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  February 9, 2012  

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HOME...REVIEWS...TOYS...GUNDAM

Superior Defender Gundam
Wing Zero Custom Model

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Zapper Zaku
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Name: SD Gundam Wing Zero Custom Model
Series: Superior Defender Gundam
Manufacturer: Bandai (www.bandai.com)
MSRP: $7.99
Size Class: Level 1 Beginner
Availability: General release to all toy stores

As part of it's big push for SD Gundam Force, Bandai is bringing over numerous SD ("super deformed") kits from Japan. At present, these kits are of Mobile Suits that do not appear in the SD Gundam Force show proper. Instead, the kits are SD versions of popular designs from normal Gundam shows.

The Wing Gundam Zero Custom is one of the kits released in such a fashion. Based on the popular Wing Zero Custom (Katoki version) from the "Gundam Wing Endless Waltz" movie/OVA (Original Video Animation), it is a rather good representation of design, in super deformed style.

The kit comes with four plastic runners of parts, three runners with various polycaps, and a set of sticker for some parts. Also included, as part of the instructions is a little SD synopsis of "Endless Waltz".

Construction is simple. Like all recent model kits put out by Bandai, this kit requires no glue at all for assembly. Some areas are provided color in the form of stickers; however some areas, which include the beam saber, wing holders and the two buster rifles, require paint. The sample provided was completely painted, with no stickers used.

Once complete, the kit measures less then three inches tall, with most of the height is taken up by the large head. The arms and legs seem small compared to the it. Also, like most SD Gundam kits, the Gundam Wing Zero Custom is lacking knees; the legs are mostly feet. Lastly, the kit has two sets of wings.

Despite the small stature, this Gundam Wing Zero Custom has many of the special gimmick features of a normal proportion kit of this same design. In some ways this design works out better as a SD kit. The original Gundam Wing Zero Custom designs always had stability issues, as its huge wings made it a tad top heavy. The SD kit, both being stubby and having a stable set of squat legs to support it, doesn't have this problem.

The wings for the SD Gundam Wing Zero Custom can wrap around the body of the robot for reentry mode. The wings do this by a simple unfolding of wing supports. The wings then clip together in this mode.

The other gimmick of the kit concerns the buster riffles. These can combine into a twin buster rifle. Also, since the design has small arms, the shoulders can fully swing forward so the Gundam Wing Zero Custom can hold the combined rifle with both hands.

The Gundam Wing Zero Custom is a cute little kit that is actually a nice build. Like most kits, it does need a bit of work to look snazzy, though painting it is not that hard. A fun design that is worth the money.

Zaku Zapper Zaku Zapper

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