1/100 Gundam Astray Red Frame
Ah… The 1/100 Red Frame… released back in 2004 and it was probably the most popular 1/100 SEED model back then. It was highly praised for its MG-style gimmicks and articulation without actually being a MG. I got this model around the time of its release and it is the only SEED model I have since…well, the other 1/100 looked pretty crappy to me. Also, The Gundams from Astray looked a lot better and unique than the main SEED Gundams. The Red Frame is pure stylish and gives off a “skeleton” vibe with that mechanical design on the red part of its body while still being simplistic as a whole and the Gerbera Straight only make this Gundam that much more awesome.
This model is also special to me in that this is the very first Gundam I tried doing panel lines on and using paint to color in details (like the fingers and Gerbera Straight). It is definitely not “cleanly built” but this model serves as a reminder of how my skills were like back then.
This model’s construction design, despite being only a HG, reeks of MG style layout such as how the arms are connected to the body, the inner red leg parts pretty much serves as an inner frame skeleton, an articulated torso… and a lot of other stuff, basically yielding MG structure in the form of HG. Previous 1/100 models like from Gundam X and Gundam Wing doesn’t have such engineering fortune.
The SEED line-up is also the first to introduce fixed hands for 1/100 models. This makes holding weapons easier but loses a bit of versatility.
I painted everything with Gundam markers. It was my first time using them so I was being very careful and slow about it to prevent screw ups. The results weren’t great but it was acceptable.
I did not bother with the beam rifle nor the shield. This model is all about the Gerbera Straight! The hottest solid melee weapon ever on a Gundam!
Even after four years, the articulation of this model is still in great shape! Thanks to its free-moving simplistic design (no skirt armor nor ankle plates) and slim body, the Red Frame has a full range of motion that surpasses just about most MG at the time and every previous 1/100 HG models.
Now for some dual wield…
For under 2000 yen, this is the best 1/100 model one can hope to get. I’m still lovin’ this kit up to this day.
Red Frame Second L
Despite the color of the box and the model kit, the title still reads “Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L” xD. I bought this kit unintentionally in NYC when I was shopping around for the original Blue Frame; the Blue Frame was out of stock everywhere and only this odd Red Blue Frame was left in stores. I wasn’t too thrilled about it since… well, I want a BLUE FRAME. This is RED!
At the time that I was building this kit (2005), I was busy as hell with school so I didn’t have time to do panel lines and all that stuff. Construction, as far as I can remember, was almost identical to the original Red Frame. The body, arms, and legs are pretty much the same and some parts just take different shape like the shoulders and feet.
To be honest, I actually messed up this model over the years by dropping it and stuff (thanks to its weight problems). Not to mention I also didn’t really put much effort into building this Gundam so I left a lot of nub marks. I removed the “chin guard” because it kept falling since the side face plates can easily be knocked off just by turning The Gundam’s head. I also removed the “tail binders” on the rear because it was not snug in place. I was already frustrated with this Gundam upon completion because of balance issues… no thanks to its awesome Tactical Arm. The weight on its back will mean Blue Red Frame will always have to “bear its chest” to stand properly.
I would love the Tactical Arm even more if it was actually more useable by the model. Though the weapon looks awesome, all dream poses with a giant sword is gone thanks to gravity. Gatling mode is decent but not very awe-inspiring for posing.
^That’s about the most I can do with poses for such a heavy sword. It’s a great looking weapon but its dynamic use is very limited due to its weight and the Gundam not being able to support it more.
One thing I am disappointed in about this model is the articulation. Compared to the original Red Frame, this model lacks motion freedom no thanks to its new armor design. It’s not that the redesigned parts (shoulder and feet) are obstructing the joints but the way they’re designed makes it awkward to move around; the feet is too “bulky” and is restricted by ankle plates while the shoulder parts grind against other parts. Tack on (literally) the Tactical Arms and this Gundam becomes a nightmare to pose. Even with the TA off its back, it still can’t do much since it can’t hold the TA and the only other weapon (a dinky armor schneider) isn’t worth posing in. As a model, this Gundam felt more like a “downgrade” than an “upgrade”.
And so… Lowe realized the flaws in his upgrade for Gai’s Blue Frame so he corrected them and upgraded his Red Frame accordingly…
Behold… Gundam Astray Red Frame Second L 2nd L!
Well… Maybe more like a 1.5 L but I think I got the point across xD. Just like that, I’ve fixed all the articulation issues with the Second L while maintaining the awesome Astray look.
(hope no one shoots me down for this bad kitbash…^^;)
November 2, 2008 at 10:33 PM
awesome xD
November 2, 2008 at 11:49 PM
great. i’d love to have a red frame, but getting it now seems weird when the 1/100s in OO have pretty decent articulations too.
=X
maybe one day it’ll be on sale here and i might just grab it. =D
and btw, thanks for the info bout the img sizing in wordpress. that might just be the solution that im lookin for =D
will tryout the posting when my nxt kit is done n rdy. =)
November 3, 2008 at 12:36 AM
O_O where’d that second sword come from? xO Does the 1/100 come with an extra one? If it does I WILL GET IT NOW! O_O D: I’m stuck with the 1/144 scale one. Very nais though. :’D
November 3, 2008 at 1:12 AM
haha, nice bash there. i like the last picture. makes it look like a claw ready to split someone in half.
November 3, 2008 at 4:48 AM
You don’t need 101 tools and a months worth of snacks to make a good kitbash ^o^ This is pretty good by all standards.
November 3, 2008 at 5:23 AM
Astray Red was also my first kit from the Seed series. Very poseable indeed for a non MG model.
November 3, 2008 at 5:24 AM
I find that the red and yellow don’t really mix well with each other for this kit… Yet it looks ok on some other models. Maybe it’s the color distribution…
November 3, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Ah… the Astray Red Frame. I also got it and I agree, it is one of the best 1/100 models out there. The sword itself is reason enough to get it since it is also relatively cheap compared to other kits.
November 3, 2008 at 6:05 AM
Very detailed and insightful review of both kits. Reading your review for the Red Frame has convinced me to buy it the next time I hit my neighborhood hobby store to get it. Since i also doubt Bandai will ever release a MG Red Frame.
After reading this post has also make me realise that my purchase of Blue Frame 2nd L was a poor decision since it’s pretty limited in posing. The awesome Tactical Arm was the main reason why I bought the 2nd L in the 1st place. sigh..
November 3, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Edwin, I think anyone can still respect the Red Frame for what it is even if more recent models beat it in articulation ^^
Kenn, the other Gerbera Straight is from my 1/100 Gold Frame, basically a gold plated Red Frame. (check it out; it’s under “High Grades”)
Francis, The Gold Frame Amatsu comes to mind for that xD
Thehangarbay, thanks!
Gi, I’ll still be waiting for its MG counterpart ^^;
Feidamu, it’ll probably work better with blue.
Beamknight87, the red Frame is as cheap as the old 1/100 GW models but many times better :D
Jacques, don’t think of the Blue Frame as a poor decision. It’s just that the Red Frame is THAT great and this is the only model form the Blue Frame 2nd L comes in. I bought it just for the tactical arms too.
November 3, 2008 at 11:38 PM
As usual, nice review.
I own the Blue Frame 2nd L and I must say it’s my least favourite gunpla among my collection due to the cons you mentioned above. The joints are just too weak to support the heavy backpack, the large armour blocks almost every possible shoulder articulation, and the backpack’s joints weaken over time till it can’t support the wings anymore. The Red Frame is a better choice, although I prefer the white chest piece and the taller feet of the 2nd L.
I bought it initially for the gatling gun rather than the bigass sword. Yet now I’ve chucked aside the entire backpack, fitted the original Astray shoulders, and let my blue frame carry Destiny’s rifle instead.
November 7, 2008 at 6:55 AM
Hi! First time posting here, reading your posts about this kit. Nice job, especially on the hands, those are a pain to do. I love the Astray designs with a vengeance but I hate the hands. I have a question though. I got this kit too, but mine had a white torso. Did you recycle one from another kit for this one or did it come that way?
Check out: http://www.collectiondx.com/node/1005
November 7, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Rob, I swapped the white piece with my Gold Frame. If you check out my 1/100 Gold Frame, everything will make sense xD
November 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Nice review. I been wanting to get the 1/100 Astray Red Frame, after reading the review, definitely going to get it. I do have a 1/144 HG Astray Blue Frame, even in 1/144 scale, the articulation and posing is awesome too.
November 8, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Oh I see! Impressive none the less!
December 31, 2008 at 9:08 AM
That Red 2nd L is a rarity! Is there like a unique serial on it? Can you share it? I might look for it. XD
January 4, 2009 at 7:07 PM
i dont have the original red frame but i bought this kit a few months ago it was the last one on ebay and i honest love it and i defintely agree on u with the Tactical Arms sword, its too damn heavy for the model and as for the original Red Frame did u get 2 katans that came with it or did u buy 2 kits?
January 4, 2009 at 10:55 PM
the second Gerbera Straight came from my 1/100 Gold Frame (a gold-plated Red Frame).
January 6, 2009 at 12:49 AM
hey how much painting is required for the regular astray to make it look good
January 6, 2009 at 2:37 AM
besides the sheath for the Gerbera Straight, not much at all. Mine is pretty much plain.
January 6, 2009 at 5:55 PM
thats cool cause a friend told me that his was a pain but yours looks great and as you said pretty much plain i guess he was mad he had to paint at all but since you kinda have to pain im gonna customize mine to make more personalized to me might get two
ill send you a pic when i get them
January 6, 2009 at 5:58 PM
hey just had an inspiration a red frame with 2 Gerbera Straights sheaths and all
January 8, 2009 at 12:07 AM
where can i get this red second L nowadays?
February 22, 2009 at 1:50 PM
ya where
February 22, 2009 at 5:12 PM
The Red Frame 2nd L was a limited release only back in 2005 so it might be a little hard to find one nowadays ^^;.
March 26, 2009 at 9:13 PM
the sticker that comes with red frame 2nd L…is it the ’serpent tail’ one? haha
did want to get this last time but can’t find it. hence i got myself the blue frame 2nd L limited metallic coating version.
April 1, 2009 at 7:08 PM
lol, it looks great! I’m still surprised that u get these kits….like the 1/100 Gold Frame…..but anyway, the giant sword looks awsome, too bad it can’t pose thanks to gravity. But if you were up in space with this model…..then things would be diffrent……heh heh……lol.
April 5, 2009 at 11:49 AM
argh… Z, what do you reckon?
Should I get this red frame? (I want to get the PG, but don’t want to spend that much, so I just go for HG, lol) and buy ultra fine gundam marker with it… for gerbera straight…
Or but gold frame amatsu version instead? That thing is nice too… but yea, no gerbera straight, but has that freaking backpack and gold plating… (I don’t care about its rip-off blitz arm).
It’s only 600 yen more expensive, if I calculate the ultra fine marker with the red frame…
I’m confuse… really2 confuse….. what do you think?
If I buy both… well, I want to buy lancelot albion, shinkirou, and macross frontier michael custom too…. How can I handle this lust!!!!
April 6, 2009 at 12:00 AM
I’d say go for the red frame :). Yea yea the amatsu looks great and all but…the best it can do is just stand there and even then, the Red Frame does it better >_>. The Red Frame is also less of a space hog… unless you intend to keep Amatsu’s backpack closed.
April 6, 2009 at 8:10 AM
yes.. true… I don’t intend to close amatsu’s backpack closed.. definitely… want to put it on the display stand in wing zero custom’s pose .. XD
ok Z, I’ll follow you… I’ll grab red frame.. I’m not getting the ultra thin marker though… I just use toothpick to paint the gerbera straight… especially for the red panel lining in the sheath…
Thanks man
April 6, 2009 at 9:29 AM
glad I could help ^^. There won’t be regrets for the Red Frame :)
May 6, 2009 at 12:15 PM
A friend recommended I pick this up, and I think I’ll listen to him. I love the look of this thing, it just looks badass, and it isn’t incredibly expensive either. :O I hope to get it soon to prepare me a little bit for my master grade kits I currently haven’t touched. This shouldn’t be too difficult for someone with basic plastic model skills, right?
May 8, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Sorry, I have a question about the colors. For coloring the sheath and the Gerbera Straight with gundam markers, should one go with the basic set or one of the seed sets? Are there any major differences between the colors the two sets share (like the reds)?
Thanks in advance. I’m a bit new to gunpla and I don’t think I can afford several marker sets. ^^;
May 25, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Man, you got that Red Frame 2nd L. That’s the limited edition, I think. That’s awesome. I’ve been looking for it. Nice pics, btw.
July 2, 2009 at 6:05 AM
Normal astray blue frame HG 1/144 ver does have its own bazooka. Wonder why Bandai did not produce normal astray BF in 1/100 ver. And why there’s no MG Astray? Its a very popular gundam( i think ). At least its a better offer for a model kit collector like me( cant afford the PG! ).
August 27, 2009 at 6:42 PM
hey z will u get the new mg blue frame second L?
August 27, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Depends if it can show me that it can hold its tactical arms or not… ^^;
August 28, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Hey Z, with the MG Blue Frame coming out in a few months, do you think it’s still worth it to pick up the Red Frame now? Or should I wait for the inevitable MG Red Frame?
September 1, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Hey. U said u painted everything with gundam markers. Does that mean like the gold part of the hilt of the sword etc? Cus i have the gold one and i can’t get it too look smooth like that. Like it keeps leaving blotches and it annoys me so much. I’m hoping to do that with my sinanju since i haven’t built it yet. :D
September 9, 2009 at 5:58 PM
hey just wanted to show u guys this and did’nt know where to put it:
http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/index.htm
totally suped up astray (and it’s civillian too!) XD
September 9, 2009 at 6:01 PM
opps. sry. didn’t know it would just go to main page. just look for seed frame astrays under Manga, etc. then scroll down and click on MWF-JG73 Civilian Astray 0 Custom
September 10, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Came so close to getting this…but the store I ordered it from sent me the crappy 1/144 No Grade instead. The store was pretty crummy with replying, so I kept it anyway… At least I think they paid me back…months later. =_=
Still want this guy, though I’m thinkin’ I may wanna wait a bit. Since a blue frame MG is coming, I have a hunch that a MG Red Frame is in the works.
September 15, 2009 at 5:31 PM
I am having a hard time deciding between this and MG Freedom. Which would you reccomend and do metallics go good for painting the red on the Katana and scabbard?
September 18, 2009 at 4:42 PM
which one are you referring to? xD the 2nd L or the original Red Frame? if 2nd L, then just pick up the MG Freedom then you can always save up for the MG 2nd L. If Red Frame… go for it. It’s one of the least expensive 1/100 models out there. I think metallic red would look hot on the Gerbera Straight ^^.
October 21, 2009 at 5:17 AM
weeeeeeeeeee i also agree to you mate!
actually i already own the red frame and im planning to buy the blue frame 2nd L..
I dont know if all of you will agree to this but gundams with a different color scheme looks decent and appealing..
just like the red frame ; it definitely looks cooler than the original franchise color (red blue yellow and white).
and also the rx 78-2 cazval’s gundam (same gundam 1.5 version but finished in char’s red color.
October 23, 2009 at 5:37 AM
had no idea there was a Red Version of that TA one…