Mankind's last line of defense, on your shelf
Gipsy Danger is the Mark-3 Jaeger from 2013's Pacific Rim, piloted by Raleigh Becket and Mako Mori against the Kaiju. This is the first Pacific Rim kit Mecha Express has ever stocked, and it's not a small one. Max Factory's PLAMAX line built this at 1/350 scale using 3D data straight from the film, right down to the inner frame under the armour.
This one's for anyone whose shelf has been all Gundam so far and wants a genuine Hollywood mecha standing next to it. Newcomers to the hobby and long-time Gunpla builders alike can pick this up, just go in with honest expectations (see Build difficulty below).
Build difficulty
The kit is colour-separated and snap-fit, no cement or paint required to complete it, and Max Factory rate it approachable. Being straight with you: independent builder accounts describe several of the armour panels as held by tabs rather than pegs, meaning they can pop off during handling and posing until you've built up a feel for the kit, and more than one builder has reached for a dab of glue on the more exposed joints for a securer display pose. The chest LED unit is a genuine highlight but is a little fiddly to wire up and access for battery changes. Budget more time than a same-size Gundam kit, mostly for the decal sheet, which independent reviewers describe as extensive.
Technical highlights
Built in ABS and polystyrene using 3DCG data sourced directly from the film, so the proportions and panel work are screen-accurate rather than an artist's interpretation. The armour lifts away to reveal a detailed inner frame, a nice touch if you want to display it partially exposed. The chest turbine lights up via an LED unit (two LR41 batteries required, not included) and the kit ships with a Plasma Cannon and Chain Sword to pose in hand. Decals are the waterslide type for a cleaner finish than stickers.
What makes this kit special
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Screen-accurate 3DCG tooling: sculpted from the film's own model data, not a reinterpretation.
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Exposed inner frame: lift the armour and there's real detail underneath, not a hollow shell.
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Light-up chest turbine: a genuine LED gimmick, not a paint-on glow effect.
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Two signature weapons included: the Plasma Cannon and Chain Sword both pose in hand.
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Large 1/350 scale: stands around 23cm, a genuine display centrepiece rather than a shelf-filler.
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A first for the shop: the first Pacific Rim kit Mecha Express has carried.
What's in the box
- Colour-separated snap-fit plastic runners (ABS and polystyrene)
- Waterslide decal sheet
- LED lighting unit for the chest turbine
- Plasma Cannon weapon part
- Chain Sword weapon part
Not included: the two LR41 batteries the LED unit needs.
Build specifications
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Franchise: Pacific Rim
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Manufacturer: Max Factory (PLAMAX line)
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Scale: 1/350
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Completed height: approximately 23cm
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Packaged size and weight: approximately 38.2 x 23.2 x 12.3cm, 779g as shipped from Japan
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Barcode: 4545784014721
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Skill Level: Intermediate
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Assembly: Colour-separated snap-fit, no cement needed
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Paint required: No, waterslide decals included
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Batteries: 2x LR41 required, not included
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Materials: ABS, Polystyrene (PS)
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Special features: Light-up chest turbine, exposed inner frame, Plasma Cannon and Chain Sword included
More from outside the Gundam universe
This is the only Pacific Rim kit in the shop right now, but it's not the only thing on the shelf outside the Gundam universe. If you like the idea of a PLAMAX kit specifically, Max Factory's own Patlabor Machine Bust Collection: Noa Izumi with Alphonse is currently in stock and worth a look.
Perfect for
- Pacific Rim fans who've never had a proper model kit of their favourite Jaeger
- Gunpla builders after something outside the Gundam universe for the shelf
- Collectors who want a big, screen-accurate display piece rather than a quick build
- Builders who don't mind supplementing a snap-fit kit with a little glue for a secure pose
- Anyone drawn to the inner-frame reveal and light-up gimmick over pure build speed
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
One detailed independent build account flags several armour panels (shoulder, knee, and rear sections in particular) as held by tabs rather than pegs, which can mean they pop off more easily than a comparable Gundam kit until you're used to it. A couple of independent builders separately describe the decal sheet as extensive, so budget real time for it if you want the full screen-accurate look. The chest LED lights the reactor core but doesn't extend further into the frame. None of this is a dealbreaker, it's simply a different kind of kit to a modern snap-together Gunpla release, more collector piece than weekend speed-build.
Builder tip: a small dot of clear-drying glue on the shoulder and rear armour tabs (optional, not required to complete the kit) goes a long way toward a display pose that holds.
Build notes
No cement or paint is required to finish the kit as designed, though some builders choose a light glue on a few tab joints for extra security once posed. Two LR41 batteries are needed for the LED unit and aren't included. Recommended age 15 and up. Expect a longer build session than an HG Gundam kit of similar size, mostly down to the decal work.
Last updated: 4 August 2026 (AEST)