By Loran
Like I said in the review for the Schuzrum Dias, I love it when Bandai decides they’ll throw us a bone with a kit of a suit that’s never been done before. The thing about the Schuzrum Dias, though, is that most of it was already done. There are many suits that existed solely in resin hell for the past 25-30 years and are just now getting kits. This is one that I though needed one much, much earlier on.
The GM III has never gotten a plastic Bandai kit in any scale. I think there were a few resin kits and conversion sets (but let’s be honest here, that would have to be one hell of a conversion set), but for whatever reason, the poor GM III always got neglected in favor for its younger brother the Jegan, even after appearing in both Double Zeta and Char’s Counterattack. In fact, it was the only new Federation model introduced throughout Double Zeta’s entire run. I guess during the 80’s, Bandai didn’t find new GMs all that profitable, though considering Double Zeta’s track record with rehashes towards the end, it makes sense that Bandai wouldn’t have wanted to take a risk on a new Federation suit.
The GM III is, more or less, a bulky GM II, however Bandai (for some reason) chose to release this one first. While it’s labeled as a Double Zeta kit, the design clearly borrows most of its influence from the Unicorn anime, not surprising considering that without it, we probably wouldn’t have this kit. It works for me, since I found the original design to be kind of… messy, at least in the lineart.
A clear visor with some great interior detailing adorns the head. I can’t wait to paint this. However, the antennae on the head look really thick, even by Bandai standards. I might sand them down to make them look a little less silly.
This kit uses a new GM joint system, not the same one originally included with the Hazels. I was a little upset at first, but this one works just as well. The arm joints are designed in a way that will be much easier to glue and paint.
The hips use stick joints, similar to the ones on the 30th Anniversary Gundam. The skirt is designed in a way that can be split, but of course, they aren’t pre-cut.
Also taken from the 30th Gundam are the shoulder joints, using the much more versatile ball-and-socket style. It’s nice to see this style finally becoming mainstream.
However, while the joints may not be the same as the One Year War GMs, the backpacks are compatible. The included backpack is the same design as the Gundam Mk. II’s, but the two are NOT identical.
Included fixed armaments are the shoulder and hip missile pods. The pods on the shoulders come in open and closed forms and the pods themselves attach via a polycap joint.
In addition to your typical trigger finger and “holding stuff” hands, the GM III includes two open hands and two fists. Always nice when kits come with these.
The rest of the armaments include the same beam rifle wielded by the GM II, the classic Gundam/GM Shield, and of course, two beam sabers with classic pink saber blades. The shield’s latch can also use the Jegan shield, but since I don’t have a Jegan that will have to wait for some other time.
A set of stickers are included with EFSF, Londo Bell, and Karaba labels. No AEUG sadly…
It’s nice to see Bandai finally doing some of the pre-1989 GMs after all these years. Yeah, the Strikers and stuff were great and all, but it’s good to see the “forgotten GM” finally getting a kit. It’s pretty good, and I definitely recommend it. You want your own updated cannon fodder, head on down to FPNYC for yours.
