HG 1/144 Zaku II Type C Gundam Origins Version

This is the High Grade 1/144 Zaku II Bandai model kit. This kit is part of the Gundam Origins line, and features parts to let you build any one of two different variations of this mobile suit, the Type C and the Type C-5. You only get enough parts to make one, so if you want to have both, you’ll have to buy two of these kits. As far as I can tell, the only differences between the two is that the Type C-5 has a different chest plate piece with only one cockpit hatch, slightly different upper body, and an arm mounted double machine gun. I chose to make mine the Type C, because that’s the version of the Zaku II that I like more. However, I have another one on the way that I plan to make the Type C-5.
As far as I know, this is one of the most recently released kits from the Gundam Origins line, only having come out a few months ago. As far as Zakus go, this is a really well done kit. The articulation in the legs is about what you would expect, but the articulation in the arms and shoulders is fantastic. The arms not only get a double bend at the elbow, but they also swing outward on two separate parts. Making it very easy to pose the Zaku with the various weapons that it comes with. Which I love, because a problem many High Grade Zaku kits have is that the arms can’t swing outward enough to properly hold the machine gun or bazooka the right way. So I really like that Bandai improved the articulation for this kit.
The build of this kit is pretty solid, so there’s no need to glue any parts of the Zaku other than the thrusters on the backpack. Those pop into the backpack on polycaps, so while it lets you pose the thrusters, they still tend to pop off half of the time you try to adjust or pose them. So I just glued the thrusters on mine. Granted, you won’t be able to move them if you glue them in, I just don’t see the need to move them around. I guess it’s just a preference for me. Other than that, though, the Zaku is pretty solid, and doesn’t have any overly loose pieces or anything. The sight on the anti-spaceship rifle assembles and attaches to the rifle kind of loosely, but you don’t have to glue them if you don’t want to.
There’s a lot of panel lines on this kit, but you don’t have to panel line this one if you don’t want to. I panel lined mine because it makes a lot of the details pop. However, this kit looks great even without any panel lining. All in all, this is a great kit, and is by far the best High Grade Zaku II I’ve seen on the market. It’s definitely worth picking up if you’re like me and you like the Zakus. 🙂