HG 1/144 Gundam Avalanche Exia' (Dash) Review - Part 1

Price: 2000 Yen

It has been more than a week since the last actual post and I'm much better now. I still need to recover my body somewhat due to some side-effects from the initial fever (which was a high fever) at the beginning of last week. ^^;

MS Brief
The Gundam Avalanche Exia is an alternate configuration of the same Gundam Exia you see in the Gundam 00 anime season 1. The purpose of this add-on is to increase Exia's boosting speed and flight since it doesn't have the proper propulsion configuration in the first place (or something like that). Anyways, this add-on is pretty much null and void once the Exia was upgraded to the R2 spec whereby it gains thrusters practically everywhere. This configuration needs about an hour (not sure if I remember this part correctly) to charge the condensers before use and it can only last for 10 minutes before it needs to recharge again.
However, the Dash or ' add-on add-on gives it even more boosters, claws and a way to fight Arche Gundam "toe-to-toe".

MS Specs
Pilot: Setsuna F. Seiei
GN-001/hs-A01D
Height: 18.3m
Weight: 65.9t
Armaments: GN Sword/Rifle, GN Long Blade, GN Short Blade, GN Beam Saber (2), GN Beam Dagger (2), GN Vulcan (2), GN Claw (2)

Read on!

Part 1: Box

So far I've collected the 6X numbered Gundam 00 HGs pretty well. Will I be able to collect them all (60~69) without skipping? Probably not but it is just a thought. XP

Part 2: Box Open!

Part 3: Runners
Just like all the HG Exia variants, you get all of the normal HG Exia's parts except the GN Cables on the side of the shoulders... which is weird since this one needs it. Bandai, oh Bandai, you cheap'd us again. They also skimped out on the beam sabers. :/

2 new parts on the left.

Unfortunately, since the gray parts are on a mixed color runner, they aren't made of ABS plastic which I think they should be. Then again, there does not seem to be a problem with that so far. Don't think too much about this, just saying my thoughts about this.

Just look at em' solid blue pieces!

The good thing is that Bandai admits this kit cannot really stand on its own two feet... at least properly so they included a spiffy white stand as well!

Lotsa stickers for this kit which tells you that you'll need to paint in quite a lot of bits to detail it nicely (for those who dislike using stickers). This is unfortunately very true since the Exia's build is from 2007.

Part 4: Building Process
As per usual, I used an unshaken green metallic Sangokuden Gundam marker to paint the clear orbs. This time, however, I made sure I only painted the ones I'll be using. ^^;

I do have to note I did the upper body parts messier than usual since I did it when I was tired after class. I was pretty enthusiastic to build it but stopped at the arms after I find that at the current progress I'm was at, I'll be very disappointed in the end. I continued the rest of the kit a few days later when I was in a better condition and it seems to have paid off. Well, that's what I think.

I also show a sign of gratitude to my sister who helped shake the difficult to use silver Gundam marker which replaces my already finished gray Gundam marker. FYI, the silver came out better from the legs onwards.

I used both stickers and marker paint for this build (well, like all my HG Exia builds actually). Utilizing stickers only when I'm either lazy to paint that area or find the sticker adequate. Mostly, I didn't used stickers that need to fold around an area since they are prone to coming off much easier than ones that stay flat. I'm not gonna indicate every single one of my preference though but I felt that I should say it. ^^;

Part 4.1: Torso

A lot of spots to paint for the torso that it took me a few good hours. The most being at the GN Drive even though it doesn't get seen much after putting the new parts on. ^^;
I highly advise anyone who build this to super glue the two halves of the "sword holsters" at the rear since they will open up when you slot in the swords later on for storage.

Part 4.2: Head

I skimped out on painting the GN Cables on the head this time and just painted the more obvious details. Easier to do since I don't have to mess around with mixing blue and white anymore. >_>

Part 4.3: Arms
There were a heck lot of parts for the shoulders. I was kinda like, "OMG so many" when cutting out the pieces. Since getting that better side-cutter a few months back, I take my time to cut out each part properly as to lessen the nub marks I'll need to hide so it really makes it quite tedious. XP
Nonetheless, it is nice to see that a great amount of part separation is available here even though I wished there were more molded yellow than sticker yellow (unless you opt to paint instead).

The yellow paint didn't come out so even throughout but it looks alright if you don't close-up too much. <_<>_> Maybe I should have went with gold.
Anyways, the shoulders have quite a number of moving joints, some of which I didn't even know, and is quite articulated. The elbow is a bit more restricted now thanks to the added bulk.
Note that some blue paint is needed for the upper portion of the white shoulder parts which I only noticed later.

Part 4.3: Waist

Woohoo... that's a lot of solid blue I see there. Stickers or paint? I used stickers for the "flat areas" while the "bumpy" areas are painted to give more depth.

Paint first, separate later.

The paint isn't really done drying from these shots. I scratched some excess off and added some more panel lines around the white after it dried completely. There is a portion of color I didn't paint in which is the red part at the rear. Not so noticeable for the Avalanche since it is partially hidden but for those who want color accuracy might want to paint it.

The rear skirt armor can move!

Part 4.4: Legs

Built the legs in three stages. Feet, base legs, armored up.

Lots of parts here. A lot. :X

More on the articulation in the next part.

Part 4.5: Avalanche Base

Plus the open claws which can be stored on the base.

Two fixed connection points. One for an upright pose and another for "dashing".

You can spread the base open if need be.

Part 4.6: GN Sword

Just painted some of the necessary details on the GN Sword. I decided to skip out on painting the blade this time though which I wonder was a good decision? Well, can always paint it later on anyways.

Part 4.7: GN Long & Short Blades & GN Beam Sabers

Nothing to say here.

To be continued~