It's been 11 years since I first seen this kit, back when
Gundam W was airing in the U.S. and
Endless Waltz, it's OVA/movie sequel, wasn't far behind it. I had pretty high expectations for these kits, being the first time I'd seen the "HG" moniker attached to a 1/144 scale line. (I would later find out about the first 1990 High Grades as well as the HGUC line.)
When I went to
Toys R' Us one day back in 2000, I first saw this kit. Asking my mom to by this was difficult (I was 13 at the time) because of the $14 price tag. But she caved and got it for me. I can remember now, the thin layer of red paint along the face and chest vents, the ridiculously unremoved sprue flash, and the foil sticker eyes... sigh. Well I was young.
Anyway, 11 years later, I meet this kit again at a chance encounter on the east side of Columbus. Almost like fate, as I'd never been to this store, only hearing about it the day before, going there with the intention on picking up some 1/144
Endless Waltz kits. Destiny, right?
Ironically, the prices for these were $12 and $11, respectively. Eat your heart out, Bandai America...
I finally added the missing photos for the back views and weapons, as well as some revised textual information. Their links can found below.
