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Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam front on view. white background
Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam no tools or paint or glue or stickers required
Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam Entry Grade official Bandai press photograph showing Amuro Ray's mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam 1979 with beam rifle and shield in the iconic white, blue, red and yellow colour scheme.
Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam front on view. white background
Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam no tools or paint or glue or stickers required
Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam Entry Grade official Bandai press photograph showing Amuro Ray's mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam 1979 with beam rifle and shield in the iconic white, blue, red and yellow colour scheme.

Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam (Entry Grade)

$14.99 AUD
Amuro Ray's RX-78-2 from Mobile Suit Gundam 1979, in Bandai's beginner-first Entry Grade format. Snap-fit, undergate moulded so nub marks are hidden, no painting required. HG-level articulation for an EG price.
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Key features
  1. Undergate moulding: every gate cut hides on the inside of the visible part. Twist parts off by hand and the assembled kit still looks clean. No nipper skills required.
  2. HG-grade articulation at EG price: double-jointed knees and elbows, full waist rotation, ball-joint shoulders. Wider posing range than most early-2000s HG releases of the same suit.
  3. Three-runner design, no stickers: the entire kit comes on three colour-matched runners with the box-art finish handled by the moulding. Nothing to apply, nothing to scrape.
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 EG RX-78-2 Gundam (Entry Grade)

Bandai 1/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam. The kit that proved Entry Grade could compete with HG.

The RX-78-2 is Amuro Ray's mobile suit from the original Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), the suit that started the entire franchise. The Entry Grade version is Bandai's beginner-first take on the design. Snap-fit, no stickers, no nub clean-up on the visible surfaces, no painting required, and an articulation range that quietly outpaces the standard HG. If a Gunpla shop only stocks one kit for a first-time builder, this is the one most of them stock.

It is also the cheapest current-production RX-78-2 in the Bandai range, which makes it a useful base for kitbashing, painting practice, or just owning the OG silhouette without committing $50.

Build difficulty

Skill Level 1 (per HLJ). Pure snap-fit, no nippers strictly required (parts can be twisted off the runner without scarring the visible side, by design). Build time is under an hour for a first-time builder, well under thirty minutes for an experienced one. The instruction sheet is colour-coded, no text translation needed.

Technical highlights

The Entry Grade frame uses an undergate moulding approach: every gate connection sits on the inside or underside of the visible part. Twist a part off the runner and the resulting nub is hidden from view once the kit is assembled. The articulation includes double-jointed knees and elbows, a fully rotating waist, and a head that turns and tilts. The full ball-jointed shoulders give the kit a wider posing range than most early-2000s MGs. The kit is moulded across three runners in colour-matched plastic, so the box-art look is achieved straight off the runner.

What makes this kit special

  • Undergate moulding: the nub from each part removal is hidden on the assembled kit. No clean-up required to look clean.
  • HG-grade articulation at EG price: double-jointed knees and elbows, full waist rotation, ball-joint shoulders.
  • Three-runner design: the entire kit comes on three runners, so set-up and pack-down are fast.
  • No stickers required: the colour separation is handled in the moulding, so the build looks accurate to the anime without applying anything.
  • Includes a beam rifle and a shield: the iconic RX-78-2 loadout, both built up from the same runner system.
  • Compatible with the EG RX-78F00/E Glass Feather optional parts: Bandai released expansion kits that share the EG body's connection standard.

What's in the box

  • RX-78-2 Gundam body parts across three colour-matched runners
  • Beam rifle
  • Shield
  • Beam saber handles (x2)
  • Foot pegs for action base mounting
  • Instruction sheet (colour-coded, no text)

Compatible accessories

Recommended display stands for 1/144 scale, all in stock at Mecha Express:

Build your Universal Century collection

If you're starting a One Year War shelf, every kit linked here is in stock at Mecha Express:

Build specifications

  • Series: Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
  • Grade: Entry Grade (EG)
  • Scale: 1/144
  • Mobile suit: RX-78-2 Gundam
  • Pilot: Amuro Ray
  • Faction: Earth Federation
  • Timeline: Universal Century (UC 0079)
  • Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
  • Bandai SKU: 5060747
  • HLJ code: BANS60747
  • Skill Level: 1 (per HLJ)
  • Assembly: Snap-fit, no glue required, undergate moulding
  • Paint required: No
  • Country of manufacture: Japan

Perfect for

  • First-time Gunpla builders looking for a clean introduction to the hobby.
  • Parents buying a starter kit for a builder aged 8 and over.
  • Experienced builders who want a fast, satisfying break between bigger projects.
  • Kitbashers using the EG body as a base for custom paint, decals, or modifications.
  • Anyone who wants the original Gundam silhouette on their shelf without the price tag.

Fast Australian shipping

Orders placed before 2 pm AEST on a weekday ship the same day from Brisbane. Free shipping on orders over $199 within Australia. Subsidised shipping to New Zealand.

What to watch for

The articulation is generous but the joints are friction-fit, not ratcheted. After a year of repeated reposing, some joints loosen. A small dot of clear nail polish or PVA glue inside the joint cup tightens them back up.

The beam rifle is a single piece on its own small sub-runner, and the foregrip is moulded as part of the rifle body rather than hinging. Some builders cut and re-pin the foregrip for a more dynamic hold. The straight-out-of-box version holds the rifle two-handed at the chest.

This is an Entry Grade. The detail level is intentionally simpler than an HG. Surface panel lines are not deeply moulded, so panel lining adds less visual depth than it would on an HG. If you want a more detailed RX-78-2 to paint and weather, consider the HGUC RX-78-2 Revive instead.

Build notes

Plastic nippers are not required because of the undergate moulding, but they still give a slightly cleaner finish on the few parts where the gate falls on an edge. A hobby knife is useful for tidying the parting line on the head V-fin.

Build time: roughly 30 to 60 minutes for a first-time builder, 20 to 30 minutes for an experienced builder.

Recommended age: 8 years and over.

Last updated: 9 June 2026 (AEST)

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Assembly Guide

Skill Level.1. Most adults & children can assemble Skill Level 1 kits with little to no difficulty. Very basic hobby tools are recommended including a pair of nippers, a hobby knife, but are not essential. No Glue is needed for these kits. Kits are all snap together build and most parts can be removed by twisting and pushing without the need to snip with nippers.
Skill Level.1. Most adults & children can assemble Skill Level 1 kits with little to no difficulty. Very basic hobby tools are recommended including a pair of nippers, a hobby knife, but are not essential. No Glue is needed for these kits. Kits are all snap together build and most parts can be removed by twisting and pushing without the need to snip with nippers.
No Cement Required

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.

No Painting Required

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

Is this a good first Gunpla?

Yes. This is the kit most Gunpla shops recommend for a first build. Snap-fit assembly, no glue or paint required, no stickers, and undergate moulding so the part removal nubs hide on the back of the assembled kit. A first-time builder can finish it in under an hour without any tools.

What tools do I need?

Strictly speaking, none. The parts can be twisted off the runner by hand thanks to the undergate moulding, and the resulting nub hides on the assembled kit. For a slightly cleaner finish on the few visible-edge gates, a pair of cheap plastic nippers helps. A hobby knife tidies the parting line on the head V-fin if you want to be thorough.

How does the EG compare to the HG RX-78-2?

The EG actually has better articulation than most HG versions of the RX-78-2 thanks to the double-jointed knees and elbows and the ball-jointed shoulders. The HG wins on surface detail and panel-line depth, which makes it the better choice if you want to paint and weather the kit. For a clean snap-fit display the EG is the stronger option, and it costs roughly half as much.

Can I display it on an Action Base?

Yes. The kit has a standard 1/144 foot peg connection, so it fits the Bandai Action Base 1, 2, or 5. For a basic upright display, the foot stand built into the kit's pose works without an external base. For dynamic action poses, the Action Base 2 is the recommended pairing.

How long does it take to build?

Roughly 30 to 60 minutes for a first-time builder, 20 to 30 minutes for someone with HG experience. The three-runner design keeps the build sequence simple. The instruction sheet is colour-coded with no text, so language is not a barrier.

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