If Gunpla has a founding father, it’s this one: the RX-78-2, the Gundam from the first 1979 series. White, blue, red and yellow, the colours of a flag that doesn’t exist. After the Unicorn it was time to go back to the origins.
The head, with a light
February 2018. It starts with the head, and this one has a surprise: the eyes light up. A small LED fitted inside before closing the helmet, and the Gundam looks at you with that green hero glow.
The frame
Under the armour there’s a complete inner frame, with real joints. You build that first, then dress it. It’s a bit like building two robots: one that moves and one that’s there to be looked at.
Standing, with the shield
On 20 February it stands on its own. The next day it has the red shield with the yellow cross and the rifle. Two weeks, from the first sprue to the last decal.
It’s not the most complicated Gundam I’ve built. But it’s the Gundam, and having it on the shelf is a matter of principle.