HGUC MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom

The Gouf Custom.  What else can I say.  People who know the suit don't need any convincing on how badass it is.  I liked this design ever since I saw it in the 08th MS Team OVA.  In fact just YouTube Gouf Custom and watch the fight scene from 08th MS Team.  There's plenty to like about this design too.  As far as I know, Hajime Katoki took the original Gouf lineart and added some edges and made it meaner looking.  Did I mention how much I like Katoki designs?  Well that's enough ranting.  Onto the rest of the gallery.

The Good:
-Just like the rest of the modern HG Zeon grunts, this thing is solid.
-No real weight issues anywhere.  There's a little lock joint in the should to help the Gatling stay up.  That huge gun will throw you some balance issues occasionally but what do you expect.
-Huge shield mounted Gatling Gun.  Nuff said.

The Bad:
-Over time the left shoulder will start to weaken under the weight of the gatling.  But thanks to that locking joint it's not a huge issue.
-Could be an isolated case but on my kit all of the hands' ball joints are extremely loose aside from the right gripping hand.
-Like it's modern HGUC Zaku II brethren the Gouf Custom is a solid build and kit overall.  But I did find things like the knees and hips are a bit looser on this kit than the Zaku's.
-Small issue: The 3-Barrel Machine Gun can't really be removed cause it leaves an ugly peg connection.  Not a huge issue but it is there.

WIP Notes:
-Hand painted some tic marks with Grey for some detail.  Also threw some Red in the thrusters.
-Went at the kit pretty heavy with Tamiya Weathering Master, darkening edges and adding some 'dirt' to the feet and lower legs.  Also added some silver to the weapons for some metal wear effect.
-Dry brushed Tamiya Smoke on the weapons and joints to give an oily effect.
-Machine Gun came from a HGUC Zaku II (the original, old one).

Fully Loaded

Final Thoughts:

I don't think it's a secret that I like grunty mono-eye mobile suits.  This Gouf Custom is no exception.  Unless you dislike the actual design there's no real reason to dislike the model.  The few issues the kit has are outweighed by the positives and the aesthetics.  

I don't own the Master Grade Gouf Custom but from what I've seen it's safe to say that this High Grade is superior overall.  The MG looks very good, but it is older and will turn into a loose-joint brick kit pretty quickly.  The HG on the other hand looks good and manages to keep decent articulation while still being pretty sturdy.

If you like older Zeon suits, The 08th MS Team OVA, Katoki designs, or even HGUC's in general this kit won't disappoint you.  Even just sitting on a shelf, the hard edges and Gatling Gun give it a mean, imposing vibe.  Especially if you've got it sitting next to some Zaku's.  This thing really does have some shelf presence even for being a standard sized HG.

I feel this kit didn't kit the attention it deserved as it was released right after the HGUC Sinanju.  Regardless it is a solid kit and worth checking out.  The design itself, even the color scheme, isn't something you see everyday in the Gundam world.

Til next time...