Kit Review

Straight build + stickers/waterslide decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Various angles. Looks a bit bare without the backpack. (1/5)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Various angles. Looks a bit bare without the backpack. (2/5)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Various angles. Looks a bit bare without the backpack. (3/5)

Various angles. Looks a bit bare without the backpack.

Underside

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - To complete the Primrose, you'll need to borrow the backpack from the

To complete the Primrose, you'll need to borrow the backpack from the MG Hazel Kai.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Primrose complete form from various angles (1/4)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Primrose complete form from various angles (2/4)

Primrose complete form from various angles

There's an internal frame structure, but barely any molded detail.

The Winch Cannon mount slides open just like on the HGUC.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Unlike the HGUC where it opened via parts removal, the MG version open

Unlike the HGUC where it opened via parts removal, the MG version opens with a proper moving mechanism — as you'd expect from an MG.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - You can also recreate the Winch Cannon's fired state using the thick l

You can also recreate the Winch Cannon's fired state using the thick lead wire.

Interior detail visible with the Winch Cannon spread open

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - An action base with two different support types is included — the smal

An action base combining two different support types is included,
and the smaller support is used to hold the Winch Cannon in its fired position.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - When mounting the Primrose on the stand, you'll need to attach a joint

When mounting the Primrose on the stand, you'll need to attach a joint part to the underside first.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The fixing pin inside the chest armor for Hazel Ursla can move up and

The fixing pin inside the chest armor for Hazel Ursla can move up and down as well as rotate.

Extra parts included for building the Hazel Ursla

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The beam rifle for Ursla has a handle that rotates downward, making it

The beam rifle for Ursla has a handle that rotates downward,
making it much easier to grip the Long Blade Rifle.

Leftover parts from the stand runner

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Winch Cannon firing scene recreation (1/4)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Winch Cannon firing scene recreation (2/4)

Winch Cannon firing scene recreation

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Together with the HGUC Primrose. The HGUC was released as a complete s

Together with the HGUC Primrose.
The HGUC was released as a complete set including the backpack.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - You can add a second Winch Cannon and borrow the backpack from the MG

You can add a second Winch Cannon and borrow the backpack from the MG Hazel Unit 2 for a combined configuration.
The extra Winch Cannon can be sourced by buying another MG Primrose (...) or borrowing one from the MG Hazel Ursla.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The manual says to tilt the thrusters on both sides of the backpack 90

The manual says to tilt the thrusters on both sides of the backpack 90 degrees forward.
The HGUC manual has them standing straight up — the official setting seems to go back and forth on this.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Tri-Booster Unit equipped (1/4)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Tri-Booster Unit equipped (2/4)

Tri-Booster Unit equipped

Together with the MG Hrududu

They can be combined in the arrangement shown above.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Primrose with Hrududu attached (1/4)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Primrose with Hrududu attached (2/4)

Primrose with Hrududu attached

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The small lower wings fold away inside, then the hidden yellow panel i

The small lower wings fold away inside, then the hidden yellow panel is pulled out and rotated forward.
On the HGUC this was done by swapping parts, but here it transforms with moving parts — proper MG style.

Pull both wing sections outward, then lower them down,

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - stand the wings up 90 degrees and press them flush against the body, t

stand the wings up 90 degrees and press them flush against the body, then push the outer sections upward.

Pull the nose section slightly forward, then..

fold the nose in three steps and tuck it into the hole inside the body.

The upper body core, neatly reproduced with a transformation mechanism

The upper body core's frame

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The neck, shoulder fixing pins, and waist parts still need to be added

The neck, shoulder fixing pins, and waist parts still need to be added separately to complete the Hazel Ursla upper body.

Hazel Ursla upper body with transformation complete

The cockpit hatch opening gimmick is included too. That's MG for you!!

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - This is how the MG Primrose's parts are prepared for use on the Hazel

This is how the MG Primrose's parts are prepared for use on the Hazel Ursla.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - At this point, position the fixing pin on the small armor piece that a

At this point, position the fixing pin on the small armor piece that attaches to the Hazel Ursla's left chest as shown above.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - To build the Hazel Ursla, you'll need the separately sold MG Hazel Kai

To build the Hazel Ursla, you'll need the separately sold MG Hazel Kai, Advanced Hazel, and Hazel Unit 2.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - First, borrow the lower body, forearms, head, and shield from the MG H

First, borrow the lower body, forearms, head, and shield from the MG Hazel Kai.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - From the MG Advanced Hazel, borrow the inner soles, front skirt, and h

From the MG Advanced Hazel, borrow the inner soles, front skirt, and head visor.

From the MG Hazel Unit 2, all you need is the backpack.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The head assembly is a bit involved — the front head parts come from t

The head assembly is a bit involved.
The front head parts come from the MG Primrose, and the rear and top head parts from the MG Hazel Kai,
while the visor and head antenna section uses parts from the MG Advanced Hazel.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Finally, you'll also need to borrow the Long Blade Rifle from the MG H

Finally, you'll also need to borrow the Long Blade Rifle from the MG Hrududu
and combine it with the beam rifle included with the MG Primrose.

All parts gathered for the MG Hazel Ursla build.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The beam rifle included with the MG Primrose also has a peg hole, so i

The beam rifle included with the MG Primrose also has a peg hole,
so it connects and locks securely with the MG Hazel Kai's hand.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - Pull out the hidden gimmick at the rear of the Long Blade Rifle and lo

Pull out the hidden gimmick at the rear of the Long Blade Rifle and lock it into the hole on top of the shoulder.

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set - The completed Hazel Ursla. Since this configuration was also released

The completed Hazel Ursla.
Since this configuration was also released as a separate MG kit,
MG Hazel Ursla reviewplease refer to that for more details.

This kit is the MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set, released as a Club G (Premium Bandai) online exclusive. The reason it carries the "Expansion Set" name is that you have to borrow the backpack from the MG Hazel Kai — unlike the HGUC Primrose which came with the backpack included, the MG version leaves it out, so it can't stand on its own as a complete unit, hence the somewhat incomplete-sounding "Expansion Set" label. (Similar situation to the HGUC Hrududu II Expansion Set.)

In exchange, it shows a big step up over the HGUC in terms of transformation gimmicks, as you'd expect from an MG. Where the HGUC Primrose relied mostly on parts swapping to transform, the MG Primrose reproduces the nose, wings, and chest transformation all through moving parts, nice and cleanly. The neck, shoulder joints, and waist parts do still need to be added separately, which is unavoidable, but with the cockpit hatch opening gimmick — an MG staple — also included, the overall gimmick count is more than satisfying.

The Winch Cannon also gets some MG-worthy upgrades. Unlike the HGUC's parts-removal approach, it now opens via a moving mechanism. On top of that, a thick, sturdy lead wire and a dedicated stand support are included to hold it up, letting you pull off a convincing fired-state display. The small chest armor piece that attaches to the left chest for the Hazel Ursla configuration also has noticeably better holding strength than on the HGUC.

As a collaboration feature, you can add one more Winch Cannon and borrow the backpack from the MG Hazel Unit 2 to recreate the Tri-Booster Unit configuration. The extra Winch Cannon can come from an additional MG Primrose Expansion Set, or you can borrow the one included in the MG Hazel Ursla. Combining with the MG Hrududu is also possible, though unlike the HGUC version, the Enhanced Shield Booster configuration can't be recreated here — no MG kit with the Enhanced Shield has ever been released.

To build the Primrose's final form, the Hazel Ursla, you'll need four additional MG kits: the MG Hazel Kai, Advanced Hazel, Hazel Unit 2, and Hrududu. Add up the prices of all those kits plus the Primrose itself and you're looking at a whopping ¥19,200. (Yikes.) That said, the 1/100 scale Hazel Ursla you get at the end of all that has serious volume and presence, and it genuinely looks fantastic. One highlight of this kit in particular is the newly sculpted beam rifle included for the Hazel Ursla — same design as the existing MG Hazel rifles, but with an added articulation gimmick on the handle. That makes it much easier to hold the beam rifle with the Long Blade Rifle attached, and gives you a lot more freedom in posing.

That said, the MG Hazel Ursla — which bundles just the necessary parts — was released at the same time for ¥8,000. If your goal is to build the Hazel Ursla, buying the MG Hazel Ursla directly is a much better deal. (For a detailed look at the Hazel Ursla configuration, please check the MG Hazel Ursla review.)

Anyway, even though it comes out as an "Expansion Set" due to the missing backpack, the MG Primrose does show clear improvements over the HGUC in terms of gimmicks. The slight downside is that with the MG Hazel Ursla — the whole point of the Primrose, really — being sold separately at the same time, the case for buying this kit on its own gets a little harder to make. :-)

MG Emergency Escape Pod [Primrose] Expansion Set | 2020.12 | ¥2,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.