Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Since the load is pretty heavy, you'll need the sense to shift the legs back a little. (1/3

Since the load is pretty heavy, you'll need the sense to shift the legs back a little.

This is the Ballute Pack.

The cover on the back is not hinged — it's removable.

The mold detail on the inside of the cover

Lift out the white piece and there's even more mold detail underneath..

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - For the panel lining on the white life-raft-pack-looking parts, I tried the enamel panel li

For the panel lining on the white life-raft-pack-looking parts, I tried the enamel panel lining method.
I just used a poop-brown color on a whim..

Just brush it on roughly like this.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Then dab some thinner on a tissue and wipe it off with a few quick strokes — the enamel nat

Then dab some thinner on a tissue and wipe it off with a few quick strokes — the enamel naturally stays only in the recesses.
It's a quick and easy method. :-)

The back pack is secured with two hooks like that.

The wing connection parts have been lengthened to accommodate the Ballute Pack on the back.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Hook the Ballute Pack's rings onto the part where weapons used to hang on the original back

Hook the Ballute Pack's rings onto the part where weapons used to hang on the original backpack, and it locks in nice and solid.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The chest Ballute Pack slots into the grooves made by sliding the cockpit covers to either

The chest Ballute Pack slots into the grooves made by sliding the cockpit covers to either side.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The action legs now have polycap holes that weren't there before, to attach the Ballute Pac

The action legs now have polycap holes that weren't there before, to attach the Ballute Pack.

The leg Ballute Packs.

Even the inside of the leg Ballute Packs has detailed mold work..

The verniers included with the Ballute Pack have neatly separated interiors.

Top-down view of the Ballute Pack attached

Bottom-up view

The Hyaku-Shiki's body molded color is a rich yellow with a glossy sheen.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - It's the 3rd MG to feature a glossy surface finish, after the Gryphone and the Qubeley Mk-I

It's the 3rd MG to feature a glossy surface finish, after the Gryphone and the Qubeley Mk-II.

Outer armor removed

Internal frame shot. The original body only has a proper frame in the legs.

The leg frame. The detail is a bit plain.

Backpack frame

The Hyaku-Shiki's unique cockpit hatch opening mechanism

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The articulation is decent enough as-is.. but you can't really pull off a wide variety of p

The articulation is decent enough as-is.. but you can't really pull off a wide variety of poses.

Action po~se

Preparing for atmospheric re-entry!

It kind of looks like a parachute.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The Hyaku-Shiki body is nearly identical to the existing plated version. Seeing it in perso

The Hyaku-Shiki body is nearly identical to the existing plated version.
Seeing it in person, the yellow armor shines just as brilliantly as the plated one~

Beam rifle action pose

Beam saber action pose

Kneeling pose is doable, more or less.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Together with the existing plated MG Hyaku-Shiki. Both have that gorgeous shiny exterior ar

Together with the existing plated MG Hyaku-Shiki. Both have that gorgeous shiny exterior armor.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Comparing it to the existing plated Hyaku-Shiki, you can clearly see how much longer the wi

Comparing it to the existing plated Hyaku-Shiki, you can clearly see how much longer the wing connection parts have become.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Unlike the existing plated version, the lower leg structure has been changed to accommodate

Unlike the existing plated version, the lower leg structure has been changed to accommodate the Ballute Pack.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - It's not really meant to fit, but I forced it onto the plated Hyaku-Shiki anyway just to se

It's not really meant to fit, but I forced it onto the plated Hyaku-Shiki anyway just to see.

The wings are too narrow, so it ends up looking awkward like that -_-;;

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - Since the plated Hyaku-Shiki has no holes on the side of the lower legs, you have to remove

Since the plated Hyaku-Shiki has no holes on the side of the lower legs, you have to remove the lower leg armor
and attach the Ballute Pack to the polycap that used to hold the armor in place.

Anyway, since I went through the trouble of forcing it on, I figured I'd strike a pose.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The Hi-Zack and Rick-Dias, which are the units that originally use the Ballute Pack, have c

The Hi-Zack and Rick-Dias, which are the units that originally use the Ballute Pack,
have completely different structures, so there's no way to attach either the backpack or the leg packs as-is.
Truly just a pipe dream~

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System - The leg and wing connector parts from the original plated Hyaku-Shiki (i.e., the version wi

The leg and wing connector parts from the original plated Hyaku-Shiki (i.e., the version without the Ballute Pack) are left over as spare parts.

All the Hyaku-Shiki family, gather round~

Straight build shot — front

Straight build shot — rear

Straight build shot of the body only

The MG Hyaku-Shiki that once showed off that legendary gold plating was just too expensive. It was a great kit that could've easily come out at around ¥3,000 without the plating, and for a while a lot of people were in tears stripping the plating off (buying it at a high price only to have to strip it) and painting it themselves.

About four years after the MG Hyaku-Shiki came out, a non-plated version has been released as a new MG. With the Ballute Pack option added on top of the stripped-down body, it actually comes in cheaper than the plated version at ¥4,000~!

Since the structural characteristics of the Hyaku-Shiki body are the same as the existing plated version, for a more detailed review of the body itself, please refer to the MG Hyaku-Shiki review. There are two differences from the existing plated Hyaku-Shiki body: first, the fixing pins connecting the backpack and wings have been lengthened. Since the wings get in the way when carrying the large pack, the spacing between the wings has been widened. Second, a new hole has been added to the lower leg to attach the Ballute Pack. The polycap that used to hold the lower leg armor on the original plated Hyaku-Shiki has been repurposed for attaching the Ballute Pack by opening a hole in the outer armor, and the lower leg armor has been changed to clip on using a plastic mechanism instead of the polycap. Aside from these two differences, the structure is completely identical.

The plated Hyaku-Shiki's armor surface was undeniably stunning, but this non-plated, naturally yellow molded surface is no slouch either. ^^; It has the same glossy finish (like polished dress shoes) as the earlier MG Gryphon and MG Qubeley Mk-II, giving it a beautiful sheen. In photos it just looks a bit shiny, but in person it's quite gorgeous~ On top of that, the under-gate system used on the plated version is carried over here, which means there are virtually no gate marks on the outer armor — another big plus! Either way, the Hyaku-Shiki units all have consistently excellent armor molding.

The Ballute Pack's detail is pretty good, though it's a bit of a shame there's no internal frame. The removable cover on the backpack is reproduced, and the white atmospheric re-entry survival suit that looks just like a parachute has nice detail too. As you can see in the photos above, even just a little panel lining work makes it look quite convincing.

The Ballute Pack attaches without any major looseness and holds well, but the increased bulk and weight does make balancing a bit trickier. The joint strength on the body alone is just right with nothing particularly loose, but once you attach the Ballute Pack, you really need to get the balance right or it'll topple over. You'll also need the basic sense to shift the legs back a little. The added bulk also limits the range of motion, making it hard to pull off a variety of action poses. You're better off thinking of it as a standing kit. :-)

In the lore, the Ballute Pack can also be equipped on the Rick-Dias and Hi-Zack, but the Ballute Pack included in this kit cannot be properly attached to other units without modification. The MG Rick-Dias/Hi-Zack have completely different shoulder, chest, and lower leg attachment points — nothing lines up and there are no holes. Even the plated Hyaku-Shiki, which shares nearly the same body, is difficult to attach it to properly. As you can see in the photos above, you can force it on, but it looks a bit off.

If you look closely at the Ballute Pack runners, you can see they're set up for system injection. My personal take is that they've separately prepared dedicated connection parts to allow attachment to the Rick-Dias and Hi-Zack as well, and it seems likely that future releases like a Hi-Zack Earth Federation Forces version + Ballute Pack could be on the way.

Overall, this is a kit with a lot going for it — excellent molded color and surface finish, the big Ballute Pack option, and the fact that it's one of that certain someone's iconic mobile suits. There aren't many panel lining spots to begin with, so it's easy to recommend even to those who enjoy pure straight builds. All in all, it's fair to say it was a fresh and fun new attempt. :-)

MG MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★★	Under-gates & good color separation mean no seam lines except on the weapons.
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★★	A beautiful molded surface with a glossy finish — and it's not even plated~
Proportions	★★★★★	Sleek and sharp, just like a Hyaku-Shiki should be. Bulked up considerably thanks to the Ballute Pack.
Articulation	★★★★	Both arms and legs bend close to 180°. Movement is tough with the Ballute Pack on.
Joint Strength	★★★★	Was just right originally.. looks a bit weak with the Ballute Pack on.
Internal Frame	★★★☆	Only the backpack and legs. The Ballute Pack detail saves it somewhat.
Detail	★★★★★	The body is excellent. The Ballute Pack is reasonably good too.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★	A non-plated version with the Ballute Pack option included! Feels like a generous package.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★	333 parts total. Parts per ¥1,000: 83.3. About right.
Uniqueness	★★★★☆	A fully optioned Hyaku-Shiki with an excellent molded surface.
Dalong's Point : 90 pts.

MG Hyaku-Shiki + Ballute System | 2005. 9 | ¥4,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.