{"product_id":"bandai-1-144-eg-rx-78-2-gundam-entry-grade","title":"Bandai 1\/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam (Entry Grade)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBandai 1\/144 EG RX-78-2 Gundam. The kit that proved Entry Grade could compete with HG.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild difficulty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSkill 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this kit special\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUndergate moulding:\u003c\/strong\u003e the nub from each part removal is hidden on the assembled kit. No clean-up required to look clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHG-grade articulation at EG price:\u003c\/strong\u003e double-jointed knees and elbows, full waist rotation, ball-joint shoulders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-runner design:\u003c\/strong\u003e the entire kit comes on three runners, so set-up and pack-down are fast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo stickers required:\u003c\/strong\u003e the colour separation is handled in the moulding, so the build looks accurate to the anime without applying anything.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes a beam rifle and a shield:\u003c\/strong\u003e the iconic RX-78-2 loadout, both built up from the same runner system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatible with the EG RX-78F00\/E Glass Feather optional parts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bandai released expansion kits that share the EG body's connection standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRX-78-2 Gundam body parts across three colour-matched runners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeam rifle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShield\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeam saber handles (x2)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFoot pegs for action base mounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstruction sheet (colour-coded, no text)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible accessories\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended display stands for 1\/144 scale, all in stock at Mecha Express:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-action-base-1-gunpla-display-stand\"\u003eBandai Action Base 1\u003c\/a\u003e. The universal stand that fits 1\/144 and 1\/100 kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-action-base-2-gunpla-display-stand\"\u003eBandai Action Base 2\u003c\/a\u003e. The 1\/144 specialist with a longer adjustable arm for flight poses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-action-base-5-gunpla-display-stand\"\u003eBandai Action Base 5\u003c\/a\u003e. The compact 1\/144 hex base for grounded action poses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild your Universal Century collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're starting a One Year War shelf, every kit linked here is in stock at Mecha Express:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-1-144-hguc-rx-178-gundam-mk-ii-aeug\"\u003eBandai 1\/144 HGUC RX-178 Gundam Mk II (AEUG) Revive\u003c\/a\u003e. The Gundam Mk II as Kamille Bidan's hijacked AEUG unit, the direct successor design to the RX-78-2.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Entry Grade (EG)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/144\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMobile suit:\u003c\/strong\u003e RX-78-2 Gundam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amuro Ray\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFaction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Earth Federation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimeline:\u003c\/strong\u003e Universal Century (UC 0079)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bandai Spirits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBandai SKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5060747\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHLJ code:\u003c\/strong\u003e BANS60747\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkill Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 (per HLJ)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssembly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snap-fit, no glue required, undergate moulding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaint required:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of manufacture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst-time Gunpla builders looking for a clean introduction to the hobby.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParents buying a starter kit for a builder aged 8 and over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperienced builders who want a fast, satisfying break between bigger projects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKitbashers using the EG body as a base for custom paint, decals, or modifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants the original Gundam silhouette on their shelf without the price tag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Australian shipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOrders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to watch for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBuild time: roughly 30 to 60 minutes for a first-time builder, 20 to 30 minutes for an experienced builder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended age: 8 years and over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLast updated: 9 June 2026 (AEST)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bandai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37779608076472,"sku":"5060747","price":14.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0026\/9503\/6974\/products\/mea-eg-rx-78-2-package-artwork.jpg?v=1780990455","url":"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-1-144-eg-rx-78-2-gundam-entry-grade","provider":"Mecha Express Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}