The Buster Gundam is one of five initial prototype mobile suits in the series Gundam Seed, which featured 50 episodes between 2002 and 2003. The Alliance develops the Buster Gundam secretly with the Orb Union. As an artillery mobile suit, the Buster Gundam's main armament consists of a 350mm gun launcher and a 94mm high-energy rifle. The Buster Gundam is also equipped with two 6-barrel missile pod launchers on its shoulders.

This basic 1:144 kit lacks articulation like the more expensive HG and MG kits, but it is still rather nicely detailed, and is easy to assemble, especially for younger modelers who are just getting started in the hobby. The arms are molded bent at the elbows, and the legs are molded as two straight halves. The kit features very basic articulation at the hips and shoulders, and has some slight movement at the ankles. The head also turns, with the two head halves snapping into place around a ball joint. The kit includes two weapons that can either be held in the hands, or mounted to the backpack.

I built the kit on my lunch hours about six years ago, and did it primarily to have something to do. Once it was built, I separated the major sections at home and painted it with standard Testor’s enamels, including flat tan, olive green, gray, and red. Detailing was done with a fine tip Sharpie marker.

The completed model is about 5 inches in height.

This kit, and others in the same scale/product line, are a good starting point for a beginning modeler. Parts count is minimal, assembly is easy, and the completed model is something that can be played with without really risking breakage. Also, the price is right, with the kits generally being under $10.00 US.

Review by: Rich "Lonewolf" Dula

Entry Created: November 28, 2012