Master Grade RX78-GP02A Physalis model kit

In March this year, i bought a gundam model kit i longed for years ago. MG Physalis, from the Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memories series.

In the series, this is a prototype gundam, stolen by an elite pilot from Zeon, Anavel Gato and used it against the Earth Federation, its original ‘owner’. It’s codenamed GP-02A “Physalis”. GP-01 “Zehyranthes”, its brother unit is piloted by Kou Uraki in his pursuit to stop Gato.

I prefer the Coating Version, which is an Gundam 20th anniversary limited edition. It’s not quite limited, because i can still get it after its production almost 8 years. Currently, the product is discontinued.

What’s so special about the coating version compared to ordinary version? Let’s see…

Note: Click picture for larger image.

Box

The box layout

The coating version is actually similar to ordinary version but with specially paint finish.As a result the mobile suit looks as if it has a metallic body.

right side of the box

upper and lower side of the box

left side of the box

Opening the box…

RX78-GP02A Physalis metallic coating version!

A preview of completed model is presented here. I’m very eager to assemble this right away, but wait,

Parts list

Parts list

Parts list

As you can see, all the parts are metallic painted, with the white parts become silver here, red become metallic red and blue is in metallic blue. The orange color part is Anavel Gato figure. the red parts and blue parts are very shiny.

Red parts

Blue parts

The booklet

Book (or booklet?)

The booklet is same as the normal versions, only with the model pictures at the rear of book is substituted with the coating version. the book has the guidelines to assemble the gundam, along with several pictures and info of the gundam. most of the languages are in japanese, but the instructions are in diagrams.

Anavel Gato data sheet

A Anavel Gato data sheet is included. It serves as a guide to paint the figure given, since the figure is unpainted and comes in his skin color.

Assembly

Without much time to wait again, i quickly assemble this monster.

Leg

I finished the right leg in about 15 minutes. Very much care is taken to ensure that the model is properly cut, trimmed and assembled.

Two legs

In no time, two legs has complete. They already look beautiful with those mechanical details.

Proceeding….

Body

The body is finished. I plan to finish the skeleton parts so that it can stand.

Boosters

The parts for thrusters at the side of his body is finished.

the foot consists of three major parts; and they are huge.

Leg parts

The heels

Legs parts

After finished with the legs, i decided to assemble the backpack.

Backpack

Backpack with side opening doors

The backpack has one door. According to the manual, the backpack is used to store ammuniton of the bazooka, and it loads directly into the bazooka through the door.

Speaking about the bazooka, my hands are very itchy to hold the finished bazooka. So, then i decided to assemble the bazooka.

Bazooka part I

This part is mounted to Physalis’ right shoulder.

Bazooka part II

And another part of the bazooka, which is longer, is stored in the shield.

Let’s assemble the legs:

Legs completed! What a sturdy looking legs!

Since the skeleton parts of the legs and foot are finished, they can be assembled. See how shiny the foot is.

Assembled body and legs

Rear view

And the body is assembled in no time. It is an easy task, with just snapping the legs parts into the spherical joints at the torso.

Ankle

The ankle, although looks simple, it’s actually made of three parts. It consists of a main part, and joined by two minor parts.The minor parts can b identified from the scars from cutting and trimming.

More parts assembled into main frame

Ankle and hip armour is assembled. The assembly process is getting more and more exciting..

Legs almost completed

The legs armor is also easy to attach to the skeleton.

Still left the front leg armor

Legs completed. See how it reflects light

Closeup view of the legs

Another closeup view of the leg. You can see the presence of scars from cutting and trimming.

The armor parts for the legs has completed. Next, is the..

Shoulders on!

The shoulders. It consists of two silver parts and two polycap joints.

Hands on!

The hands has complete and can be attached to the body. It directly mounts to the body while being bracketed by the shoulders.

Shoulder vernier components

Next step is the booster parts mounted on Physalis’ shoulders. I call this ’shoulder verniers’. Each verniers consists of three boosters, mounted in the verniers in an interesting way.

Near-finish verniers

Two of the booster is inside of the armor.

Verniers mounted

The third booster is mounted behind the verniers.

You can see the verniers attached onto Physalis, and see them in action..

Flight mode

Headless, acting grand with twin shoulder verniers atached

The Physalis coating version looks nice at any angle.

Body completed

Next is the body armor. It consists of blue parts.

Next proceed into…

The shield is huge. It is very large, as you see how it compares to a standard keyboard.. It stands almost as tall as the gundam itself.

Side view

Rear view

The shield has two joints to mount and lock the bazooka. As a result, the shield is very heavy.

Partially complete, but already in full action

This is how it looks like at the time being on the shelf.

Head

The head parts has completed. I like the head design and how evil it looks. I painted the antennas silver because i prefer it over the black/gray color.

Head attached. Evil!

the head attached to the rest of the body easily. just a matter of snap-in.

Almost complete, side view

The gundam is almost complete. All left to do now is to paint yellow at stripes on the shoulder verniers and decals.

Rear view

For your info, the process took several months, as i assemble it very slowly and carefully.

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séeput is very excited.

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