HG Aile Strike Gundam (1/144) Open Box Review

I know this has been out for a while, but I wasn't one of the lucky ones who
got it first.  Just got it the day after I got the HGUC Zeta kit (which HLJ
shipped separately, BOO!), and since I'm finished with the Zeta, thought I
would toss out my impressions of the kit.  For the record, I KNOW this has
been out for a while, so I don't need any Mr(s). Smartypants telling me
that.  If you find this helpful or informative, let me know.  Otherwise,
keep it to yourself, wiseguy ;-)

ON TO THE OPEN BOX REVIEW!

This kit comes on four runners, two "full-size," and two smaller runners.
Lets call them quarter-runners.
My first impression, I thought I had been shorted a runner because I didn't
see any blue parts, but they're a multi-colored runner with FOUR other
colors.  The blue for the torso, gray for the gray portions of the body, red
for the sheild and feet, and yellow for the V-fin.  The two outer fins will
need to be painted white.  It does come with separate red peices for the
center of the V-Fin, as well as the traditional "Gundam Chin."  ALMOST
everything else is molded in the correct colors, but darn it, not
everything.  Most noticeably, the shoulder armor is molded in two halves, so
the gray will have to be painted.  Unless you're really good at matching
colors with paints, you'll either have to paint all of the gray peices to
match, or leave it unpainted.  GRR!

The two "quarter-runners" are dedicated solely to the construction of the
Aile Strike pack, and surprisingly, mostly molded in the correct colors.
The only necessary painting will be the red striping on the upper wings, and
the yellow striping on the lower thrusters, and the inner thruster nozzles
should be painted black.

It appears that the legs peices are molded in the appropriate gray and white
peices.  Aside from the painting on the shoulder armor, and one part of the
underside of the arm, the arms are done the same.

The beam rifle is in standard HG form, two left/right halves, a muzzle, and
grip.  The Beam saber is disappointing, with the hand, hilt, and blade all
molded into one peice.  There are two separate hilts provided to insert into
the Aile Strike packs holsters.  The shield is molded into two halves, a red
front half and a white back half.  The yellow on the face of the shield will
need to be painted, as well as the white cross peice above the little view
slot.  The back of the shield will need to be painted dark gray or black.

I'm a little disappointed in the small number of runners in this box,
especially considering the price.  Heck, the HGUC Z'Gok came with at least
three runners (I believe) and it was four dollars cheaper.  But on the other
side of the coin, there are a lot of small, specialized peices.  Not a bad
looking kit, and the poseability seems to be LIGHTYEARS ahead of other 1/144
kits.  I'll post a build up review when I've finished it.