The mobile suit mechanic's own ride
Lowe Guele fixes other people's Gundams for a living. The MBF-P02Kai Astray Red Frame Kai is what happens when he finally builds one properly for himself. It carries forward the original Red Frame's swordsmanship but wraps it in a heavier, more deliberately engineered Master Grade frame, with a backpack unit that changes shape depending on what the fight calls for.
This is the 2010 release, the Kai upgrade of the original MG Astray Red Frame.
Build difficulty
A substantial Master Grade with genuinely deep articulation. Snap-fit, moulded in colour, no glue or paint required. The parts are undergated, meaning most nubs sit on an internal surface rather than an external one, which keeps cleanup tidy once you know where to look. Best suited to a builder with a Master Grade or two behind them.
Technical highlights
The backpack, called Tactical Arms IIL, is the headline feature. It converts between Flight Form, Delta Form and V Form for different aerial and defensive configurations, and its Sword Form converts further into Work Form, while Arrow Form becomes a genuine giant bow. Two signature katanas are included, Gerbera Straight forged by Kiku Ichimonji and Tiger Pierce by Kotetsu, both with their maker's signature carved into the handle. Two 1/100 scale Lowe Guele figures are supplied, sitting and standing.
What makes this kit special
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Tactical Arms IIL backpack: converts between Flight, Delta and V forms, with Sword Form switching to Work Form and Arrow Form becoming a full bow.
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Two signature katanas: Gerbera Straight and Tiger Pierce, each with a carved maker's signature on the handle.
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Two Lowe Guele figures: 1/100 scale, sitting and standing, included rather than sold separately.
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Undergated parts: most nubs sit on internal surfaces, which makes cleanup tidier once you know the pattern.
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Genuine articulation depth: extensive polycap use lets the finished kit hold a wide range of weapon-drawn poses.
What's in the box
- MBF-P02Kai Astray Red Frame Kai parts, moulded in colour
- Tactical Arms IIL backpack, convertible between Flight, Delta, V, Sword, Work and Arrow forms
- Gerbera Straight katana
- Tiger Pierce katana
- Two 1/100 scale Lowe Guele figures, sitting and standing
- Dry transfer decals and sticker sheet
- Instruction manual
Compatible accessories
No display base is included with the kit. Given the reported shoulder joint weakness, a stand is genuinely worth having for any pose that holds a katana raised. Pair it with the Bandai Action Base 4, the standard 1/100 display stand.
Build your Cosmic Era collection
For more SEED-universe Master Grade weight, the Bandai 1/100 MG Destiny Gundam and the Bandai 1/100 MG Force Impulse Gundam are both in stock.
At 1/144, the Bandai 1/144 HG ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam (Revive) is also available.
Build specifications
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Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray
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Grade: Master Grade (MG)
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Scale: 1/100
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Mobile suit: MBF-P02Kai Gundam Astray Red Frame Kai
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Pilot: Lowe Guele
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Faction: Independent (Serpent Tail)
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Timeline: Cosmic Era
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Manufacturer: Bandai, Japan
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Original release: November 2010
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Kit packaged weight: 910 g, retail box 39 x 31 x 9.2 cm
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Barcode (JAN): 4573102616074
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Skill level: 3
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Assembly: snap-fit, no glue required
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Paint required: no, parts are moulded in colour
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Figures included: two 1/100 Lowe Guele figures, unpainted
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Special features: Tactical Arms IIL convertible backpack, two signature katanas
Perfect for
- Astray fans who want Lowe Guele's personal upgrade over the original Red Frame
- Builders who enjoy a backpack with genuine multi-form conversion
- Collectors after a katana-focused melee kit rather than another beam rifle build
- Anyone who has built one or two Master Grades and wants a bigger next step
- Builders who want in-scale pilot figures included rather than bought separately
- Cosmic Era collectors filling out the Astray side of the shelf
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
Articulation is genuinely good on this kit, with reviewers describing it as amazing through the extensive polycap use, but there is one specific and repeated weak point: the shoulder joint. More than one build review flags it directly as too weak for the weight it is asked to carry, particularly with a katana held out.
That is the one thing to plan around. Everything else about the build, including the undergated parts that make runner cleanup tidier than most Master Grades, comes up positively.
Builder tips: if the shoulder loosens after handling, a thin coat of clear nail polish on the ball joint, left to dry fully before reassembly, restores the friction. Use a stand for any raised-katana pose rather than relying on the shoulder alone. Take your time locating the undergated nubs before cutting, since they sit on internal surfaces rather than where you would normally expect them.
Build notes
No glue and no paint required. Nippers, a hobby knife, sanding sticks and tweezers for the figures. Expect four to six hours across a couple of sessions. Recommended age 15 and over.
Last updated: 5 August 2026 (AEST)
