SDX Mask Commander

My first on hand playing with bandai SDX series, Mask Commander. Released back in April 2010 (yup, it quite sometimes) with SRP of 5,800 Yen. In consideration that a MG model kit from Bandai would cost in average of 4,000 Yen & SD model kit would be around 600 Yen, SDX series are quite expensive with its metal content & partially painted. It can be concluded that the price is the main factor in putting this series into a dim light from the sight of collectors.

A quick preview of the box & it's contents. The packaging come with in a window box where you can have a peak a boo in to the contents. From the box, it do have a brief history or story of Mask Commander.

 Inside, there are 2 layers of goodies & also an instruction manual. (Do take note, the eyes effect shall be in runners in compare those show in picture below)

 An idea on how heavy this gundam is, 105g without armor & 172g full armor equipped.

Quick view of the gundam (Mask Off).

SDX series always come with a numbers of different eyes effect which can be swap easily by removing the helmet & chin.

 My personal choice for him on this review will be, mono eye in disguise!

A range of joints or movements he can performs (the elbow are double joints!)

His armors can be combine into a flying armor?

  

I am not easy to mess with even without my armors, axes!

 Don't even think in trying to run from me, double guns!

Well, is time to show you my ultimate form. (Put on the mask first) Come to papa, all armors combine~

Combining process 1, 2, 3.... (Hands need to be swapped in order to hold the beam rifles)

Fly & attack! (Stand assembly is required in order for him to fly)

What? You are skeptical on how high I can fly.... See with your own eyes you peasants!

Argh!!! I hate earth gravity.. I can do much better in space!

How dare you laugh at me!!! You will bow before me to my ultimate form!

Umm, ok. Let's get back to the review. This little SDX is fun to play with & loaded with bunches of accessories. The paint job is great & the joints are solid. Not to mention the little weight in hand experienced during playing (handling) with this unit all thanks to the metal contents of SDX series. It can be display in a wide range of poses combine with expression through interchange able eyes effects. The only down sides would be the hefty price especially with current strong Yen exchange rate. However also thanks to this, the popularity of this product does not get into fever where you can get this below SRP (I get this around 3,000 Yen).

SDX series will be either you loved it or nah I will pass series. I personally quite satisfy with this product line & might hunt more of this series in future.

Armor Girl Project - MS Girl Wing Gundam

My first ever Gundam Girl from Bandai or is there any previous release before this? I guess i will google it up after this. I hereby review the Armor Girl Project line from Bandai, MS Girl Wing Gundam [EW ver] with SRP of 4,800 Yen. First impression when received the parcel, it kinda small should be around 144 scale. The package size roughly 24cm (L) x 24cm (W) x 5cm (D).

The figure herself made of PVC & so far I didn't notice any ratchet joint except there is one for the display base. A few quick view of the figure & the armor. Before I forget, the armors are made by material similar to gunpla plastic. So if your hand is itchy, it can be panel lined & I might try it later. From the package, 2 heads with 2 different facial expression, 6 sets of hands, 1 beam rifle, 1 shield, 1 beam saber & Gundam Wing (EW ver) armors pieces (chest, skirt, hand, shoulder, leg, feet, v-fins & wings).

She can stand on her own without support from the stand. I try a few times to do it right.

To put up the armor are kind of time consuming, it is not complicated just the armor pieces are to small for my huge fingers. The armors shall be put up in sequences & mind you, to swap hands after armor on is a tough job.

The face can be swap in between two heads with or without v-fins. This is very straight forward.

For the chest armor, the front can be unbuckle & wear around the chest area & buckle it up again.

The hand have to be remove to slide up the arms armor in. There is a peg hole to secure the beam rifle & shield.

Waist armor is the easiest to put on but also the easiest to loosen up. All it does just wear the armor around her waist & push the peg into the hole behind her. Leg armors are the most time consuming until I forget to capture the process. First the sleeve need to be slide in on before the rest can be put on.

Finally the wing. There is a mechanism build in which enable the wings to be spread open. To hook up onto her, just push the peg into the hole behind her back. It had to be done with the tip of the wings pointing upwards & once install, it had to be rotated down.

Once equipped, she still can stand on her own. Well kind of supported by her beam rifle.

Oh, before to final posing I need to point out the markings are nicely done.

Last & not least, posing shot.

The plastic quality is nice & the workmanship is great. So far can't find any paint stain on her. The only down side is no ratchet joints in the figure. So far the joints are tight but in long term of wear & tear, I am not sure if she still able to hold the beam rifle as now. I personally think she is kind of cute in armor, my original plan was to open up for the review & pack back into the box. But now it earn a spot in my display cabinet. For SRP 4,800 Yen, I can't say she is cheap but definitely not expensive as well. If there are some money to spend on & you would want to regularize the machoness hormone in the display cabinet which full of mecha, I believe she will definitely hit the spot.