Zaku goes PEEeeeeeeeeWwww…!!!

The MS-05L Zaku 1 [Sniper Type] is a variant of the MS-05B Zaku 1. I first saw it while watching Gundam Unicorn anime where it was piloted by the Captain of the Zeon remnants on Earth. The Pilot eventually tried to “kamikaze” to take out 2 of the Federation’s Jesta but failed.

The Zaku 1 was basically one of the early mass produced Zeon Mobile Suit thus lacking in technologies when the Granddaddy RX-78-2 was deployed.

The Sniper Type was retrofitted version of the MS-05 Zaku 1; the primary weapon was obviously a beam sniper rifle, which was powered by a backpack-mounted sub-generator.

The head unit was fitted with the same type of composite mono-eye to allow for improved sensor range for long-range sniping.  And finally a foldable knee pad on the right knee, which can deploy to stabilize the mobile suit during sniping missions.

It was also equipped with a pair of head-mounted Vulcan guns for close combat defence.

Not a significant improvement but appropriate for the role.

This kit is released by Bandai in 2006, I won’t say it is dated, but the proportion was slightly chunkier when compared to the more recent “Origin’ releases. Seam lines and articulation were fine and expected for a kit which is almost 20 years old.

I bought this kit from my mate Ching To for £18.99 back in June 2022 which includes postage; in terms of buying Bandai model kits from UK I will say it is very competitive especially when you consider shipping from overseas and this is a very rare kit. 

I also do not reside in a major city in the UK; hence buying a Bandai model kit from High Street comic shops is relatively difficult unless I am travelling for work.

Ching To operates mainly from a Facebook group where he is able to source ‘Gunpla’ and other overseas model kits, this works for me as I only buy kits which I am interested and if they are available. If you are interested please take a look at his website and sign up to his Facebook group for his latest stock.

There is a slightly newer release for the Zaku 1 Sniper which was featured in Gundam Unicorn anime, but it is 99% a re-mould of this kit hence I did not consider getting the “newer” variant.

But in general, it is a simple kit which only takes me a week to complete!

The kit uses polycaps which I do not think it is wrong, and have no complains. Articulation wise limited to the poses shown on the box, but I do not tend to manipulate the kit in the fear of scratching the paint.

The kit itself is very straight forward which in my humble opinion could have been easily passed off as an “Entry Grade” for the 2000 era releases. There are not much surface details, the panel lines are moulded quite shallow thus you might like to scribe.

That said, this may be a good kit to practice scribing as there are lots of large surfaces work on.

But to be honest, the gem of this kit is actually the backpack-mounted sub-generator. The heat fins are part separated which means painting them is easy. I bet Bandai knew that most people do not care about the Zaku 1 but more interested in the weapons and backpack for this kit.

Likewise, I have put in more effort into the backpack and weapon as compared to the rest of the kit.

I have modified the backpack slightly to have more cable hoses sticking out to give that “Ghost Buster” vibe. And I tried to paint each of the moulded elements to bring out the details.  

My inspiration was less sombre but was based on “Stardust Memories” where old Zeon Mobile Suits has been repurposed into Federation’s frontline. Thus I have painted it using Federation colours and gave it a Federation shield.

This is Member 1 of 3 Mobile Suits Fire Team called the “Red Baron” that I am creating. This Zaku 1 Sniper is acting as the long range support and their mission is to flush out and neutralise any Zeon remnants left on Earth.

As expected in my blog, you will get some sort of side-by-side comparison, and it this case it is “Old School” 2006 Zaku 1 mould vs “Origin” Zaku 1. I have to say I prefer the “Origin’ kit a lot more because it has better parts separation for the main body such as forearms, legs shin and it also tries to hide the seam lines better.

Also I feel that the proportions of the “Origin” version is slightly better apart from the smaller looking head. Which kind of not have that cannon fodder goofy look….duhhh!

Now comparing it to the “Origin” Zaku 2 Char on the left and the RG Zaku 2 on the left, it is clear that the proportion design of the 2006 makes the Zaku 1 slightly chunkier.

The other kit release around similar time to Zaku 1 was the RGM-79G GM Command. I have modified my GM to look like ‘Pale Rider”.

In this comparison, it is with other franchise such as the IBO’s Barbatos Lupus Rex on the left and the Gundam SEED’s GINN on the right.

And lastly, what the Zaku’s pilot worst fear the “Origin” RX-78-2 “White Devil”!