Bandai HGGS 1/144 MBF-P03 Astray Blue Frame Second L - Review

This is one of my favorite designs from Gundam Seed - scratch that, from all Gundam! The basic design is known as the Astray, and this particular variant is known as the Astray Blue, Second L.

In a nut shell, this mecha is an upgraded unit, now boasting of a multiple-mode weapon and propulsion system known as the Tactical Arms, which has three modes: a winged flight pack, a gun system, and a large sword with rocket thrusters.

For more information, you can check out the history in the following links:

Gundam Wikia: MBF-P03 Second L
MAHQ.net: MBF-P03 Second L

Yes, it can be balanced while at a relaxed stance - but not with a straight-on, equal-footing stance.

Construction  
Preliminary notes: If someone is thinking, does it mirror the original 2nd L 1/100 kit, or is it similar to the 2nd L Revise MG kit? The answer there is that the details seem to point to it being the 2nd L, but not the Revise. However... more on that later.

Head
Compared to the HGGS 1/144 "standard" Astray's head, there are many small parts for this kit, most probably because the kit designers want it to be possible to paint the small details with as little hassle as possible. However, this also means that you should be careful in assembling the parts - and yes, the large head fins are a definite pain. However, the head is one of the great details of the kit, so it's justified. You just have to be careful. It's also closer to the MG Revise design then the original Non-MG 2nd L 1/100 kit's head design.

The wings really are a bit awkward to look at.

Torso
The torso area uses the new polycap set, and now comes with a mid-abdominal joint. I was honestly worried that the polycap balls used for the torso section would not be able to support the weight of the Tactical Arms in flight pack mode, but so far, it seems to work. Again, lots of little parts and details, but it works out well, and the build is rather solid. If you're looking to repaint the internal parts, the way that the kit is assembled will allow you to paint it, literally layer upon layer, as the external armor parts can be clipped on last.

Size and proportion comparison for two generations of Blue Astrays

Legs & Feet
The legs follow a more modern construction: rather than using a ball joint at the hip, it uses a stick joint and two separate joints for two different axes of movement. The knee construction is fine, but the knees don;t really lock into "full attention" position, so it's rare when the knee armor is actually flush and in alignment with the thigh armor edge.

The ankle and foot design is surprisingly well done - there is ssome lose of ankle mobility with the use of the ankle guards (something that is also true for the two 1/100 kit versions), but with it comes a certain stability. This is important, given the Tactical Arms Weapons system mounted on its back.

This tijme, back view with dagger drawn, toe blade extended, and the shoulder armor's rear thrusters in full active mode.

In the next installement:

Review for the arms and the Tactical Arms Weapon System, with more additional observations.

UPDATE: Click here for the second part of this review

If you want to see an earlier non-review entry about this kit, CLICK HERE.

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