MG 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame 2nd Revise Review - Part 1

Price: 4800Yen(!)

Part 1: Box, Box Open, Runners & Building Process
Part 2: Height Comparisons, Articulation, Gimmicks, Action & Conclusion
Part 3: Additional Review - MG VS NG, Backpack Adapter (First Batch Item)

Okay, since I just finished building the Blue Frame yesterday until the big arse sword, I'll post up part 1 now which consists of shots of the runners and building process. I haven't built the action base for the sword yet but I'll put that in this part later on. I also haven't exploited the extra backpack adapters yet but I think I'll dedicate part 3 for that.

I don't really know the Gundam SEED VS Astray side-story so I can't say much about this MS story-wise. At any rate, its one of the many variations(and latest) of the Blue Frame which is piloted by Gai Murakamo of Serpent Tail.

MBF-P03R Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second Revise
Pilot: Gai Murakamo
Guild: Serpent Tail
Height: 18.32m
Weight: 62.70t
Armaments: Tactical Arms II, Armor Schneider(4?)

Part 1: Box

About the same size as any other MG box of this price range. From the box itself, you can see that the Tactical Arms II and the articulation being highlighted.

Part 2: Box Open!

Part 3: Runners!

Is it me or there seems to be quite a number of runners/parts for the Blue Frame? O.o
We also get new polycaps, yay!

Part 4: Building Process
Part 4.1: Torso

Side-to-side movement similar to MG Exia is present as well as pistons! Wow, that's what I call detail.

Sorry for the extra shots, but it doesn't hurt to see the parts pieced together slowly. As you can see, the Astray doesn't have much armor to put on. ^^; Note that the back "plate" can be moved up and down and connected in 2 ways which I'll illustrate in part 2 later on.

Part 4.2: Head

Painted he head sensor with metallic green as usual.

Dos the head sensor looks alright to you all? =O

Part 4.3: Arms

Not much armor on the arms either but quite a lot of parts for the shoulder armors. As for the bending capability of the arm, the small piece of white armor kinda hinders it.

At first I didn't want to but in the end I did it anyways. With a bit of help from blue tack to hold the fingers, I painted them white according to the pictures available. I didn't really paint it to crazy precision but I'm satisfied with the end result. ^^

*I just noticed that I put th elbow armor upside down! Silly me. Luckily I found out while applying the clear stickers. XP Its fixed now but I won't be able to change these photo though.*

You can open the armor flaps and push in the side armor to enable better articulation for the arms.

Part 4.4: Legs

I actually accidentally almost broke the blade in the feet. It only broke partially so it wasn't too great of a problem but I had to get help from the always trusty super glue for it... =P

Nothing much to say for the feet except that Bandai make sure it can bend similar to that of MG Exia or HG 00. It has no movable toes though.

ABS "locks", pistons(at the knee) and chained movement for the knee armor. The ABS "locks" are a nice added feature which I guess will help the Blue Frame to stand firmly especially with that huge arse sword it has.

Separated ankles just like the MG Exia BUT it doesn't seem weak like the MG Exia at all! Nice.

Part 4.5: Waist

The black parts are the cartridges for the Tactical Arms II. The front skirts can flip open to the side(not pictured) to allow the leg to swing up higher later on.

Part 4.6: Tactical Arms II

You can love the sword for its sheer largeness and can also hat it for the same reason. You can feel that the sword is quite heavy after you finish building it. ^^;

Part X: Early Shots
Darn, it looks so awesome! I current left the Tactical Arms II in sword form since I like it more that way that flight form. Somehow those names remind me of Kamen Rider Den-O's "Sword Form". XD

Okay, that' all for now. I'll be adding shots of the action base construction by tomorrow and part 2 after I apply the clear stickers(there are quite a lot of stickers!). =D