For many Gundam model kit fans, the process of assembling a model and painting it is a labour of love, with the large amount of time taken to put it together being justified by the quality of the final result.
However, for some people, the simple reality is that you may not have a lot of time to spare. Instead of taking weeks or months to build a model, you can do it much faster using Speed Grade kits.
Designed for those who want to assemble a model quickly, these 1/200 scale models are perfect for those who are short on time, not least as the kits are still very detailed and articulate, so you don’t end up sacrificing quality on the altar of speed.
Most lists of Gunpla grades ignore Speed Grade, as it is not one of the main grades, but be assured, it is there. The range was first launched in 2007, featuring the mobile suits of the Gundam Meta series. The first products were the RX-78-2 Gundam and the XXXG-01W Wing Gundam, which both emerged in September that year.
These were followed by the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam and the GF13-017Njii God Gundam, which both came out in March 2008. According to the Gundam Fandom site, the XXXG-01W and MSZ-006 are both non-transformable, unlike their larger counterparts.
A unique aspect of all the Speed Grade kits is that they are pre-painted, which means you don’t take up any time on that. Instead, the focus can be firmly on assembly, which can be done in a matter of minutes.
You still get models with detail and some articulation, including the head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and feet.
The range may be small in size and in the number of products, but it still offers a chance to enjoy some quick assembly and to make additions to your model collection.
