OLD First Gundam 1/144 Gouf

Release 1980.11

Price ¥300

BANDAI BANDAI Japan product info

Runners

Parts diagram

Manual

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

The head came out looking almost identical to the Zaku's

OLD 1/144 Gouf - Cross-section of the arms/legs. Unlike the 1/144 Zaku, there is an ankle joint, but the range of motion is v

Cross-section of the arms/legs. Unlike the 1/144 Zaku, there is an ankle joint, but the range of motion is very limited.

OLD 1/144 Gouf - And instead of the hook+ring glue-on shoulder joint like on the 1/144 Gundam/Zaku, it uses a more normal(?)

And instead of the hook+ring glue-on shoulder joint like on the 1/144 Gundam/Zaku, it uses a more normal(?) shoulder joint with a fixed pin.

The shield slots in between the elbow joints.

OLD 1/144 Gouf - The heat rod should originally start from above the wrist, but here it's just implemented like a weapon you

The heat rod should originally start from above the wrist, but here it's just implemented like a weapon you plug into the hand hole.

The elbows bend 90 degrees, but the legs have almost no articulation — practically immovable.

The shoulder joint raises about that much and holds its position reasonably well.

Like the Zaku, the forearm rotates, allowing for a wider variety of poses.

Action pose

Action pose 2. That's about as far as it can go.

OLD 1/144 Gouf - Alongside the HGUC Gouf released 20 years later. The HGUC Gouf is one of the earlier kits in the HGUC lineup

Alongside the HGUC Gouf released 20 years later. The HGUC Gouf is one of the earlier kits in the HGUC lineup, but the proportions came out quite refined.

Alongside the 1/144 First Gundam.

OLD 1/144 Gouf - Alongside the 1/144 Char's Zaku. Compared to the Zaku, the upper body feels noticeably bigger and more bulke

Alongside the 1/144 Char's Zaku. Compared to the Zaku, the upper body feels noticeably bigger and more bulked out.

This kit is the Gouf, the 3rd 1/144 Gunpla released back in November 1980. It's a mobile suit with a similar concept to the Char's Zaku released just before it, but despite being only two months apart, there are actually a few improvements made to this kit.

For starters, unlike the Char's Zaku, you don't need to cut a hole with a knife to attach the head antenna, the weird ring-and-hook shoulder joint has been replaced with a more straightforward rotating pin shoulder, and an ankle joint has been added.

The hook+ring glue-on shoulder joint that was a hallmark of the 1/144 Gundam and Zaku was honestly a confusing parts setup for beginners. If you got the glue wrong, the shoulder would end up stuck solid and unable to move, or the internal pin would snap mid-pose and the shoulder would pop off permanently. (It actually happened to me T_T) Whether it was because of all the complaints early on, by the 3rd 1/144 kit — the Gouf — it evolved into a T-shaped peg on the shoulder joint itself that slots into the torso, which is honestly just the obvious way to do a shoulder rotation joint.

And while an ankle joint was added compared to the solid one-piece legs of the 1/144 Zaku, the range of motion is so limited that it's practically no different from the Zaku — that's the catch. The arms and shoulders are decent enough, but the legs in stock unmodified form are basically immovable.

The overall proportions are also a bit different from the Zaku — it comes out looking more like a wrestler with a much more developed upper body. It does look a bit tougher than the Zaku, but in terms of proportions alone, the imbalance between the upper and lower body is pretty severe, so the Zaku actually feels more stable and well-balanced by comparison.

The Gouf's signature weapon, the heat rod, is only implemented as a whip you plug into the hand, and the shield hangs off the elbow joint. The shield fit is pretty loose so it just dangles there, meaning you'll basically have to keep the arm straight to hold it in place unless you do some modifications.

All in all, the 1/144 Gouf is a Gunpla that shows a sense of "evolution" even within just two months, and you can really feel the passion of the developers despite the limited technology of the early days. It's hard to say the end result is fully satisfying, but the chunkier, tougher-looking proportions do have a certain nostalgic charm all their own. :-) Updated at 2016.1.4 ]

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.