OLD Gundam ZZ Doven Wolf

Release 1986.11

Price ¥800

BANDAI BANDAI Japan product info

Box side view

Runners

Parts diagram

Manual

Snap-fit build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack. It's 1/144 scale, but the size is practically on par with 1/100.

OLD 1/144 Doven Wolf - The Mega Launcher's barrel and shoulder stock can extend and retract, and the grip is also a fold-away

The Mega Launcher's barrel and shoulder stock can extend and retract, and the grip is also a fold-away type.

You can spread both handles apart and plug it into the center of the body — it locks in nice and solid.

For its size, the articulation is actually not bad at all.

Shoulder and backpack articulation

OLD 1/144 Doven Wolf - The Doven Wolf's signature Mega Launcher firing pose. With it locked solidly into the center of the bo

The Doven Wolf's signature Mega Launcher firing pose. With it locked solidly into the center of the body, you can pull off a really stable pose.

Holding the Mega Launcher one-handed looks a bit awkward.. feels like it's just resting there?

Beam saber action

Together with the HGUC Doven Wolf released in 2014.

The old kit's feet are way bigger than the HGUC's ;;

Together with the 1/144 ZZ Gundam. The Doven Wolf is way bigger.

The big boys of the ZZ lineup, all together.

The 17th kit in the old ZZ series is the 1/144 Doven Wolf. Like its predecessor the Dreissen, this is one of the bigger mobile suits in the ZZ lineup, and even at 1/144 scale it's got the presence of an MG. As you can see from the comparison shots with the HGUC above, for an old kit it holds up really well in terms of size and proportions.

First off, despite its massive size, the joint strength is surprisingly solid. The Dreissen before it had really loose hip joints, but the Doven Wolf holds its pose well no matter what position you put it in. If anything, it feels even tighter than the HGUC.

The signature pose of mounting the Mega Launcher on the belly and firing also works great, with the launcher locking in firmly. The one frustrating thing is that the arms are a bit short, so it's not easy to grip both handles of the Mega Launcher at the same time — but you can still pull off a stable firing pose regardless. The Mega Launcher's signature front-and-back extension gimmick and articulation are also reproduced nicely, right up there with the HGUC.

So in terms of sculpt, articulation, and joint strength, this is one of the better old kits out there — though the molded colors do have a bit of a candy toy feel to them. That said, it seems like just painting it without any major modifications would bring out an incredibly impressive look given its size. Even with just seam line cleanup and a paint job, I don't think it would lose to the HGUC at all. In fact, the feet and legs are noticeably bigger and chunkier than the HGUC's, so in terms of sheer heaviness and bulk, the old kit might actually have the edge.

Of course, the HGUC Doven Wolf released in 2014 is an excellent kit in its own right, so there's no particular reason to go out of your way to recommend the old one — but if you're looking to enjoy painting without major modifications at a fraction of the cost, this is a solid old kit that's well worth having fun with. :-)
[ Updated at 2017.7.26 ]