Bandai  1/100 GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia

GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia

This mobile suit made its appearance in the manga side story Mobile Suit Gundam 00V. The GN-001 Gundam Exia has the option to be equipped with the optional high-mobility equipment, hs-A01 Avalanche. The  "Avalanche" refers to the immediate elimination of all opposing units before the attached Exia, as if in the face of an avalanche. The  code "hs" and  "A01" signifies for "high speed" and "Avalanche Unit-01".

Although the Exia is equipped with the native GN particle propulsion system native, allowing it to have relatively high speed and acceleration, the unit lacks the capability to match or exceed certain aircrafts and spacecrafts in flight.

Hence, the Avalanche was developed for the purpose of overcoming this issue by installing optional equipment. This is actually a series of large-capacity GN particle condenser attachments, which stores the particle production of the GN drive. It is for release in a single 10-minute burst of ultra-high speed. Even though, higher output is possible, it places a very severe strain on the Gundam Meister. Another weakness is that the condensers require a full hour to charge, thus repeated use of the burst function in a single quick-action operation is next to impossible.

The standard Seven Swords armaments can be mounted behind the Avalanche equipment for quick deployment. The name "Avalanche" refers to the immediate elimination of all units before the attached Exia, as if in the face of an avalanche. "hs" stands for "high speed," and "A01" stands for "Avalanche Unit-01."

The Gunpla Kit : GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia

This kit has all the parts for a Gunpla enthusiast to assemble one cool Exia, plus with some extra parts for the Avalanche equipment. Since this kit is derived from the regular 1/100 GN-001 Exia, there are extra unused parts. For example, there are parts for the GN Shield which can be assembled but not used. This is due to the lower arms being attached with the add-on Avalanche module. However, this reviewed kit did not use the modified chest vents option, but rather went with the original Exia's chest vents.

Still on the parts, one should be patient and persevere as there are many thick gates. This of course leads to more work in cleaning the nubs from the parts. For some strange mysterious reasons which Bandai could shed some light, why oh why are the gates connected to some center of the parts.

The poseability of Exia outclass some of the older MG-grades kits. with double joints above and below the elbow and knee sections. Beware though as this mobile suit has a habit of not "keeping" in certain poses.
In the looks department, for those who likes their mobile suit to be "chunkier" as in more bulk, more add-ons such as weapons or armors, Avalanche Exia is the one.

Some liberties were taken to modify the paint scheme. The amount of red and yellow sections have been reduced. Instead, certain sections where replaced with blue, darker shade of blue, brass, aluminum and steel.

Features:

• Celestial Being logo stickers

• Based on the design drawings by mecha designer, Kanetake Ebikawa

• Mechanical detailing, hence the Mechanical Detail designation. (other 1/100 Gunpla kits from the Gundam 00 includes the Tieren Ground Type, Astrea, Astrea Type-F and the SVMS-010 Overflag)

• Extra parts from the Exia, which can be used or for modifications

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