Kit Review

Straight build + Partial paint + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack — the universal standard for scale reference.

Cockpit hatch open

The inside of the backpack verniers also has parts separation, just like the NT-1..

The weapons are... pretty standard. You get two options: a GM Rifle and a GM Machine Gun.

Outer armor removed.

Internal frame and leg frame.

The knee connection method is quite unique — it's designed to connect at a 45-degree angle.

That's what allows for that unusual leg angle movement.

With just the internal frame, you can still pull off poses like this.

MG GM Custom - The leg frame is a double structure, just like the NT-1. A clear example of what that NT-1 double frame skelet

The leg frame is a double structure, just like the NT-1.
A clear example of what that NT-1 double frame skeleton was originally intended for.

The backpack's internal frame is also identical to the NT-1.

MG GM Custom - Articulation is similar to the NT-1, though the ankles are just a tiny bit more flexible. The arms are relativ

Articulation is similar to the NT-1, though the ankles are just a tiny bit more flexible.
The arms are relatively good, but the legs are still a bit iffy.

GM Rifle action pose.

A full kneeling pose is pretty hard to pull off.

Machine gun action pose.

Draw pose. The double-jointed elbows help pull off the pose well enough..

Beam saber action pose.

Dual-wielding~

As you'd expect from a variation kit(?), there are quite a few leftover parts. NT-1 parts.

With a buddy from 0083. Together with GP01Fb.

Includes a figure of the hot-blooded South Burning, the captain from 0083.

Gundam NT-1 & GM Custom comparison.

MG GM Custom - They're from different series and look different on the outside, but they're variation siblings sharing the sa

They're from different series and look different on the outside, but they're variation siblings sharing the same skeleton and structure.

The body structure is very similar, but the details have been changed here and there.

MG GM Custom - The backpack is identical, and the rest is also the same on the inside — just with slightly tweaked exterior l

The backpack is identical, and the rest is also the same on the inside — just with slightly tweaked exterior looks~

Similar styling in the same vein, but again, only the exterior details differ.

MG GM Custom - The knee connection structure is different. As you'd expect from a variation kit, there are spots on the GM Cu

The knee connection structure is different.
As you'd expect from a variation kit, there are spots on the GM Custom where the color separation doesn't match the design specs.
The part pointed to by the arrow at the back of the ankle should be the same light yellow-green color as the body's molded color, but...!

The forearms are pretty much the same — only the shoulders and some of the armor differ.

The basic skeleton of the internal frame is, of course~, identical.

The backpack's internal detail is completely identical too.

The weapons are entirely different, though.

Well, either way, they're both pretty cool-looking guys, so...

The awesome GM Custom from 0083 has been given the MG treatment. Personally, I've always had a soft spot for the hot-blooded Captain South Burning, so this kit holds a special place for me. In terms of lore, the GM Custom is set up as a successor that blends the GM Kai and the Gundam NT-1 (Alex) together. So naturally~, it was released as a variation kit based on the NT-1's skeleton. There have been criticisms that the forced variation and parts sharing broke some of the design specs, but that's just how it goes in this hobby;;

Anyway, the internal body skeleton, a good chunk of the exterior, most of the arms, most of the leg frame, the backpack, the feet parts, and more are all carried straight over from the MG NT-1. That said, the outer armor is over 80% different.

The molded color is a light, bluish yellow-green to match the design specs.. It does feel a little on the light side, but it's a decent molded color overall. This kind of blue-toned molded color tends to be pretty divisive, so it's hard to say much, but it does seem faithful to the design specs.

The overall skeleton is borrowed from the NT-1, but the knee joints are completely new parts. The connection is also unique — they're designed to plug in at a 45-degree angle toward the back. This gives the knees a quirky articulation where they rotate horizontally at 45 degrees. The basic range of bend in the arms and legs is the same as the NT-1, but the GM Custom has less restriction at the ankles and the rotating knee function gives it more freedom for action poses. Also, with the knee joints changed, they're slightly less loose than the NT-1's wobbly knees — though they're still not stiff by any means, still leaning toward the loose side. It'll stand fine on its own, but action poses can feel a little unstable. The hand grip is neither too loose nor too stiff — just about right for holding a rifle.

True to form for a variation kit, there are spots where the color separation didn't quite work out. (It always shows, doesn't it..) The heel area should be the same light yellow-green as the body, but it just came out in the frame color instead. Well, if you're being picky, you might not even notice unless you dig through the design specs or look closely at finished builds — but it's ultimately a problem that came from reusing the NT-1 parts as-is.

The weapons are pretty standard — just a basic rifle, machine gun, and shield. Come to think of it, the NT-1 came packed with two full runners of Chobham Armor, which made it feel worth the ¥3,000 price tag in terms of volume. But the GM Custom has all those Chobham Armor runners stripped out, yet the price stays the same at ¥3,000. So does that mean Captain South Burning's figure is worth ¥500? Hmm.. It's hard to give it good marks on value. (And it's a variation kit on top of that!!) ¥2,500 might've been a stretch, but ¥2,800 would've been at least somewhat understandable — ¥3,000 feels like a bit much for what you get.

Setting aside all the quality stuff, the GM Custom does seem to have the most refined style among the GM lineup. The styling gives off a vibe similar to the Hazel series from Advance of Zeta — though it does make you wonder if it was a bit out of place for the 0083 era..

Personally, just having the GM Custom get the MG treatment was already exciting enough. The quality isn't particularly outstanding, but it's not bad either — and the way it looks on display is worth something in its own right. ^^

MG RGM-79N GM Custom
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★	Made a decent effort to hide seam lines here and there. The leg color separation is satisfying.
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★	A reasonably clean molded color overall. The heel molded color is a bit of a problem though.
Proportions	★★★★☆	Refined styling, solid proportions.
Articulation	★★★	Arms are good, slightly improved leg and ankle articulation range.
Joint Strength	★★☆	Arms are decent, grip is average. Knees are ever so slightly improved.
Internal Frame	★★★☆	Leg and backpack frames. Double frame in the calves. Details are a bit plain.
Detail	★★★★☆	Overall, a lot of care was put into it. The important details are there where they need to be.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★	Beam rifle, machine gun. Weapons are decent enough.. Plus Burning's figure.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★	290 parts total. Parts per ¥1,000: 96.7. Just okay for the price.
Uniqueness	★★★☆	It's a variation, but the exterior look still feels quite different.
Dalong's Point : 75 pts.

MG GM Custom | 1999.12 | ¥3,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.