Kit Review

Straight build +
panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack. Hard to get a sense of the size from the front..

Looking from above gives you a better idea. It's big~

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - This kit adds a Flying Armor to the existing HGUC Gundam Mk-II AEUG. The kit is priced at

This kit adds a Flying Armor to the existing HGUC Gundam Mk-II AEUG.
The kit is priced at ¥2000, and since the original Mk-II was ¥1000, that makes the Flying Armor ¥1000 on its own.
Let's start by taking a closer look at the Mk-II first.

The HGUC Mk-II — top-notch quality every time you look at it.

This is already the third HGUC Mk-II.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The one on the left is the Mk-II AEUG included with the Super Gundam, and the one on the r

The one on the left is the Mk-II AEUG included with the Super Gundam, and the one on the right is the Flying Armor version.
The Super Gundam version had a sticker for the yellow part of the shield, but that's been dropped in the Flying Armor version;;

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - Looking at the back, you can clearly see the difference in molded colors. The outer armor

Looking at the back, you can clearly see the difference in molded colors.
The outer armor color is the same, but the frame and joint/weapon colors are different.
The Super Gundam used a black color scheme, while this Flying Armor version has gone back to a purple color scheme like the MG.
That's probably why these two kits have quite a different feel to them.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The colors are also different from the Titans version. A comparison of weapon/joint colors

The colors are also different from the Titans version.
A comparison of weapon/joint colors across the HGUC Mk-II variants, using the bazooka as a reference.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - Not only the molded colors, but interestingly the backpack structure has also been changed

Not only the molded colors, but interestingly the backpack structure has also been changed in this Flying Armor version.
The one on the right is the Flying Armor version, and the backpack pipes have been changed to mesh pipes.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The reason is that when mounting the Flying Armor, the beam saber section of the backpack

The reason is that when mounting the Flying Armor, the beam saber section of the backpack needs to fold up 90 degrees.
Since the original fixed pipes can't bend, they were changed to mesh pipe type exclusively for the Flying Armor version.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - On the left is the original Mk-II backpack part, and on the right is the modified backpack

On the left is the original Mk-II backpack part, and on the right is the modified backpack part from the Flying Armor version.

Once assembled, the pipes fit in like that.

Here's the Flying Armor. Pretty big~, isn't it.

It's quite thin though.

Detail of the hand-insert area at the front

Detail of the foot-insert area at the back

Wing section detail

Underside

There's a cover in the center of the bottom, and opening it lets you plug in a stand.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - You plug the stand in like that, then slide the T-shaped piece to lock it in place — it ho

You plug the stand in like that, then slide the T-shaped piece to lock it in place — it holds on nice and solid.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The cover removed from the Flying Armor's underside can be stored by slipping it onto the

The cover removed from the Flying Armor's underside can be stored by slipping it onto the bottom of the stand.
A thoughtful touch that's become standard on recent kits!

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - It's even proudly advertised on the box art.. The red duct section has great volume. Since

It's even proudly advertised on the box art..
The red duct section has great volume. Since the parts are side-gated, they're not just a simple stepped duct shape,
but are precisely molded into a grooved duct form.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The stand lets you adjust the angle by inserting the support into one of five mounting hol

The stand lets you adjust the angle by inserting the support into one of five mounting holes.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - Maximum and minimum angles. For a 5-step system, the range of angle change isn't all that

Maximum and minimum angles. For a 5-step system, the range of angle change isn't all that large.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - You can flip the shield over and mount it on the center of the Flying Armor's top surface.

You can flip the shield over and mount it on the center of the Flying Armor's top surface.
It locks in securely using the grooves on the shield.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - The Mk-II riding on the Flying Armor. Wish it looked a bit more dynamic up there.. It kind

The Mk-II riding on the Flying Armor.
Wish it looked a bit more dynamic up there.. It kind of feels like it was just plopped on reluctantly;

The feet can bend and slot right into the grooves..

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - So even if you flip it upside down and shake it, it won't fall off. There's no dedicated l

So even if you flip it upside down and shake it, it won't fall off.
There's no dedicated locking mechanism — it's purely the tight, sturdy joints holding everything in place.

This is the default pose for the Flying Armor + Mk-II.

Standing pose.

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - A shot alongside the G-Armor, which gives off a similar vibe. The Flying Armor is way bigg

A shot alongside the G-Armor, which gives off a similar vibe. The Flying Armor is way bigger.

A shot with the G-Defenser. Not even in the same league volume-wise.

Ta-da~ bonus shot. It's the Flying G-Defenser.
Just tried stacking them together.. ahem;

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor - Together with the Super Gundam. The HGUC Mk-II AEUG version always comes bundled with some

Together with the Super Gundam.
The HGUC Mk-II AEUG version always comes bundled with some big accessory.

Straight build photos

An unexpected Mk-II variation — the Flying Armor has been released as an HGUC kit. Given that the G-Armor already got a release, I guess it's not that surprising when you think about it. ^^;

This kit adds a Flying Armor to the ¥1000-class Mk-II AEUG version, bringing the total to ¥2000, which means the Flying Armor portion comes out to ¥1000. The runners are split roughly half Flying Armor and half Mk-II, but the Flying Armor's part count is extremely low for its size.

Considering the size and quality of the large Flying Armor, ¥1000 seems about right. I'm not sure about everything else, but this thing is wide, thin, and just plain big — it wins you over on sheer size alone. The color separation and molded colors look great, and the overall surface has a slightly textured, non-glossy feel that gives it a premium matte look. The included stand lets you adjust the angle in 5 steps, and the stand hole on the underside of the Flying Armor is normally covered with a cap — when you attach the stand, that cap can be stored underneath it, which is a nice little touch. The wide Flying Armor has quite a few panel lining spots, and the difference between lined and unlined is huge. Since panel lining is pretty easy to do here, this is a kit where you'll definitely want to do it regardless of whether you paint it. ^^

The included Mk-II might look like the same old kit at first glance, but it's a bit different. On the molded color side, the black frame/joint/weapon color scheme from the Mk-II AEUG included with the Super Gundam has been changed to a purple color scheme matching the MG. As you can see in the comparison photos above, the feel is quite different. And most notably, the backpack structure has been changed — the two pipes on the backpack have been swapped from plastic parts to mesh pipes.

You might wonder why an HGUC kit is getting the luxury treatment with mesh pipes..?? But this change was made because the beam saber storage section of the backpack needs to fold up 90 degrees when mounting the Flying Armor. The original plastic pipes can't bend, but flexible mesh pipes can fold as much as needed. The downside is that the mesh pipes are MG-sized in thickness (-_-;;), so they look a bit too chunky for an HGUC-scale backpack. Still, they definitely look way better than plain plastic pipes. ^^

Since the basic structure of the Mk-II body is the same as the previous Mk-II aside from the backpack, for more detailed info on the Mk-II itself, please refer to the HGUC Mk-II Titans version review and the HGUC Super Gundam review. Since the previous HGUC Mk-II was already such high quality, the Flying Armor version continues to show some of the best quality in the HGUC lineup — great proportions, incredibly tight joints, excellent articulation range, superb color separation, and more. The one downside is that the Super Gundam version included a yellow sticker for the shield, but that's been left out of the Flying Armor version.

Mounting the Mk-II onto the Flying Armor is really simple — just slot the hands and feet into the four holes. As you can see in the photos above, the Mk-II's joints are so stiff and sturdy that even just resting it on loosely, it barely falls off. It's fine even upside down. Given that there's no real locking mechanism and you're basically just setting it on top, the hold is surprisingly secure — which is a real relief. ^^

Once the Mk-II is actually on the Flying Armor, the poses it can pull off are extremely limited. That's probably the one and only major downside of this kit. It's hard to recreate a wide variety of scenes or poses, but once you do set a pose, this kit definitely has a strong presence. (It also takes up a lot of display space;) It's almost like a scene out of a diorama..

Anyway, it's a unique and interesting variation that would be tough to pull off in MG form!
With the combination of a slightly upgraded Mk-II and a sharp-looking Flying Armor, this is one I'd recommend without hesitation. ^^

HGUC Gundam Mk-II + Flying Armor | 2005. 5 | ¥2,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.