FIRST TIME? 
Description
This is a posable, Perfect-Grade injection-plastic kit of an item from the Gundam universe.
The kit that Bandai has produced is truly amazing. The most striking aspect is the incredible level of INNER detail. It's almost a shame to put any of the cover panels on this thing, because there is so much on the inside that a little silver and black paint will make very interesting to look at. Bandai is aware of this, and is also going to market an optional parts set for the kit that includes transparent body pieces! This is due in December, we're told. That set will also include a light-up beam saber.
What can you say about this kit? Though some weapons are not included (no doubt for a later release), it's just about everything you could hope for in terms of detail and poseability. Even little actuators in some joints slide in and out like hydraulic pistons when you move them (wrists, etc.). What's more, a watch battery (CR1220) lights the eyes in the head, activated by a tiny switch on the back. Other gimmicks include wings on the core fighter which fold automatically when you tuck in the nose for docking. For a true Gundam hobbyist, there's simply no question about whether you should order this. Even if you don't plan on painting or gluing anything, you should prepare yourself for several evenings of snipping, trimming and snapping before your masterpiece will be completed. There are, after all, 626 parts on 23 runners which combine to form a model that stands nearly 31cm high and 13cm wide with 66 moving joints and 29 opening hatches. What fun!
Details
Assembly Guide
Skill Level 4:
Advanced Skills Required
Kits that we have rated as skill level 4 require all the same modeling techniques and tools as skill level 3. However, these kits tend to include more and smaller parts, the use of multiple materials (resin, white metal, photo-etched, etc.) to complete the kit, and the need to perform some modifications to the parts before they can be used, such as changing their size, opening holes, etc. To properly complete a level 4 kit, you will want to have all of the skill level 3 tools. In addition, a pin-vise (hand-powered drill) and plastic saw will assist in modification of parts when necessary.
Kits in this class are not suitable for small children at all. Children under 14, even if experienced, are likely to have difficulty with a kit like this if they attempt it alone. Adults who have never before completed a plastic model kit are advised to avoid kits of skill level 4 or 5 until they have gained modeling experience working with something less challenging. Examples of kits in skill level 4 would be injection-plastic kits of cars or aircraft that include resin or white metal modification parts, or kits that call for you to cut or otherwise modify existing parts in some way. Many resin figure kits with many parts would also fall into this class.
No Cement Required
This item does not require the use of cement to complete. Some modelers prefer to use cement on snap-together kits in order to fix them into a particular pose, or make a joint more secure. However, this is not required to complete these kits.
No Painting Required
This item does not require painting.
Either the item is completely pre-painted, such as an action figure or other completed figure, or it is molded in the colors of the finished item so that it appears natural after you have assembled it. Note that kits which are molded in their final colors will always look better when painted, even if this is not required. At the very least, a light coat of flat clear spray will make a science-fiction kit look much less toy-like after assembly. The same goes for some action figures as well.