Gunpla Build - GM Sniper II Part 1

Let’s get this build started. First, a look at the runners:

Ten runners is pretty darn good for a High Grade, though looks are deceiving in this case. One of the runners is completely dedicated to the mobile worker.

That leaves nine runners for the mobile suit (eight if you don’t count the one with the beam sabers), which is still a lot. This should be a good build.

Let’s start with the weapons:

Shield

The shield is a simple design, but it gets the job done.

One thing I find very disappointing is that unlike the Master Grade version of the GM Sniper II, the High Grade shield does not include a kickstand:

This, in my opinion, is a huge omission. The shield is designed to be propped up like this. Look at the notch along the top - that is there so that it can crouch behind the shield and still aim its weapon. It has to be. So why can’t the High Grade do this? I am baffled as to why this feature is missing.

Machine Gun

This is a nice, simple, bullpup design:

You don’t see this kind of gun on most mobile suits, and I don’t know why. Its rarity certainly reinforces the idea that the GM Sniper II is a lean, mean, efficient fighting machine.

Beam Sabers

The beam sabers are color coordinated!

They also have some decent detailing on them.

Sniper Rifle

This didn’t come out quite the way I wanted:

The paint job came out very well. No obvious mistakes or issues with colors spilling onto one another. The problem here is that I wasn’t trying to go for such a bright shade of green. It doesn’t look bad, but it feels like it will be a bit of a color clash with the mobile suit.

That’s it for the weapons, so let’s move on to the body.

Feet

Here are all the parts for both feet, colored and ready to go:

I added all of the white and orange coloring on the bottoms, as well as the black on the shin guards.

Now here are the feet fully assembled:

To be honest, these photos do a lousy job of depicting the true shape of the feet. They are extremely flat and wide, more like sleds than soles. Here is a comparison with the Gundam Ground Type, so you can see just how much wider they are:

Legs

Here are all the pieces:

I did pretty darn good painting those thrusters if I do say so myself. I also painted in all the “speed holes” on the sides of the legs, though I’m not sure if that was the right call.

Here they all all assembled:

And with the feet attached:

They have a nice mix of curves and straight edges.

Lower Torso

Pretty standard stuff here. Looks like we finally get a bit of red:

Put it together and we get this:

Those clips in the back are for holding the beam sabers. It seems like such an obvious location to store them, yet you never see any other Mobile suit do so (I guess the Dijeh does, but it has a different weapon).

Let’s attach it:

It’s starting to come together!

Upper Torso

I guess I forgot to take WIP photos for this section. Here it is assembled and attached:

And some closeups:

I really like the look of the backpack. It is extremely compact yet packing way more thrust than any other GM.

Arms

I guess I forgot to take WIP photos again. Here they are:

And attached:

We get more speed holes on the elbows. Indeed, the rounded look of the elbows is a nice change of pace from the usual, blocky GM style.

Head

I did it again. Sorry folks - I was really excited to build this kit.

Here is the head assembled:

I like how there is so much detail behind the green visor. I actually painted some of it, but you can’t really tell.

Mobile Worker

Let’s take a little detour and look at the mobile worker:

You have to do so much painting. All of those grey sections were painted by yours truly. It does make it look quite nice, but on the other hand, it is just a goofy little mobile worker.

Final Assembly

Let’s wrap up this post with a teaser shot of the completed GM Sniper II:

Man oh man is that looking good. See you for the next (and final) post.