MS 05L Zaku 1 Sniper Type

Introduction:

Despite being the first nuclear-equipped combat-capable mobile suit, the five-year-old Zaku 1  design was considered unfit for combat by the beginning of the One Year War. Pushed into rear defense, supply line and even construction roles the Zaku 1 seemed destined for ignominy. During the waning months of the One Year War the Republic of Zeon became desperate for mobile suits and pilots capable of operating them. The Zaku 1 suddenly became a common sight on the front lines. Some Zaku 1 mobile suits were refitted and updated with more modern technology, however many were pushed to the front lines using the same outdated technology and weapon systems that made them obsolete mere months ago.

The MS-05L Sniper type was one of the refit types available for the Zaku 1. Some design changes include an updated head with an improved main camera, sensors, communication equipment and Vulcan cannons, new backpack capable of powering a long range beam rifle and stabilization gear mounted on the right knee to anchor and steady the mobile suit while firing. 

Kit talk:

I made a pretty comprehensive Wip post here that will show in some detail what I modified to create this design.The shorter and more basic version of this explanation is: I wanted a Zaku 1 Sniper type, but the HG model is kind of crap, so I used the new Origin version of the Zaku 1 and modded on the stuff that makes the Sniper type unique. There were a fair number of parts like the head and knee that I couldn't directly kit bash onto the kit and instead these parts were are either modified or scratch built to replicate the detail.

I chose a subdued green color palette for the design with tones based on the canon design. The decal scheme followed the basic Origin layout with some inspiration from the RG Zaku and some of my other decal schemes.

All in I'm quite pleased with how this build turned out, most of the normal jerkiness typically associated with a kitbashed build has been smoothed out. 

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Photos:

360:

Detail:

A round dome for the eye lense was used instead of the normal flat version included with the kit.

The small grey vent on this side of the backpack covers the recess for the barrell accessory normally found on the Kirk's custom version of this kit. 

The leg thrusters are very shallow on this kit. If I spent more time on this kit I would have removed this entire chunk and replaced it,

The braided hose is included with this kit and looks excellent.

Here's the painted result of the seam line fix I showed off in this tutorial.

The knee brace extends and works as intended.

MS-05

The recesses, charging handle and stock were all hand-painted with Vallejo paint.

The machine gun was a bit of an afterthought, however, it's a classic Zaku 1 staple.

Action Poses: