannon has a rectangular barrel with a deployable grip. The seam lines are recessed.

Left Shoulder Armament

The left shoulder stores a forward-facing saber and a rear-facing AIM-627G self-guided medium-range air-to-air missile (Torrens). The saber grip from the Duel's backpack is relocated here, leaving one surplus. Both deploy without part swapping, but the missiles require painting.

Arm Weapons

Right Arm: XM61 high-speed mobile penetration round (Lancer Dart II) x2
Left Arm: XM-53S Piasa Rock Grapeneel: The claws move independently, with the central claw also articulated. The thruster is a separate part, but the wing edges use stickers. The inside of the claws is hollowed but detailed.

Leg Unit with Assault Shroud

The large thrusters' interiors are supplemented with black stickers, but other thrusters and duct interiors need painting.

Articulation with Assault Shroud

The upper body's movement is significantly restricted. The shoulders' blue armor can't raise much, limiting arm movement. Interference with the antennae also requires caution.

The lower body remains mostly unaffected, with the front armor moving freely.

Comparison with Assault Shroud

The color scheme is finely reproduced despite needing stickers and paint. The shape and armament are markedly different from the standard Duel.

The backpack loses the downward thrusters, replaced by armor around the waist. The leg attachment points are the same, but the armor design changes significantly. Orange parts are added to the ankle armor.

Display Options

Using the included stand or any 3mm peg stand, the Grapeneel II can be displayed floating. The thin lead wire can't hold it without a stand, but the detailed claws are a nice feature.

Lancer Dart II

The Lancer Dart II, used to pierce the ship's bridge, is molded as a single part, with detailed nozzles. It can be removed, but those painting the kit should adjust accordingly.

Comparison

The size is comparable to the Infinite Justice.

Despite some interference around the grip area, the combination docks without issue, creating an impressive display.

Summary

The HGCE Duel Blitz Gundam is a fascinating kit, combining elements from the Blitz Gundam into the Assault Shroud. While the shoulder area faces some interference, the deployable beam cannon and missiles add interesting gimmicks. The armor fits well without being overly bulky. The Assault Shroud can be removed to revert to the standard Duel, offering refined proportions and articulation. This kit showcases significant evolution from older HG models, making it both playable and display-worthy.