Gunpla: The Mobile Suit Mobile Flat (Turn-A Gundam)

The FLAT-L06D FLAT. Simply, "the Flat", for obvious reasons. Also known as the "High heels" for obvious reasons. Sometimes called the "Flaty Flaty Flat Flat", but only by me. This unusual mecha originates from the Turn-A Gundam series circa 1999, and was designed by the recently departed Syd Mead, of Blade Runner fame. Turn-A was a series that invites lengthy digression, because it was so far removed from its own franchise. Part of this is obviously Mead's robot designs, but also due to its alternate War of the Worlds vibe, and the fact that while Yoshiyuki "kill 'em all" Tomino was back directing, he'd beaten his depression. I didn't get on the resulting anime, it would appear many people don't, but I've got huge respect for Turn-A. Because it tried to something new, and compared to the Gundam series on either side of it, that's a big thing. What does any of this mean for the Flat? Well, it means that it's part of very select and obscure group by the standards of the franchise. Turn-A had only a modest model line of, what? 7ish? Kits at the time, which is astonishingly small by Gundam standards, and subsequent additions seem thin on the ground. At the time of writing, this "ungraded" kit is seemingly the only merchandise of this Mobile Suit. And its twenty years old, if seemingly still in production.

Now, the "ungraded" bit is probably the most important part of this discussion. It implies that Bandai isn't bringing its A game to a kit, and that's certainly true here. The Flat is characterised by thin plastic, a low parts count, ill-fitting parts, and questionable colour choices. That said, what ultimately lifts it above those weaknesses, is its execution of the Flexible Ladder Actuator Technology and odd proportions of the suit. The Flat is supposed to have a white inner frame, with blackish armour plates on top, and the kit captures this well. There is an insane number of panel lines on the white components, plus a good few on the black, making for an attractive model if you put the effort in. I would however say the detail is is a little soft in places, defying both marker and inkwash techniques. Maybe I need more practice? Mind you, while the limbs perhaps have too many good opportunities for panel lines, the torso is cast mainly in orange when it's the only segment with 3 colours on the go. Hence my attempts at painting this thing, which I'm not happy with, and may come back to later. The stickers also suck, and dropped off within a day of application.

So, visually it's flawed but unexpectedly good in places. And speaking of unexpected goodness, there's the articulation, the unusual construction granting a very pleasing range of motion. The Flat ends up living up to its technobabble acronym, but that's mainly as a function of its transformation, as it contorts like a yoga enthusiast into a "re-entry mode". Its not gonna win any awards for disguise value or function, the whole fundamental weirdness of things helps. There is only modest partsforming involved too, requiring only the removal of the heel segments, which is entirely acceptable at this scale. It does also manage to have an accessory and dedicated hand, the "box beam rifle". Regrettably, it does not fold up or otherwise store, but it's there. So, looks odd, poses unexpectedly well, transforms, has a gun. That's something.

All in all? It's a case of mecha design overcoming a cheap kit. Not as appealing or as well-engineered as the Hizack, but I like the results more. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but it met my needs as a therapeutic modelling project.