We continue our evaluation of the Gundam Eypon with a daytime version of our previous parting photo:
I already espoused my affection for the design of the Eypon. In this post I’ll explore some of the final details about this kit.
Seriously, look at the details on the leg. The individual segments, the fins - this is a level of detail you simply don’t see (and likely can’t accomodate) at the 1/144th scale. This is the kind of stuff that really sells me on the idea that there’s more to a Master Grade than just an increase in size.
Similarly, the wings are made of so many individual components. This not only bestows them with excellent articulation, but gives them an extra level of depth that improves the overall appearance.
articulation
I can’t give an accurate assessment of the Eypon’s articulation, considering one arm is glued into place and the other is at risk of falling off.
That being said, I got it into a couple of silly poses. Like this one:
And one where it gets its groove on.
I argued before that I’d rather my model have broken legs and fully functioning arms, but it turns out you can still do a lot with only semi-functioning arms.
I should also note that while the Eypon’s wings are quite heavy, they actually prevent the kit from tipping backwards. In fact, I’d say they actually help it stay on its feet.
Flying
The Epyon connects fairly easily to an Action Base, and it stays there. I got some half-decent flying poses as a result.
Transformation
The Eypon’s transformation is the laziest one I’ve encountered. Essentially the torso extends out in such a way that the legs can swing up and around to run around the unit’s back. You then take the heat rod, straighten it out into a tail, and you’re done.
That’s a terrible way of describing it; here’s what I mean:
As you can see, it doesn’t look too bad from the top. It even looks okay from the side:
But when you take a look at it from the bototm, this is what you see:
The entire upper torso is just chilling, undisturbed. From the right angle, the Eypon’s transformation looks like nothing more than an extreme bit of contortion.
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring attention to the dragon heads:
Grr! Scary, right? Right?
No? …. okay then.
There are some model kits that look so good transformed that people consider buying two of them. I don’t think the Epyon falls into that category. It’s cool and all that it can perform a transformation, but it wasn’t a selling point for me in the first place.
Battle for Supremecy
I’d be remiss if I didn’t introduce the Epyon to its best friend Wing Zero.
I’m a bit surprised that there is a noticeable height discrepency. Let’s give the Wing Zero a boost:
I must say, they make a pretty good pair of rivals.
Final Conclusion
The Epyon beat my expectations, even if those expectations were low to begin with. It looks and its proportions are simply right to me, in a way that other Gundam Wing designs are not. It’s so stupid and goofy and I can’t say no to it. There’s really no other way to describe it.
A much larger gallery of images can be found here. Until next time, I’ll leave these two locked in their eternal struggle.
