The MG's proportions are actually better than the RG. Larger V-fin, more prominent shoulders, and wider chest vents.

I'm still not sold on RG. The only way they can make me buy one is RG Aegis but I doubt it'll even happen.



Anyway, review of the HG Aegis:


Pros:
1. For such a small kit, Bandai actually managed to incorporate the full transforming mechanism. Well done.
2. Due to the transformation, the hip joints actually have a fairly wide range of articulation. And most of the joints are tight despite the lack of ABS parts. With the exception as described below under "cons".
3. The Aegis's transformation may not be as complicated as the Z-variants, yet it's very unconventional and refreshing unlike the ones seen in W/X. Great job Akutsu.
4. The pink isn't too bad, honestly. And it contrasts well with the grey and dark indigo parts.
5. It's quite back-heavy but it still can stand upright. Unlike the 1/144 Kyrios that's hopeless on its feet...really, the Kyrios is an appalling design.

Cons:
1. Poor articulation - static neck joint, 90-degree-only elbows, no forward swivelling shoulders. To be fair, this is a pretty old kit.
2. Mine has a shockingly loose left hip joint and tends to do splits when the hips are moved slightly wide apart. Right side fares better.
3. Seam lines are still prominent; particularly at the tail fins, dorsum of the feet, the thrusters on the rear of the side binders, and the top of the shoulder armours.
4. No beam sabres !! Not even slots to put them in !! As seen in the 2nd picture, I had to shove the Sinanju's yellow beams into the folded forearm claws and they are still hanging loosely. Suck.
5. The palms are quite hopeless in grasping anything. It can't even hold its rifle properly.
6. Colour separation issues. I can compromise with little things such as vents and thrusters, but the backpack is moulded entirely in pink where it should have a grey frame. It's a pretty decent sized area that needs painting.
7. This is still a pretty fragile kit given its multiple articulation points. The entire kit is focused around a central vertical column which houses the Scylla cannon that has short little male connectors inserting into PVC female sockets. Most of these joints support large and heavy armour pieces that rotate freely and therefore they are at very high risks of snapping. I snapped the skirt armour's joint and had to repair it by glueing a rod into it. The presence of the steel rod now prevents the skirt armour from transforming properly as seen in the 3rd pic.

Conclusion? It's a kit where the flaws outnumber the pros, yet it's unconventional design makes it an absolute fun build. The 1/100 with its larger parts might not be as fragile during the assembling process, but I am sceptical about its durability since the joints will have to support even more weight.

Claw vs Claw:


Still to come... Zaku I.

This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Jun 21 2011, 08:31 PM

Black Tristar. The original bright blue and green looks too dull.

The annoying thing is not the lack of beams, but rather the lack of slots on the forearms to insert any type of beams. I've got Sinaju/Sazabi beams and spare HG/MG beams and none of them work.

This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Jun 21 2011, 08:41 PM

Not planning to. One is enough. Zaku Sniper is actually a good kit too since it has a larger backpack and a proper monoeye.

Maybe Gouf Custom next. Or GM Custom. Losing love for Dreissen as I actually like the rocket bazooka more than the mecha itself.

The Insurgent type comes with Blue Frame's bazooka

Cgue deep arms is still the best Seed grunt, although technically it's a commander suit. Huge sword, twin cannons. Awesome.





This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Jun 22 2011, 05:19 AM