The one that makes people stop and look
Bandai's Mega Size line exists for one reason: to put the RX-78-2 on a shelf at a size normal Gunpla simply doesn't reach. This is the same first Gundam that started the whole franchise in 1979, built at 1/48 scale rather than the usual 1/144 or 1/100, and finished at close to 38 cm tall. It is a genuine centrepiece, not a display piece competing for space with everything else on the shelf.
Despite the size, this is one of the easiest big kits Bandai makes.
Build difficulty
Fully snap-fit with no tools required at all. Parts click straight off the runners by hand, with a Double Separator tool included for anything that resists. Reviewers who build Gunpla regularly report finishing it in an hour or two. This is a genuinely beginner-friendly kit despite the scale, and a good choice for a first-time builder who wants a big result without a difficult build.
Technical highlights
Full colour separation means no painting is required for an accurate finish straight off the runners. The joints use a toothed polycap design that holds poses firmly rather than sagging under the model's own weight, which matters at this size. The kit includes a beam saber, beam rifle, hyper bazooka and shield, giving you the same loadout as the original RX-78-2 at a scale most collectors will only ever own once.
What makes this kit special
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Nearly 38 cm tall assembled: the largest common way to own the original RX-78-2, dwarfing standard HG and MG releases.
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No tools required: parts detach from the runners by hand, with a Double Separator included for anything stubborn.
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Toothed polycap joints: genuinely sturdy articulation that holds a pose rather than drooping under the model's own weight.
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Full colour separation: an accurate finish straight off the runners, no painting required.
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The complete original loadout: beam saber, beam rifle, hyper bazooka and shield.
What's in the box
- RX-78-2 Gundam parts, moulded in colour, 1/48 scale
- Beam saber
- Beam rifle
- Hyper bazooka
- Shield
- Double Separator tool
- Waterslide decal sheet
- Instruction manual
Compatible accessories
No display base is included with the kit. Given the size and weight of a finished 1/48 model, most collectors display it standing directly on the shelf rather than on a stand built for smaller scales, so no specific Mecha Express stand is recommended for this one.
Build your Universal Century collection
For a very different take on the same mobile suit, the Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam (Entry Grade) makes a fun size comparison and a genuinely quick second build.
For more One Year War Gunpla, the Bandai 1/100 MG Gouf Ver 2.0 and the Bandai 1/144 HGUC MS-09 Dom / MS09-R Rick Dom are both in stock.
Build specifications
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Series: Mobile Suit Gundam (0079)
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Line: Mega Size Model
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Scale: 1/48
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Mobile suit: RX-78-2 Gundam
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Pilot: Amuro Ray
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Faction: Earth Federation
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Timeline: Universal Century
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Manufacturer: Bandai, Japan
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Original release: March 2010
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Assembled height: approximately 37.5 cm
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Kit packaged weight: 1500 g, retail box 59.1 x 22.3 x 11.5 cm
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Barcode (JAN): 4573102588906
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Skill level: 1
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Assembly: snap-fit, no glue or tools required
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Paint required: no, full colour separation
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Special features: toothed polycap joints, Double Separator tool included, waterslide decals
Perfect for
- Anyone who wants the biggest common RX-78-2 without stepping up to a full Perfect Grade build
- First-time builders who want a genuinely easy, no-tools build with a huge result
- Collectors who want a true centrepiece rather than another shelf-filler
- Gift buyers, since the size makes an impression without demanding modelling experience
- Universal Century fans who want the original Gundam represented at every scale
- Parents building alongside kids, given how forgiving the assembly is
Fast Australian shipping
Dispatched same day from Brisbane if ordered before 2pm AEST on weekdays. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $199. Packed securely in a sturdy outer box with water-soluble cornstarch void fill that dissolves cleanly in the sink.
What to watch for
I did not find a repeated, independently confirmed fault with this kit. Reviewer sentiment across multiple sources is consistently positive, describing the build as stress-free, surprisingly solid, and something a regular Gunpla builder can knock over in an hour or two despite the scale. The toothed polycap joints come up specifically as doing a fantastic job of holding a pose.
The main thing to plan for is genuinely practical: shelf space and box size. At close to 38 cm tall and shipping in a box over half a metre long, this is not a kit that quietly fits wherever your other Gunpla lives.
Builder tips: the included Double Separator handles any part that resists hand-removal from the runner, so there is no need to reach for nippers unless you want a cleaner finish. Waterslide decals are included and add a lot at this scale, worth the extra time even if you skip them on smaller kits. Plan the display spot before you build, since this one is genuinely large once assembled.
Build notes
No glue and no tools required, though nippers and sanding sticks give a cleaner finish if you want to go further. Expect one to two hours. Recommended age 15 and over.
Last updated: 5 August 2026 (AEST)