RMS-117 GALBALDY-B BL

RMS-117 Galbaldy-B from Bandai

A kit of the Galbaldy mobile suit from the Zeta Gundam era, made by the Japanese company Bandai. The model is snap-fit: the parts are already colored in the plastic and snap together, so you build it without glue and without painting. Anyone who wants to can still spray it, pick out the panel lines and unify it with varnish. Bandai sorts its kits into ranges that differ in how demanding the build is.

The real subject

The RMS-117 Galbaldy is a mass-production mobile suit from the Zeta Gundam era. In shape it follows on from the older machines of the previous conflict, which went on being developed and modified after it ended, so it combines a familiar silhouette with later features. It is precisely that transitional position that makes it an interesting piece for a collection: alongside the striking hero machines it stands for the ordinary rank-and-file equipment the story could not do without.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with sprue cutters a little away from the part and level the rest of the gate with a file or a sanding sponge, so that no light mark is left on the colored plastic. Snapped joints hold firmly, but do not force the thin parts. Pick out the engraved lines with a paneliner and wipe off the excess. A matte or semi-gloss varnish will rid the surface of its plastic sheen. On a rank-and-file machine, restrained wear and dusting also suit it well and give it a service look.

Who the model is for

• For fans of the Zeta Gundam era and of mass-production mobile suits.
• For beginners without glue, paints and an airbrush.
• For modelers who like adding rank-and-file machines to a collection, not just the main heroes.
• For advanced builders who want to try a restrained patina on pre-colored plastic.

The parts are pre-colored in the plastic and snap together. Glue and paints are not needed for the build; tools and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.