Gunpla TV – Episode 37

Kits featured in this video:

- 1/144 RG GAT-X105 Aile Strike Gundam
- 1/144 RG RX-78-2 Gundam
- 1/144 RG MS-06S Zaku II Char Aznable Custom

We enjoyed having a week off at the end of May but missing a week of work means we have lots to catch up on. Be that as it may we still wanted to show everyone who watches Gunpla TV just how great Bandai’s newest Real Grade kit is. So we made this short video for you. But that’s not all. We’ve also included a bunch of pictures showing how it is assembled! At the end of the video we speculate about what the next RG kit will be. Well, of course we know it’s going to be the MS-06 Zaku II, but, really, does a recolor count as different kit? Other than a green Zaku, what do you think Bandai has up its sleeve?

Here we go!

Feet

It all starts here. Much like the RG RX-78-2 the frame for the foot is one piece on the runner, with joints built in during the molding process. With this kit, however, you don’t need to remove pieces from the frame before you start adding armor.

You just go straight to the armor pieces.

And then add the ankle armor. The ankle armor on the Aile Strike is much easier to use and handle than that of the RX-78-2

Legs

Here’s the right leg frame. Amazing how they mold it complete with moving parts. Of course, you need to pay attention and follow the instructions carefully because these moving parts can break if you push them in the wrong direction.

It’s a good idea to carefully loosen the joints on the frame by putting it through its range of motion. This way, once the armor is on, it should move easily.

Add a few frame pieces.

Then start on the armor.

You have to be very careful when you put on the side dark frame pieces. They look the same but must go on the proper side of the leg. If you don’t the other black frame pieces around the knee will not slide into place properly.

A couple more armor pieces for the knee and all that’s left to do is add two nicely panel-lined armor pieces.

And repeat again for the second leg.

Skirt

Here’s the frame of the skirt. You need to pull the top part away.

But don’t throw it away! You need it later.

The skirt is the quickest part of the build, as one would expect. You just add some frame and armor pieces..

Then construct the skirt armor for the front and back. Each skirt section only takes two pieces.

With the RX-78-2 the skirt flaps were loose and would pop off quite easily, but that is not the case with the Aile Strike.

For the side skirt armor first you get the frame section from the frame runner.

Then swivel the ends around.

Then construct two identical side armor sections. The compartment opens allowing you to store the knives which are called ‘Armor Schneiders’.

Skirt fully assembled for picture (you would actually attach the legs first before putting the side skirts in place).

And the lower half is finished.

Shoulders
Simple and straight forward, the shoulders consist of three frame pieces onto which you apply the armor, then a final frame piece.

Arms

Just like the legs you use a completed frame piece.

Again loosen the joint before continuing and pull off parts of the frame. But don’t throw them away! You will need them later.

It’s at this part of the build where you break out the sticker sheet. Just like the RX-78-2 you place gold foil stickers on the inside of the elbow joint.

Then apply armor pieces for the front and back of the upper and lower arm, plus a piece for the shoulder.

There’s one last frame piece that fits on the back of the elbow.

Slide the previously assembled shoulder in from the top.

Repeat for the opposite side.

Torso

Here’s the frame piece.

Attach the small parts you removed from the arm frames (which you were warned not to throw away).

Once you attach those small pieces you fold them back.

To assemble the cockpit only takes a few pieces, and there is no pilot figure you have to try to insert.

The hatch does open up, however. Nice touch.

The torso doesn’t involve using an armor part for the back and front that come together and sandwich the frame. For the back of the torso you take a frame piece and attach a couple of frame pieces which cover the shoulder joints.

The cockpit attaches to the frame…

Then the side armor pieces go on.

Then some parts for the back.

Then finally the front armor piece, with some small frame parts attached inside.

Attach that to the lower part.

Then add the arms.

All that is left is the…

Head

Just like the RX-78-2 you have the option of using just one sticker for the eyes, or you can use a sticker onto which you apply two eye stickers. The latter way gives a little bit of depth to the eyes.

One frame piece and some key armor pieces are used next.

Then a piece on each side and the fin.

Add that final touch to what you have built so far, much like a star on top of a Christmas Tree finalizes the process.

After the Suit part of this kit is built, you move on to the weapons.

First are the Armor Schneiders.

As you can see, they are very simple. Just two pieces when put together can open or close.

Next the manual has you build the rifle.

Perhaps not as complex as that of the RX-78-2, but it still takes a fair number of pieces.

Then the coolest accessory of them all, the shield.

Not too many pieces.

And remember that piece from the skirt frame that you should not have thrown away?

It attaches to the back of the shield and is used to fit the shield onto the Aile Strike.

Striker Pack

The Striker Pack is pretty involved and has quite a few steps, the first of which is to assemble the larger wings. These are relatively simple and involve a slim black piece being sandwiched between the two larger red pieces.

Then you connect them to one central piece using small pieces for joints.

Then a top and bottom section are attached.

In the bottom part you insert the parts that will be used to hold the beam saber handles.

There is some movement in the wings.

The next step is to use some of the small silver foils and then put on attach a pair of darker red pieces.

The next section you assemble is the piece that is used to attach all the subsections together and attach it to the Suit.

To attach it to the larger section you just assembled you have to line it up perfectly so a hollow slides in around a protruding area of the main subsection, however because this is all tucked away due to the design it is really difficult to line up correctly and put into place.

Next…

There are two of these and they are pretty much identical except for one piece that is used to attach them to the main part of the Striker Pack. Very straight forward and takes no time at all.

Again you use the silver foil stickers. These are small and easy to lose, but fortunately, Bandai has given you more than you need.

Putting everything together you get this:

Then attach it to the suit. This too is difficult because you have to line it up at just the right angle.

It takes some work to get this guy to stand on his own.