| RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type |
| Released: 2001 Series: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Avg. Price: $5.76 Version: 1.0 |
| While the Earth Federation Forces' "Project V" mobile suit development program was underway at the Side 7 research colony, the Federation also began production of experimental units at its Jaburo military headquarters in South America on Earth. Intending to help turn the tide of the ground war during the One Year War, the engineers at Jaburo used spare parts originally manufactured for the RX-78-2 Gundam prototype and built approximately 20 units of a specialized ground combat-model Gundam, the RX-79[G]. Twelve of these units were assigned to the Kojima Battalion stationed in Southeast Asia, particularly to the 04th and 08th MS Teams. Since the RX-79[G]'s were made primarily of spare parts leftover from "Project V", no replacement parts were available. This resulted in hasty field repairs like Shiro Amada's Gundam Ez8. When Karen Joshua's unit was damaged, the head of an RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type was used as a replacement, earning the Gundam the nickname 'GM Head'. Though in many ways similar to its RX-78-2 predecessor, the RX-79[G] was quite a bit different in other ways, particularly in its armament. The beam sabers were stored in the legs, as the backpack mounted an equipment rack to carry storage containers, parachute packs, or other field options. The head vulcan guns were removed, as the head now carried a periscope for underwater and trench warfare. The Gundam still had the generator power to use a beam rifle, though it was often equipped with a standard 100 mm machinegun or a heavy 180 mm cannon. A single vulcan gun and a multiple-use "multi-launcher" mounted in the torso's left breast rounded out the new armament. The complicated and expensive Core Block System was also replaced with a standard cockpit mounted in the upper chest just below the head. Pilot(s): Shiro Amada, Karen Joshua, Terry Sanders, Jr., Michel Ninorich Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team; Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation VS Zeon DX (PS2); Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo (PS2) Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara |
| Model number: RX-79[G] Code name: Gundam Mass Production Ground Type Unit type: mass production ground combat mobile suit Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces Operator: Earth Federation Forces Rollout: UC 0079 First deployment: UC 0079 Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 18.2 meters; head height 18.0 meters Weight: empty 52.8 metric tons; max gross 73.0 metric tons Construction: lunar titanium alloy on semi-monocoque frame Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1350 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 52000 kg total Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 0.71 G Equipment and design features: sensors, range 5900 meters; periscope, mounted in head; optional parachute pack, can be mounted on backpack rack; optional weapons storage container, can be mounted on backpack rack Fixed armaments: vulcan gun, mounted in chest; multi-launcher, mounted in chest; 2 x beam saber, stored in recharge racks in legs, hand-carried in use Optional fixed armaments: shield, mounted on either forearm Optional hand armaments: 100 mm machinegun, clip-fed, 2 spare clips stored on hip armor; 180 mm cannon, clip-fed; beam rifle, powered by rechargeable energy cap; bazooka gun, clip-fed, 7 rounds per clip; 6-tube missile launcher; net gun, fires large net to entangle a target |
| Overview Articulation: 4 Detailing: 5 Accessories: 4 SCORE: 4 |
| MSiA Features RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type beam rifle (stores in backpack) 100mm machine gun (stores in backpack) 280mm cannon (stores in backpack) 2 beam sabers with removeable beam blades shield, mounts on either forearm backpack storage container |
| 1 = POOR 2 = DECENT 3 = GOOD 4 = EXCELLENT 5 = OUTSTANDING |
| REVIEW Based on and using parts from the original RX-78-2 Gundam, the RX-79(G) is more of a grunt soldier than the original. This figure reflects that, with its bulky design, thick armor, and menacing weaponry. Realeased in the second wave of Gundam figures, the RX-79(G) features better articulation and many more gimmicks than older figures. The weapons fit nicely into the hands, complete with extended trigger fingers, and the clips of the weapons are removable and can be exchanged with the spares on the figure's skirt armor, a very nice touch. Also notable is that all the weapons, including the huge 280mm cannon, can be broken down and stored in the Gundam's backpack storage container. The figure features two backpacks, one with the storage rack folded in the closed position, the other with the backpack tines unfolded and holding the storage container. Even the shield has two modes, one in the normal, retracted position, and the other in a more protruded forward "melee" position. The RX-79(G) Gundam is definitely an excellent figure. |
 |