In our last post, we looked at some of the particulars of the build process for the Gelgoog Marine Commander Type. Now let’s look at some of the particulars of the finished build. Remember that the model is already completed, so there will be few work in progress photos here. It’s a bit different from my usual format, but let’s see how it goes.
So, so Much Detail
Older High Grades often come up short in certain regards. They tend to have more visible seam lines, poorer articulation, and less color separation.
But one thing they’ve never skimped on is surface detail. If a mobile suit has thrusters or vents or openings of any sort, chances are good that they’ll be molded into the plastic. You may have to paint and shade them to bring them to life, but they’re there nonetheless.
This is certainly the case with the Gelgoog Marine. The amount of surface detail, particularly on its backside, is incredible.
Of course, one must ask themselves how much effort they’re willing to put into detailing a side of the model that won’t be visible on the shelf, and (if you’re me) won’t show up in many photos.
So, so Many Parts
Certain sections are also surprisingly dense in parts, particularly the legs and the backpack.
This feels particularly timely, what with my recent theory that perhaps the HGUC line is (and always has been) slightly higher in quality than other, TV show-specific High Grade lines. Even considering the flaws and limitations inherent in all High Grades, it still feels like HGUC kits “bring it” when push comes to shove.
Shield
Our first stop on this tour is a great example of this model’s high level of surface detail. There is so much going on on the inside:
And quite a bit on the outside as well:
I like this shield a lot. It’s tall and wide and it fits surprisingly well on the arm:
The mount point is close to the center of the shield, so it lines up nicely relative to the body (not too far past the shoulder, nor too low to the ground). It’s also on a ball joint, so it doesn’t get in the way if you need to reposition the arm.
Machine Gun
Technically this is a leftover accessory off one of the runners from the standard Gelgoog Marine1. But the manual says it can be equipped, and it looks pretty cool, so I gave it the works.
I think this is a great design. Nice and compact, very realistic, with lots of detail. The only problem is that, well, it’s a bit too small for such a large mobile suit:
I think this is a great spare weapon that will look great on some other mobile suit down the road, but I don’t think it’s a strong match for the Gelgoog Marine itself.
Beam Rifle
I initially tried to paint this based on the manual’s color guide, but it ended up looking more “baby blue” than “bluish grey”:
This color ended up being a near exact match for the color of the model’s hands, which was cool (if unintentional on my part). However, I decided it wasn’t an appropriate color for a weapon of this nature, so I bit the bullet and used the very last dregs of grey spray paint to recolor it. Here’s the final version:
This rifle is extremely similar - though not identical - to the Gelgoog Jäger’s. In addition to the ammo drum and the wires, the Gelgoog Marine’s rifle has a different scope, and some different surface details in the back.
Beam Sabers
When I think of the Gelgoog, I think of it having a beam naginata. And yet somehow neither of my two Gelgoog models has one. I guess it’s not nearly as iconic a weapon as I’d like to think!
Anyway, this is a very old High Grade, and like a lot of old High Grades it does the thing where the Beam Saber blade and handle are molded together as a single piece. But this one is slightly different: instead of being made out of white plastic, it is instead made entirely of clear plastic:
Instead of having to paint the blade, you simply have to paint the handle (which is a much easier job). I’m not sure why all of these old style beam sabers didn’t follow this style, but I sure wish they had.
As you can see, there’s a lot of discoloration in the handle from using Krylon topcoat, but it’s not going to be noticeable when held in hand.
As for the shape and overall design, these are big, fat, swordlike beam sabers. They’re a unique design (or at least they’re new to me), and I think they fit this particular mobile suit well. A big, chunky frame like the Gelgoog Marine pairs well with a big chunky sword.
Legs
The lower half of the Gelgoog Marine is the most visually intricate section. You’ve got all the usual detail in the feet:
Thrusters on the inside of the leg:
Thrusters on the outside of the leg (along with lots of other cool details):
And more thrusters (and details) in its backside:
There’s just a lot going on here, and it’s all very impressive for such an old model2).
Backpack
The backpack has lots of thrusters, and lots of pieces in general. It’s one of my favorite things on the model:
Upper Torso
This part is a bit of a mess. It’s got the same general vibe as the chest of the standard Gelgoog Marine, and even the original Gelgoog. But it’s trying to be more detailed and intricate, and as a result it feels too busy. It’s a jumble of curves and hard angles.
Shoulders
Weirdly, the shoulders do not mirror each other, but rather are the same design flip flopped. That means there are three grill marks on the front of the left shoulder, and three on the back of the right shoulder.
This is actually the way the mobile suit is illustrated, so it’s not a defect of the model kit. For whatever weird reason, that’s just the way it is.
Conclusion
That’s it for our tour of the model. In the final post, we’ll put it in the light box, try some poses, and do some comparisons with a few other mobile suits