OLD 08th MS Team

1/144 GM Sniper

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper Box
Release 1999.10
Price ¥1,000
OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Box side view (1/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Box side view (2/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Box side view (3/3)

Box side view

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Runners (1/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Runners (2/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Runners (3/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Runners (4/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Runners (5/5)

Runners

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Lens-shaped convex stickers are also included.

Lens-shaped convex stickers are also included.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Parts diagram (1/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Parts diagram (2/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Parts diagram (3/3)

Parts diagram

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Manual (1/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Manual (2/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Manual (3/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Manual (4/5) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Manual (5/5)

Manual

Snap-fit + Stickers

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper (1/2) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper (2/2)

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - The cockpit hatch opens, just like the Ground Type GM.

The cockpit hatch opens, just like the Ground Type GM.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Generous weapon loadout

Generous weapon loadout

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - The long-range beam rifle even comes with a premium lens-shaped sticker.

The long-range beam rifle even comes with a premium lens-shaped sticker.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - A total of 7 hands are included, the most generous of any kit in the series.

A total of 7 hands are included, the most generous of any kit in the series.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - An Apsalus III at roughly 1/1000 scale is included in the box.

An Apsalus III at roughly 1/1000 scale is included in the box.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Apsalus III detail shots (1/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Apsalus III detail shots (2/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Apsalus III detail shots (3/3)

Apsalus III detail shots.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Limb articulation is the same as the Ground Type GM.

Limb articulation is the same as the Ground Type GM.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Action poses with the weapons also included in the original Ground Type GM (1/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Action poses with the weapons also included in the original Ground Type GM (2/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Action poses with the weapons also included in the original Ground Type GM (3/3)

Action poses with the weapons also included in the original Ground Type GM

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Holding the long-range beam rifle (1/2) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Holding the long-range beam rifle (2/2)

Holding the long-range beam rifle

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Long-range beam rifle firing poses (1/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Long-range beam rifle firing poses (2/3) OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Long-range beam rifle firing poses (3/3)

Long-range beam rifle firing poses

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Together with the 1/144 Ground Type GM.

Together with the 1/144 Ground Type GM.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Together with the MG GM Sniper.

Together with the MG GM Sniper.

OLD 1/144 GM Sniper - Group shot of all the 08th MS Team kits.

Group shot of all the 08th MS Team kits.

The last of the Gundam 08th MS Team 1/144 kits is the GM Sniper. Since it's essentially a color variation of the Ground Type GM, it shares the same body characteristics — solid joint strength and fun posability.

First up, the GM Sniper's signature weapon — the long-range beam rifle. It comes with two dedicated hands, so you can hold it two-handed without any trouble, and you can pull off some pretty convincing sniping poses. That said, being an older kit, getting it into a prone firing position is a bit of a stretch.

On top of that, all the weapons from the Ground Type GM are included as well, so you've got plenty of options for different poses. There's also the rather unique bonus of an Apsalus III at roughly 1/1000 scale thrown in. With all these extras over the Ground Type GM, the price went up ¥200 to ¥1000.

Anyway, since this mobile suit has never gotten an HGUC release, and with the special bonus of the Apsalus III on top of that, this old-school kit seems like a worthwhile pick-up for what it is — decent quality for its age. :-)
[ Updated at 2018.3.23 ]