So this is a project I've had in my mind for awhile now. The idea is very simple, a mass production version of the RX-78GP01Fb Zephyranthes that appeared in the OAV series Stardust Memory. Some modelers have actually done a version of this with the bashing of the GP01Fb and the GM Quel. However, for one thing, there's no 144 scale kit of the GM Quel or GM Custom. For another, I don't want to do another rehash.

In my own modified GM continuity, the RGM-79D is actually the proper mass production MS for the Federation after the massively simplified RGM-79 was introduced. So it stands to reason that the Federation would have a ton of spare RGM-79Ds in storage by the time UC0083 came along. It would then make sense that if the Federation/Titans needed to experiment, they would use these retired MS as opposed to those used in the frontlines. So here's a write-up of the MS's development.

RGM-79Sm Scimitar
The rise of the Titans ushered in a period of intense research and development into new mobile weapons. One of the earliest result from this period was the RGM-79Sm GM Scimitar. This is an attempt to mass produce the highly effective experimental RX-78GP-01Fb that was fielded in UC0083. Built on mothballed RGM-79D frames, The RGM-79Sm was equipped with 80% of the boosters and verniers of the RX-78GP01Fb. With the lighter regular titanium armor, performance was actually equal to the original. However, due to the high production cost, less than 12 units were built and assigned to various Titans reconnaisance units for hunter/killer duties.

The kitbash is pretty simple. Just a combination of the 2 kits. The GP01Fb also has shoulder binders but the left shoulder gets in the way of the shield. Plus, the GM looks odd that way. Sort of... cluttered. Having said that, I'm trying to figure out if I can do anything with the existing shoulders to detail it up.

Based on continuity, the GM Scimitar would be operated by the Titans so the color schemes would match what the Titans used for their MS. So I experimented around with Photoshop for the color scheme. I haven't really decided on the scheme though.

This is a new manga series set in the One Year War. It's based on a video game that I have absolutely no information on but the stories are stand alone. It's not the best example of what Gundam can offer but what the heck, I love the Mecha action featured in here.

The Skinny
The One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon has begun - and the newest Mobile Suits are tested for battle!

Captain Matt Healy leads his team into dangerous territory as the leader of a Special Forces Experimental Unit. Ken Bederstadt is a Foreign Legion Lieutenant working in alliance with Zeon. These two heroes are trying to keep everyone alive... for tomorrow!

› Read the full article

Did some minor covering up of joints. Solution is pretty simple, just plastic sheets cut down to shape. I found the forehead of the Rick Dias lacking so I slapped on some layers of plastic sheets there too. It actually manages to make it look more heavily armored.

I needed the Rick Dias' torso to bend forward so the pose looks more natural so I cut some plastic sheets and created a wedge the torso can sit so it'll 'bend' forward.

And this is more or less the pose I'm sticking with. The left fist is resin that a friend of mine sold to me. The standard one needed to be wielding something to look decent. I'm more or less done with the mods I want. Now I'm just considering whether I should modify the right foot so it will lie flat on the ground.

The Rick Dias can't really pose well so some modifications need to be done on the legs so it can spread it's legs wider. I cut the right peg and positioned it slanted slightly forward.

The corners of the female portion of the joints are also cut so the legs can pose with the legs open wider. So what I get now is this:

I'll probably need to work on it some more when I get the other parts prepared. But for now, it's already an improvement.