Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)

Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)

The MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 High Mobility Type is one of many variants of the Zaku 2 in the Gundam Mobile Suit series.

This is a comparison to the Orign version of the Zaku 2 (Char’s).

Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)

A total of fifty-six Zaku 2 High Mobility Types were constructed, with half of the existing Zaku 2 High Mobility Test Types upgraded to the R1-A model. The Zaku 2 High Mobility Type became a highly sought after unit by ace pilots such as the Black Tri-Stars, and Shin Matsunaga. But despite its incredible popularity and high performance, the suit was considered too difficult for rookie pilots to handle, and too expensive for mass production.

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Following the successful release of the MS-06R-1 Zaku 2 High Mobility Test Type the Zeon engineers began to receive feedback from the pilots on ways the mobile suit’s design could be improved. The biggest difference from the R-1 is that the fuel tanks on the back and legs have been modified into cartridges to solve the problem of propellant consumption. This not only simplifies replenishment in the mother ship, but also allows for replenishment in outer space.

This is a side to side comparsion with the Origin version of Zaku 2 High Mobilty.

Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 High Mobility Type
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 High Mobility Type

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The High Grade MS-06R-1A Black Tri-Stars Zaku 2 is a Bandai 1/144 scale kit released in mid Feb 2013. It is considered dated when especially Bandai has released a HG Zaku 2 High Mobility for the Origin series. It uses polycaps, and has limited dynamic pose options but overall still a nice kit.

Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)
Bandai 1/144 HG MS-06R-1A Zaku 2 (Black Tri-Star)

The retail price for this kit is about ¥1,760 which in my humble opinion is relatively expensive when compared to the Grand-daddy HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam (Revive) is ¥1,000. Also for ¥1,760 it only comes with the following accessories:  Zaku Bazooka, Zaku Machine Gun, Heat Hawk, Shield, Weapon Rack, Fist (Left), Rifle Manipulator (Left, Right), Grip Manipulator (Right).

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The other disappoint bit of the kit is that although the kit itself has lots of details especially on the legs, such as the leg thrusters and propellant tanks set this Suit apart from the standard Zaku 2. However, I would hope that Bandai will do some parts separation some of these details to allow creative painting.

Initially I wasn’t keen on buying this kit because I have already quite a few Zaku 2.

But nonetheless, I bought mine from GalacticToys and it is only about US$14.95.

I have shared the instruction manual for those for are interested. I am not claiming to be an expert builder but I do like customising and air-brushing my kits. If you do like to see more of my projects and support the blog, please hit the ‘Like’ button below or consider giving me a tip.

I am actually underwhelmed by the kit since I was really impressed with the Origin Zakus’ design and details.

Parts separation are good for the zaku 2, but the backpack and leg thrusters of the high mobility bits can be improved.

Bandai could have moulded some of the parts separately used as the vents ports, fins etc.

Anyway, it is not the end of the world, I just have to hand paint the cartridges in red and thrusters bronze as shown in the photo.

It reminds me a bit of War Hammer like with all the gold and red accents.

The is a side by side comparsion to my Zaku 2 FZ and the Zaku 2 F2.
This is a comparison between HG and RG Zaku 2. I like what Bandai is doing with RG range, but even with all the advance and complex building process I still prefer the easier HG kit.
The Origin Zaku 1 is my still my favourite Bandai release. The details on the parts are great and if you compared that to the HG Zaku 2 High Mobility it looks really plain and underwhelming (even with the detais to the legs thrusters).

Maybe Bandai is trying to stay true to the anime, but if they can do it for Zaku 1, especially it is almost the same mould they could have easily added the details.
My other gripe was the post 2010 Zaku’s machine gun was re-designed with an enlarged shoulder pad at the end of the butt stock. But the large plastic plate limited the pose of the kit. I tend to trim and sandpaper off the plastic shoulder pad, and with a little paint you can’t see the difference.

This kit comes with a trigger finger on the left hand, which is great because most kits only has a trigger finger on the right hand.

But I have repurpose a Zaku 1 open palm left hand so that I can use it to hold the left hand grip on the machine gun.

The kit also comes with decal, I am glad it does, because this compensated the lack of surface details with some nice stickers.

Would I recommend this kit?

I am not going to shout “Yes!”, but if you have too many Zaku 2 and wanted something different this is the kit for you.

But be expected to do some hand painting especially on the backpack and legs thrusters if you want to make this looking good.

Please use the decals, without the stickers this will just look like another box standard cannon fodder.

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