Gunpla Build - High Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame Inversion (Part 3)

It’s time to finish up this very, very strange looking mobile suit. Let’s get cracking.

Backpack

Because the Astray has a flight unit, it’s standard backpack isn’t much of a backpack at all.

It is small and streamlined, so it fits in well with the Astray’s overall aesthetic.

Here it is attached (along with the beam sabers):

When you want to plug in the flight unit, just pull the backpack out and down:

And then just plug it in:

It sounds awkward in theory, but it looks pretty good in practice:

Head

In terms of construction, it’s a pretty normal Gundam head, but in terms of style it’s got some cool things going on.

For one, it has an extremely large V-Fin. It hovers right in that safe zone between “deliciously exaggerated” and “cartoonishly exaggerated”.

*It reminds me a bit of Quick Man, which I absolutely consider a compliment*

Second, it has this little bump along the top that’s a bit off center, thus keeping the head from being truly asymmetric:

Third, not only is the back of the head made out of a color separated red piece, but it kind of makes it look like the head has it’s own set of thrusters in the rear:

All of this is in keeping with the overall aesthetic of the mobile suit. It’s a bit edgy both literally and figuratively, and just ever so “extra” without being annoyingly so.

(And here it is attached to the body)

Arms

Our final section also happens to be the weirdest, at least when compared to the rest of the mobile suit. The Astray has a very “sharp” look, with lots of spikes and edges. And yet the arms are extremely square in design.

*It may not be obvious from this pile of parts, but you’ll see what I mean soon*

First, we have the upper arm, which features three different color correcting decals:

*I could have - and should have - used paint instead, but I was feeling lazy*

So far that’s looking pretty square.

Next we attach the forearm:

Maybe this isn’t square perse, but definitely rectangular.

Next we have the shoulder armor:

*Left - the shoulder armor when viewed from the front. Right - the armor when viewed from the rear*

Not only is it extremely square, but it looks different from the front than the back. In the front it is simple, blocky and grey, but from the rear you get a big red grille. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything like this on any other mobile suit.

Finally, we have to add one last piece of (square) black armor to the forearms:

PS - In case you didn’t notice, you’re supposed to paint some of the fingers black:

It’s a simple job, but it adds a surprising amount of character and detail.

And with that, the Gundam Astray Red Frame Inversion is complete!

I am surprisingly excited to see what this thing can do. Until next time!