Kit Review

Snap-fit build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

With Assaultshroud armor equipped.

HG Duel Gundam Assaultshroud - Detail shots (1/4)

HG Duel Gundam Assaultshroud - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

The added skirt armor limits how far the hip joints can raise up.

HG Duel Gundam Assaultshroud - Rifle shooting pose (1/3)

Rifle shooting pose

Action pose 2

The Assaultshroud armor is removable.

Duel Gundam base unit.

Duel Gundam base unit detail shots

The base unit's articulation is a straightforward 90-degree bend at the joints.

HG Duel Gundam Assaultshroud - The kneeling pose comes out naturally too. (1/3)

The kneeling pose comes out naturally too.

Beam saber action pose

Together with the 1/100 Duel Gundam Assaultshroud.

Together with the HG Aile Strike Gundam.

The second Gundam SEED HG kit is the Duel Gundam Assaultshroud. This is a unit based on the concept of equipping the base Duel Gundam with the Assaultshroud additional armor, and the Assaultshroud is reproduced as a removable piece.

First off, the Duel Gundam base unit shows a parts layout, color separation, articulation, and joint strength that are all appropriate for an HG kit. Sure, being a 2002 kit means the joints are a straightforward 90-degree bend, but the kneeling pose comes out well and there's no real trouble pulling off a variety of poses. That said, the ankle contact with the ground is a bit iffy, so spreading the legs too wide is a bit of a struggle. It's also a shame that the rear Assaultshroud skirt armor tends to fall off easily, which gets annoying when posing.

Putting on the Assaultshroud armor does significantly cut down the hip joint range of motion due to the skirt armor, but then again, heavily armored units are more about style and proportions than articulation anyway. The stickers on the shoulders and chest do create a bit of an inconsistent look given the limitations of the HG grade, but since they at least properly reproduced the armor swap feature, I think we can let it slide. ^^;

All in all, it's a solid enough kit, and if you're a fan of the Duel Gundam, this is an HG kit you can build without too many complaints. :-)

HG Duel Gundam Assaultshroud | 2002. 11 | ¥1,200