Bandai Gundam Heavyarms Ver EW 1/100 Master Grade

First: BEAST! This model kit is serious business, and I loved it from start to finish. This was my 2nd MG kit build, and after plenty of trial and error with my 1st one (Epyon), I decided to build Heavyarms with a LOT of attention to detail. I'd recommend this model for any MG kit beginner to an expert. It's impressive and fun to build, looks great when you pose it, doesn't really need an Action Stand like most models, and all the gimmicks for the missle pods are included. For the people who are just starting to paint their models, this one is a great first experience. I mixed up some Semi-Gloss Black and Gun Metal with a couple drops of Metallic Grey for good measure, and that was my base coat for the Beam Gatling, Ammo Backpack, and Ammo Belt. The HUGE blade I did in Semi-Gloss Black. The Thruster/Backpack I did in Gun Metal. For the missle pods, you're going to want to see the missles a different color than the missle containers themselves. What I did was the Black-Gun-Grey mixture for the containers, and straight Gun Metal for the missles. I hand-brushed, and I have to say I think I prefer handbrushing this model than airbrushing. The texture a brush gives the plastic makes it seem more realistic, as if it was brushed Gundanium Alloy. I also painted most of the Kit while it was still on the runners. But I realized half-way through my build that I unnecessarily painted some parts, and other parts I could've painted differently. Like I said, trial and error, but I do recommend you read through the manual a few times and get a good look at the pictures before you decide how you want to paint this model. My only complaints for the Kit itself: The Ammo Belt has a hard time staying in place. If you flex it too much while trying to pose the Beam Gatling in his hands, the belt will come off. I tried using plastic cement to keep it in place, to no avail. I guess the plastic-wire belt that you use to build the Ammo Belt isn't the right kind of plastic for cementing. The Bam Gatling does have a hard time staying in the hands, I'd recommend some sticky-tack. Otherwise, this kit was fun to build, awesome looking, and worth every penny.

A pretty good mg good details the only issue I’ve had was the part that connects the mini gun to the back it has fallen off a few times and limits its movements

If your looking for a large Gundam with a lot of guns, your search ends here with the MG Heavyarms Gundam! You get a chain gun with a chain (you have to make the chain like a tread but it's not too terrible), a military knife, a beam saber (but no actual beam which kinda blows), and tons and tons of missiles! On top of that, there are two machine guns built into the chest on top of the cockpit for even more firepower if that wasn't enough! For the build, there are quite a few pieces and you will end up building an inner frame which is really sweet and also have to apply tons and tons of stickers if you so choose. There are many stickers up front, but the amount of rub ons (dry transfer stickers) will keep you very busy in which applying decals alone took around 5-6 hours! The build though altogether went very smoothly and was very satisfying since everything goes in smoothly! The real only cons are not having a beam saber (as stated above) and the suit being unable to hold the chain gun with ease. If you mess with it for awhile (took maybe 10 min) you can get it to hold it but just try to not mess with it since the gun is very large and will fall off the hand! For around 30-40 bucks, you honestly can't go wrong with this set due to the fact that it is pretty sizable, come with tons of stuff, and even has a built in cockpit with a small little figure (like most MG's). If you like the set, go for it and trust me, you will not regret it (I know I didn't! ;^]).

Definitely one best Gundam kit out there. No gluing or painting required. Just hobby nippers, glass files and tweezers for the decals. Easy to follow instructions. But there in Japanese. They do show you which parts need to be assembled. In the diagram pictures provided. And you can use Google translate on your cell phone. Definitely one must have Gunpla kits out there.

Package came exactly as I had expected, fresh off a shelf in an expedient and undamaged manner. Every piece was in the kit, all was intact, no pieces breaking in transit. The kit itself is definitely not an introductory kit by any means, and requires plenty of attention due to a number of similar-looking parts that are only visibly different if you look really close. With that said, this kit is exceptionally sturdy where most of my other Master Grades fail to be, save for one small issue - the peg ends for the ammo belt do need to be superglued to the bendy wire that serves as the spine for the belt; it's exceptionally easy for the wire to slip out, and then you'd need to take it apart just to fit the wire back in. Beyond that issue, the kit is extremely solid and surprisingly articulate and lithe - which is, rather hilariously, the same thing I said about Heavyarms itself in the show. Overall, a very worthwhile purchase, especially for the price - the sturdiness alone makes it feel like a kit worth twice what you're paying.

I've been building gunpla for a long time now and if I'm not mistaken, I started just like everyone else in America with Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. This version of the Heavyarms Custom, the Ver. Ka, was a very fun build. Especially compared to MG models in the past. Although some parts builds seemed repetitious, the overall attention to detail and engineering of this kit, helped to draw away from its monotony. The colors all blend well and the inner frame is sturdy and well designed. Although smaller than other kits from the MG line, the heavyarms still manages to have a more filled out look if only because of its gimmicks ( open hatches on almost every inch of its body, and its huge belt fed Gatling gun.) While it is stylized as an Endless Waltz version (for those of you who followed the series and watched the OVA), the color scheme and weapons loadout stays faithful to the original series and makes the transition between the series and OVA very smoothly. Now some counterpoints. Yes, there is a bit of monotony when building the arms and legs. But this can be easily overlooked once you get the end product. Another thing, ( which kits from this line as well as others have done recently) is the hands. Rather than have the traditional three finger/ trigger finger split with fixed thumb or three finger/ trigger finger and individual thumb, you get a hand with an individually moving thumb. . . And parts to replace the four fingers. You are given multiple poses (closed fist, weapon holding lose, weapon holding fixed via peg and open outstretched four fingers). You would think that they would work well, which aesthetically they do, but structurally, they're a mess. When dealing with the heavyarms huge Gatling gun, you have to first select the proper fingers with the fixed peg, attach to the Gatling gun, then attach to the hand and then manipulate the thumb to fit around the handle and complete the closed grip. This system will cause a lot of problems especially when attaching the hand. Everything will fall off and takes a great amount of patience and multiple attempts. Apart from those nitpicks( which are personally my own) this is a great kit for an experienced builder. I would not suggest it to anyone starting out or for a first MG but would definitely be worth the investment especially if you appreciate Gundam wing.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: My husband is an avid Gundam builder. He really enjoyed putting this kit together.

Looks great and a fun build. It holds together well