{"product_id":"bandai-1-144-hg-lightning-buster-gundam-mobile-suit-gundam-seed-freedom","title":"Bandai 1\/144 HG Lightning Buster Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBandai 1\/144 HG Lightning Buster Gundam. Dearka's heavy artillery from SEED Freedom.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lightning Buster is Dearka Elthman's upgraded mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, the 2024 sequel film. It is the Buster Gundam lineage evolved for post-war Cosmic Era combat: a heavy artillery platform built around two long beam cannons, a missile-loaded backpack, and a wide wing-binder that gives the kit its signature outline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDearka is the original Buster pilot from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. He is back in the Lightning Buster in SEED Freedom as part of the Compass squadron, alongside Kira's Mighty Strike Freedom and Athrun's Immortal Justice. If you're collecting the Compass lineup, this is the artillery position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild difficulty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHG snap-fit, no glue or paint required to look accurate to the box art. Around 300 to 400 parts across colour-separated runners, with a build time of roughly two to three hours for a beginner, ninety minutes for an experienced builder. Skill Level 2 by HLJ's published rating: basic modelling tools (nippers, hobby knife) recommended for a clean finish off the runner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standout engineering is the SEED Action System inner frame. The hip joints slide and rotate independently, which is what lets a heavy artillery kit like this hold dynamic shooting and reload poses without falling forward under the weight of the back rig. The two beam cannons swap between a folded carry configuration and a deployed firing configuration using replacement barrel parts in the box. The arm-mounted cannon parts are articulated so you can pose the kit firing from the shoulder, the waist, or in transit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backpack hatch opens to reveal moulded missile warheads inside. The wing binders spread to give the kit a wider, more imposing silhouette for display. The whole kit is moulded in colour, so the Cosmic Era yellow trim and the cannon detailing read accurately straight off the runner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this kit worth picking up\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeam cannons swap between folded and deployed:\u003c\/strong\u003e two distinct display configurations from one box, using the included replacement barrel parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackpack missile hatch:\u003c\/strong\u003e opens to show the stored warheads, which most HG kits at this scale don't bother with.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide wing binder spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e opens up the silhouette for a wider, more imposing display pose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSEED Action System hip joints:\u003c\/strong\u003e the slide-and-rotate inner frame is the difference between a top-heavy artillery kit that falls over and one that holds its pose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDearka's Compass-era unit:\u003c\/strong\u003e the third member of the SEED Freedom protagonist trio alongside the Mighty Strike Freedom and Immortal Justice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHG accessibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e snap-fit, no glue, no paint required for the box-art look.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightning Buster Gundam main body (colour-separated runners)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeam cannon parts in both folded and deployed barrel configurations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWing binder assembly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMissile-loaded backpack with opening hatch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand parts (open and gripping)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarking sticker sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible accessories\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended display stands for 1\/144 HG scale, all in stock at Mecha Express today:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\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 stand with a longer adjustable arm. Best choice if you want to lift the Lightning Buster into a firing pose with the cannons deployed.\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. Best for a grounded, planted stance with the wings open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild your SEED Freedom collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Compass squad and the wider Cosmic Era kits, all in stock at Mecha Express:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-1-144-hg-mighty-strike-freedom-gundam-gundam-seed-freedom\"\u003eBandai 1\/144 HG Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam\u003c\/a\u003e. Kira Yamato's headline machine from SEED Freedom. Pair this with the Lightning Buster for the protagonist-and-artillery shelf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-hg-rising-freedom-gundam\"\u003eBandai HG Rising Freedom Gundam\u003c\/a\u003e. Kira's transitional mid-film machine before the Mighty Strike Freedom upgrade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/hgce-aile-strike\"\u003eBandai 1\/144 HGCE GAT-X105 Aile Strike\u003c\/a\u003e. The original Strike Gundam that started Kira's run. Closes the SEED-to-SEED Freedom arc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-1-144-rg-akatsuki-gundam-oowashi-pack\"\u003eBandai 1\/144 RG Akatsuki Gundam (Oowashi Pack)\u003c\/a\u003e. The Cosmic Era flagship RG for builders ready to step up from HG.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e High Grade (HG)\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 Lightning Buster Gundam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dearka Elthman\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFaction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compass (Cosmic Era post-war coalition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimeline:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cosmic Era\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bandai Spirits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaged weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 350 g \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaged dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 29.9 cm x 18.9 cm x 7.9 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBarcode (JAN):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4573102671714\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBandai SKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5067171\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkill Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssembly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snap-fit, no glue required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Folded and deployed beam cannon parts, opening missile hatch, wing binder spread, SEED Action System inner frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal release:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19 September 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of manufacture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSEED Freedom fans completing the Compass squad alongside the Mighty Strike Freedom and Immortal Justice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCosmic Era collectors who want Dearka's upgraded artillery unit on the shelf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilders who want a kit with two distinct display configurations from one box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHG builders ready to step up to a kit with more presence than a standard mobile suit silhouette.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeginner builders looking for an accessible SEED Freedom kit that delivers strong visual payoff straight off the runner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Australian shipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\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\u003ch3\u003eWhat to watch for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lightning Buster is back-heavy. Cannons, backpack missiles, and wing binders all sit behind the kit's centre of gravity. Without a display base, the kit will lean back over time, particularly in poses with the cannons deployed and the wings fully open. The Action Base 2 is the recommended pairing for any dynamic display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wing binder is the kit's signature visual and also its most fragile area. The thin clear or yellow accent parts on the wing edges can stress-mark if you flex them too hard during assembly. Take it slow on those steps and don't force any panel into place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSticker-heavy for the unit markings. Some builders panel-line and decal these with aftermarket waterslides for a sharper finish. The included stickers are accurate to the SEED Freedom design but read as stickers on close inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBuild notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pair of plastic nippers is recommended for clean part removal. A hobby knife and a small file deal with nub marks on the larger flat surfaces. The colour separation is strong enough that paint is not required for an accurate box-art finish, but panel lining with a 0.03 mm pen sharpens the detail on the cannons and the chest unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuild time: approximately two to three hours for a beginner, ninety minutes for an experienced builder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended age: 8 years and over (per Bandai).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast updated: 9 June 2026 (AEST)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bandai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45515252039922,"sku":"5067171","price":35.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0026\/9503\/6974\/files\/mea-hg-lightning-buster-front.jpg?v=1780988928","url":"https:\/\/mechaexpressaustralia.com.au\/products\/bandai-1-144-hg-lightning-buster-gundam-mobile-suit-gundam-seed-freedom","provider":"Mecha Express Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}