Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body front and back

Legs

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - The Rapier Zephyr's exclusive weapon, the Type-8 Electromagnetic Acceleration Cannon. Both

The Rapier Zephyr's exclusive weapon, the Type-8 Electromagnetic Acceleration Cannon.
Both sides share the same shape, but they each have their own names — "Junkai" and "Cheonwol."

The revised head

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - If you only attach the single center head piece, it keeps catching on the structure on the

If you only attach the single center head piece
It keeps catching on the structure on the back and popping off.

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - You can also go with a bald look (?) like on the left, or a twin-tail style (?) like the no

You can also go with a bald look (?) like on the left, or a twin-tail style (?) like the normal Rapier on the right.

Articulation is identical to the Rapier

Leftover parts from the Frame Architect.

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Aerial flight pose (1/4)

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Aerial flight pose (2/4)

Aerial flight pose

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Type-8 Electromagnetic Acceleration Cannon action (1/4)

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Type-8 Electromagnetic Acceleration Cannon action (2/4)

Type-8 Electromagnetic Acceleration Cannon action

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Dual-wielding action, firing both at once (1/4)

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr - Dual-wielding action, firing both at once (2/4)

Dual-wielding action, firing both at once

Together with the normal Rapier.

The SA-17s Rapier Zephyr has been released as a variation of the Rapier, an original Frame Arms design. Since it's a design without any dedicated source material or game tie-in, putting out a color variant felt a little iffy... but it seems the design team has a soft spot for it, because here it is with some tweaks and a color change from red to blue.

Beyond the color change, the only other difference is the head design — and as a bonus, the weapons have been swapped out for a pair of pistols named "Junkai" and "Cheonwol." The body itself is 100% identical to the original Rapier, so there's nothing particularly new to talk about there. Just like the Rapier, this kit doesn't really make great use of the Frame Architect inner frame concept. The articulation isn't that great compared to other kits in the lineup, the shoulder lace tends to pop off easily, and overall it's not the most satisfying kit to handle ^^; The new single-piece head on the Rapier Zephyr in particular catches on the back structure and falls off easily — so if anything, the durability has actually gotten a bit worse.

Sure, the articulation and overall sturdiness leave something to be desired, but as one of the few feminine-style mecha out there, I think the design itself is pretty well done. If you're into feminine mecha and you like blue, this could be a fun build worth checking out. :-)

Frame Arms SA-17s Rapier Zephyr | 2011.11 | ¥3,600

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.