Gunpla #50 - HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah] Review

I was so busy with my study for the last one month, thus in order to save time, I decided to make a review of a combination of two HGUC kits instead of reviewing them individually (I will do it soon though). This time, the lucky kit is Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah], or just call it Hazel-Rah. 

I'm pretty sure, many of you, in particular the AoZ fans, knew what it is. Hazel-Rah is actually not an official kit, but rather a combination between HGUC Gundam TR-1 Hazel Custom and HGUC Hrududu support fighter, which makes it officially an upgrade of HGUC Hazel-custom. These two kits were actually released by Bandai in the past: Hazel custom as retail released in 2005, followed by Hrududu as an add-on of Dengeki Hobby magazine in 2006. Since Bandai recently got license to AoZ designs, they started releasing many AoZ kits in the past one year. Hazel custom and Hrududu eventually received a re-make, and finally released as p-bandai last month. I won't talk much about each kit, but rather reviewing the end product of their combination.

So, Hazel-Rah is basically a Hazel custom equipped with Hrududu as its backpack, and got an extension for its beam rifle. It is quite similar with HG 00 Gundam combined with 0 Raiser (which was also reviewed in this blog). For making Hazel-Rah, you need a retail or p-bandai Hazel Custom and a p-bandai Hrududu. Yes, a retail OR p-bandai Hazel Custom. I said this because the manual actually states that it needs an unassembled p-bandai Hazel Custom while it actually could use a retail one as well, assembled or unassembled. Greedy Bandai!

If you have already constructed Hazel Custom, you could simply just remove the red cockpit piece from the kit and put the cockpit part of Hrududu on the chest section of Hazel Custom, then put the main body and wing section of Hrududu on Hazel Custom's backpack. Finally, just add the blade rifle sections to the Hazel Custom's beam rifle, and that's it.

While Hazel-Rah could actually stand on its own, I suggest you to use an action base because of the heavy backpack. Another issue is articulation. With such heavy add-ons, moving the body parts is becoming difficult, thus don't expect much for dynamic poses with this kit. If you have two Hrududu kits, you actually could make a second-form variant of Hazel-Rah. Furthermore, if you could kitbash it with Advanced Hazel's scope, subarms and feet to make Hazel-Rah Full Armor form. As a gimmick, the 'claw' on Hrududu's right wing could open, and you could put blade rifle or beam saber effect (I suppose) on it.

As verdict, Hazel-Rah is a great kit. If you have already had a Hrududu, you MUST combine it with Hazel Custom. While this giant lacks articulation because of its massive body, the presentation itself is really amazing. Just put it on your work desk, and you could feel really badass for whole day, believe me (lol). Finally, remember, aside from Hrududu (which is a p-bandai), you only need retail a Hazel custom to make it, not a p-bandai one. 

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RX-121-1+FF-X29A Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah]

Pros:

• Beautiful (and badass) aesthetics

Cons:

• Limited articulation