| While I'm going through the sanding process with my RGM-79, I decided to start this new project so I can alternate between the two while one is curing or what not. Taking out to check the contents of this kit, Bandai has gone a long way in designing their 144 scaled kits. Compared to a recent HGUC kit, this one is positively archaic looking. But like someone used to say... 'plastic only' so here we go...
The Ballista is a gigantic projectile siege weapon invented in ancient Greece. Therefore the concept of the GM Ballista will be that of an artillery unit. Unlike the canon GM Cannon though, the GM Ballista is meant to be way at the back of the battlefield, hurling missiles from far away to saturate a target. This style of battle sounds more like the work of a Trebuchet, but heck, Ballista sounds cooler.
Here's the backstory I created for this unit:
The GM Ballista is a modification of the leftover RGM-79[G] Ground GM units on Earth during the One Year War. With the introduction of the mass production RGM-79 GMs into the EFF, crews locally modifed the remaining Ground GMs for various use during the EFF offensive against the Duchy of Zeon. One of the variants developed is the GM Ballista.
The GM Ballista is deployed as an indirect artillery fire weapon. It is capable of firing guided and unguided munitions up to a range of 42km. It is usually fielded with a fire team of 2 Guntanks Mass Production Types in a joint artillery battery. With its weapons carrying capabilities uncompromised, the GM Ballista also doubles as a defense unit for the artillery battery.
By the end of the war, 10 Ground GMs would be modified into the GM Ballista. By UC0083 however, lack of spares would see them mothballed and removed from the EFF inventory.
Needless to say, there will be a weapons pack for this GM: rocket launch tubes. Otherwise, it won't be a GM Ballista heh. I'll probably also modify the kit somewhat so it has better proportions and be able to strike a better better pose. First up though, are the leg mods.
This kit is not as straight forward as the HGUC as Bandai didn't really used to consider the painting process when they designed it. The most obvious part here are the leg joints. The way it's designed, I will have to do a bit of masking before I can proceed with the painting. So I decided to resolve that hassle upfront. By chopping up the joint itself so the leg parts can slide in and out. This will allow me to paint the parts separately.
 
However, the parts fit is now pretty loose. The Ballista now has 'weak knees' so to speak. Something to resolve later heh. With this initial mod done, the kit is basically all done up. Next, the other major mods, including of course, some rocket launch tubes that gives the GM Ballista its name!
 
Fun part begins I might add... |
