At last, my 3 units of Jestas are ready to roll out! Apart from the slight colour changes and the markings, these ones I've built are pretty much a straight build without modifications.
The HGUC 1/144 Jesta was released in mid-September for 1600 Yen. An advanced version of the Federation's ordinary grunt Jegan, the Jesta will make its debut in a team of 3 in the upcoming 4th episode of Gundam UC OVA.
Jesta with beam rifle (which is known as a beam carbine), which is an advanced variant of the Jegan's original beam rifle.
The shield can be connected to the backpack via an option of 2 different connecting arms; one that is contracted and the other expanded.
The expanded arm piece (as seen on the left Jesta above) can allow rotation of the shield, whereas the contracted one (as seen on the right Jesta above) will have the shield restricted to face backwards only.
The shield is derived from that of the original Jegan. The shield missiles are still present but both pairs are now on the same side rather than being laid out symmetrically on each side.
The beam sabre is tucked in beneath the left arm, whereas spare beam rifle magazines are store beneath the right arm. The Jesta can reach it with its right hand as shown in the picture above. Two open palms are used in this picture as well.
Charging forward with the beam sabre.
The side skirts are grenade racks just like the ordinary Jegan model.
Three Jestas in action.
Fighting in unison and professionally. These guys are no ordinary grunts.
Jesta in comparison with Stark Jegan. Despite being derived from the same original Jegan the two do look very different here.
In case those who are curious about the white stars on the left shoulders and the shields of the Jestas, they actually spare paper stickers from 1/8 GSC Black★Rock Shooter -animation version-. The original figureb had a missing star on the coat, so GSC sent a set of 8 white star stickers to the customers. I thought that I would use some to make them stand out a bit in terms of markings.
Previous WIP posts can be found here and here.
My sloppy pictures aside, the HGUC 1/144 Jesta is quite a complete model kit there; at least there are no parts that you have to borrow from other kits unless you want to swap out the backpack with other Jegan models. The overall design is dark and sleek, giving the Jesta an overall impression that it is no ordinary grunt unlike most of Federation's mass production mobile suits.
A big thanks to BMecha for hosting this Jesta group build! It's been fun doing this and seeing what others have tried on their own Jestas. Mine is a bit ordinary out of the bunch, but I suppose simplicity also has its own beauty too right? ^^
You should have done some Black Tri Star poses with your Jestas ^^;.
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine getting the same unit more than one in one go...
ReplyDeleteHmm... Seems to me that the 3rd to last picture looks uncannily similar... Hmmm... I wonder... ;)
@ Tom:
ReplyDeleteBlack Tri-Star pose will suit well for the 3 Dreissens I have. I still wonder what characteristics I should give for these Jesta Tri-Stars, but I do have the idea of the Dreissen Tri-stars to go against the Jesta Tri-stars. Maybe this will come in another day :o
@ bd77:
After building several trios, I am getting used to mass production ^^;
The 3rd last picture looks familiar to you? I actually posed it like professional soldiers doing firing excercise in a way, and possibly even firing squad if one is to imagine that as well... But maybe you've got something else in your mind :o
Adding the star is a nice touch. I'm still waiting for Gundam UC to finish before I watch it.
ReplyDelete@ Nopy:
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice touch to make the Jestas an identity of some kind in the form of an emblem, while still keeping its overall look relatively unchanged.
I'd guess that Gundam UC should end approximately one year from now, but gosh half a year per episode really is a long wait. My sister is also waiting for it to end before watching it!
*cough*myWakeTheIronPost*cough*
ReplyDelete@ bd77:
ReplyDelete*Looks up the post* Oh "Desperta ferro"! How can I forget it! >_<
Cool! I wish I can have 3 Jesta in a team too.
ReplyDeleteToo bad I can only get 1 due to budget limit. I shall apply the similar colour theme to my future GMs and make them a team. :D
@ B-Mecha:
ReplyDeleteHaving teams of MS sure feels great, but it's not so great on the money though.
You will have different kinds of GM in similar colours to make a team? Sounds like a good idea of a highly customised team there!