When I ordered my Gunpla starter kit from Gunpla.co.uk, I also ordered the Entry Grade 1/144 GAT-X105 Strike Gundam.
We’ve come a long way since the original Mobile Suit Gundam, but the RX-78-2 is still the defining cultural representation of the series. The GAT-X105 Strike Gundam is a neo-classic interpretation of that design, and you’ll probably agree that it looks stunning.
However I have no direct attachment to it, having not yet seen Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
So, that makes this a good looking model kit that I won’t be heartbroken about trashing if the build goes horribly wrong. Which in turn makes it the ideal candidate for the first “proper” Noob Builds Gunpla post…
Inside the box you get two baggies with four runners; two plain white, one grey and red, and one grey, red, blue and yellow. There’s a set of instructions, and that’s it. No stickers, just as promised on the box front.
It doesn’t look like much, but it’s all we need to build this Mobile Suit – so let’s get into it!
My First(ish) Gundam Build
I’ll get the negatives of my inexperience out of the way first.
Cutting the gate of the runner (rather than cutting flush to the piece) was a new technique for me… and I did not nail it. Using this approach meant I did not stress the plastic quite so much, which was a win, but then I messed up with the filing.
Not knowing which file to use led to me using the metal file on pretty much every nub, meaning I scratched up large parts of the plastic. Then, in my impatience, I put the build together before experimenting with the different files and buffing out the scratch marks.
I should have stopped, taken a minute, and watched this video by YouTuber Studio G:
My impatience was a throwback to the hurried way I used to build Zoids, and not in a good way. This was definitely a lesson learned for the future.
Other than that, though?
I absolutely loved the experience from start to finish. The joy of building is there, even if the process isn’t quite yet.
Layering up all of these abstract shapes of coloured plastic into recognisable forms was incredibly satisfying; especially with putting together the Gundam’s head.
The hands were unexpectedly simple, which I enjoyed. They’re simple gripping hands (no expressive finger articulation), but I love the way you can take the plate on the back of the hands off to insert weapons.
Personally, I’ve always found something pleasing about building model kit legs; especially chunky-yet-articulated stompers like these. The ankles are on a solid ball joint with plenty of friction but also a good range of tilt – an ideal combination.
I took my time on this build, trying out new-to-me techniques and savouring every step; as such it took about two hours in total. I’ve seen some people online who have built this in 30-odd minutes, so your mileage may vary.
Overall, the EG 1/144 Strike Gundam is one sharp Mobile Suit, looking agile whilst still feeling like a powerful mech. The aesthetic is really on point.
Given my limited experience I was pleasantly surprised by how poseable the model is, with decent range at all the main points of articulation. The weapons may be lightweight but even so, the simple friction joints don’t struggle to hold a pose.
That said, as I’ve posed the model, I’ve noticed two main negatives. The first is that the white plates on the back of the hands pop off constantly, especially the right hand. I’ve considered glueing them on, but that feels like it goes against the spirit of the kit.
Or I just can’t be arsed. I’ll get back to you on that.
The second negative – potentially terminal – is that the right hip ball socket is starting to shear off. I’ll have to be careful how I pose this kit in future.
Update: after switching up the pose a few times the right hip ball joint has fully broken. SMH. A replacement kit is on the way – but that means that this one really was a practice build after all… 😭
Final Thoughts
I won’t lie, I wanted to like this build experience. With the 1/144 GAT-X105 Strike Gundam I’ve taken my first steps into a model kit building world that I’ve wanted to try for years.
Even so, as soon as I started the build, the enjoyment was genuine. I mean – just look at this thing:
To me, this kit properly fits the “Entry Grade” brief. The colour separation and the way that different elements of the kit build up on top of one another is really satisfying. Yet none of the parts are too small or fiddly to be off-putting, and the overall build can be completed quickly.
As introductions to the hobby go, I can defintiely recommend the Entry Grade 1/144 GAT-X105 Strike Gundam.
Next up in Noob Builds Gundam: EG RX-93 Nu Gundam
