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Bandai 1/144 HG Lightning Buster Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom)

$44.99 AUD
Dearka Elthman's Lightning Buster from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. HG 1/144 with the SEED Action System frame, deployable beam guns and cannons, and opening missile hatches. Builder reviews note the back-heavy load, so an Action Base is handy for the big poses.
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Key features
  1. SEED Action System frame: built for wide limb, head and torso movement, with hip connectors that move up and down on their own for extra leg articulation.
  2. Deployable weapons: the waist beam guns swap to the included barrel parts, and the two large back cannons fold, unfold and reposition on movable arms.
  3. Opening missile hatches: the back hatches open to show the stored missiles, with fluorescent clear green shoulder sensors and strong moulded colour separation.
Returns & Refunds
  1. Australian Consumer Law Compliance: Mecha Express Australia strictly adheres to the Australian Consumer Law for all transactions.
  2. Contact Process for Issues: If you encounter any issues with your purchase, you should first contact Mecha Express Australia via email at support@mechaexpressaustralia.com.au, describing the problem and providing photos and contact details.
  3. Response and Advice: Mecha Express Australia will promptly respond to your email to discuss the issue and advise on the next steps.
  4. USA Customer Policy: USA customers are not eligible for returns, refunds, or compensation for any issues including lost, stolen, or incorrectly delivered items.
  5. Return Conditions for AU and NZ: Items must be returned in their original, undamaged, and resalable packaging if requested by Mecha Express Australia.
  6. Refund and Replacement Policy: Australian and New Zealand customers may receive replacements or refunds for reasons like change of mind (before dispatch with a restocking fee), incorrect items, lost/stolen/damaged parcels during delivery, missing parts, or inability to supply an item. Mecha Express Australia will give you a Reply Paid number for you to return these items at no cost to you at your local Australia Post outlet.
  7. Non-refundable Items: Items that cannot be refunded include those that are opened, used, partly assembled, lost parts, self-damaged items, or items found with no issues.
  8. Duplication Promise: Returns are accepted if you receive a duplicate gift, provided the item is returned in resalable condition and at your own expense.
  9. Pre-Order Cancellation: While pre-order refunds are typically not offered, requests will be considered but subject to a 10% restocking and administration fee.
  10. Restocking and Administration Charge: A 10% fee applies to canceled orders or refunds to cover non-refundable third-party fees, calculated on the total value of the products and shipping costs.
Series Assembly Guide FAQ

Bandai 1/144 HG Lightning Buster Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom)

Dearka's Buster Gundam, rebuilt for SEED Freedom

The Lightning Buster is Dearka Elthman's mobile suit in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, the sequel film. It is an overhauled Buster Gundam, and it keeps the artillery look of the original Buster: two big cannons on the back and beam guns on the waist.

This is Bandai's HG 1/144 kit of it, in the High Grade Cosmic Era line. If you collect the SEED Freedom cast, Dearka's heavy hitter fills the artillery slot.

Build difficulty

Snap-fit, no glue needed, and Bandai rates the kit for ages 8 and over. You will want nippers to take the parts off the runners and a hobby knife for the nub marks. The kit uses no polycaps, and the grey frame parts are KPS plastic with no ABS, so joint strength is solid and there is little worry if you panel line it later.

Technical highlights

The kit uses Bandai's SEED Action System inner frame, which is built for the big action poses SEED kits are known for. The left and right hip connectors move up and down individually, so the legs get more room to move. The inner frame parts come from the same GAT frame family as the HG Duel Blitz Gundam.

The colour is moulded in dull white, dark green and red, with shoulder sensors in fluorescent clear green. Foil stickers cover details such as the head and waist sensors and the cheek armour. Even built straight from the box, the colour separation is good.

What makes this kit special

  • SEED Action System frame: built for wide limb, head and torso movement, so dynamic poses are easy to hold.
  • Independent hip connectors: each side moves up and down on its own for extra leg articulation.
  • Deployable waist beam guns: flip them forward and swap in the included barrel parts to show them in their deployed state.
  • Foldable back cannons: the two large cannons fold and unfold, and the movable arm parts let you set them at the shoulders, or lower at the waist and legs.
  • Opening missile hatches: the hatches on the back open to show the stored missiles.
  • Moulded colour: a strong colour-separated look without paint, with fluorescent clear green sensors on the shoulders.

What's in the box

  • HG 1/144 Lightning Buster Gundam runners
  • Replacement waist beam gun barrel parts (x2)
  • Foil sticker sheet
  • Instruction manual

No display base is included.

Compatible accessories

For dynamic poses with the cannons deployed, pair the Lightning Buster with an Action Base. Bandai's Action Bases are sold separately, and the kit can be mounted on them.

Build your SEED Freedom collection

Build specifications

  • Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
  • Grade: High Grade Cosmic Era (HG)
  • Scale: 1/144
  • Mobile suit: ZGMF-103HD Lightning Buster Gundam
  • Pilot: Dearka Elthman
  • Faction: Z.A.F.T.
  • Timeline: Cosmic Era
  • Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
  • Retail box size and weight: 29.9 x 18.9 x 7.9 cm, 350 g
  • Barcode (JAN): 4573102671714
  • Bandai SKU: 5067171
  • Skill Level: 2
  • Assembly: Snap-fit, no glue required
  • Special features: SEED Action System frame, deployable waist beam guns, foldable back cannons, opening missile hatches
  • Release date: 21 September 2024 (Japan)
  • Recommended age: 8 and over (per Bandai)

Perfect for

  • SEED Freedom fans who want Dearka's unit on the shelf.
  • Builders who like artillery kits with cannons to pose and deploy.
  • HG builders who want a SEED Action System frame at a modest build size.
  • Newer builders: it is snap-fit, with no glue and no polycaps.

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. Genuine Australian stock in hand, not ordered through an overseas proxy.

What to watch for

Builder reviews flag a few things. Waist rotation is limited to about 45 degrees by the rear armour. The back cannons put weight behind the kit, and one reviewer found it tips forward easily when the cannons are raised and it is standing on its own, so an Action Base is a handy extra for those poses. Another builder found the waist joint that bends the torso forward and back very stiff, so take care there.

The head has seam lines on the sides, and one reviewer found the base of the legs tends to come apart. Two small details need paint if you want full accuracy: the missile warheads and the edges of the rear thrusters.

Build notes

No glue is needed. Nippers and a hobby knife are all the kit needs to build. Gundam markers or panel lining are optional extras if you want to sharpen the detail.

Recommended age: 8 and over (per Bandai).

Last updated: 14 October 2026 (AEST)

Gundam Seed Freedom Series

Hey Gundam fans, get ready for some epic action! Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom is dropping in theatres in Japan on Jan 26, 2024. It's the sequel we've been waiting for, picking up a year after SEED Destiny. Director Mitsuo Fukuda and the team are back, mixing old faves like...

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Gundam Seed Freedom Series

Assembly Guide

Skill Level.2 Basic modeling skills are required. Parental supervision may be required for younger children. These kits are generally suitable for beginner builders. A basic set of modeling tools are required including nippers, hobby knife, sanding sticks/paper, file, and tweezers. No glue is needed for the general assembly. Parts will need to be removed by using a pair of nippers and cutting the part away from the runner. Parts may require clean-up where they were removed from the runner.

Gunpla (plastic model kits) are a snap together assembly and do not need plastic cement to complete. We always recommend having some plastic cement handy as a part of your modeler's tool kit. If you prefer to fix your model in a particular pose then plastic cement will work. Plastic cement is also perfect to use if a joint is loose. Apply plastic cement in a single thin layer and allow it to dry completely before test fitting. Re-apply more cement if necessary.

Gunpla (plastic model kits) are designed to be built and displayed without the need for painting. Kits are molded in different colours replicating the colours of the actual mecha from the Mecha series. A technique called colour separation, where multiple parts of the model are molded in different colours on the same sprue is also used. Mecha kits often include stickers or water-slide decals that can be applied to the model to enhance its appearance. Some Gunpla kits come with pre-painted parts or parts with pre-applied details, such as metallic or translucent finishes.

Many modelers still choose to paint their kits to customize and add further detail. Painting allows for more creativity and personalization, enabling modelers to achieve unique effects, weathering, and colour schemes that may not be available out of the box. However, the kits are designed to be enjoyable and visually appealing even without painting, making them accessible to a wide range of hobbyists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main theme of the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom film?

The film dives deep into the themes of "freedom versus destiny," promising an intense narrative that picks up where SEED Destiny left off.

Are we going to see any familiar faces in the new film?

Absolutely! Characters like Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, and others are back, along with some surprising returns that fans will love.

Has the film been in development for a long time?

Yes, it's been in the works since 2006. Production faced delays due to the health condition of the main writer, Chiaki Morosawa, who sadly passed away in 2016.

Will the film feature any new technology or animation styles?

Director Mitsuo Fukuda has mentioned that the team is keen on using more 3D and enhanced facial expressions to elevate the storytelling.

How does SEED Freedom connect to the previous series and films?

The film serves as a sequel to both Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny, continuing the narrative and character arcs, while also introducing new elements to keep fans hooked.