Gundam Model Kits

A sharper, more detailed look plus neck articulation. One minus about this is that there are no spare antennas supplied.

Torso

LOVELY. Internal mechanism allows you open the cockpit hatch and the armor is snapped on just like the AMSiA. The connecting joint from torso to arm is impressive - the new engineering approach allows it to swivel backward now allow more poses that would make owners of the old 1/100 cry. The rear verniers are good in detail, but are not articulated.The waist is ball jointed. Front & back skirt armors are articulated as expected in MG formats while the side skirt armors can be opened to store the armor schneiders. If you look inwards, you can notice details inside the skirts... seeeeesh.

Arms

The shoulder armor has internal detail gimmick which I really don't find the sense on why it is supposed to have one. The arms are constructed & articulated just like the MG RX-79 series, and of course internal details galore again - the armor is snapped on just like the AMSiA version. One con is there is only one pair of articulated hands - that makes you wish Bandai supplied you with a few more pairs to make the price worth it.

Legs

The internal details of both upper & lower are of course impressive since they're taken from the AMSiA. When assembled, the whole mechanism of the legs is a surprise - the front thigh armor tends to shift down when the whole leg is bended to its maximum using the same approach as the MG RX-79 series. (Which I don't know why Bandai did it - maybe it's just for kicks at the expense of the price.) The foot array's front half is separated and articulated for running/dashing poses which is excellent!

Weapons and Accessories

Beam rifle- Two words only: longer & Katoki-ish.
Beam saber- Two piece construction. Both can be stored on the Aile Strike system.
'Armor Schneider' Combat Knives- Two piece construction. Can be folded and stored on the side skirt armor. Longer and look sharper than the old 1/100 version.
Anti-beam shield- Sharper and a more slim design. The mounting array is a new approach - instead of the usual U-shaped brace, the new approach is an L-shaped design that is articulated. It's impressive in a way, but I'm not that at ease about durability aside from the fact it is ABS plastic material, so don't push it.
Aile system- The Aile system is VERY detailed. The beam sabers' storage mount can be articulated forward which gives the possibility of a 1/100 scale Skygrasper (EGADS!). Wing binders are LONG, WIDE & FINALLY articulated and can be shifted downwards for system loading or standby poses. The lower verniers especially the fins' are deliciously detailed and & are connected to the system via ball joints. The Aile system is connected to the back of the Strike Gundam through a simple slot. One weird thing about this is that when you connect it to the Strike, it has a loose fit than a secure one - but its okay since the head and the complicated shoulder-torso joints ARE not hindered.
Display stand- Aside from the Katoki-ish design, this is the second reason why I brought this kit. The display stand is a replica of the Archangel's MS launchpad area with the following details:
1. Foot clamps that can lock & be shifted to areas within the base.2. A detailed power cable that can be attached to the Strike Gundam.3. An adjustable stand that connects to the Strike Gundam's lower crotch area simulating flight.
For the higher price, this display stand is one of the factors that make it worth getting. You can pose the Aile Strike with the display stand in a variety of ways:
1. Pre-launch sequence with Aile System's main wing binders folded down.2. Still movement of launching sequence.3. Launching scene wherein you attach the stand to an underside of the crotch area. You can select which level of height you want it to be in too!

Conclusion

The kit is impressive up to the point where poseability, details and design are involved. All the gimmicks and bonuses in the package are price worthy - comparing it with the "old" 1/100 kit, I'll take this one. With this kind of construction, I wouldn't be surprised if Bandai used the same design for the other first three Gundams (Buster, Blitz & Duel).
If you like your Strike Gundam to be more Katoki-ish, more poseable and had that cool display stand, then this is your buy. Period. (Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars)

Contributor: Winn Sevilla

General and Technical Data
Series: Master Grade (MG) 1/100 Release Date: 10/2003
Price: ¥ 3800