The Third Party Gundam Thread

[Big s]

2 hours ago, MKT said:

LOL the RG Zeta was the first ever kit I assembled years ago, and I didn't dare to start transforming it since stuff would just untab & fall off just by touching it. It really made me think all model kits are that fragile in handling, and influenced me to cancel the VF-25 kits I had PO'ed at that time. Thereafter I moved straight to the DX to start my Macross collection..

Thankfully a few Gunpla kits I had that came after were nowhere as fragile.. 

that’s a bad one to start with for sure. I usually recommend something like a hg kit or the new entry grade kits to those just getting started.

[MKT]

9 hours ago, Big s said:

that’s a bad one to start with for sure. I usually recommend something like a hg kit or the new entry grade kits to those just getting started.

Yup.. Back then I wasn't really familiar with Gunpla - I happened to come across a modeling exhibition by a local distributor, and at that moment felt the urge to obtain a kit of an old transforming Gundam toy I used to have as a kid (found out much later it was a ZZ). The RG Zeta was the only one I found there that came close enough to what I remember of that toy, so I went home with it and if memory serves, built it much later.

Although it didn't handle well after I was done, I do remember being impressed that no glue or paint was needed, unlike my very limited modeling experience when I was like perhaps just 11, being given a model kit of a car, and then could only afford the cement and couple of paint colors after skipping some lunches.  

[anime52k8]

Tbh, I've transformed my RG zeta a few times and I've never had a problem with it.  Now the RG Sinanju was quite bad. That required a lot of reinforcing to stabilize the torso enough that it could even stand on its own. 

[kajnrig]

41 minutes ago, anime52k8 said:

Tbh, I've transformed my RG zeta a few times and I've never had a problem with it.  Now the RG Sinanju was quite bad. That required a lot of reinforcing to stabilize the torso enough that it could even stand on its own. 

Weirdly enough, I never had such an issue. But then again, I didn't keep it long enough to notice many (or any) problems. I sold it along to someone almost as soon as I snapped it together.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

On 9/8/2025 at 11:07 PM, Big s said:

I might pick that up, I got a rg sinanju unbuilt and that might give me the motivation to finally dig it out and slap it together 

I'm in the same boat.  My backlog of unbuilt kits is so old that I haven't gotten to build my Sinanju.

I'm surprised there's no available aftermarket metal frame available for the Sinanju yet.  I bought one for RG Nu just as a trial, and it worked out quite well.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

My order of the RG Sinanju replacement parts arrived today:

There isn't much to the package, just one tray of parts and a sheet of instructions that's all in Chinese.  Now to dig out the Sinanju.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

I think it's a good thing when 3rd party companies veer into more grounded designs:

This 1/100 scale "GUS" is putting out serious Jesta vibes.  And I do love me some Jestas.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

FAT CAT released an upscaled Real Grade God Gundam to 1/100 scale, along with some effect parts that are seen in the RG's Expansion Set (sadly, no horse):

The original Master Grade needs a 2.0 upgrade, and this may just fit the bill.

[electric indigo]

And now A.O Z.

 

[kajnrig]

On 1/13/2026 at 1:12 AM, Valkyrie Hunter D said:

FAT CAT released an upscaled Real Grade God Gundam to 1/100 scale, along with some effect parts that are seen in the RG's Expansion Set (sadly, no horse):

Any places to get this? The only store I can find is Gundamit. Not that I dislike them, but just I would have expected to see it elsewhere as well. Maybe not USAGS, but at least Gundammodelcenter or whatever its new store is.

3 hours ago, electric indigo said:

And now A.O Z.

1/144 and 23cm, that's pretty big. I'm not super familiar with the AOZ designs, is this thing new to the reboot? From the original?

[electric indigo]

@kajnrig I don't know much about AOZ, but the Rehaze was the first image I saw from the reboot years ago.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

11 hours ago, kajnrig said:

Any places to get this? The only store I can find is Gundamit. Not that I dislike them, but just I would have expected to see it elsewhere as well. Maybe not USAGS, but at least Gundammodelcenter or whatever its new store is.

Robot 4 Less might restock it.  I've been a customer of theirs online and at their shop in Fullerton - no complaints whatsoever.  Aliexpress has a few vendors selling it as well for a considerably cheaper price, but I haven't dealt with them.