HGUC Unicorn Gundam (Unicorn Mode)

After my longest and probably most complicated build ever with MG Zeta gundam, i had a nice switch of pace and built the Hguc unicorn gundam , in unicorn mode. This was a rather simple build as expected from its all white colour scheme, but its ingenious engineering and overall quality makes this a fantastic high grade kit.

1. Intro:
Model: HGUC Unicorn gundam (Unicorn Mode)
Size:  1 144
Pilot : Banagher Links

Boxart:

Nice showing its destroy mode in the background.

Sideshots:

Bandai trying to get us to both unicorn and destroy mode.

Manual:

Typical HGUC manual style.

Price: 1500 yen. An attractive price point, this is a kit that is hard to go wrong with.

2. Parts:

The head, the torso, and the back pack. The head is the most unique part of the unicorn gundam and the model kit does not disappoint. The green sticker as the eye camera looks sharp yet concealed. The grooves for lining are deep enough for easy panel lining. The horn simply looks impressive. The torso is predominantly white with good lining spots. You can mount the shield on the back pack with a custom piece as seen in the picture.

 The backpack is where the only colour inaccuracy of the kit is. The small grey parts at the top of the backpack is supposed to be dark blue as seen in the manual. However they are still colour separated as separate grey pieces so i think they look fine. It is also easy to paint those since they are separated parts. 

The arm, showing the maximum 90 degrees bend. Relatively good articulation if compared to its MG counterpart.

One quirk i have with the arms is that they can back backwards. Hope it is not a construction mistake.

The waist, with an extra ammo pack that can be mounted behind the waist.

Top view of the waist. A ball joint to connect the torso.

Legs.

Only 90 degrees bend. The feet can bend forwards and backwards, for slightly more dynamic poses.

Weapons and accessories, with the usual allelujah figure as size comparison. Other than the 2 open hands, the kit comes with 2 open palms and a trigger hand for the hyper bazooka.

This is the hyper bazooka in its compact mode, compared to its usual mode in the above pic. Not much of a length difference. the transformation is a part-former kind, where u just remove some pieces, reconnect the remaining pieces and you get a smaller bazooka. Only new part is you use a new grey piece for the back of the bazooka.

Back of the shield. Very well detailed, showing 2 missiles ready to take out some sleeves remnants.

3. Details and Articulation.

Starting with details, the kit is incredibly well detailed for its size and seemingly plain looks. All the grooves for panel lining are well designed and deep enough.

Furthermore, only stickers used in the kit is for the eye and the bazooka scope. My general rule of the thumb is stickers should be kept at the minimum.

All put together, the unicorn gundam resembles a GM more than a gundam in unicorn mode.

This is probably subjective, but i really like the looks of it in unicorn mode.

A 360 degrees rotation.

Other than the minor colour inaccuracy in the backpack and the arms bending backwards , there is really nothing i can think of to improve this kit.

The arm has a neat gimmick for storing the beam saber.

Fairly decent articulation. If i had to force another nitpick with the kit, it will be that the beam saber can be longer and perhaps thinner, like in the anime.

Yeah, i would have prefer MK II's type of beam saber in 1/144 size for this kit.

4. Poseability

The Unicorn has no problem holding the bazooka, be it with one arm or both arms.

Posing options increase on an action base 2.

5. Sturdiness. 

I have no problems with any falling parts in this kit. Weapons are held well, shield and bazooka attach to the backpack well. However, the left arm 's elbow joint seems to be loose and tends to pop apart when changing poses. Since this only occurs on the left arm, it is probably a single kit problem.

Also, the feet seems to be a little loose and hence compromising on stability when it comes to standing poses. Not as significant as Mg Exia's , but still a small drawback of the kit.

6.  Conclusion

A high quality hguc kit to kick off the unicorn high grade series. For the lower price range of 1500 yen there really is no reason you would regret picking up this kit.

Goods:

1. The kit is almost perfectly colour accurate. Only stickers used are for the eye and the bazooka scope.

2. Bazooka, Shield and beam sabers are very easily and sturdily equipped by the kit.

3. Good deep channels for panel lining to bring out the details for the kit.

4. Slight improved leg articulation over its master grade ver ka counterpart. ( Special Thanks to Kolinsky who pointed out the MG has better arm articulation.) 

Bads:

1. Slightly weak ankles.

2. My kit's left elbow joint is loose. 

3. Need to pick up the destroy mode for the complete set of weapons for the unicorn gundam.

Details: 8.5/10 Really great detail despite the 'blandness' of its mobile suit design.

Articulation: 7/10 Not exactly very articulated, but still beats the master grade.

Sturdiness: 7/10 Extremely sturdy, other than slightly weak ankles.

Poseability: 7/10 Although the lack of gimmicks and weapons limit the posing options, the ease of posing makes up for it.

Hmm.....