MGSD ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam

Wing Fiddler

I've built my way backwards through the MGSD line from the Wing Zero to the Barbatos and now most recently to the Freedom. Aesthetically the Freedom makes very good use of different colors to give it a sprawling and interesting look without looking too busy. There's nothing this model does worse than its to successors, if anything it's more complex than the Barbatos in its color separation. While the other two make better use of the honeycomb transparent plastics, the Freedom is a little more subtle with these in the wings, while also having the metallic-backed head cameras and eyes, giving the impression of detail depth in the oversized head. I'd say all three have about the same level of complexity and gimmicks, just in different ways. Where the Wing Zero has surprisingly advanced legs (besides its wings), the Barbatos has a weapon and backpack assembly and the Freedom has fanning wings and four fold-out cannons, in addition to its rifle, sword and board equipment. While the articulation is VERY good, the wings are very fiddly and not particularly intuitive. That's because only one half of each wing sits on the backback and the rest of the wing binders are like a handfan, layered up with each proceeding part being informed by the one behind it, so when you move one part, everything else follows. Getting them spread out with the two cannons inside pointed over the shoulders, is nearly impossible without removing the head first. This isn't a bad thing as much as it's just a natural consequence of the nature of what this thing is and does. The fold-out hip cannons do look a little gimmicky with the split point looking so obviously separated, but the overall effect of four cannons pointing forwards is good. The model comes with: 1 Beam Rifle mountable in the hand or back skirt 1 Shield that slots into the back of either forearm 2 beam saber hilts that connect into a Darth Maul style dual beam saber 2 bog standard pink HG sized beam saber effect I have not built any other Freedom models, only Strike Freedoms, but I feel like it's fair to say that this is the best iteration of the Freedom there is, provided you like the SD aesthetic and unlike actual SD kits, this is twice as big and of course way more complex. While the model stands just fine on its own despite being so back heavy (the cannons being folded out help balance it) I heavily recommend using a base, which cleverly slots into the backpack hole, hidden by the lower thruster flipping outwards. This will give the model a lot more life. You're meant to use the 'Action Base 5' adapter which is a small round peg, but I believe the AB 1 has the same option.

Excellent kit!

Great build, great color separation. Even if you don't like the aesthetics of a SD kit, I would higly recommend any of the MGSD kits for a great build. Point deduction for sticker instead of waters decals.