Gunpla Build - Entry Grade Gundam Part 1

So just how simple is the Entry Grade Gundam? This photo contains all the runners for the entire kit:

Meanwhile the instructions are only four pages long (the fourth page is on the other side):

Honestly, this isn’t so bad. For comparison, here are the runners for the HG Revive Gundam:

Set aside the section with the Hyper Bazooka, and I’d say they have a similar amount of parts. The Revive has slightly more grey bits, and the polycaps of course, which implies that the biggest difference between the two models is that the Revive has slightly more complicated innards. That, in turn, implies that they should look pretty similar on the outside.

Let’s start small by looking at the weapons.

Actually, no, let’s take one more detour first.

Return of the Evolution Fine Point Build

My last build, the High Grade Leo, was where Bandai introduced the concept of the “Fine Point Build” - and in a case of sheer serendipity, it returns for the Entry Grade Gundam. That means that all the runners are organized by body part, and that all the joints are attached at the end, after the limbs are fully assembled:

I’m glad to see that the concept didn’t live and die with the Leo. It’s a great idea, especially for simple kits.

Okay, now let’s get on with the show.

Beam Sabers

The detail on these beam sabers is pretty good:

But they don’t look the same as the ones on the Revive:

I know this kit uses brand new molds, but I don’t see the need to tweak this particular design. It’s not a big deal - again, it looks good! - but I think it’s a bit weird.

It is important to remember that the Entry Grade Gundam lacks any beams to go in these handles. Thankfully, they have holes in the top like any other saber, so if you have any spare blades you can use them:

Shield

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 5
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 4

The Entry Grade shield uses just one fewer piece than the Revive. It molds part of the hand grip directly onto the back.

This makes it look quite a bit different from the back of the Revive, which is pictured below alongside the shield from the Real Grade)):

From the front, they’re pretty similar (Entry Grade is on the left):

The Revive has a bit more detail, and both shields use slightly different lines and angles.

Beam Rifle

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 6
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 3

The Beam Rifle simplifies things by molding the front grip and the muzzle directly onto the body. This means the grip cannot swivel from side to side.

Furthermore, the scope does not use a separate piece of yellow plastic, so it isn’t color accurate out of the box.

Here are some comparison shots (Revive is on top, Entry Grade on bottom):

Lastly, I noticed that the Entry Grade rifle is a bit larger than the Revive, and is slightly different in shape.

Head

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 6
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 6

One thing that is almost universal about Gunpla is that if you’re building a model of a Gundam-type mobile suit, you’re probably going to have a decal for the eyes.

The Entry Grade Gundam has no decals, yet the eyes look perfectly normal. So how does it pull this trick off?

The answer is “shadows”. There are tiny gaps between some of the pieces, which create shadows, which in turn creates the illusion that the eyes are beset in black. Here is a photo of the head half-assembled, so you can see the effect:

In terms of simplification, the Entry Grade molds its V-fin directly onto a part of the head:

Beyond that, the head is assembled in roughly the same fashion as usual.

Here is the comparison shot (Entry Grade on the right):

They’re pretty close, but the overal shape is ever so slightly different. It’s hard to tell until you see it in person.

Upper Torso

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 10 + 4 polycaps
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 10

The backpack is a single piece of plastic. Even the thruster nozzles are molded on.

Looking at the torso proper, there is nothing inside of the armor parts. You simply snap them together and plug in the neck and shoulder joints.

One consequence of this design is that the shoulder joints are exposed when looking at the model from above. You can see what I mean in the promotional picture below:

Now for the comparison photos (Entry Grade on the left). From the front:

The perspective in this photo is a bit off. I can tell you that the torso on the Entry Grade is shorter and wider, while on the Revive it is longer and lankier. The Entry Grade also looks a little more … boxy, if you know what I mean.

From the back (Entry Grade is on the left):

You can’t see much other than the backpacks (which are almost identical), but the difference in proportions is still apparent.

Now from the side (Entry Grade is on the left):

Even from this angle the Entry Grade looks wider.

Lower Torso

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 12 + 3 polycaps
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 9

You can pretty much figure out how the lower torso assembles just by looking at this photo. Interesting how it creates the crotch-V by making the entire central joint yellow. This also saves on yellow parts for the rear skirt armor.

Here is the comparison from behind (Entry Grade is on the left):

The yellow squares are quite different in size and shape.

From the front (Entry Grade on the left):

The yellow squares are much sharper looking on the Entry Grade. The crotch-V is also smaller in proportion (though it does not rely on decals).

Lastly, from the side:

The side skirts have a similar shape, but again the proportions are different.

Arms

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 14 + 1 polycap
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 8

The Entry Grade uses fewer parts on account of not using a partial inner frame like the Revive does. Instead it uses the simple, two-part hinge joint similar to the one seen on the High Grade Leo.

Here are some comparisons. From the front (Entry Grade is on the right):

Some minor differences in detail, but they main difference is in the joints.

From the side (Entry Grade is on the right):

On the Entry Grade, the circle piece that goes on the elbow is molded onto the wrist armor (though it is kind of hard to tell). On the Revive it is a separate piece.

The armor on the Entry Grade is also much more angular. It tapers more severely at the elbow.

Legs

Nunber of parts used in the Revive: 18 + 4 polycaps
Number of parts used in the Entry Grade: 11

This is by far the most significant difference in part count between the two models. Once again this is largely due to the lack of an inner frame. The foot also a much simpler construction.

Now for the comparisons. From the side (Entry Grade is on the right):

Once again, the circle piece at the knee is a separate piece on the Revive, but not on the Entry Grade. The Revive also has additional panel lines, as well as a completely unique piece at the very top of the leg. This is used to allow the leg to pivot; the Entry Grade doesn’t have it because it doesn’t it in order to achieve that same articulation.

From the front (Entry Grade on the right):

Lots of tiny differences here. The Entry Grade has a bit of extra detail on the foot, but the Revive has extra detail on the shin. Furthermore, on the Entry Grade, the shin is more narrow in shape, and the black vents are longer.

Let’s zoom in a bit on the feet:

As you can see, there’s some detail on the Revive that’s behind the ankle guard, but on the Entry Grade there is nothing to be found.

Finally, from behind (Entry Grade on the right):

As you can plainly see, the back of the foot is missing entirely on the Entry Grade.

Conclusion

That’s it for the build. Next time we’ll look at the final assembly - and some more comparisons.