RGM-79 GM and RB-79 Ball

Type Figure: Deluxe
Accessories: Shield, beam spray gun, beam pistol, beam saber

Overview
The GM is the workhorse of the Federation, and this figure is a great representation of this mobile suit. It is of a higher quality than earlier Gundam figures, and in fact shares a lot of common parts with the RX-78 figure. The Ball is also a great piece, enough so that I would probably have purchased it if it had been offered as a separate figure.

Plastic and Color
GM
The RGM-79 is made of a less translucent plastic than the RX-78 it shares so many parts with. color is a light gray-green and fluorescent red-orange, the standard scheme for space based GM’s. The overall appearance is a dull finish, much better than the earlier figure’s high gloss. The chest and shoulder armor, and lower feet are red-orange, with black cockpit detail and light gray neckline. The chest vents are a bright yellow. The underarm and footpad detail are a dark gray. The head has gloss green visor and sensors, and the head vulcans are detailed black. Markings include the “EFSF” and Federation emblem on the right shoulder armor, and the individual unit’s number on the left shoulder armor and right skirt armor. Red and gray striping is used on the wrists, head, and ankles, and look tastefully done.

Ball
The Ball uses the soft plastic for it’s overall construction. It is a periwinkle blue, with the top cannon molded in a dark gray. Paint details include glossy aqua blue viewports with glossy red trim, gloss red thruster vents, black detail striping, the “EFSF” and Federation emblem on the left and right of the main viewport respectively, and the individual unit’s markings on the left of the main viewport, below the “EFSF” marking. The unit’s number matches the GM, and “01” though “09” are available. My example is marked “09”. There is also a tiny “Warning” posted on the left side of the top cannon’s barrel.

Sculpting
GM
Even though most of the parts are common to the RX-78, this figure still has many points that are it’s own, and sculpting is above par. As viewed on the back of the packaging, the GM looks very plain. But once held in one’s hands, it can easily be seen why this is a deluxe figure. Panel lines are very intricate, and so small they are easily missed from only a couple feet away. This is why the packaging picture looks so plain. The thruster pack is almost identical to the RX-78’s, but has been modified to have only the single Beam saber handle. Another improvement is that this beam saber is removable, unlike the RX-78’s glued-on beam sabers. Another fine point is the head. The GM head is not much to look at, but the sculpting here is very good. The sensors look great and head vulcan cannons have very carefully been drilled out, so they actually have barrels to them rather than leaving them as black indentations in the head. The thrusters on the backpack are also better than the ones used on the RX-78, and have a more functional look about them. Sadly, they kept the same hands as the RX-78, and suffer from the same problem of not being able to hold the accessories very well and looking very non mechanical.

Ball
For being essentially a ball with arms, this figure is excellent! Panel lines are all over the place, and give it a very realistic appearance. It actually reminds me of the service pods from the movie 2001: A Space Oddessey. The cannon looks very impressive, as do the claws. This figure looks great.

Articulation
GM
Articulation is much the same as the RX-78, and even suffers from the same problematical shoulder ball joints. The head features a ball joint this time, however, and has an impressive range of motion. The thrusters on the backpack have also been improved, and stay in position much more easily than the RX-78’s. The hips and ankles are ball jointed, and have good range of motion. The knees and elbows have hinged joints, with the arm joints able to swivel at the upper arm. The waist and wrists have swivel joints, with both having great freedom to move.

Ball
Again, the Ball impresses. The arms are ball jointed at the attachment point to the body, have 180 degrees range of motion at the elbow, 180 degrees at the wrist, and the claws open about 45 degrees. The top cannon is mounted on a swivel with 360 degrees or rotation, and the cannon can elevate about 30 degrees. Wonderful articulation for what seems to be such limited figure.

Accessories
GM
The GM’s accessories include the shield, beam spray gun, beam pistol, and a beam saber. The shield is the same as the RX-78’s, with very good detailing. It is red-orange in color, with the large yellow raised star design shared with the RX-78’s shield. The interior is a light ghost gray. Again, a peg is provided for storage on the thruster pack of the GM. The GM’s lackluster hands still cannot hold the shield very well, and it is very hard to position in the GM’s hands. The beam spray gun is a great looking piece, nicely detailed and even has a small green sensor unit on the handle. The beam pistol is a small piece, but looks good. The beam saber is the same as the RX-78’s, with the same problems. It is made of red transparent plastic, and has a very fat appearance, and tapers to a sharp point at the tip. The handle is lacking in detail, and is non removable.

Ball
The Ball has no accessories.

Summary
This is a great set, even though it does have it’s problems. Both figures are very faithful representations, and are impressive either alone or together. I highly recommend these figures of two of the Federation’s most under-appreciated mobile suits.

Elizabeth