Hi guys, first of all, Selamat Berpuasa to all my Muslim friends and fans ;) Here's the oldest MG kit of Gao Gao... the 001 of Gao Gao, MG Strike Noir ;)
Manufacturer: Gao Gao/TT Hongli
Scale: 1/100
Grade: MG
Origin: Gundam SEED
Price: RM85 (Interested? Contact me at DuelMasterNG@yahoo.com)
Please take note that I did minor detail coloring with gold and silver, and for some inner lining so please do not expect that to be pre-colored on your kit ;)
Section 1: Runners
Detailing are pretty good giving the age of this kit... this is 001 and now already 030 for Gao Gao MG series. I would say it is up to 90% as good compare to the original.
The plastics quality is pretty the usual Gao Gao quality which is not bad ;)
Section 2: Decals & Accessories
This kit comes with 1 set of dry-sticker (yellow background below), 1 set of dry-transfer (white background below), and the usual foil stickers for the mono-eye.
The quality of the dry-stickers are bad compare to the more recent kits where you would need extra effort to trim the excessive empty space, but the dry-transfer is of very good quality :) I usually skip the foil stickers as the quality is just at bareable level :P
This kit also comes with screws for some joints, and 2 cable for the rocket anchors.
Section 3: Skeleton Build
The Legs
Articulations are very good! As this is older design, the hips are still in ball-joints :P
The Waist
Pretty straight-forward ;)
The Chest
The pull-out mechanism would allow the shoulder joints to be pulled out for more dynamic posing. The neck employed a dual-joints head could tilt forward and backward pretty well ;)
The Shoulders
Straight-forward build :)
The Arms
Excellent articulations for the arms!
The Head
Pretty nicely molded with very good parts separations. I colored the eyes and sencors instead of using the foil stickers ;)
Pretty nicely molded with very good parts separations. I colored the eyes and sencors instead of using the foil stickers ;)
The Naked Strike Noir :P
Section 4: The Legs
Pretty straight-forward build with very good articulations. Parts separations are well done with no snap-fit issue ;)
Recommendation: Glue tight armour and the knee armour ;)
Section 5: Waist
A very nice waist ;) Parts separations are good, but the skirt armor will hinder the turning of the waist.
Recommendation: Glue the 2 pieces of side skirt together ;)
Section 6: Chest
Pretty straight forward build. Snap-fitting pretty well here too ;)
Recommendation: Slightly glue the back thrusters to the back ;)
Section 7: Shoulders
Pretty straight-forward build too, but I recommend to glue the yellow pieces too ;)
Section 8: Arms
Fantastic arms ;) No hindrance of movement here. Bandai actually included additional 3 sets of fixed hands beside this semi-articulated hand so does Gao Gao ;) 1 set for holding guns, 1 set for swords, and the open palms.
Section 9: Semi-Completed Mecha
Purposely leaving the left arm and right leg naked for photo ops :P
Purposely leaving the left arm and right leg naked for photo ops :P
Section 10: Weaponry
Well, Strike Noir comes with lots of guns :P
M8F-SB1 Beam Machine Gun
Beam Rifle (Duel Gundam used)
Beam Rifle (Strike Gundam used)
Section 11: Noir Striker Pack
AQM/E-X09S Noir Striker Pack is developed based on AQM/E-M1 IWSP Striker Pack, capable of flight capability, long-range shooting and close-quarter combat.
Noir Striker Pack is integrated with 2 units of MAU-M3E4 2Linked Linear Guns and 2 units of MR-Q10 "Frafarach 3" Anti-Vessel Swords.
MR-Q10 "Frafarach 3" Anti-Vessel Swords
Section 12: Main Mecha
Main mecha without the Noir Striker Pack, posing with Beam Machine Guns ;)
Section 13: Various Posing with Noir Striker Pack and Various Weapons
Strike Noir with MR-Q10 "Frafarach 3" Anti-Vessel Swords
Strike Noir with MAU-M3E4 2Linked Linear Guns and Dual Beam Rifles
Quick Review
Plastic Quality and Detailing
The plastic quality is the usual Gao Gao/TT Hongli quality. The detailing are nicely done.
Articulations
Articulations are very good!
- Head/Neck: Good!
- Shoulder: Excellent!
- Arm/Elbow: Excellent!
- Wrist: Normal.
- Hand: Normal.
- Waist: Normal.
- Skirt Armour: Normal.
- Hip/Tight: Normal.
- Knee: Excellent.
- Ankle: Normal.
- Feet: Good.
Looks and Feels
The detailing is pretty good and come close to 90% of the original!
The snap-fit is also very nicely done, with the shoulder policap a little loose...
I actually didn't find any flaw in this bootleg as compare to the original except those already exist in the original such as the skirt armor hindering the turning of the waist.
Overall, this kit is pretty nice and could be a viable replacement of the original if you are tight in budget but want to complete the collection of SEED kits ;)
Still, for those of you who can afford, do buy original ;)
Fin :)
