1/100 Astray Red Frame Part 11 [Final]

Awesome once, awesome always
Finally finishing the review on my 1/100 Astray Red Frame. ^^; Not to mislead you, the kit is pretty simple to build, but just like many other postings on Ex, they always ended up as half-finished drafts I never get to complete. ^^;

Today I'm going to finish this review properly so that I can move on discussing about other stuff. ^^

The last review on 1/100 Astray Red Frame is about its action poses.



Nothing that impressive as compared to what the current 1/100 scale Gunplas can offer I suppose, many HG kits have surpass this 1/100 Astray Red Frame in terms of articulation. But I remember years ago when it was first released, it was the hottest Gunpla in town. Be it for the katana, or the articulation, or the color, or merely the support for this Gundam, the reception and sales was overwhelming. I was trying to get this when it was first released, but was always told it was out of stock.

Plenty of 1/100 Strike Sword or Launcher packs on the shelves though back then XD

Anyway, Bandai seems to be capitalizing on the support over this kit even until now. First Green Frame, then Gold Frame, and then Mirage Frame, and the upcoming Mirage Frame Second Issue, all are using the superb design of the articulation to realize what Bandai wants us to believe as "transformation" from Commander Mode to Gladiator Mode of Mirage Frame, or the ultimate Tyrant mode to Brute mode for the upcoming Second Issue.

Look closely and you'll see that the company is moving around the near 90 degree articulation range of the elbow for the earlier, and the same on the knee for the later.

A five-year-old kit it is, but it still works ^^

But if you ask me, making a Gundam to crawl on all four with no real effort to hide the actual appearance of its MS design is amusing, in a bitter way for folks who love the original Astray.







The katana is definitely the best weapon for this 1/100 Astray Red Frame to show its characteristic. Red hot Gundam with katana, and it has the joint design to make all the sword poses look good as well. ^^

A unique type of left hand is included for it to hold the koiguchi (opening of the sheath), which can be used as spread palm to pose with the handle of the katana, or with the beam rifle as well. It's too loose to actually grasp the sheath, but one with double-tape can fix the problem somehow I suppose XD




Poses with the beam rifle, shield and beam saber aren't too bade either.




The clip type connector of Action Display Base 2 fits perfectly to the groin of the model so that even more dramatic action poses in midair can be performed. I used Char Aznable's type for Astray Red Frame for the color, obviously.


Unlike the HG version, Astray Red Frame can actually grab the supporting handle with his left hand.



I built this kit with the same level of interest I had for him years back, plus, I didn't fancy the PG version released earlier this year. So I enjoyed the whole work very much, even though you could probably come up with many better ones that we have right now.

Then again, I don't think I would like to recommend you this kit anymore, as the just released MG Astray Blue Frame Second Revise has pretty much confirmed the release of MG Astray Red Frame. It's really just a matter of time now. So, just wait a little longer and get the better MG version instead.

All reviews on 1/100 Astray Red Frame:
Part 1: You're too smart for me to trick XD
Part 2: A red day, a black day, and the windows open
Part 3: Skip painting is the way to go
Part 4: Finishing up before the katana
Part 5: With patience and respect
Part 6: Scratch scratch scratch
Part 7: Gerbera Straight, sanjo!
Part 8: Watashi wa Astray Red Frame, I've returned!
Part 9: Watch my body
Part 10: A red day to celebrate
Part 11 [Final]: Awesome once, awesome always

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1/100 Astray Red Frame