We’ve got a new Core Gundam and a new type of armor. Is there any chance this will lead to a different build experience than than all the ones before?
The Core Defenser is the only thing that’s truly new in here. Technically there are also some differences in the way the Support Mecha is constructed, and how the individual armor parts assemble, but it’s not really a different experience. It’s more like a variation on a theme.
Support Mecha
I hate how often this happens, but - this is one of those situations where I didn’t notice something about a particular mobile suit until I built the model kit. This happens quite a lot with me, and it is something I might have felt embarrassed about in the past, especially considering how ruthlessly eagle eyed and attentive to detail many online Gundam fans are. But I’m over that now.
Anyway, in this case, I never noticed that the fuselage/frame of the Support Mecha changed.
Yeah, I don’t like the new frame at all.
Even without any armor strapped to it, the old frame still has the basic shape of some sort of sleek flying craft. On the other hand, the best way I can describe the new frame is that it looks like a flying sled, or a flying weapons rack. It’s too tall, and everything is too spaced out. Now it’s possible that it will look better once all the armor is attached, but I remain skeptical.
Sharp eyed readers may notice that original support mecha rests on a very thin pedestal, while the new one rests on a very thick one:
What gives? You’ll find the answer underneath:
Just like on a Haropla, the inside of the base is a secret compartment for storing extra holding hands. Because unlike the previous Planet Armors, these new ones do come with extra hands. Specifically, they each feature a pair of closed fists and an open palm left hand.
You know I always appreciate extra hands, but it’s especially important here with the Uraven Gundam. You can’t equip something as big as its sniper rifle without at least one open palm hand to help support it. Thankfully the folks at Bandai understood the assignment.
Core Defenser
Again, this is the only thing that’s truly new about this kit. I will tell you right now that you absolutely, positively have to panel line this sucker. If you just leave it be, it’s going to look like an unruly hunk of plastic. Just trust me:
The construction is simple, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve. For example, the red nose cone is designed to detach:
This is due to the fact it fits on in different positions based on how you are trying to use it:
It also has a handle underneath (for using it as a shield), and a hook on the top for attaching it to the mobile suit:
I am going to cut to the chase and say that, while the Core Defenser looks kind of cool on its own, I don’t think it looks all that good in action. But we’ll dig into that another day.
Sensor Bits
I guess these are also new, in the sense that no other Planet Armor has them, but they’re so small and simple that they don’t really count:
I will say this - all of the Sensor Bits, even the ones hidden in the legs, have green stickers for their lenses. I appreciate that.
Beam Shoot Rifle U7
While certainly bigger, this isn’t all that different in shape than the original Beam Shoot Rifle:
Even the white shield on the side is reminiscent of how the Earthree Gundam’s shield can plug in:
Core Gundam II
I can’t think of a single thing about this that’s remarkably different than the OG Core Gundam. It has an extra clear part in its chest, but that’s about it really.
Uranus Armor
In most cases the individual armor parts on this “new” armor are literally identical to the old ones. The only sections that are really different are the shoulders and the legs.
In regards to the shoulders, they now have a mount point in the back. You can see it on the right side in the photo below:
As for the legs, the knee armor is now in white, and there’s a new bit of extra armor bolted to the side (also in white):
This gives the legs a decidedly different feel when compared to the older armors, but the question remains whether it will make much of an impact visually when so many of the other armor parts haven’t changed.
Conclusion
That’s the build folks! There’s really nothing else to say. It’s ever so slightly different in ways that aren’t really meaningful.
And that leads to the final question for the day - if the build wasn’t that different, and most of the armor parts are the same, should we expect the finished build to also feel largely the same as before? We’ll answer that next time.