First opinions: Gundam Seed: Stargazer - Civilian Astray DSSD Custom, HG
Hey guys, this is just a repost from my blog that I thought you may like. For similar posts, as well as what I get up to during the rest of my life, check out my blog.
Thought I'd try this, as first impressions can make or break things (think about it, food, the opposite gender, games), and give my thoughts on a few things when I first take a gander at what's coming up.
Today we have the HG Civilian Astray DSSD Custom.
Above we have the view greeting us when we first open the box. I must say I do like the art at the bottom of that booklet, and flicking through it, it has a few cool pics and schematics!
Let's unpack and see what we have:
- 4 runners for the actual unit
- 1 smokey/clear runner for back and visor parts
- 1 runner for the stand
- 1 dry transfer sheet
- 1 sticker sheet
- 1 advertisement card
- 1 construction manual
I do like the advertisement card, as it has some development sketches of Strike Noir, and as expected of Bandai, the manual is of good quality, easy to follow, and contains some very well done images. The dry transfers consist of the usual warning, faction and part images, and again appear good quality, although I'm unsure how difficult it is to get dry transfers wrong. Stickers are standard and as you'd generally expect from a Bandai kit. The only niggle I have with the stickers, is that they're generally more shiny/metallic than the kit itself and appear slightly out of place on the models, however this is more of a general complaint and isn't a complaint about this kit at all.
The runner parts themselves feel quite sturdy, and what little work I've done with these pieces, it's safe to say they have the standard Bandai quality. Not that much work, but this is only a HG kit. The smokey runners are a slight bit disappointing. While the visor had its runner attached at points you wouldn't see, the other smokey parts don't have such inconspicuous locations. I've not worked with many parts like this, but I'm probably safe to say it'll be a git to get those looking perfect. I may be wrong, only time will tell.
The stand runner is pretty standard, and looks more than capable of holding this unit. I'm unsure as to whether it could withstand a 1/100 model, but most 1/144 scale units (bar the Kshatriya unit and a few other oversized mechs) should quite happily sit on it.
One thing that seemed odd to me was the lack of polycaps (those little rubber connector parts). I'm not that well versed in the gundam kit as yet, but I've not seen many modern kits (HG or higher) that don't use polycaps. I'll probably be a little more worried about posing this mech due to the lack of posability and durability associated with the polycap joints. I know the older kits didn't have the newer joints, but this being a more modern kit, it kinda surprised me.
Something else was the inclusion of only one set of hands:
As can be seen from the picture above, the runner only has one set of hands. Again, as I have only a little experience with these kits, the ones I have used have all had more than one set of hands. Even if it's just an open hand, that would be greatly appreciated. So if you want to do some of the cooler poses you may probably want to get hold of Bandai's spare hand parts (available from HLJ and most other reputable online retailers, as well as some shops in Japan itself if you happen to be there)
As I said a few times in the post, I'm not that well versed with these kits as yet, and as I experience more my opinions may change. Any feedback on this kit, feel welcome to post in the comments. Disagree with my opinions, again feel free to post in the comments.
I'll have more first impressions coming up as I get new figures and kits, so stay tuned guys. Constructive criticism welcome!
Also, keep your eyes open for WIP shots of both Freedom and Civilian Astray DSSD Custom.
Laters d00dz
o/
i just finished the other version of this kit, the PMC Custom Astray. it comes molded in Pink and Grey instead of Red and white, the colors were awful so i repainted it in blue and white.
the lack of polycaps makes this kit unique, i think it was bandai testing out how well a HG would work without polycaps for joints (as far as i know this is the first HG kit in nearly 20 years to not have polycaps for the joints). honestly i dont think its worth it, they have to include parts made of a very strong plastic (the red runner with all the ball joints) and that makes the joints very stiff. on mine theres at least two layers of paint at each joint as well, so its a very stiff little model that i have to struggle to pose.
Ah, so it's not less durable, but more difficult to pose?