HG LM312V04 Victory Gundam

This kit was released by Bandai in 2013, and it was one of the kit I always wanted to build alongside the F91. Funny thing is, it is a small size kit as well. Almost similar in height to F91.
The RX-78 Origin will be my new HG height benchmark since my RX-78 Revive Grand-daddy has just recently retired to the back of the cupboard. Both F91 and Victory Gundam are almost a head shorter than most HG lineup. Some say it is Bandai’s scaling, but I think it is correct since both mobile suits are meant to be smaller due to the improvement of technology.

One of the few things I like about the Victory is that the kit comes with a red beam shield, 2 beam sabers (which one of them is shaped like a fan and the other has a special beam effect), and a beam rifle. There is also a core fighter which is purposely not build (more about that later).

At the time of release, there are only 2 mobile suits equipped with beam shield, F91 and Victory.

However, because the Victory beam shield is attached at the back of the elbow; posing with the shield is quite awkward and you have to twist the arm around. Thus I prefer to pose without the shield, which is a shame.

The beam saber is also unique to this kit because it has a special beam effect at the hilt end to simulate it bursting through. No other kit I know has this type of effect when this is released.
I did not go crazy on this kit in terms of customisation, knowing that I will be getting the other variants. So I tried to keep it true to the colour scheme with a lighter blue base.
I really enjoyed assembling this kit, and it looks handsomely square even for a small suit. Part separation is adequate especially the white portion of the chest and small yellow vents makes it easy to paint.
The Victory 2 Buster Gundam is almost similar in size to Victory Gundam but it looks bigger with all it attachments. If you are interested in the Victory 2 Buster please visit my other completed kit pages. Oh! The Victory 2 Buster does not come with a red beam shield which is a surprise especially it is all kitted out for an offensive role.
I am currently looking high and low for Victory Dash Gundam to complete this set. I know it is similar to Victory Gundam apart from a “Dash Backpack”, but it comes with a beam cannon!
Oh, I almost forgotten that Victory Gundam comes with a core fighter. I have to be honest here…it is pretty much rubbish and I still can’t come to terms to know that this mobile suit can split into 2 or 3 parts and then combine. I tend to not think about it and wish I didn’t know about it either. I do like the core fighter of the RX-78 and the ones in Star Dust Memory but Victory is just a joke!