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HGUC 1/144 RX-121-2A Gundam TR-1 [Advanced Hazel]
Series:
High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) 1/144
Contributor: Clem-Master-Janitor
Using a standard Hazel head, you add on an enhanced sensor package via the GM Sniper and you get this bird like design. It can have an odd look with the dark color and white tip but will grow on you if you paint it up. Head is very flexible and includes the pieces of the standard Hazel ‘V’ fin antennae if you don’t like the feel of the design.
Bulky and wide, like the head, also describes the body. It uses a bit of the Quel here and then adds the Hazel Custom’s handle bars for high speed moving. The ABS assembly for the booster pod on the back doesn’t slide the best. Versus the Custom’s booster pod, the Advance’s booster pod is much smaller with two holes for shields compared to one. The smaller booster pod holds the shields but a problem with the shields connecting pegs being too loose puts a damper on this being a nice fit. Often the shields will be bouncing off the head. It is slightly pointless that the booster pod can move since the shields slap the head in most places. Of course, since the shields only really work in one pose, the lack of movement from the pod is a good horizontally. Vertically, the pod slides nicely but does you only any good for finding that one decent spot for the pose. A lot of boosters all over this beast emphasizes the speed characteristics of this design, but you’ll find the Hazel Custom also has this exact same layout across its body. The shoulder joints built into the torso flex nicely, which compliments the elbow flex for those over the shoulder poses of grabbing the beam saber (mounted in the back) or flexing for action poses with the beam rifle. You’ll need to do some fine detail painting for some of the back vents as they are molded in dark blue.
Much like that of the Hazel Custom, except blue instead of white. Good movement in the joints. Typical of this recurring flaw, the hands ABS plastic doesn’t hold at all. The beam rifle often pops the pegs, sending the tiny thumb flying off. You’ll end up gluing it or buying the aftermarket Manipulator Upgrade from B-Club, which you also have to glue. Painting of the nails is necessary to give that proper Titan Test Team look in the hands.
Again, identical to the Hazel Custom’s legs, except blue. A major difference here is the manipulator sub-arms that connect to the pelvic area of the kit. These arms are basically useless as the fingers are too small to properly hold the beam rifle. With a bit of patience, you can get the rifle to hold in these tiny fingers, but any interruptions from a bump or touch will cause it to tumble free. Getting them to act as stabilizers for the main hands to hold and aim the rifle don’t work the best, either. The joints Bandai implemented here don’t have a great deal of flex. End result is just to have it on as a conversation piece or to differentiate from the Hazel Custom.
Two booster shields come with this kit. One is the standard booster shield and the other is the missile defense shield with the many beam weapons built in to intercept incoming missile fire. You will have to paint the details into both shields, but the interceptor shield requires the most paint. Also, there are a lot of voids left by Bandai in the shields’ tips for some reason. I’m not sure why exactly, but they are there. Another minor (or major) grievance is with the panel lines being too shallow, often resulting in you needing to dig them out. I had to do this multiple times due to painting flubs that forced me to strip the parts and repaint. Beam saber is identical to the style found in the HGUC Gundam with the hollowed tube that you insert the translucent red beam inside and then hold in the custom hand. This hand made for the beam saber is more stable than its rifle counter part so you won’t need to glue it, but nail painting is required. Two open fists hands are included for use with the shoulder grips. Odds are you won’t use these unless you’re going for an unarmed look. Spare clips fit nice and are a great little detail, but they hamper the sides of the skirt armor. It makes the arms hang at a wide angle instead of at the side like most suits will have. In all, it’s just more bulk for an already bulky kit. Standard GM shield is also included. You can swap it quickly out for one of the Booster Shields, but you can’t store the shield on the Booster Pod. It needs a lot of painting to look right, too. Then you have the sub-arm skirt unit. I already grumbled about this useless piece of crap so I’ll save you another complaint rant.
It does come with decals, but I opted to buy the aftermarket decals because they work better with the heavy detailing all over this kit. The detailing is a problem as it is very fine and barely resists filling when painted. Another thing to note is the heavy use of blue. While I painted mine using a combination of color arrangements (seems there are a few variations on the official scheme, even a difference in the instruction manual itself), the standard model colors are almost too blue, concealing many of the fine details. As always, the ABS hands ruin much of the appeal of the kit since your weapons run away. The skirt armor is too extras heavy with the clips and sub-arm unit. It detracts from the poses and motions that the design is capable of achieving. I’d almost opt to leave them off. Finally, you’ll need to do a ton of tiny painting to make this look right. This can lead to some major headaches for anyone looking to just slap together this kit.
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