MG ZGMF-X56S Force Impulse Gundam (Gao Gao)

After fixing up the Dragon Momoko MG Freedom Gundam, the next in line should be this baby, the arch-rival, Impulse Gundam ;)

Manufacturer: Gao Gao / TT Hongli
Scale: 1/100
Grade: MG
Origin: Gundam SEED
Price: RM85 (Contact me at DuelMasterNG@yahoo.com for availability)

Please take note that I did minor coloring and panel lining with gold marker ;)





Section 1: Runners

Please take note that this model was released quite some time ago, being the 011 of Gao Gao MG series, therefore the completion is not as good as the present day kits such as MG Wing EW and MG Shenlong EW. Detailing are not fantastics but close to to 90% of the original.

The plastics quality is the usual Gao Gao quality so if you have prior experience with Gao Gao, there's nothing to worry about ;)




















Section 2: Decals

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 emptiness, but the dry-transfer is of very good quality :) I usually skip the foil stickers as the quality is just at bareable level :P

Section 3: Skeleton Build

The Legs

If I am not mistaken, this is the 1st MG (or at least in SEED series) Bandai applied the newer technology for the hip joints (no more ball-joint) that gives much better articulations... legs are now capable to open wide side-way ;)

The Waist & Lower Torso

Pretty straight-forward build for the waist ;)

As the lower torso, it is actually quite hard to remove the joint once fitted in so I just leave it with the waist ;)

The Chest

The pull-out mechanism would allow the shoulder joints to be pulled out for more dynamic posing. However, due to the transformation mechanism, the shoulder joints shall be handled with care, original or bootleg alike.

The Arms

Excellent articulations for the arms! Another fixed right hand is given for holding the Anti-Vessel Sword ;)

The Head

Pretty nicely molded with very good parts separations. I colored the eyes and sencors instead of using the foil stickers ;)

The Naked Impulse :P

Section 4: The Legs

Very solid legs here ;) Due to very good parts separation, quite a number of parts to handle! Excellent articulation even with the outer armor fixed ;)

Section 5: Waist & Lower Torso

Pretty straight-forward build for the waist with good parts separation for the skirt armor. Like Strike, there are 1 unit of Armor Schneider within each side skirt ;)

Only issue is that the pull-up mechanism shown in the instruction manual doesn't seems to work, resulting in not-so-good waist movement :(

Section 6: Chest

Pretty straight-forward build too :) Excellent parts separation, credit to Bandai ;) On my unit, the front piece all pops out while posing so you might want to glue it or put some blu-tac to hold it in place ;)





Section 7: Arms

Fantastic arms articulations! No hindrance of movement when fully armored :)

Section 8: Semi-Completed Mecha

Purposely leaving the right arm and left leg naked for photo ops :P

Section 9: Core Splendor

This would transform into the core block. Parts separation are very good and transformation mechanism are exactly replicated.

Landing gear and action base connector are included ;)

Section 10: Chest Flyer

The upper body together with the beam rifle and shield could be transformed into Chest Flyer. The transformation is pretty silly to me but I', showing it anyway :P

Landing gear and action base connector are included too :P

Section 11: Leg Flyer

The lower body could be transformed into Leg Flyer. The transformation is not as silly as the Chest Flyer tho :P

Landing gear and action base connector are included too :P

Section 12: All Flyers ;)

Standing by at the hangar ;)



This is where Core Block is inserted ;)





Section 13: Impulse Gundam

Impulse Gundam with basic weaponry ;)










Section 14: Force Silhouette

High mobility backpack system for Impulse Gundam ;) It is overkill but I just like to panel lining with gold :P






Silhouette Flyer







Section 15: Force Impulse Gundam

Adding high mobility capability to Impulse Gundam, please 2 units of Beam Saber ;)

The Anti-Vessel Sword also included in case you want to so the scene where Impulse destroy Freedom :)










Section 16: Something Extra ;)

This little piece of extra could be fixed onto the back of Impulse Gundam in the place of the Core Splendor.

Fixing this allow the use of various backpack systems on Impulse Gundem such as the Aile, Sword & Launcher pack, as well as Noir, IWSP, Oowashi and Shiranui pack... try them if you have some of the compatible packs ;)




Section 17: Oowashi Impulse, Anyone?

Yes, no extra modding needed ;)










Quick Review

Plastic Quality and Detailing

The plastic quality the usual Gao Gao/TT Hongli quality. The detailing comes close to 90% of the original as this was produced some time ago. There is no snapfitting issue for me but I do recognised that there are a little excessive plastics on just a couple of parts ;)


Articulations

Articulations are excellent, where the credit goes to Bandai ;)

• Head/Neck: Very good! The head can be tilted upward ;)
  
• Shoulder: Very good! Due to the transformation mechanism, the shoulder joint is a bit fragile so handle with care ;)
• Arm/Elbow: Excellent!
• Wrist: Very good, as there is wrist-palm joint.
  
• Hand: Good. Moveable-fingers MG hands, plus a fixed right hand for the sword ;)
  
• Waist: Normal. It should be excellent but for some reason, the pull-up mechanism shown in the instruction manual doesn't seems to work, resulting in not-so-good waist movement :(
• Skirt Armour: Excellent! Individually moveable, and not hindering any posing.
  
• Hip/Tight: Excellent! Highly pose-able ;)
• Knee: Excellent! Highly pose-able ;)
• Ankle: Normal+
• Feet: Normal+. The tips of the foot can be tilted downward ;)

Looks and Feels

The detailing is pretty good and come close to 90% of the original. There is no snap-fit issue but some very little parts do have excessive plastics to trim.

The only flaw of this kit lies on the pull-up mechanism... it didn't work as per the original design of Bandai (maybe need little modding) resulting limited movement to the waist... no a big deal but good to have.

Overall, this kit can be a replacement for the original but if you want to enjoy the full potential of the design of this kit and have the extra dollar, do go for the original ;)

Till next time...


Fin :)