1:144 Turn A Gundam Review-Pt2

The mobile suit design has earned a few nicknames both in real life and in the anime (the most commonly-used one being the "White Doll", and uncommonly "White Mustache" or "Mustached One", etc.), but it's official name is Turn A Gundam (or "∀ Gundam"). Here is the 1/144-scaled Turn A Gundam model, assembled in all of it's glory, with some basic details added by me (which unfortunately includes the crappy paint that was applied in a crappy way on the feet). The images in the collage above will be addressed row-by-row.


1. The basic front/back view of the assembled model. The detail of the model (with some necessary additions applied) is self-evident.

2. Articulation: As evident, it's only basic articulation. In fact, it is somewhat lacking articulation in the leg that other models released around this time (late-'90s) might not have lacked, such as my Altron Gundam for example ([link]). The legs don't bend much, and they can't raise too far without some conflict with the skirt armor. I suppose if you don't care to exactly replicate the look of the Turn A Gundam and want to give it a bit more articulation in the legs, you can always remove the skirt armor; maybe that might add some movement in the legs, though I haven't tried it, therefore I don't know by how much. The feet only have basic movement, akin to other 1/144 models from that time.
Arms are also basic articulation; reminding me of my older US version "Mobile Suit in Action!" (MSiA) figures. Interestingly, the front shoulder armor is connected by a ball joint, while the rear is solidly connected to the back and doesn't move (which probably has to do with the design). Though the image does not show it, the upper-torso has some articulation thanks to a ball joint you connect to the lower-torso with.

3. Accessories: Your basic shield, beam rifle, and beam saber. There are also miniature pieces of the beam saber handles that should be attatched to the back, which can be stuck out (as if the beam saber is ready to be drawn). You can also swap out the normal chest piece with one where flaps have opened up to reveal missiles ready to be fired. All of these accessories require some detail (with the exception of the two beam saber handles that should be attatched to the back).

Conclusion: This model is pretty cheap; even cheaper than the newer 1/200-scaled Speed Grade models that have more detail (and I suppose could be assembled in faster time). Because of that, I'm not willing to be as harsh on the model. That, and I'm a little partial to Turn A Gundam (the anime as a whole, and even the Mobile Suit designs). Still, it has it's shortcomings of lack of detail that needs to be applied, limited articulation (again, both of which are to be expected with models from that time).
If you're open enough to like the design and you can't afford to buy much in terms of models and/or figures, or maybe it's something to kill time for you, I'd recommend getting this model. But from even visually comparing this to the 1/100-scaled Master Grade model or the Robot Damashii figure (both of which I lack), it lacks in detail and articulation by a long shot. Now, as far as the MG goes, it's to be expected that this old 1/144-scaled model would be inferior in comparison as MG models are typically 1/100-scaled, have more detail, and usually (at least nowadays) have much better articulation and amount of accessories. Yet it similarly can't hold up to the similarly-sized Robot Damashii figure (which isn't actually scaled, but from what I know, RD figures are pretty close in size to the 1/144 scale). And granted, figures already come with applied detail where necessary, and are more durable since they usually are made from stronger plastic (akin to the kind used in the aforementioned PC runners from the first part of the review).
So, in spite of my bias, I must say that it isn't the best model in the world (especially when comparing it to my GW models), but it's to be expected from a rather cheap model, and it looks nice when built and detailed in the right hands, so I might recommend giving this model a go.

Part 1 of the review ("What's in the box?") can be found here: [link]