So for awhile I know at least I personally have wanted to make a HGUC-esque GM Ground Type. At first I thought it would only be a matter of time until the GM Ground Type was HGUC-ified due to the recent release of the 08th MS Team stuff. But ever since the Gundam Ground War set came out with two "HGUC" GM heads, I seem to have taken the hint at the fact that it might be a longer wait for such a release.

That being said, I've been trying to muster together ideas to make a HGUC-style GM Ground Type by way of a kitbash between the old GM Ground Type 1/144th kit and the Gundam Ground War HGUC set. I suppose you could just go with the HGUC Gundam Ground Type, but the inclusion of a more accurate GM Head seems like a better basis for such a project.

So I guess first you'd have to pick out the parts of the GM that are idenical to the Gundam. The arms are cut and paste, as with several parts of the legs and skirt armor with minor adjustments. The main differences are the torso, head, and backpack. In order to have a successful kitbash between the two, I think it'd take a little more than parts swapping.

The Gundam's legs are different from the GM's in that they have a small intake on the bottom of the knee armor and protrude out more than the streamlined GM's knees. Saber storage in the sides and all that is identical. The Torso differences start with the cockpit and then change a little more with the vents/upper torso armor. Then you'd have an entirely different head and backpack unit.

My question is what methods would be best in making an easy kitbash of the two? Obviously to make this "HGUC-ified", you'd want to retain as much of the articulation and detail of the HGUC kit as possible. Any ideas as to how you would go about this?

I remembered this thread when I saw this kitbash:
http://www.modelers-g.jp/modules/myalbum/p...lid=3273&cid=14
Too bad the modeler doesn't have a website so there are no WIP pics to share sadly.

That said, I think your approach sounds okay to me. I'd use the HGUC Ground Gundam as the base, removing the shins, crotch and chest vent and gun, replacing them with the parts salvaged from the GM ground type.
If they don't fit, perhaps you can customize them to do so using the leftover Ground Gundam's backpack container as a source of spare plastic sheeting.
I'd do the same with the GM's backpack, while looking to reuse the Ground Gundam's backpack connection parts.

I don't own any of the two kits involved, so it's just armchair talk from my side, but that's what I can gather from online pictures.

Thanks for your input.

Here's the HG GM Ground Type Kit built OOB with the new head included in the Gundam Ground War Set.

Here's a closer look at that new head, details behind the visor and everything!

Old arm versus new arm off the HGUC Gundam Ground Type. This'll definetly work


I did some parts swapping and while the HGUC arms do fit on the GM Ground Type torso, the proportion issue with it comes up. I might try rebuilding the torso, as it seems to be the part that would require the most work. That and the lower legs/thighs.

I'm suprised the new head matches the old kit this well colorwise.
I would've expected the difference to be slighty more contrasting. However, Bandai has succesfully recreated the same plastic blend by the looks of it.

The easy modification using just the RX-79[G]'s arms seems just fine to me though.
With only a lick of paint needed that looks acceptible if you're not willing to cut apart both kits and are content with the proportional disparity when displaying the GM and Ground Gundam together.

I'm looking forward to whatever you decide to do. ;)