REVIEW HG 1/144 MD-0021 Desultor, Premium Bandai

This is review of Gunpla P-Bandai HG 1/144 MD-0021 Desultor from Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury.

Gunpla P-Bandai HG 1/144 MD-0021 Desultor Review

The latest addition to the "Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" High Grade (HG) lineup, the Desultor, has arrived. This model is an exclusive Premium Bandai release, priced at 2,860 yen.

Included Accessories

The kit comes with a variety of accessories, including:

Assault Rifle
Beltabrade R3
Shield
Drone Container
Grenade Launcher
Troop Backpack
Additional hand parts (open palms and gripping hands for both left and right sides)

The kit also includes foil stickers for various sensor details and a yellow stripe decal for the commander unit.

Design & Aesthetic

The Desultor is a newly designed kit representing the machine used by the Dawn of Fold faction and later piloted by Guel Jeturk in "The Witch from Mercury." As an older Jeturk-manufactured unit, its design connects to the Dilanza series while featuring a more humanoid proportion. The model sports a military-style green and gray color scheme, enhancing its rugged battlefield aesthetic.

Kit Features & Build Quality

One of the standout features of this kit is its modularity. The model can be configured into three different equipment variations:

A Equipment
B Equipment
C Equipment

These setups allow for different loadouts and display options. The yellow commander markings are applied using stickers. The joint system is fully constructed from KPS plastic, with no polycaps included.

Color Separation & Detailing

The color separation is largely accurate, achieved through molded plastic rather than paint. However, finer details, such as thruster interiors, require additional painting. The dark green tones of the plastic provide a subtle yet imposing military look.

Head Unit

The head design is simple yet effective, with no unnecessary embellishments. The visor is made from clear parts, and the entire head is engineered to avoid visible seam lines.

Torso & Backpack

The torso is robust, carrying the distinct bulky Jeturk design language seen in the Dilanza series. The panel lines and segmented construction enhance its solid appearance.

The backpack thrusters are molded as a single piece but still provide adequate depth and dimension. The connection system uses a dual-hole format, allowing compatibility with other packs, including 30MM option parts.

Arms & Weapons

The arms follow an angular, armored aesthetic with no visible seam lines. A 3mm joint on the upper arm provides additional customization options.

Heat Knife Deployment: The heat knife can be deployed without part swapping. However, the red-hot effect is not color-separated and requires painting for accuracy.

Shield: Mounted on the upper arm, allowing for rotation. It can store a spare magazine for the rifle.

Assault Rifle: A compact, utilitarian weapon with a detachable magazine and folding sub-grip. Despite its simple construction, it avoids the typical seam line issues by utilizing a stepped mold design.

Legs & Articulation

The legs are thick and sturdy, resembling the Dilanza’s but with a more streamlined approach. While the thigh area is relatively large, limiting extreme leg movement, the overall articulation is impressive. The knee thrusters include molded details but require additional painting for full accuracy.

The foot design is broad, ensuring excellent stability. Additionally, the soles of the feet are fully molded without any visible hollow sections, and the toe section is articulated.

Articulation & Poseability

Shoulders: No armor obstructs movement, allowing for a full range of motion.

Elbows & Knees: Feature C-joints for durability, bending deeply for dynamic poses.

Waist & Neck: Good range of front-to-back motion. The torso armor subtly retracts when bending forward, adding to the natural movement.

Hip Joints: The simple three-axis joint system allows for a strong stance. However, the wide thighs prevent extreme leg lifts.

Equipment Variations

This kit stands out for its ability to swap equipment, allowing users to recreate multiple configurations:

A Equipment:

Left shoulder-mounted shield
Beltabrade R3 mounted on the backpack
Drone container attachment

B Equipment:

Troop Backpack attached to the rear
Functions as a transport unit
The hatch can open, but no pilot figures are included

C Equipment:

Grenade Launcher mounted on the right shoulder
Based on the unit piloted by Olcott
Shares most components with the A Equipment setup

These modular parts provide a wealth of customization opportunities beyond the standard configurations. The arm-mounted 3mm joint and backpack connection points also allow for further kitbashing with other Gunpla and option parts.

Additional Considerations

Weapon Fitment: The weapon grips are tight, which may require sanding if painting is applied.
Stability: While overall stability is excellent, the hip joints may loosen slightly during posing.
Customization Potential: The standard 3mm connection points make it highly compatible with other kits, particularly from the 30MM series.

Size Comparison

When compared with the HG Aerial and HG Dilanza Sol, the Desultor falls within the standard HG size range, making it a well-proportioned addition to any "Witch from Mercury" collection.

Summary

The HG 1/144 MD-0021 Desultor is a fantastic addition to the "Witch from Mercury" lineup. Despite being labeled as an older unit, its imposing military aesthetic, robust design, and modular weapon loadouts make it a standout release. The attention to detail in seam line reduction and part separation enhances its build quality. Additionally, the variety of weapons, including the troop transport unit and drone container, provide excellent value and display potential.

For fans of "The Witch from Mercury," Jeturk designs, or military-style mecha, this kit is a must-have. Its combination of versatility, articulation, and customization options makes it a rewarding build for both casual and experienced Gunpla enthusiasts.

Pros

Imposing, militaristic design
Excellent part separation and minimal seam lines
Multiple weapon configurations for variety
Strong articulation and stability
Compatible with other Gunpla option parts

Cons

Requires painting for minor details (thrusters, heat knife effect, etc.)
Hip joints may loosen with frequent posing
Limited extreme leg articulation due to bulky thighs

Overall, the HG Desultor is a well-designed and fun-to-build kit that balances aesthetics, poseability, and customization potential—making it a solid choice for collectors and builders alike.