PG Strike Freedom Gundam - Commentary 2

Here's the info and for reference here is a link to Commentary 1 and some detailed design shots.  Both Z and Lupes said that I'm probably going to be right about this thing and it is shaping up to be that way.  Take a look.

Translated Detail from Ngee Khiong:
- Will be the largest PG release in terms of volume when the Super Dragoon is expanded.

- Customized display base is included.
- Dynamic poses are possible using the base with adjustable angle of display.
- Extra finish enhancement for the golden interior that will be exposed in High Maneuver mode and Full Burst mode. Gimmicks are incorporated for the exposure of the parts.

3 major design points:
- Gimmick for the release of the Super Dragoon
* Sliding action of the Super Dragoon is linked to various mechanism of the wing when it's released
- Complete new mold for the movable frame
* Movable joints combine with expandable golden parts
* Further improvement of the slide mechanism of the interior and exterior parts as compared to PG Strike Gundam, which will effectively expose the golden finish parts.

- New mechanism for the joint design
* New joint design for the waist and leg to handle the weight and stress of the model. Durability of the joints is improved while posing capability is retained.
Weapons and accessories: beam shield, beam rifle x2, "Xiphias 3" railgun x2, Super Dragoon x8, display base.
Content: 55 runners in total, construction manual, commentary booklet, LED unit for the head, foil sticker, screw for LED lighting unit, spring x8, PET part for shield, clear sticker.

Packaging size is 600mm (width) x 400mm (height) x 180mm (depth).

(Release Date: Dec 2010, Price: 26250 Yen)
  
First, let me say that I feel for you guys overseas who are going to pick this up.  That's a steep price by itself but combined with shipping costs + mark ups from local dealers... oh and how about that yen eh?! 85 to the $. 

Sorry my friends it's not going to be cheap so just mentally prepare yourself for that now. I don't want to imagine what the end cost is going to be for you.  Hopefully there will be some deals out there but I don't think this is going to go the route of the PG 00 which started at the same price but eventually got pushed down to nearly 15000 yen!  I expect that the price will be reduced for us in Japan (it always is.  I've paid the listed full price for my Gundam about... uh... never.)  So I might be able to get away with this for about 21000 yen.  That may sound like a lot of money and it is... but it's basically what I paid for the PG Zeta Gundam.  I've done it before and I'm willing to do it again.  Plus I'm living a lifestyle right now where 21000 yen for a model like this is something I can definitely manage.  

It may not be the best decision I ever make but... I won't be kicking myself.  Especially If I can complete it by years end.  Which is my goal.  Running through re-colour ideas as we speak and yes it will probably be something similar to what you think I'm going to do.  Busterbeam専用機!  All ace pilots have their own colour scheme!  Why should I be the exception?  And all of us modelers have own on styles and personalities that come out in our work.  Most of you have a feel for mine by now I think.  And I daresay that some of you actually like it. Just don't get on my case right now about how I haven't finished anything recently.  I'm working on that!

I expect that the kit will be very popular, especially since it taps into the younger Seed/Destiny generation of Gundam fans who have more of an international presence not to mention more of a pronounced gender balance as opposed to any U.C. stuff.  And of course... it is the... flagsuit (?!) of the series!  Can't really go wrong there.

Anyway, because of these reasons I'm not expecting a significant drop in price anytime soon.  Sorry.  I think this kit will stay popular and won't see the relatively sharp tapering off in demand that the PG 00 showed.  Time will tell if I'm right on this or not but it will get cheaper over time.  All PG kits do (except for extra finish versions).

haha I can't believe that I thought this might be sold for under 20000 and even went so low as 15000.  wtf was I thinking there?!  Dream on indeed. (check the comments of Commentary 1 if you want to see what I'm talking about)

I was right in saying that this kit would incorporate some new modeling technology that we haven't seen yet.  Studier joints and special gimmicks included to expose the frame.
AND! PLATED PARTS

I know from reading the comments from Com.1 that some of you were not really feeling this idea but you know that I AM!  Yeah!  I want to look at this Gundam in the right light and have it look so bright that it brings a tear to my eye.  Like the plated gold Musha Mk.II.  Yes. I love that stuff and I'm willing to pay for it.  ANA Gundam?  Don't get me started.

I figured they'd do a new mold because the Strike Freedom is just too different from the Strike/Red Frame.  You can kind of see that in the design shots I posted earlier.  Improving on the Strike frame is a tall order but it has been 6 years already.  The Red Frame proved to me that as great as the frame is, armour application can still ruin a lot of things, which is why I still refer to the Strike as the best PG out there and not the Red Frame.

In short; STOKED

This is a very large pic or the prototype so it's a good one to check out the details and proportions.

Impressions: Excellent. Love the proportions.  

I'm a bit concerned about the fragility of the dragoon frame.  There are some thin moving parts there which means they're going to be under some stress mean mean potential breakage if some of the joints there are too stiff.  And those parts way be plated because they're exposed.  Depends on the type of plastic they use.  
Older PG's have even been known to use die cast metal parts (only in the waist though really).  I wonder if this will have them anywhere?

Like Z said in his post I think the belly cannon should be extended/pushed down a bit more.  As you can see I obviously think of it as being in the stomach area but it's looking like its more in the chest.  

I like the shoulders and the head a lot.  I think the head is beautiful actually.

The final thing that I noticed about this suit is that it is totally symmetrical.  I don't think I have one Gundam that's like that because they usually have a shield on the left arm.  This one has beam shields on both.  Beam sabers, rail guns, beam rifles, vulcans, dragoons...  all mirror each other. 

Thus my love for this kit has just increased to another level.  This is going to be amazing.  I can't believe I'm going to say this but this really may be the perfect gundam model kit. For me at least.  I like almost EVERYTHING about it.  My gripes right now are minor and barely worth mentioning.

I suspect that the frame of the kit will done in yellow with plated parts here and there where they'll be exposed through the armour.

Looks like it will be a bit taller than the Red Frame but I doubt many people are going to be posing this thing standing on the ground.

I can taste it.  It's going to be good.  It's going to be very good...