
Kit Review: HGUC 1/144 MSN-04II Nightingale
The Nightingale’s song that marks the end of a legend

First appeared in the “Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack -Beltorchika’s Children-“, the MSN-04II Nightingale was developed exclusively for Char Aznable – the leader of Neo Zeon. Its most prominent feature was the incorporation of a Psycho-frame. As a result, the Nightingale was completed as an Mobile Suit with capabillites akin to an Mobile Armor.
The Nightingale was developed during Char’s Rebellion in U.C.0093 and overwhelmed Amuro Ray’s Re-GZ. It was as powerful as the RX-93-v2 Hi-nu Gundam during the battle over Axis. To pair it with the new RG Hi-Nu Gundam, Bandai has decided to release a HGUC 1/144 for this massive beast (because making an RG Nightingale would be quite a crazy challenge).
The Nightingale was developed during Char’s Rebellion in U.C.0093 and overwhelmed Amuro Ray’s Re-GZ. It was as powerful as the RX-93-v2 Hi-nu Gundam during the battle over Axis. To pair it with the new RG Hi-Nu Gundam, Bandai has decided to release a HGUC 1/144 for this massive beast (because making an RG Nightingale would be quite a crazy challenge).
– Info:
HGUC 1/144 MSN-04II Nightingale
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack -Beltorchika’s Children-
Price: 7700 yen
Release date: Jul 2022
HGUC 1/144 MSN-04II Nightingale
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack -Beltorchika’s Children-
Price: 7700 yen
Release date: Jul 2022

– Design: The Nightingale has the main red tone like the other Char’s Mobile Suit (except Hyakushiki). Its design is similar to MSN-04 Sazabi but bigger and has a more similar shape to Mobile Armor. A special feature in Nightingale’s design is the 2 big wings with 10 funnels and a lot of exhaust pipes, a rear armor of the half is quite large and has 2 big propellant tanks inside. The shield looks like the shield of Sazabi. At first glance it is a hulking giant which is definitely fitting the name. The shoulder armors look like 2 wings spread out and the back-skirt is basically propellant galore.


– Build quality: Bandai’s plastic quality and color separation are as good as always. Although HGUC Nightingale’s box is quite big, even bigger than the normal MG kit box, it mostly has big parts. This kit has a lot of undergate parts, especially the red armor parts (a huge plus since it’s massive). It uses quite a few decals and has very well-made Char’s symbols decals. The hands are an improvement over the feeble RE/100 Nightingale that can snap if you look at it wrong. The HGUC can actually hold the gun more firmly.


– Articulation: Most of the joint parts are large so they are really solid. They are made like a protective layer covering around the joints (sorta like thunderbolt but not as wrinkled). The 2 wing joints can be rotated and folded very comfortably. The knuckles of the feet are movable and 2 propellant tanks inside the rear armor can be folded out. The lower halves are not too flexible due to the sheer size and weight, but the legs can still be split if you get him on a stand.




– Gimmicks: Even though it’s just an HG, it has very good gimmicks. The armor on the head can be folded up to move the mono eye and make it possible to see Nightingale’s cockpit. Its exhaust pipes on 2 wings are assembled from 2 layers of orange inside and black outside. Simplified manipulators which function as hidden arms are attached to the back of the left and right front skirt. It has an extra leg under the rear armor for support while standing and can be folded when flight. In particular, inside the hand part are tubes to shoot out masquerade dummies like in the manga.




– Accessories: HGUC Nightingale is full of weapons like in the manga:
x1 Large Mega Beam Rifle: a large firearm with a total length of approx. It could be used in Launcher Mode by unfolding its bipod.
x1 Large Abdominal Mega Particle Cannon: a large Mega Particle Cannon installed in the center of the torso.
x1 Shield: Optically guided missile and a Beam Tomahawk are mounted on the back of the shield.
x1 Beam Tomahawk: A close combat armament created by combing a Beam saber and Beam Axe
x2 Beam Saber
x2 Hidden Arm: Each manipulator is equipped with a Beam Saber, which can be used for surprise attacks during close combat.
x10 Funnels: 5 funnels are equipped on each of the movable binders, resulting in a total of 10 funnels. (unfortunately, I can’t find a base that can hold all 10 funnels)
Nightingale is quite big so it takes 2 bases to hold it but sadly Bandai doesn’t give us any base in the box.
x1 Large Mega Beam Rifle: a large firearm with a total length of approx. It could be used in Launcher Mode by unfolding its bipod.
x1 Large Abdominal Mega Particle Cannon: a large Mega Particle Cannon installed in the center of the torso.
x1 Shield: Optically guided missile and a Beam Tomahawk are mounted on the back of the shield.
x1 Beam Tomahawk: A close combat armament created by combing a Beam saber and Beam Axe
x2 Beam Saber
x2 Hidden Arm: Each manipulator is equipped with a Beam Saber, which can be used for surprise attacks during close combat.
x10 Funnels: 5 funnels are equipped on each of the movable binders, resulting in a total of 10 funnels. (unfortunately, I can’t find a base that can hold all 10 funnels)
Nightingale is quite big so it takes 2 bases to hold it but sadly Bandai doesn’t give us any base in the box.










Overall, HGUC 1/144 Nightingale is a gunpla that deserves to be added to the best HG kit list. If you are a fan of The Red Comet and HGUC series then you cant help but add it to your collection. It would be even better if you could buy its rival – Amuro Ray’ Hi-Nu Gundam
Gallery:









