Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

EX Model Magella-Attack - The standard and desert types have different exhaust vents on the back. Other than just that one pa

The standard and desert types have different exhaust vents on the back.
Other than just that one part, they're completely identical. :-)

Standard type

Close-up shots. The panel lines and molds are just absolutely insane.

If you look closely at the cockpit, you can actually spot the pilot. :-)

Underside view

Close-up of the tracks. Way more detailed than rubber ones!

EX Model Magella-Attack - One of the Magella-Attack's signature features is that the cockpit section detaches like an aircraf

One of the Magella-Attack's signature features is that the cockpit section detaches like an aircraft.

Detail of the separated section

EX Model Magella-Attack - There's a choice when assembling the cockpit — you can go with either a human pilot figure or a rem

There's a choice when assembling the cockpit — you can go with either a human pilot figure or a remote-control camera(?).

EX Model Magella-Attack - Here they are assembled with the pilot and camera respectively. They're so tiny that once you put t

Here they are assembled with the pilot and camera respectively.
They're so tiny that once you put the clear canopy on... you can't see a thing. -.-

Some action poses.

Now for the desert type...

EX Model Magella-Attack - Those plastic tracks... are trickier to assemble than they look. They snap together, but they come

Those plastic tracks... are trickier to assemble than they look.
They snap together, but they come apart so easily that you really need to glue them...
The contact area is so narrow that regular glue is hard to work with.
In my case, I used liquid cement that can be flowed in, carefully dropping it into the gaps little by little, and that seemed to work pretty well.

EX Model Magella-Attack - The tracks even replicate the natural sagging effect... but once you put the cover on, it hides eve

The tracks even replicate the natural sagging effect... but,
once you put the cover on, it hides everything anyway.

EX Model Magella-Attack - Both the standard and desert types each come with one Magella Top gun. True to its name, the barrel

Both the standard and desert types each come with one Magella Top gun.
True to its name, the barrel itself is the same as the one mounted on the Magella's turret, so...

The HGUC Zaku II mass production type is absolutely thrilled to get it.

Action pose to celebrate the gift

EX Model Magella-Attack - There are 6 cute 1/144 figures included — 3 of each type. Since you need to glue all three to stand

There are 6 cute 1/144 figures included — 3 of each type.
Since you need to glue all three to stand them up, I'll just leave it at this photo and move on.

EX Model Magella-Attack - Leftover parts. One set each of the desert and standard type exhaust vents remain, along with 8 tra

Leftover parts. One set each of the desert and standard type exhaust vents remain,
along with 8 track connector pieces. (No idea where the other one went.)

Together with the HGUC Igloo version Zakus.

EX Model Magella-Attack - Bonus! Comparison with the old-kit Magella-Attack from about 25 years ago. The size is similar, but

Bonus! Comparison with the old-kit Magella-Attack from about 25 years ago.
The size is similar, but the detail difference is enormous.

EX Model Magella-Attack - The design concept for the cockpit and wing sections in particular is wildly different. There's som

The design concept for the cockpit and wing sections in particular is wildly different.
There's something oddly charming about the rivet marks on the old kit.

Track comparison. The old kit uses rubber, as expected.

Comparison with the Magella Top gun included with the old-kit Magella-Attack.

The fearsome Igloo version EX kits... every single one boasts insane panel lines and molds.

The EX lineup, which had been churning out nothing but warships for ages, has finally swung back toward ground vehicles. The Magella-Attack, released as the 28th EX kit, is a familiar face from the anime.

This Magella-Attack has been released in the Igloo version, just like the Musai, Salamis, and Magellan. That means incredibly fine panel lines and detail — at a level that's practically off the charts, even more refined than the Igloo version warships. And it's not just the panel lines; the molds themselves are packed in incredibly small and numerous.

So the assembly experience is also very different from other Gunpla, and even from other EX series kits. There's a lot of work that involves gluing very small parts together, and with so many tiny pieces, it takes quite a bit of time to build. In other words, don't expect convenience — it's better to think of it as building a super-small military kit. Either way, it's definitely on the trickier side to assemble.

The tracks are also the linked plastic type used in higher-end kits. It's not a fully individual-link system, but they're carefully designed so that the sagging of the tracks is represented in sections. Assembly is a bit fiddly though — snap-fit alone has its limits, so gluing is necessary. I'd personally recommend using liquid cement and flowing it in via capillary action. That way it bonds cleanly without any glue marks.

If you look closely at the molded surface, it has a very slight roughness to it, almost like Zimmerit coating on a military kit. I guess since it's closer to a tank, they went with that kind of finish?

This kit includes both a desert type and a standard type, which differ in molded color and the shape of the rear exhaust vents. Personally, I think it would've been nicer to just include one and sell it cheaper... but then again, I suppose it's better that kits like this get released at all, even if they have to boost profitability this way. :-)

Anyway, a Gunpla this detailed in a size smaller than a pack of cigarettes is probably never going to come along again. The detail is just brutally, absurdly insane — it makes the Igloo warships look tame. Bottom line: this kit is the definitive Magella-Attack, and if you're a One Year War fan, it's an item you won't regret!

EX Model Magella-Attack | 2006.3 | ¥3,500 | 1/144

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.