Writer’s Note: I wrote this post back in February when I first started the build. That’s why I am posting it now, the same day that I’m posting the intro. No use keeping it unpublished when it’s already in the tank.
Runners
This model doesn’t have that many runners, but they are all quite large. The two runners in the top right corner are as long and wide as the box is.
One of those large runners is devoted entirely to the Chobam Armor. If we take it away - and then remove all the parts used for the weapons and accessories - we get roughly this many parts that are devoted to the actual body of the mobile suit:
That’s … actually still a lot of parts! This should be a fairly detailed High Grade.
The kit also comes with quite a few decals:
It’s been a while since I’ve had a kit with so many label-style decals (I have a soft spot for them).
Cool Stuff in the Instructions
I love how the instruction manual describes the Alex as “Prototype Mobile Suit for Newtype”:
Also, I love this page that shows all the accessories laid out. It almost makes the Chobam armor look interesting:
Rifle
The Alex’s Beam Rifle looks an awful lot like the real life FAMAS rifle:
I’m generally fine Gundam copies real weapons, but it doesn’t feel like the right choice for the Alex. This is supposed to be the immediate successor to the Grandaddy Gundam. It’s Beam Rifle ought to have a little bit of the goofiness seen in the original gun.
I already decided to give this weapon to my GM Command, but I’ll still have the Alex do a few poses with it.
Shield
This is a great f^&ing shield:
It’s big and tall. It isn’t quite like any other Gundam or GM shield. And it has its name stenciled in that sweet, sweet 80’s font:
I wish Sunrise would have used this shield design more often. I like it much better than a lot of the more standard designs given out Feddie mobile suits. Oh well, at least the Alex gets to rock it.
Beam Sabers
This is an old kit, so we get the toothpick-style beam saber:
Unfortunately, it only comes with one “lit” saber (it also has two “unlit” handles, though I only photographed one of them).
Chobam Armor
There are a lot of pieces to this armor, with lots of details and lots of decals. I ended up applying a shading effect to all the edges and corners, and I think it came out pretty darn well:
Now I’m almost - almost! - tempted to leave it on the Alex, just because of how good it looks.
Conclusion
Even before starting this build, I knew the shield was the only accessory I wanted to equip on the Alex. I’m just glad it looks so great. All the other gear is fine I guess, but I don’t all that much either way.