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2022

Gunpla Build - High Grade Gerbera Tetra (Second Intro) 2022-05-10

So now we know the history of how the Gerbera Tetra was designed. We know a little about what its purpose was. But what exactly was the mobile suit like? What technologies was it equipped with? And how, if at all, did it differ from its original design as a Gundam?

Let’s talk about all of that, and more, in this (unusual) second introductory post.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Gerbera Tetra (First Intro) 2022-05-09

Before we start talking about the Gerbera Tetra itself, we need to go over a little bit of history, to explain how it is it came into existence in the first place.

The Rise of Anaheim Electronics

Prior to the One Year War, Anaheim Electronics was a massive corporate conglomerate that made all sorts of products. One thing they did not make, however, was mobile suits.

That soon changed postwar. Seeing the rise of mobile suits as a business opportunity, the company scooped both the Zeonic Company and the Zimmad Company. These, of course, were the two main producers of mobile suits for now-defeated Principality of Zeon.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Gerbera Tetra 2022-05-08

Third and final completed build of Home Alone 2022 is the High Grade Gerbera Tetra, from Stardust Memory:

I have a lot to say, probably more than is necessary for a mobile suit that gets as little screen time as this one does. However there is a decent amount of lore that’s been built up around it over the years, and I find it fun to read about and consider. So get ready for multiple introductory/background posts before we get to the build itself.

Gunpla - About Color Variants 2022-05-06

Custom color schemes are a time honored tradition among model kit builders. Whether you’re trying to improve on the existing palette, or you simply want to see how it looks in your favorite custom colors, a good repainting can breathe new life into a tried and true model.

But recolors are not exclusively within the purview of hobbyists. Bandai themselves can and will issue official color variants. Sometimes these are purely promotional, such as the models themed after 7-Eleven and Japanese baseball teams:

Gunpla Build - High Grade Command Quan[T] (Part 2) 2022-05-03

Pre-Build Note: Because the Command Quan[T] uses two tones of green, I decided to use a combo of grey, tan, and brown for panel lining, to give it a bit of a camo look.

With that out of the way, let’s get on with the build …

Feet

These are not the Quan[T]’s original feet. They’re wider, and they these little ridges running along the sides. I think they look a bit like combat boots:

As you can see, the bottoms also look like they have wheels (I don’t think they’re actually meant to be wheels, but it would be cool if they were).

Gunpla Build - High Grade Command Quan[T] (Part 1) 2022-05-02

It should be no surprise that the Gundam Breaker Battlelogue models reuse lots of old runners from existing kits. What is surprising is just how many parts from the original HG Quant[T] are not used in the Command Quan[T].

By far the trickiest thing is keeping track of which of the clear yellow lenses you need to keep, and which you need to ditch. They’re all very specific sizes, and some of them have their tops flattened off. You can’t just swap them all willy nilly.