2013年7月11日星期四

1/144 HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Model Kit and Reviews

1/144 HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Model Kit CoverTitle: RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium" (Dendrobium Orchis)
Scale:
Brand: Bandai
Grade: High Grade Universal Century (HGUC)
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Kit No.: # 28
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Release Date: 03/2002
Suggested Price: ¥ 28,000
No. of Parts: 409 Orchis parts (including screws) + P.C.-119 polycap sprue and 158 Stamen parts + P.C.-123 + polycap sprue (that's a lotta parts!)
Plastic colors: light gray, dark green; 025 HGUC Gundam GP03S colors
Gimmicks: limited edition Gundam Evolve 4 Region 2 DVD, 360mm hyper bazooka for GP03S, slick Japanese-language construction manual
Where to Buy: Price: $371.81 (Free Shipping) >>Buy from Amazon<<



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HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium" Gunpla Gallery


Built by RedBrick and KenGunpla




Infomation of RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis"


The RX-78GP03 (RX-78GP03D) Gundam "Dendrobium" (aka Dendrobium, GP03) is the third unit of the Gundam Development Project, as the combination of both the mobile suit unit - the RX-78GP03S Gundam "Dendrobium Stamen" - and its massive unmanned support unit - the Armed Base Mobile Container "Dendrobium Orchis", and was first featured in the OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The unit was piloted by Anaheim test pilot Defrah Kar and Federation MS pilot Kou Uraki.




General and Technical Data




  • Model number: RX-78GP03


  • Code name: Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis"


  • Unit type: prototype space attack use mobile weapon


  • Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics


  • Operator: Earth Federation Forces


  • Rollout: 28 October UC 0083


  • First deployment: 11 November UC 0083


  • Accommodation: unmanned, controlled by docked


  • Dimensions: overall length 140.0 meters; unarmed length 73.0 meters; overall height 38.5 meters; overall width 62.0 meters


  • Weight: empty 226.4 metric tons; max gross 453.1 metric tons


  • Armor materials: gundarium alloy


  • Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 38900 kW


  • Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 6 x 377500 kg


  • Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 5.00 G


  • Equipment and design features: I-field beam-deflecting barrier generator, externally mounted on main body


  • Fixed armaments: mega beam cannon, mounted on main body; 2 x large claw, each mounts large beam saber; 2 x weapons container pod


  • Optional weapons container pod armament: 3-tube large missile pod; 108-tube micromissile pod; chain mine, rocket-guided; folding shield for Stamen; folding bazooka for Stamen; XBR-BOWA M-82A beam rifle w/jitte for Stamen


Technology & Combat Characteristics


As described in the MG model manual and MS encyclopedia, while the initial two designs of the Gundam Development Project were specifically designed for an offensive role, the Earth Federation Forces also needed a design for territorial defense in space, also known as Area Dominance tactic. In the Area Dominance Tactic, the battalion group will be small, may be even just a single unit, but need to be able to hold on to that region and fight against numerous enemies with a vast amount of firepower. Furthermore, if it's a single unit, it needs to be able to move around a large area of space rapidly to defend all the incoming enemies. Since the Earth Federation forces were interested in the power of mobile armours deployed by Zeon forces during the One Year War, they had specifically ordered the unit to be a model using mobile armour technology. The result of this was the massive "Dendrobium" mobile weapon. It was not a mobile armour but an unmanned unit composed of a mobile suit, the "Stamen", and its add on, the "Orchis".


Developed at the Von Braun city facility and field tested at Anaheim Electronics' La Vie en Rose orbital manufacturing plant, the GP03 Dendrobium was designed to have exceptional firepower and mobility with minimal use of manpower. Two large weapons racks containing sixteen weapon containers sat on the top of the GP03, enabling the pilot to engage in extended firefights without running out of ammunition. The containers were interchangeable and were able to carry different weapons. Extendable large claws mounted with large beam sabres were mounted on both sides of the underbelly of the unit. A warship class mega beam cannon was mounted on the right, while an I-field generator was mounted on left. The control unit for the Dendrobium was the RX-78GP03S Gundam "Dendrobium Stamen", which was the mobile suit itself. In cases of emergency or severe damage to the "Orchis", the "Stamen" could eject from the mobile armor portion.


Armaments




  • Weapons Containers - Primarily used for clearing out massive quantities of enemy units, the Orchis was armed with two weapons containers with 8 sets of missiles per container. These containers are able to carry additional beam rifles, bazookas, or even a spare shield for the Stamen unit if needed, a set of chain mines, and 3-tube missile launchers and sets of 108-tube micromissile launchers are also included.


  • Large Beam Cannon - A battleship grade beam cannon installed on the Orchis' right side. It has an extra handle for additional manuverability.


  • Large Claw - The Orchis has two large claws on its underside in case of enemy units penetrating its I-Field. The claws can be used as grappling weapons. For extra defense in close combat, the claws come equipped with two large beam sabers.


Special Equipment & Features




  • I-Field Generator - The Orchis comes with its own I-Field generator for defense from any particle beam attacks. Though the Orchis could still be hit by physical forces, its generator's greatest weakness was that the housing unit was exposed on the left side of the Orchis. This drawback would make it easier for an enemy to damage the I-Field Generator (as demonstrated by Anavel Gato)


History


The RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium" was the third unit built as part of the Gundam Development Project. Unlike the first two the Dendrobium was never brought down to Earth, instead remaining in space aboard the La Vie en Rose under the supervision of Earth Federation Forces security officer Nakohha Nakato and Anaheim Electronics systems engineer Lucette Audevie. After the Delaz Fleet used a nuclear warhead to destroy a third of the Federation forces at Konpei Island for the naval review, and the subsequent mutual destruction of both the "Zephyranthes" and "Physalis", the Albion (MSC-07) docked at the La Vie en Rose for resupply and repairs. During that time both captain Eiphar Synapse and pilot Kou Uraki argued that they should be given the "Orchis" and "Stamen" components so that they could continue their pursuit of Gato. However Nakoha Nakato would not allow them to take the mobile weapon. Lucette Audevie, who was in charge of the "Dendrobium's" construction and development, helped the crew of the Albion to steal the mobile weapon at the cost of her own life.


While it was designed for defensive use, pilot Kou Uraki would use the "Dendrobium" offensively in a series of devastating hit and run attacks against the Delaz Fleet, returning to the Albion (the ship and the rest of its mobile suits staying to the rear away from combat) to be resupplied. With its large amount of missile ordnance, the "Dendrobium" made for a dangerous opponent for Gato's AMA-002 Neue Ziel which relied on its I-Field generator for most of its defense. Both machines were heavily damaged after their last confrontation outside of the colony the Delaz Fleet was dropping on North America, but only pilot Kou Uraki survived.


Variants



  • Dendrobium Prototype "Night Fighter"

  • GP03-2 Dendrobium II

  • GP03 "Trial Plan"


Miscellaneous Information




  • Pilot(s): Kou Uraki, Defrah Kar


  • Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory; Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space; Gundam Evolve; Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Vs. Gundam; Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Vs. Gundam Next; Mobile Suit Gundam: Climax U.C.


  • Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki [Source: wikia & mahq]


1/144 HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium" Model Kit Reviews


Over one meter (40 inches) in length from the tip of the main gun barrel to the rear fins. It comes with the 1/144 scale GP-03 Stamen, too. The kit is packed with features, including opening weapons bays, posable claw arm manipulators, two large-size beam sabers, removable I-field generator, micro-missile pod, cluster missile pod, guided bombs, a display stand and more.


Review by Jameson Leaser


Introduction

This one’s gonna be a little different from my other HGUC reviews. Then again, this kit is a little different from the other HGUC releases....


I doubt I was the only one stunned when I heard Bandai was putting out a 1/144 scale version of this OVA monster. I knew the kit would be in the Perfect Grade size and price range, and was intrigued by the Gundam Evolve DVD, having seen the one featured in the Perfect Grade AEUG RX-178 Gundam Mk-II. I hoped this kit would address some of the limitations I found in the HGM 1/550th scale version of this armor.


RX-78GP03S Gundam "Stamen" figure

This kit comes with it’s own Stamen model with a weapon / accessory loadout (excluding the core-fighter) exactly the same as the 025 HGUG GP03S kit. Replacing the Core Fighter is a 360mm Zeta Gundam-era hyper bazooka (found on Orchis sprue P). Unfortunately, this weapon is not only too small for accurate posing as-is (being designed to be stored in the Orchis’ weapon pods) , but the angle of the grip makes it almost impossible to use with the suit at all (unless you want to under-arm it, and even then it barely works). Cutting and gluing the handle about 60 degrees forward corrects most of the mounting problems, though it’s a pain in the butt. The 360mm hyper bazooka included with the Gundam Mk-II is a much better fit. FYI, the 360mm hyper bazooka appears in the anime in the 2nd opening credit sequence as well as in episode 11.


"Orchis" armed base

The scale and proportions are pleasing, though they are something of a compromise considering the “flexible” nature of the animated version. The colors are half correct - the’ve got the green-gray secondary color right, but the main body of the Orchis should match the Stamen’s white. The clever folding Stamen manipulator claws do not reach to both ends of the weapon pods (they reach just about halfway) and the Orchis weapon loadout reflects this.


Only half of the weapon silos are functional, and their placement, although within reach of the HGUC Stamen manipulator arms, is not true to the anime. The I-Field generator’s louvres are not functional, instead, one flips a plate for the “closed” and “open” look, the blank hole in the anime and HGM release is replaced with a mechanically-detailed surface. The mega beam rifle is not poseable as it is in the anime, but the Stamen can reach and be made to hold the weapon’s trigger. The heavy Orchis manipulator claws are nicely done, their only flaw being a weak connection on the the arm cuff armor piece. It’s dense, rich surface detail should make washers and panel-liners happy...perhaps TOO happy! Finishing this kit takes a lot of patience, and painting is required to make it look like it should.


Conclusion

Overall, this kit is precisely what it says it is - a HGUC kit. Don’t let it’s large size and number of parts fool you. In no way is this kit in the Perfect or Master Grade leagues. It’s surface detail and appearance are pleasing, but I was hoping for more for my money. If you want a good-looking model of this mobile armor that is scaled to other Gundam 0083 kit releases and has optional resin parts designed to enhance it’s capabilities available, I’d suggest the HGM 1/550 Dendrobium, as I cannot recommend this kit for the general Gundam/mecha modeler.


Review by OZKai


PART 1: RX-78GP03 Gundam GP03 Dendrobium Orchis

I: Display Stand


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 1The stand is a simple 3 piece process. What is unusual, however, is the sheer density of these parts. Each one individually weighs about the same as a fully built HGUC! Put together, you're holding the weight of 2 NG 1/100 models, at least!


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 2To assemble, the stand just slides onto the base and locks pretty decently. It's never slid off involuntarily, but doesn't require excessive force to remove, either.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 3The whole stand is roughly 7" X 10" X 7.5".


II: Orchis Base


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 4Now we have the base portion of the Orchis weapons platform, which consists of the dock, thrusters and the claw arms. This is the most massive part, the bulk weighing around 10 pounds, give or take. It already exceeds my cutting board in length!


Several strange steps and difficult assembly issues plague this part, mostly due to precise alignment. There are two metal plates inside of the base (thus, the weight) and numerous screws that hold this thing so tightly together, the words "test fit" will be meaningless. Once this thing's together, it's to stay.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 5The dock has a lot of little details, as well as a lot that needs to be painted to look good. Most of this was done in flat black while the small vents on the angled portion were painted in aircraft gray to match the mechanical parts of the Orchis. More to the docks functionality will be discussed in the final part.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 6The thruster vane has always been on of my favorite parts about the Dendrobium's design, largely due to the large effect fins and staggered thrusters. A lot more little details here. The little pipes and such, which I would normally leave alone on an HGUC, demanded silver/gold treatment to aid in its overzealous design. The thrusters, themselves, had been completely coated, using red on the inner rims, gunmetal (Testors) for the nozzle, flat black for the hole of the nozzle, and gunship gray for the exteriors (As even in the original lineart, they're different in tone than the main mechanical color).


III: Large Claw Arms


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 7The claw arms are, by far, the most intricate part of this beast in terms of assembly. Any similarity to an MG's mechanics are isolated to this point.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 8They also feature a pivot at the base of the arm that allows them to swing in almost 360-degrees (provided parts of the Orchis itself or the stand don't get in the way.)


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 9The large beam saber hilts store inside the "mouth" of the claw. The ends have little notches protruding out of them, so getting them out is not a problem at all. On the hilts, there are two hardpoints that allow the claws to grip them steadily.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 10The beams supplied are borrowed from most Perfect Grades, so they're quite large. However (i'm being nit-picky here), I feel the beams are still too small, as in the OVA, I'm quite certain the things were used to lop off cruisers such as random near-by Musais and the like.


IV: Weapons Containers


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 11The containers are probably as massive as the stand, and slightly heavier, as well. Loads of detailing on the backside. More aircraft gray for the divide between the inner and outer containers (not separable nor constructed as such).


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 12Containers with hatches open. To open them, you must first raise the latch that lies at the top between the two halves. This, otherwise, locks the inner panel from raising. In either container, there are four usable slots for storage: The two hollows which store the missile pods, and the hatches 2 away from either of the hollows that store a specific weapon for the Stamen. These will be covered during part 3.

Physically, there's no difference between the two containers aside from one being mirrored from the other. So, only where they differ will I bother with photography.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 13To assemble these to the Orchis, two more parts are required. The part in the center will maintain the otherwise off-balance weight of the containers. This part is built even thicker than the display stand's parts. If I threw it, it would probably do some damage to a moving vehicle...


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 14That part simply slides into place on the base...


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 15Then slide the containers into position. Now comes the tricky part. See that piece that's resting on the right-hand container? That is the key that locks it all together.


Holding both containers as tightly together while attaching this piece can be a headache for non-mutants as (I assume) you or me.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 16And all locked! Now rivaling an original XBOX in weight, the Dendrobium's mass grows.


V: I-Field Generator


HGUC-RX-78GP03-Gundam-Dendrobium-Review-17The plate for the front of the generator is reversible to make part-swapping possible without the need for another part!


Both sides were completely painted, again, in gunship gray to differentiate it apart from the main mechanical gray. the details were made with chrome silver and Gundam marker gold. This is also the only part I panel-lined in black (closed side).


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 18If you notice in the aperture of the face plate, there's a small notch. That is to be alligned with this piece.


The bar contained a peg at either end as well as a slot for the broad peg on the main generator. When attached, it was VERY difficult to remove. I remedied this by lopping off the two pegs and filing both the center slot and it corresponding peg. The difference is now it can be easily removed for swapping the plate sides without potentially breaking the bar, but still stays in place when moved around.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 19The whole generator attaches to the left-hand side of the Orchis via four slide-latches which hold it very securely. It can honestly be difficult to remove once in place, but the right amount of force backward will loosen it.


VI: Large Mega Beam Cannon


The large mega beam cannon is probably the selling gimmick of the Dendrobium. It's a beam cannon that is at least 3 times larger than any mounted on a battleship. One fire from this baby didn't even graze a Musai and it's cannons melt and apparently overheat the bridge! Once again, too TOO powerful for someone as incompetent as Kou to wield.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 20The main base of the cannon. I'd suppose you could call this the generator? This is another hunk of large parts with only a few small gimmicks and a bit of weight.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 21The handle gimmick is probably the most significant of the guns small gimmicks. It actually slides open almost right in front of the Stamen.


The other small gimmick is the sight at the top of the cannon.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 22It can pop up and retract. Nothing too impressive. I'd say it's just so it's out of the way when you open the containers (Which it does get in the way). The sight itself had to painted. I did my standard silver+clear coat green to make it more scope-y...


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 23As with the I-Field generator, the cannon just slides onto the right-hand side of the Orchis. This one sticks a LOT more than the I-Field once on, however. I'm amazed I got it off without sending it across the room!


VII: Orchis Completed


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 24As you can see, the completed Dendrobium Orchis is beyond belief in size. For those who aren't familiar with metrics, the measurements of this when completed are H:13 3/4", W: 17 1/4" and L: A whoppin' 39"! That's 3 inches over 3 feet!!

As you can see, this baby is very much Bandai's behemoth. The fact that it's still in production honestly frightens me. But if it weren't I'd die at considering how much this would have cost with an "OOP" label on most sites.


Part 2: RX-78GP03S Gundam GP03S Dendrobium Stamen

I: Main Body


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 25To make this kit look near as good as it's design or prototype images do, a lot of work in painting is necessary. For all of the vents and thick panel lines, I used flat black. Scraping off any excess with my hobby knife. Had I had this technique with my first GP03S (I got it when it was released here in the states), I probably could have kept it around.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 26The head had to be modded just a bit, as the face kept wanting to lift upwards, hiding the eyes under the visor of the helmet. I used glue to hold the face downward so the eyes can actually be seen!


Red was applied to the small area below the eyes, then flat black for the field where the eyes sit. The eyes and cameras were the usual silver + clear coat. However, the green camera at the top of the chest was one of the few times I gave in and used the foil sticker, only because of how small the recess is.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 27Oddly, I didn't use them for the leg cameras, so unfortunately, the seam between the parts is still visible.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 28All of the thrusters were primed and painted red on the interiors, given gunmetal nozzles and flat black hollows. The excess red was chipped away using my knife again.


The backpack hinge was painted gray in the exposed mechanical part, as well as some of the little details around the legs and those false cameras on the rear skirts.


II: Armaments


Beam Rifle

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 29Standard issue beam rifle of the GP series. The only difference is the scope is for some reason positioned as if it were to be used left-handed... The scope is a camera anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter.


The entire weapon was painted in Testor's gunmetal, and the scope done in silver base with clear hot pink top coat. Gives a good effect, if I do say so myself.


Folding Bazooka

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 30The folding bazooka makes one (technically two) appearances when the GP03S dual-wields them while still docked with the Orchis, assuming the large mega beam cannon was too overpowering.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 31It has the ability to fold up to fit into one of the Orchis's weapon containers. Same as with the beam rifle, painted gunmetal with a silver+hot pink scope. The hinge was left gray, as its ABS plastic wouldn't have held paint well anyway. Filled the inner barrel that's visible when folded flat black.


Mk-II Bazooka

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 32This is exclusive to the Dendrobium package, and only seen in the anime in the 2nd opening! It resembles the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II's hyper bazooka almost exactly, thus the name.


This one was painted a very light gray for the barrel and the rest of it in gunmetal to match the rest of the armaments (The manual had it a much more neutral color). The scope was too narrow to really need painting, so I left it black.

Now, because of the handle being positioned the way it is, the GP03S has a very difficult time holding it... And it's far from natural looking when it does. So no photos will be taken with it, since this is a better way for it to hold it (i.e., not at all).


Folding Shield

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 33The shield is very simple in construction, as with the rest of the weapons. I can't be sure if it was seen in the anime at all, but was part of the original concept. The side ends were painted blue.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 34On the inside, 4 E-Caps are visible on either end of the shield, two angled handles and the single hardpoint. The E-Caps were painted gunmetal to match the beam rifle that they go to. I considered painting the handles, but opted not to. The same blu as above was used for the same panels on the backside.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 35The shield folds up to fit into the weapon containers on the Orchis, as well.


Beam Saber

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 36One piece solid white beam saber. Not much to note. The blade was painted mixing hot pink and white. The flash really drowns out the colors, though.


There are false saber hilts stored in the GP03S's backpack. However, they're small and difficult to see, so I didn't bother photographing them.


III: Final Assembly


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 37The fully armed Gundam GP03S. It's standard fare, but it dose have a different feel than the other models of the GP-series. I always liked the tail binders, as it gives purpose to both the side and rear skirts instead of just being there for armor.


Final Part: RX-78GP03 Gundam GP03 Dendrobium

I: Docking of the Gundam GP03S into the GP03 mobile platform Orchis


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 38


II: Final Assembly


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 39Now equipped with the Gundam GP03S, it doesn't really do much to alter its silhouette, but it does give it a very tiny head. You will notice that the whites between the Gundam and the Orchis vary significantly, where the Gundam's is a pure white and the Orchis has a much grayer tone. The added color of the exposed torso does give it a little more of a "Gundam" feel.


III: Weapons Payload


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 40I decided to save this for the last part to give the Orchis's review a little less bulk. Since I did already cover the large beam sabers in Part 1, the weapons that are stored in the weapons containers are as follows:


Micro Missile Pod

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 41The micro-missile pods house 3 walls of 36 missiles. Both pods equal a total of 216 missiles.


The assembly is very straight-forward for these, and require a LOT of repetitive painting for all 216 missiles to be yellow. The thruster was painted in the same manner as every thruster on the Dendrobium.


Large Bundled Missile Pod

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 42The large missile pods are just 3 large bundled missiles. Another straight-forward build, with the usual treatment to the three thrusters on the backside. No complicated painting for this portion.


Gundam GP03S's Armaments

Starting from the right-hand container:HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 43Folding Shield

The shield is stored in the sliding container furthest to the right from the GP03S. It must be folded to fit into its cradle.HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 44Mk-II Hyper Bazooka

The Mk-II bazooka stores in the nearest sliding container to the right of the GP03S.HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 45Folding Bazooka

The folding bazooka is in the first sliding container to the left of the Gundam. Like the shield, it must be in its folded form to fit into its container.HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 46Beam Rifle

Stores at the far left end of the left container. No special voodoo to get it in there.


A very important side note about the sliding container slots: the rails these run on are almost impossible to put together as is! They require two screws each that won't even go half way into the pole no matter how much torque is applied. I've seen one person use super glue to save themselves the trouble, but I have my doubts on the long term end of that.

What I did was use a rounded-tipped metal modeling file ind twisted away at the inside of the screw hole. Once I could get the screw to actually stand in place into the groove, I was able to twist it in with no problem. They work absolutely fine with no signs of long-term damage being done.


I very much recommend this method. I may even use this on future early-2000 MG's that have screws like this.


I didn't take individual pictures of the missile pods in their respective slots, but in the open slots, the micro-missile pods go into the far-ends of the containers, and the bundled missiles go into the center ones.


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 47Another side note...


The folding arm gimmick that was useless with the stand-alone kit as almost just as useless WITH the Dendrobium. It can just barely reach the bazookas, but can even less barely grab them...


Large Mega Beam Cannon

HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 48Finally get to use the gimmick that the Dendrobium is all about! And th-

Wait... There's nothing about the GP03S able to hold the awesome handle provided...


The hand meant for the bazookas work just fine around the cannon's grip. Don't scare me like that, Bandai!


IV: Action


HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Review 49This thing is anti-posable. However, it's full-open look blows away (literally) even the likes of Gundam Heavyarms Custom! With 216 micro missiles, 6 large missiles, two bazookas, 2 large beam sabers, one HUGE F***ING CANNON, and the ability to deflect any beam attacks from a 360-degree radius, The business end of this battlefield should have lost a lot of weight from the bricks they sh-- No. Too far.


Conclusion

The $300-/+ might seem excessive; and it kinda is; the experience of building this beast is worth every penny! The final result is an 18 pound paperweight with the posability of a cinder block, but it's a cinder block that will draw the eye of anyone in the room you display it! Even with it's few assembly problems, I have no fonder time assembling a Gundam model kit than I do this.


Value: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Design: 4/5

I can say that since it's announcement back in 2002, I wanted this. It's not until 2010 that I'd be able to realize this dream. For those who don't know metrics, the measurements of this kit when completed are H:13 3/4", W: 17 1/4" and L: A whoppin' 39"! That's 3 inches over 3 feet!!


The assembly is almost MG level, as a lot slides around on the inside. But the outer casing is very much HG. Having a LOT of big pieces, some runners only have maybe 2 parts!


A few of things to note are:



  • The "gray" used on the Orchis is almost navy blue, so a lot of paint mixing is involved for the little details around that need paint.

  • The I-Field generator part is a little difficult to swap, due to the top pert being very secure. I snipped of the 2 pegs and sanded down the larger one so I can remove it much easier without it just falling off.

  • The containers' railings for the Stamen's weapon bays have VERY difficult screws needed to hold them together. I had to take a tipped file into each hole and sand away at it until the screw cold stand straight before being turned into place. Once again, an easy fix, if just tedious.

  • I feel the beam saber blades are a bit small, but that's more of my opinion than an actual gripe.

  • Other than that, this kit is fantastic and I don't regret the purchase one bit! Just make sure you have a good place to put it, but I don't recommend top-shelving it. You cant see how majestic this thing is when looking up at it...


buy now



1/144 HGUC RX-78GP03 Gundam Dendrobium Model Kit and Reviews
Source: www.scalemodelmuseum.com

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