I recently put the Zaku I Sniper Type on hiatus, in part so that I could switch to building another model that just came in the mail (and one I’ve been wanting to build for ages) - the GM Cold Districts Type from the 1989 OVA Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket:
About War in the Pocket
This is the part of where I usually talk about the show/film/story/etc that the model kit comes from, but I’m not going to do that here. Instead, I think I will leave that for the other 0080 model kit that I have in my backlog. That seems like a more appropriate place.
About the Cold Districts GM
I want you to take another look at the photo above. In particular, look closely at the name:
RGM-79D ‘GM Cold Districts Type’
Aside from being a mouthful, there is a lot of meaning in that name. You see, this is not simply a baseline GM fitted for cold weather combat. Rather, the RGM-79D is an upgraded variant of the GM, intended as a counter to the Dom late in the One Year War. It’s main improvements are in the form of better thrusters and maneuverability (beyond that, I’m not sure if it has any meaningful enhancements).
One of the earliest deployments of the RGM-79D was to the Federation’s Arctic base. These models were further modified for optimal performance in the harsh, cold conditions. Special heaters were installed that directed waste heat from the reactor toward the joints in order to keep them from freezing. The units also received better comms equipment to help them communicate even through stormy, snowy weather.
As a result of this deployment, the RGM-79D quickly became synonymous with cold weather operations, thus leading to the nickname of Cold Districts Type’. And that, my friends, is why that part of the name is in quotation marks. It is not its official designation, despite the fact that that’s what everyone calls it.
Now, having said all that, you would be hard pressed to tell that this thing is in anyway an upgrade over the baseline GM, at least not based on its performance in the War in the Pocket OVA. The Cold Districts Type only shows up in the opening scene, and they all get curb stomped by Zeon’s Cyclops Team and their Hygoggs:
I mean, it’s not even close. Only a single Zeon unit is taken out, and only because he got cocky. In fact, if you pay attention to the dialogue, it is clear that the Cold Districts GMs aren’t intended to destroy the Cyclops Team, but are rather meant to act as decoys in order to buy enough time for the Arctic Base’s precious cargo to be launched into space. Basically, no one expected these units to be anything but cannon fodder. That’s not exactly a flattering portrayal of what is supposed to be a Dom killer.
So what gives? Why did a supposedly upgraded unit fare so poorly in combat? Simply put, it’s all relative. The Cold Districts was improved relative to the regular GM, but that doesn’t mean it was top of the line. When facing against a high quality unit like the Hygogg, it simply wasn’t enough.
Also, it probably didn’t help that all of the Cold District GM’s at the Arctic base were equipped with machine guns, rather than any beam weaponry. Note to Earth Federation - equip the units guarding your top secret base with better stuff next time.
Thoughts on the Design
The GM Cold Districts Type may not be very effective, but it is quite the looker. It takes the original GM design and makes it a bit less goofy. It still feels boxy and robotic, but the proportions are just a bit nicer and more streamlined.
And how about those colors? Frosty white on slate grey, with that touch of red?
*Chef’s Kiss*
The Cold Districts design looks simple, clean, and professional. I honestly feel like this would have been a better look for the standard GM.
About the Kit
This is a very old kit. It is number 38 in the HGUC line (for reference, the line is now past 250 unique kits), and was originally released in 2003.
It is also an extremely simple kit, so much so that it comes in an extra small box. Here it is next to the box for the High Grade Victory Two Gundam (which is what I would consider a “standard” sized box):
In terms of accessories, we are looking at the barest of bones. It comes with a basic shield, its signature (crappy) machine gun, and a single beam saber. Or rather, it comes with a beam saber that is permanently molded into one of the hands. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
About the Build
I anticipate this build is going to be simple. Very simple. In fact, I am hoping I can get it done in a day or two. We’ve got snow in the forecast tomorrow night, and I’d love to get some photos of this model in its natural element.
Other Thoughts
- It is said that the RGM-79D is the basis for the GM Command as well as the GM Command Space, all of which debut in War in the Pocket.
- This is technically not my first GM-type model - that would have to be the GM Sniper II - but it feels like this is my first traditional GM-type model. The Sniper certainly looks like it comes from the same MS family, but has enough variations and modifications to make it stand out. The Cold Districts, however, really captures that simple, classic GM flavor. I’m excited to add it to the collection.
- I keep reading people who claim that the Cold Districts GM is never shown with a shield. I rewatched the opening of War in the Pocket to verify, and turns out that this isn’t quite true:
It is only the briefest of glimpses, but here we can see one with a plain grey shield. I’m glad, though, that this kit comes with a red one instead.