REVIEW HG 1/144 GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.

Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X04 Gunbarrel Dagger Review

The 105 Dagger + Gunbarrel kit from Gundam SEED MSV was initially released in 2004 and has since been re-released. The kit is priced at 1,650 yen.

Included Accessories

The kit comes with the M703 Beam Rifle, Shield, Saber blades, a complete stand set, a Gunbarrel Striker connection joint, and parts for the deployed Gunbarrel mode. Notably, there are no leftover parts.

Stand Features

The stand allows you to set parts on the underside and attach unused pillars to the side for storage.

Stickers and Markings

The kit includes foil stickers and marking stickers to complement the various sensors, black details on the knees and upper arms, and fine triangular moldings.

Kit Overview

The 105 Dagger + Gunbarrel, piloted by Morgan Chevalier in Gundam SEED MSV, is an older kit, initially released in 2004. Despite its age, it stands out with its distinctive appearance, featuring the Gunbarrel Striker attached to the back of the 105 Dagger. The kit also replicates the separation gimmick around the Gunbarrel. The combination of the blue-and-white 105 Dagger with the vividly colored orange Gunbarrel Striker adds an interesting visual contrast.

Design and Build

As the mass-produced version of the Strike Gundam, the 105 Dagger retains some elements of the Strike, including the Striker Pack gimmick. Despite being a High Grade (HG) kit, its construction is simple, reflecting the design approach of the original SEED series kits. The joints are primarily made with polycaps (PC-123 Plus), with no use of KPS or ABS materials.

Customization Options

The Gunbarrel Striker can be easily removed, giving the 105 Dagger a more simplified look. While some parts of the kit can be recreated with stickers, areas like the chest and shoulder frames require additional painting.

Head and Body Details

Head: The helmet is split front-to-back, with a noticeable seam. The grey mask is a distinctive feature, but parts like the Igelstern II and cheek ducts require painting. The visor is recreated with a simple sticker rather than a clear part.

Body: The torso requires painting for details like the collarbone frame and rear thrusters. The back is compatible with the Striker Pack system still used today, allowing for compatibility with various packs.

Shoulder and Arm Features

Shoulders: The shoulder armor is split front-to-back, with a seam visible. The side thruster parts are movable, though the frame requires painting. Stickers are provided for the triangular molds.

Arms: The arms are simple in design, with a visible seam on the forearm. While stickers are provided for the black line on the upper arms, other parts like the hard points on the forearms require painting.

Lower Body and Legs

Hips: The hip joints are ball joints (BJ), with no detailing on the underside of the skirt armor. The stand hole is unique and incompatible with other joints, limiting its versatility.

Legs: The legs have a simple design with unique coloring, like grey on the soles. While the basic parts are color-separated, additional painting is needed for areas like the thrusters and hard points. Stickers are provided for the black lines on the knees, and the thighs and shins are split left-to-right, resulting in visible seams.

Feet: The soles have no hollow areas and include detailed molds.

Gunbarrel Striker Details

The Gunbarrel Striker connects to the main body with a dedicated joint and features detailed, dense molds, including intricate nozzle interiors. Although there are many areas where the parts are monaka-split, resulting in visible seams, features like the gatling cannon barrel are separate parts, enhancing the overall build quality.

Articulation and Movement

The kit’s articulation is similar to the early HG SEED series, with simple construction. The waist can swing slightly forward and back and rotate, but there’s no sideways swing. The neck is on a ball joint (BJ) but has limited movement, and the elbows bend to about 90 degrees. The shoulder joints are peg-style, limiting their range of motion. The lower body has decent ground contact, with the knees bending about 90 degrees. The legs can lift enough for kneeling poses.

Comparison with HGCE Strike Dagger

Compared to the HGCE Strike Dagger, a hastily constructed and simplified unit, the 105 Dagger + Gunbarrel has more elaborate weaponry and can utilize the Striker Pack. The HGCE kits are generally taller and more slender than their HG predecessors.

Weaponry and Equipment

M703 57mm Beam Rifle: The beam rifle is monaka-split, with a visible seam down the center, and the barrel is not hollowed out. Hollowing out the barrel can significantly improve its appearance. The gun fits securely in hand, with no wobbling.

Shield: The shield attaches via an L-shaped joint, with two mounting points to choose from. The blue parts are color-separated, but the central yellow section requires painting.

Ankle 12.5mm Anti-Personnel Machine Gun: This weapon is recreated with molded details.

Beam Saber: The beam sabers are recreated with slightly shorter clear blades. The saber grips can be removed from the waist and held by the model.

Additional Features

Front Skirt Armor: While the front skirt armor can be cut apart for independent movement, additional modifications are needed to secure the parts once separated.

Gunbarrel Striker Deployment: The Gunbarrel Striker can be deployed by extending the folded nose section. This transformation is made possible by exchanging the stand pillar for display purposes. When deployed, the silhouette closely resembles the Mobius Zero.

Stand Features: The stand allows display but lacks adjustable height or angle and has unique joints, making it less versatile than modern stands.

Gunbarrel Deployment: Parts can be attached to the Gunbarrel to recreate its deployed state, with the GAU-758S railgun and M70AMSAT missile launchers. All four Gunbarrels can be deployed simultaneously. However, the Gunbarrel’s cables are omitted, and there’s no stand hole, making it challenging to display them in flight.

Play Value and Usability

The combination of the Gunbarrel Striker and the 105 Dagger significantly enhances the kit’s play value, making it enjoyable as a standalone model. The simple joint structure ensures stability, with no loose parts to worry about.

Final Comparison

Finally, comparing it with the HGCE Strike, the 105 Dagger shares some of the Strike’s design elements but has a different color scheme, giving it a distinct appearance.

Summary

The HG 105 Dagger + Gunbarrel is a straightforward kit, particularly when compared to the latest SEED FREEDOM HG kits. Its simplicity makes it easy to build in large quantities. The Gunbarrel Striker adds a level of detail and density, significantly enhancing the play value of the 105 Dagger. Additionally, the Gunbarrel Striker can be attached to other Striker Pack-compatible kits, making it a versatile and enjoyable model to work with.