OLD MSV 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type Box

Release 1984.4

Price ¥1,000

BANDAI BANDAI Japan product info

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Box side view (1/3)

Box side view

Runners

Waterslide decals

Comes with a black-and-white instruction manual and a color mechanical file.

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Parts (1/2)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Parts (2/2)

Parts diagram

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (1/8)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (2/8)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (3/8)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (4/8)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (5/8)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Manual (6/8)

Manual

Straight build + waterslide decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type (1/2)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type (2/2)

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Decals applied around the body. (1/3)

Decals applied around the body.

A total of 5 hands are included.

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - The RX-78 inner frame and Full Armor armor are separate, but since they're joined wi

The RX-78 inner frame and Full Armor armor are separate, but since they're joined with glue, it's not a removable system.

The newly designed 1/100 RX-78 inner frame

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - To fit the Full Armor armor, the beam saber mount can be folded inside the backpack.

To fit the Full Armor armor, the beam saber mount can be folded inside the backpack. Didn't expect a neat little gimmick like that to be in an old-school kit..

The limb articulation is improved compared to the original 1/100 RX-78.

Shoulder forward/backward movement and elbow rotation gimmick

No core fighter means the waist can rotate.

The neck tilts in all directions.

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Leg articulation is vastly improved compared to the original 1/100 RX-78 with its fi

Leg articulation is vastly improved compared to the original 1/100 RX-78 with its fixed thighs.

The legs can now spread apart as well.

Internal joint structure of the legs

The ankles bend forward and backward as well as side to side.

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Comparison shot with the 1/100 RX-78. Proportions and joints have been upgraded. (1/

Comparison shot with the 1/100 RX-78. Proportions and joints have been upgraded.

Articulation with the armor on

The waist still rotates even with the armor on ^^

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Action Pose (1/3)

Action pose

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Action poses 2 (3/3)

Action pose 2

Together with the 1/100 RX-78 First Gundam.

Together with the MSV 1/100 MS-06R Zaku II.

OLD 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type - Together with the MSV 1/144 Full Armor Gundam. The 1/100 is clearly the better-looki

Together with the MSV 1/144 Full Armor Gundam. The 1/100 is clearly the better-looking one visually.

Together with the MG Full Armor Gundam released in 2010.

This kit is the MSV 1/100 FA78-1 Gundam Fullarmor Type, built around a newly designed 1/100 RX-78 inner frame fitted with Full Armor armor. That said, since the armor has to be glued on, it's not really a removable system — the inner frame and armor are just structurally separate pieces.

The newly redesigned 1/100 RX-78 inner frame has quite a few changes over the original 1/100. For starters, dropping the core fighter allows the waist to rotate, and there are a lot of joint improvements throughout. Most notably, unlike the original 1/100 First Gundam which was infamous for its completely fixed hip joints, this one actually has proper hip articulation, and the flexible ankles that move in all directions make a big difference. Joint strength is also better than most other MSV kits — pretty much everything holds its position well, except for the shoulder raise joint.

Sure, compared to modern kits it still feels like an old-school First Gundam, but the proportions do feel a bit more balanced and stable. One thing that bugs me though is that the arms look noticeably short when posing — and once you put the Full Armor armor on, those stubby arms become even more of an eyesore..

And while the joints are improved, it's still an old kit at the end of the day, so don't expect anything too impressive pose-wise. The bend range on the limbs is still pretty limited, and honestly the biggest thing you'll notice is just how much better the grip is thanks to those more flexible ankles.

Anyway, the kit is notable for the fact that the inner frame and armor are designed to separate (which looks pretty cool), and that the 1/100 First Gundam inner frame got a renewal. On top of that, it has the most stable joints of any 1/100 MSV kit, so it's actually a pretty recommendable MSV kit. :-)
[ Updated at 2017.1.28 ]

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.