Actually, this is a bootleg of Kotobukiya’s kit. But the original is long OOP after Bandai’s “Operation: Disney” effectively shut out all kit makers from the Gunpla market. The original kit was issued during the great garage kit era of the 1980/1990s, but I was unable to get one as internet shopping had not yet taken off.
The G-3 (Gee-Drei) is an original design by Kazuhisa Kondo, based on the Elmeth mobile armor from Mobile Suit Gundam and the Qubeley from Zeta Gundam. I have a late 1980s issue of Model Graphix magazine which featured a scratchbuilt model of the G-3, but significantly different to this one, perhaps an early concept. The kit version appeared in several manga. Both versions transform between mobile suit mode (how the kit looks) and mobile armor mode. But the kit does not transform.
The kit is made of resin and is “free pose”, that is, the parts allow some angular adjustment during assembly. But I cannot imagine this thing doing anything except standing straight up. Doing the splits would be an exercise in futility as well as look ridiculous. The wing binders, spindly legs, and enormous heinie will need attention to prevent sagging in the future.
This was a “Grail Kit” of mine since I saw the original Kotobukiya kit advertised in Japanese hobby magazines decades ago, so it’s a nice Christmas present to myself!
SprueOne, the G-3 is a heavy assault mobile suit/mobile armor intended for breakthrough attacks against capital ships and fortifications.
Or as the Japanese phrase it “a Saturday night Nippon Sunrise giant robot.” (Because the weekly Nippon Sunrise-produced giant robot shows usually aired on Saturdays at 7:00 pm, unlike in the US where our cartoons ran in the weekday 3:00 pm slot.)
Right? Bandai seems to have run out of new and fresh ideas, so why not do a series based on these older concepts that are way cooler than any Gkwacks or Glitches from Mercury?
The G-3 MUST be built! I am one of those people who think it ludicrous to buy say a super rare car and never drive it. Cars must be driven. Wines must be tasted. And model kits must be built.
I have a huge stash only because I am a slow builder. Honest! I can quit any time I want to.
But seriously, I have only recently overcome my fear of resin mecha kits. It’s a slightly different skillset from Bandai Gunpla, but I am enjoying it immensely.
