Gundam Heavyarms XXXG-01HC (US Release Retooled Version)

Synopsis: When I found out the Gundam Wing Figures were being re-released I was skeptical on how they would turn out.  The first wave consisted of the retooled Heavyarms, Sandrock, and Maguanac Rashid Custom.  I was eager to pickup the Maguanac Corps MSiAs because they were new yet when I saw Heavyarms I picked him up immediately since the improvements were visible from the blisterpack.

  I am so impressed with the figure that I'd rather call it a version 2 rather then a retool.  The accessories are different, the Mold is mostly different, and of course the joints are from the version 2.0s that MSiA collector love!

The Figure:

  The head was given more attention then the version 1.  The rear antennae are thinner and streamlined looking more symmetrical then the 1^st version.  The V-antenna is a little disappointing in that they seem too long and possible to warp.  The paintjob is neat and good down to the head vulcans with a small yellow paintjob on each Vulcan.

  The arms are well articulated and while the shoulder armor are identical to the old ones a better paintjob is applied.  The Heat knife on the right arm Looks Much better then the Version 1 knife it looks more formidable and the new knife looks like a knife!  The shoulder joint is hindered by the shoulder armor in much the same way as the original.  The version 2 elbow joints have full bending range.  The hands supplied with this figure include two closed fists and 2 "sword holding" hands.  They fit via a peg unlike ball joints that most Version 2s come with.

  The Legs lack panel lining like GW MSiAs usually do however areas of gray and the missile racks on the legs allow the legs to look fine.  I was happy to see that the missile racks on the legs open up, a characteristic sorely lacking in the first version.  Ankle movement is better then the first version while upper leg movement still suffers from the somewhat rigid hip armor.

  The torso is roughly identical to the old Heavy Arms with a few differences.  The plastics are different and the paintjob was given more attention.  Waist rotation can achieve 360degree rotation with a little work.  The biggest difference is the backpack.  While still fixed on the back, the thrusters are given a greater range of motion and the sides of the backpack features a slot to attach the gatling gun and shield on the back as seen in the series. 

The Accessories:

Shield:  The mount for either Gatling gun type is similar to the original only that the hand can remain on the left arm when placed as opposed to the original MSiA.

Gatling guns (Single and Double):  Like the original figure the ability to switch between normal and Heavyarms Kai is available to you.  The Gatling guns are different from the original.  Both single and double come with the stabilizing bar that had only been placed on the single barrel.  As mentioned before the mold was changed to accommodate the ability to fit on the backpack.

Play Value:  You can never go wrong with a walking gun-platform (unless its the HeavyArms Custom MSiA).  Heavyarms is also the least ornamental of the Gundam Wing Figures and can mix with the UC suits if you can get past the firefighter colors that Heavyarms has.

Display Value:  The color scheme is sure to get attention while the Gatling gun helps contribute to that.  The version 2.0 joints help out in the posability of the figure.  The great quality placed on the figure makes it a worthwhile as a display piece.

Dollar Value:  Unfortunately I discovered that Target raised prices on its Gundam figures when I bought this figure so go to Kmart and pay about a dollar less.  Of the retooled figures this is the best of them.  

Conclusion:  A great improvement of the original.  There is no need to make a Version 2 since this is as close as it gets.