A strangely underrated kit this

I have always wondered how my old self would react to the newer HGUC kits of today.

Today we get to see so much innovation that was done to the HGUC line, up to the point when I look back at my very first HGUC kit, the HGUC Guncannon (which as well as the very first in the series) and compare it to the 2018’s HGUC Galbaldy β. It almost seems to me like this is two very vastly different kits, which does indicate to me on how far the HGUC line up has gone since it re-branded themselves back in 1999.

Frankly, we are not here today to reminisce about the old times but to talk about the kit that I’ve been working on in this past few weeks.

Yes, today I will be giving you my final thoughts on the HG 1/144 RMS-117 Galbaldy β (HGUC). But before we get there, let us first get into the lore and history of this awesome MS, shall we?

History and Development of the RMS-117 Galbaldy β

Model name:

RMS-117

Classification:

Mass-Production General-Purpose Mobile Suit

Weapon systems:

Beam Saber

Shield

Missile Launcher

Beam Rifle

Height:

19.0m

Armour Material:

Titanium Alloy

Powerplant:

Ultracompact Minovsky Fusion Reactor

Total Thrust:

63,200kg

Effective Sensor Radius:

8,900m

Crew:

1 pilot

After the end of the One Year War, the Earth Federation on a high with their recent victory against The Principality of Zeon. Decided collectively to stop any major development of any new MS. Thinking that there was no way that there would be anything that would stand in their way, since the fall of the Principality, they became quite arrogant.

Well, that is up until the inevitable happened, the Solomon Incident.

This particular incident made those on the High Tables in the Earth Federation leadership quite taken aback. Fearing that there will be a new faction that would take the place of the Principality, the Earth Federation leadership decided to create a new counterinsurgency Task Force, TITANS in combating the growing resistance to the Earth Federation rule in the colonies and as well to combat the ever-present threat of the Zeon Remnants.

Ironically, this doesn’t sit well with many in the Earth Federation, which is why we see the rise of the factions opposing the TITANS like the A.E.U.G and Karaba which had members consisted many of former Federation and Zeon soldiers that were opposed to the TITANS Tyranny.

Although that wasn’t the only thing that Earth Federation did, they as well decided to restart most of their MS Development program. This was because they saw how the mainline grunt MS the GMII’s was being outmatched by the ones fielded by both the Karaba and the A.E.U.G, but since most of the said projects were so far behind in terms of development process, in desperation they decided to turn to alot of the Late-One Year War MS designs that was confiscated from the principality of Zeon’s Pezun weapons development division.

This, in turn, is why during the Gryps Conflict we see alot of the Earth Federation and its TITANS branch’s MS sporting a look that was more like something that comes from the Principality of Zeon’s late war MS designs. For example, you would have the Hi-Zack that looked like a slightly updated Zaku II and as well you have the Galbaldy β which looked more like a slightly updated Gelgoog.

Although, it should be said that from out the two, the only one that was becoming the pilots favorite amongst the Earth Federation and the TITANS MS pilots that might be the Galbaldy β. Because unlike the Hi-Zack which was mostly just an updated Zaku II, the Galbaldy β is a little bit of an odd one out. Because this MS is actually was an original MS that was developed really late into the OYW. So it does have an alot better overall performance when compared to the Hi-Zack which reuse many of the same outdated design of the Zaku II.

But it is not to say that there are no improvements made to this MS, compared to the original alpha variant, the beta variant had alot more major improvements that were made. For instance, the Earth Federation improved the beta version’s overall armor design from the original Zeon’s alpha variant’s Design to make it look more akin to the gelgoog’s. They as well replaced the Galbaldy α’s head with a head unit design that looked more like a slightly modified Gelgoog’s head. They as well added a feature on the head unit which enables it to shoot flares from its head unit, this was added due to the fact that the minovsky particles disrupt communication and this was added to help the MS team to better coordinate their manoeuvers in battle.

One of the most significant changes that were made here is probably is with the Galbaldy β maneuverability. Which is why this MS was a favorite amongst the Earth Federation pilots. They added more thrusters and tweaked many of the existing ones to further improve the maneuverability of this MS. Which in turn made this MS to be able to go toe to toe against the newer A.E.U.G’s grunt MS models at the time.

In terms of weaponry, it still uses the same ‘slightly improved’ Gelgoog’s Beam Rifle. But for the shield, the Galbaldy β uses the Earth Federation’s offensive Shield Design, where the Galbaldy β’s shield was installed with two anti-MS rocket pods and as well the shield was given the MK-II shield treatment, where the shield unit can detract itself to make it more compact. The Galbaldy β as well was given two E.F standard beam sabers that are stored in its shoulder armor unit.

They were mass produced till the end of the Gryps Conflict, with the rise of the NeoZeon threat it made sense for them to stop mass producing suits that might confuse the friendlies. As well with the introduction of the much better performing GM III, it kind of made more sense for them to just streamline their MS production and stick with the GM line for their grunt suits.

With that ends the history lesson, now let us move on to the actual review, shall we?

The Review

Out of all the Gunpla lineups that I have the pleasure of working on, I do feel like the HGUC line up is the one that I’ve seen major changes made to it throughout the years. From the easy to build kit like the 1999’s HGUC Guncannon to the awesome 2018’s HGUC Moon Gundam. We really have been seeing alot of major changes in the HGUC line up.

Which is slowly making the HG line up looking more like the RG lineup nowadays.

So coming into this build, I was admittedly quite excited, after coming on a high with both recently completed (and reviewed) 2019’s HGUC R-Jarja and the HGUC Galbaldy β’s actual unboxing. I was admittedly was feeling quite positive that this is going to be a kit where I would definitely be having a good time working on it.

True, enough the HGUC Galbaldy β doesn’t disappoint.

The HGUC Galbaldy β was one of those HG kits that really hits the mark. From the point, I open the box and up until I put together the last piece together, there wasn’t a time that I spent with the HGUC Galbaldy β that I didn’t end up smiling like an idiot. As well it was one of those that I really have nothing to complain about as well since everything just works so well here. That means, no fitting issues, no really serious nub issues, and the sprues were pretty much easily disposed of.

But the thing is even though I was expecting it to be good, I honestly wasn’t really expecting to find myself loving the whole process of building it from start to finish. Which I do find to be quite interesting because throughout my run with the HGUC Galbaldy β I do find it to be pretty much a straight forward, traditional HGUC kit. Well, with some new modern HG elements thrown in here and there.

Even when compared with any of the same 2018 releases that I’ve worked on, the HGUC Galbaldy β feels like quite a standard cheap HGUC kit. Frankly, there is really nothing here that I could really say that makes this HGUC Galbaldy β really stands out amongst the other 2018 releases.

So, you might be thinking why was I am so impressed by it when nothing of it has been so special.

Well, that might come down to the whole experience of building this, from how the runners and parts feel on my hands while handling them, to how insanely detailed some of the individual parts looked and just how easy it is to just deal with the usual annoyances (i.e: the nubs and the sprues). Basically, they really nailed the fundamentals of a good gunpla down with the HGUC Galbaldy β.

Which I do admit, is something that I was surprised with. Because normally, I would only see Bandai only does this with those kits on the more higher price points, like the MG or the RG kits. Normally not seen on an HG kit, especially not on those that on the lower price points. So yeah, I was quite taken aback by this, because it’s strange to see them pulling all the stops here on a cheap HGUC kit.

As strange as it may seem to me, at some point during my time with the HGUC Galbaldy β it felt as if Bandai cared to make something amazing, regardless of its price range and line up.

This kit made me feel like I’m picking up the HGUC kit for the first time, it made me remember how I felt working on the HGUC Guncannon, my one experience with gunplas that I really have fond memories of.

But the building experience is not the only thing that I was impressed by, there is as well the matter of its awesome looks. Because frankly some of the details that I see here with this HGUC kit, feels almost like to point rivaling the level of detail that we normally see on an RG kit. Which further impressing with how far they are willing to go here with an HGUC kit here. Although the looks the HGUC Galbaldy β is a bit of a hard sell for most gunpla collector or first time builder. But I do feel if you are someone that is interested in building gunplas, you really need to go out and try working on this kit at least once.

Overall, this is a really impressive kit. Especially on when you factor in the fact that this is a kit that is on the lower end of the HG price spectrum, it really does make into a pretty worthwhile purchase! This might be one of the best HG grunt units that I’ve worked on in this year. One that I as well feel really confident recommending it to ya’ll!

I really hope that they really continue to creating more wonderful kits like this.

With that ends the review for the HG 1/144 RMS-117 Galbaldy β (HGUC). What do you think of both the kit and the review for this HGUC kit? Do you share the same thoughts with us or do you think that this kit could’ve been better?

Despite my struggles to just complete this with life and my sickness being in the way of gunpla-ing, I was glad that the kit was a joy to build and one that helped to be my source of happiness as I go through life.

I really hope, that my next project; the RG Crossbone continues down this path and keeps me looking forward to more gunpla awesomeness in the many months and years to come.

Anyways, we will be back again this week more Let’s Talk Gunpla Segment on the coming Wednesday and we will be back as well on the coming Sunday with a new unboxing! So, do look forward to that!

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We hope by sharing our love and passion for gunplas here, it’ll inspire you to pick up the hobby or reignite your love for gunpla!

Anyways, we shall see all of you again next week, and we hope that you all have an awesome week and weekend ahead! Have an awesome Gunpla building time there as well and until next time!

Ciao!