Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)
A machine developed by ZAFT as a successor to the ZAKU Warrior is currently in trial operation with Compass. From the beginning of development, its “B.O.L.E.L.O.” backpack was designed so that its functions would be separated into an “S” type for space and an “A” type for atmospheric use. “B.O.L.E.L.O. A” is armed with missiles, a linear gun, and a long-range beam rifle carried only by Lumaria’s machine.
Gelgoog Menace is the 4th kit in the SEED FREEDOM series and the 3rd member of the Yamato Team after Rising Freedom and Immortal Justice.
– Info:
HGCE 1/144 Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 3190 yen
Release date: Mar 23, 2024
HGCE 1/144 Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 3190 yen
Release date: Mar 23, 2024
– Design: Like Zaku Warrior and Gouf Ignited in Gundam Seed Destiny, Gelgoog Menace is also designed based on the famous mobile suit Gelgoog from Gundam UC0079. This Lunamaria machine has the same red colouring as the ZAKU Warrior she piloted during the previous war. The red colour scheme and the horns on its head make this machine very similar to Char’s Gelgoog version. The backpack in this kit is A type with 2 large wings like the Force Silhouette pack and 2 separate weapons mounted on both sides.
– Build quality: The plastic quality of this kit is very good so that nubs can be easily processed. The red parts are pretty nice in colour. The kit is mainly made up of large parts so it feels quite sturdy when built. The body is very well part separated, even if it is small white parts. The decals used for this kit are mainly on the backpack, especially on the two large wings (perhaps because the wings are quite thin so they did not divide them into parts).
*Note: the sample illustrated in this review only uses mono-eye decals
*Note: the sample illustrated in this review only uses mono-eye decals
– Articulation: Gelgoog Menace also uses the new joint system “SEED Action System”, so despite its large body size, it can still move very firmly and flexibly. The neck joint can be pushed forward deeply to help it move side to side, front and back comfortably, even though the head is large. The special feature of mono eyes kits is a small latch below the head that can be pushed to move the eye to the left and right.
The waist joint is a double-joint system that allows the waist to bend deeply and move flexibly in many directions. The shoulder joint also uses double joints to help the arm push forward to support Luna’s signature sniper poses. The hip joint can slide down to help the legs increase the amplitude and not get caught by large armour parts around the hips. Deep flexion of the knee and ankle joints is also an advantage to support sniper positions.
The waist joint is a double-joint system that allows the waist to bend deeply and move flexibly in many directions. The shoulder joint also uses double joints to help the arm push forward to support Luna’s signature sniper poses. The hip joint can slide down to help the legs increase the amplitude and not get caught by large armour parts around the hips. Deep flexion of the knee and ankle joints is also an advantage to support sniper positions.
– Gimmicks and accessories: Gelgoog Menace’s equipment is mainly basic weapons and on its backpack:
+ X1 Enhanced Beam Rifle: A beam rifle can be used in a sniper position. When not in use, it can be attached to the rear side armour.
+ X1 Enhanced Beam Rifle: A beam rifle can be used in a sniper position. When not in use, it can be attached to the rear side armour.
+ X1 Magnus Gladius Beam Halberd: A beam naginata nearly identical to the version used by the original Gelgoog in Gundam UC0079. When not in use, it can be attached to the rear side armour.
+ X1 Refulgens Beam Shield: The back of the shield has 2 beam-effect parts. When not in use, it is folded.
+ X1 Infernus LFPG: A railgun is mounted on the left side of the backpack. When used, the backpack will be pulled up and the gun’s head will point forward. A sliding joint will simultaneously push the body forward.
X1 Peregrinus 6-Tube Short Range Guided Missile Launcher: A missile system is mounted on the left wing of the backpack, which can be pulled up when used.
X1 Peregrinus 6-Tube Short Range Guided Missile Launcher: A missile system is mounted on the left wing of the backpack, which can be pulled up when used.
+ X1 Prototype Advanced Railgun: Large railguns are used by units of the Compass organisation. It can be used for 1/144 Gundam models such as HGCE Destiny Gundam or RG Force Impulse Spec-II. However, the size of this gun seems to be designed specifically for Gelgoog Menace, so it is a bit too large to hold for regular Gundam models.
Gelgoog Menace can also be equipped with the “Wizard” armament packs used by the ZAKU Warrior and ZAKU Phantom.
–> Overall: HGCE 1/144 Gelgoog Menace is a very good grunt suit kit with an innovative design based on the famous mobile suit Gelgoog. The new joint system “SEED Action System” and “B.O.L.E.L.O. A” backpack are big pluses in this kit. This will be a grunt suit kit worthy of experience, especially for fans of Lunamaria.
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