At what speed must I live,
to see you again?
After what feels like countless sunrises and sunsets, and at a pace that felt slower than the fall of Axis, this build series for the PG UNLEASHED ν Gundam has finally reached its conclusion.
I had initially assumed that after completing the main Gundam unit, the remaining work on the weapons would be comparatively light. In reality, the days that followed were still a grueling test of mental and physical stamina. Inspired by the exquisite builds of many professional modelers, I pondered how to integrate similar elements, aiming to craft a truly memorable finale for this legendary and eternally popular mobile suit.
Beam Rifle
First, of course, I started with the smallest weapon. But this is no simple rifle; its output is so immense that during its first sortie, the beam it fired shocked the Neo Zeon pilots into thinking they were under attack by a battleship. The entire rifle's internal frame is packed with intricate details. Here, I've applied some partial masking and color separation to the mechanical structures that will be exposed.
After attaching the outer armor, the diverse color scheme gives this classic weapon a new interpretation.
In addition to the sliding barrel and linked unfolding handle mechanisms, a power output adjustment knob has been added at the rear, making for a very interesting play experience.
The scope uses the same design as the eyes, with a green clear part layered over a silver part, preserving the ability to admire the internal structure.
To store the rifle, you can turn it to the back, open the rear cover, and adjust the internal pivot until the mounting hole is exposed.
Then, flip out the mounting latch on the side of the rifle and insert it. The connection is decent, but such a long rifle is better suited for being held. I probably wouldn't display it this way normally.
New Hyper Bazooka
Before we look at the bazooka barrel itself, let's check out the magazine's internal structure. It's made of just two left-and-right halves, but the frame details are impeccable. It can hold 4 grenades inside.
It's worth noting the outer cover part. The inner side is packed with dense mechanical details, while the outer side is noticeably plain in comparison. This once again proves that this PGU focuses its efforts on the unseen areas, preserving the best display potential for a possible future clear armor release.
To mount the bazooka on the Gundam, you can use the auxiliary connector arm on the backpack. It has multiple points of articulation for flexible angles, and the operation is quite intuitive.
A 280mm caliber bazooka, which at model scale reaches about 30cm in length. It's another incredibly long and substantial cannon!
The handle can be extended and retracted, and the front of the barrel can be extended further. Although I didn't paint the inside due to articulation concerns, it still feels quite tight after handling it a few times.
The bazooka's scope is even larger, a real feast for the eyes. (P.S. Don't be fooled by the ν Gundam's seemingly lifeless eyes; the light unit is on, but the sunlight outside is just incredibly bright).
However, regarding the support from the connector arm, it's really just auxiliary. It can't hold the weight of the entire barrel, so it basically has to be rested on the shoulder. But that doesn't diminish its power! (Now I'm not holding back!).
Shield
Thanks to the convenience of modern technology, I've seen many spectacular works on social media. I wanted to try and add an effect similar to a resonating Psycoframe to the shield's frame. I attempted a gradient airbrushing with three metallic greens and metallic blues. The final result, in my imagination, evokes a sense of the cool, alien landscape from the world of "5 Centimeters per Second," with its interwoven lush green fields and melancholic blue sky.
The frame on the back is detailed with abundant openwork, with a beam cannon mounted in the middle and four small missiles equipped below.
After attaching all the armor and using the adapter part to mount it on the ν Gundam's left arm, the striking Amuro Ray unicorn emblem makes it a truly imposing shield with a massive presence.
Deploying the three armor-split sections on the shield reveals the gradient-painted Psycoframe within. To enhance the contrast, I intentionally deepened the color separation on the gray outer armor. Of course, the original black-lettered waterslide decals also had to be adjusted accordingly.
To match the newly added Psycoframe style, the display base cover was also given a corresponding paint job.
Fin Funnels
Finally, we've reached the last box of the PGU, the final boss of this build: the endless hell of multiples of six!
As for the frame (Yes! The funnels have frames too!), it's also covered in pipe details. As a lazy modeler, I really didn't have the motivation to paint every single detail (and multiply that by twelve). So... I applied the previous gradient paint job partially to the exposed areas that are revealed when the funnel is deployed.
The effect after installing the outer armor is roughly as shown. Visually, just like the shield, it highlights the details as accents.
The method for connecting the funnels to each other is very sturdy. Inside, there are three numbered C-clips that can be flipped out using the parts separator included with the clear runners. These interlock with the cylindrical pegs on the adjacent funnel, are covered by a black plate, and then the upper tip is pushed in to fully secure it. This multi-step process ensures the funnels won't easily detach. However, the connection structure is limited to the upper half; the lower half of the funnels seems to be hollow to reduce weight.
That said, a single fin funnel still weighs nearly 70 grams. The six of them together weigh over 400 grams, putting immense pressure on the ν Gundam's left side. For a model kit made almost entirely of plastic, standing tall on the ground without succumbing to the pull of gravity is an impossible task.
So, it's best to just obediently install the clear support part. By propping up funnels #3 and #4, it provides a decent amount of stability.
However, I personally prefer to display it in the double-wing configuration with funnels on both sides. After all, the ν Gundam's original sky-piercing height of 60cm is difficult to fit into a display cabinet. The model itself provides parts for a double-sided funnel mount, which distributes the weight evenly and should put less stress on the plastic over the long term.
Additionally, it comes with a dedicated display connector, but that's really it... the stand and base must be purchased separately.
It's understandable that no energy-charging effect parts are included, but they could have at least followed the example of the MG Ver.Ka and provided a few connector arms. Instead, a not-so-small box contains only the connector piece, which feels exceptionally empty. I had to make do with some clear stands I had on hand for the display.
And that's the showcase for all the weapons. Wait, did I miss something?
Beam Saber
Ah, that's right! My saber and shield! How could I forget the signature weapon from the life-or-death duel with Char?
However, the beam effect part included this time is not the usual translucent piece, but rather a solid, less transparent material. Compared to the previous PG UNLEASHED RX-78-2, the ν Gundam's saber blade, without the aid of lighting, has a rather standard and unremarkable shape. Besides being very long, it feels somewhat lacking in brilliance (and not just literally).
Alright, this is the real end (confetti)! This PG UNLEASHED ν Gundam construction project, which took nearly two months, was a major challenge for me, but it's finally complete. For our grand finale, let's bring in the RG version from 2019. After being weathered by the years, its loose parts have long since loosened, a testament to the evolution of the times. This further highlights how this PGU attempts to break boundaries, creating a visually dominant presence in both size and appearance. The only thing that hasn't changed is that both of them are leaning precariously in a certain direction...
As for this classic Universal Century epic, it is not yet over. We must wait for Bandai to connect the story and for the next ultimate "building experience."
At what speed must I live
to see you again...
Sazabi
