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Bandai 1/144 HG FA-78 Full Armour Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Ver.

$59.99 AUD
Embrace anime-faithful Full Armor Gundam with superior articulation, Twin Beam Cannons, and Beam Rifle. A true Thunderbolt masterpiece awaits.
From $10
4 × $14.99
Key features
  1. Anime-Accurate Design for Unparalleled Realism: Embrace the Full Armor Gundam's captivating and anime-faithful design, meticulously crafted with reinforced armor plates, heavy weaponry, and a unique backpack unit. Witness the embodiment of resilience, firepower, and a true-to-anime representation of this heavily armored mobile suit.
  2. Superior Articulation for Dynamic Action Poses: Experience unparalleled posability with the Full Armor Gundam's enhanced articulation, allowing you to recreate iconic scenes from the anime or create your own unique action sequences with unmatched realism. Unleash a wider range of motion and flexibility, showcasing the Full Armor Gundam's imposing presence and formidable combat capabilities in every dynamic pose.
  3. Formidable Arsenal for Strategic Battlefield Dominance: Command the battlefield with the Full Armor Gundam's impressive arsenal, including its Beam Rifle for precise energy blasts, its Beam Saber for close-quarters combat, and its Twin Beam Cannons, capable of delivering devastating long-range attacks. Strategically wield these weapons, replicating the Full Armor Gundam's strategic dominance and unwavering presence on the battlefield.
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@gundamexpressaustralia.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 FA-78 Full Armour Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Ver.

Bandai 1/144 HG FA-78 Full Armour Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Ver.

The Bandai 1/144 HG FA-78 Full Armour Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Ver. is a High Grade model kit of Io Fleming's heavily armed mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt. This kit captures the Full Armour Gundam in its anime colour scheme as it appeared in the Thunderbolt sector debris field battles. The FA-78 represents the Federation's answer to the brutal close-quarters combat of the Thunderbolt Sector, featuring massive additional armour plating, four defensive shields, and overwhelming firepower. This anime version brings Io's jazz-fuelled war machine into your collection with accurate colour moulding, extensive weaponry, and the distinctive heavily armoured silhouette that made it a match for the Psycho Zaku.

This kit is designed for intermediate builders and includes over 350 parts across 11 runners with complex armour assembly. The 1/144 scale provides impressive presence while showcasing the massive armament and defensive systems.

The Full Armour Gundam features a complete inner frame with enhanced joint strength to support the heavy additional armour and weapons. The kit includes massive cannon, beam rifle, four defensive shields, additional armour plating for all limbs and torso, and enormous backpack unit. Colour separation is achieved through multi-colour moulding in white, blue, red, and grey with anime-accurate tones that capture the Thunderbolt aesthetic with minimal painting required.

What Makes This Kit Special:

  • Anime Colour Accuracy: Re-release with improved colour moulding that authentically replicates the Full Armour Gundam from the Thunderbolt anime
  • Massive Armament System: Four defensive shields, massive cannon, beam rifle, and extensive additional armour for overwhelming firepower
  • 11 Runner Construction: Extensive parts count across 11 runners creates the heavily armoured Thunderbolt aesthetic
  • Reinforced Frame: Enhanced inner frame joints designed to support the weight of full armour configuration
  • Modular Armour Design: Additional armour plates attach to base FA-78 frame for authentic layered protection
  • Quad Shield System: Four defensive shields can be positioned on arms and legs for maximum debris field protection
  • Thunderbolt Sector Specification: Design optimised for brutal close-quarters combat in debris-filled battlefields
  • Action Base Compatible: Standard 3mm connection point for display poses with separately sold Action Bases

What's In The Box:

  • FA-78 Full Armour Gundam runner set (11 runners: white, blue, red, grey, clear parts)
  • Complete inner frame runners
  • Massive cannon
  • Beam rifle
  • Four defensive shields
  • Additional armour plating for torso, arms, and legs
  • Enormous backpack unit with propellant tanks
  • Multiple pairs of manipulator hands (fists, open palms, weapon-holding)
  • Foil stickers for sensor details
  • Marking stickers
  • Instruction manual

Compatible Accessories:

Display your Full Armour Gundam in dynamic Thunderbolt combat poses with these Action Bases (sold separately):

Build Your Gundam Thunderbolt Collection:

Thunderbolt Mobile Suits:

Master Grade Thunderbolt:

Build Specifications:

  • Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (Anime Version)
  • Grade: High Grade (HG)
  • Scale: 1/144
  • Mobile Suit: FA-78 Full Armour Gundam
  • Pilot: Io Fleming
  • Faction: Earth Federation Forces (Moore Brotherhood)
  • Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
  • Weight: 570g
  • Barcode: 4573102631374
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Assembly: Snap-fit assembly, no glue required
  • Paint Required: Optional (anime-accurate colour separation through multi-colour moulding)
  • Action Base Compatibility: Standard 3mm connection point (Action Base sold separately)
  • Part Count: 350+ parts across 11 runners
  • Special Features: Anime colour accuracy re-release

Perfect For:

  • Gundam Thunderbolt fans who want Io Fleming's iconic heavily armoured mobile suit
  • Intermediate builders comfortable with complex armour assembly and heavy weapon systems
  • Collectors focusing on Thunderbolt Sector mobile suits and debris field combat
  • Builders who appreciate heavily armed and armoured mobile suit designs
  • HG enthusiasts looking for kits with extensive parts count and impressive presence
  • Fans of the Full Armour Gundam concept who want the Thunderbolt anime version

Fast Australian Shipping:

Same Day Dispatch: Orders placed before 2pm weekdays ship same day. Orders after 2pm or on weekends ship next business day.

Australian Stock: In stock and ready to ship Australia-wide from Mecha Express. The Bandai 1/144 HG FA-78 Full Armour Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Ver. features anime-accurate colours, massive cannon, four defensive shields, extensive additional armour, and over 350 parts across 11 runners.

Build Notes:

This is a snap-fit plastic model kit that requires no glue for assembly. Nippers or side cutters are recommended for removing parts from runners. The extensive armour plating requires careful assembly to ensure proper fit and articulation. The inner frame joints are reinforced to support the weight of the full armour configuration. The four shields can be positioned on various attachment points for customised defensive configurations. Panel lining will enhance the layered armour details and mechanical features. The massive cannon and backpack unit may require careful balancing for display poses. Action Base sold separately for dynamic combat poses. Build time approximately 8-12 hours depending on experience level.

Last updated: 17 February 2026 (AEST)

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Series

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt" offers a gritty journey into the heart of war. Follow Io Fleming and Daryl Lorenz through intense rivalries and epic mech battles in the Thunderbolt Sector. Now, you can own a piece of this action with Thunderbolt-inspired Gunpla models. Choose from the RX-78 Gundam Ground Type...

Read More
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 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 is the storyline of "Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt," and how does it relate to the Gunpla models?

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt" is set in the One Year War and centers on the Thunderbolt Sector, a debris-filled battlefield. The Gunpla models like the RX-78 Gundam Ground Type S and MS-06 Zaku II Thunderbolt recreate the iconic mecha from this series, allowing you to relive the intense battles and rivalries in your own collection.

Which Gunpla grade should I choose for the best experience?

It depends on your skill level and preferences. High Grade (HG) offers an accessible build with good articulation. Master Grade (MG) provides higher detail and complexity, while Real Grade (RG) balances both. Choose the one that suits your building skills and desire for detail.

Are the Gunpla models pre-painted or do I need to paint them myself?

These Gunpla models typically come as unassembled kits with coloured parts, but for added realism, you can enhance them with custom paintwork. Painting is optional, and you can still create impressive models without it.

Can I customise the Gunpla models from the Thunderbolt series?

Absolutely! Gunpla models are designed for customisation. You can modify them with additional parts, decals, and even weathering techniques to make your Thunderbolt Gunpla uniquely yours.

Is there a community or resources available for builders of Thunderbolt Gunpla?

Yes, the Gunpla community is vast and supportive. You can find tutorials, forums, and social media groups dedicated to Gunpla building, including Thunderbolt models. Sharing your work and learning from others can be a rewarding part of the hobby. We encourage builders within our community to share their experiences on our Facebook and Instagram pages as well as leave reviews on our website.