Messer Type-M01 (Gawman Use) HG 1/144

Mafty’s heavyweight Messer returns with an all-new look.

The Messer Type-M01 (Gawman Use) HG 1/144 brings Gawman Nobil’s replacement Mobile Suit from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe to the HG lineup.

Don’t mistake this for a simple recolour of the earlier Messer F01. Although the M-Type shares the same basic internal standards as the F-Type in-universe, its exterior is substantially different — and Bandai has recreated those differences with newly designed armour and tooling.

Me02R-M01 Messer Type-M01

The Messer Type-M01, commonly referred to as the M-Type, is manufactured on a different production line from the Messer F-Type used as Mafty’s main combat machine.

There’s a good reason for that.

Mafty’s guerrilla operations required the origins of its Mobile Suits to remain difficult to trace. As a result, the M-Type’s external design was deliberately made substantially different from the F-Type, despite its internal frame and fundamental specifications conforming to the same standards.

It’s a fantastic little piece of military world-building.

Same basic machine underneath.

Very different appearance outside.

Gawman Nobil’s Machine

This particular M01 belongs to Gawman Nobil.

Following the loss of his Messer F-Type during the Davao air raid, Gawman receives the M01 as his replacement machine.

And his machine has one particularly distinctive detail.

The Unpainted Left Shoulder

No, Bandai hasn’t accidentally moulded the shoulder in the wrong colour.

Gawman’s left shoulder armour was deployed before there was time to finish painting it, leaving the base colour of the component exposed.

It’s deliberately reproduced on the model.

It’s a small detail, but it gives the machine a brilliant field-deployed appearance and reinforces the idea that Mafty isn’t operating with the luxury of a perfectly organised military supply chain.

Sometimes you need another Mobile Suit.

And sometimes the paint shop simply isn’t finished yet.

Completely Different from the Messer F01

Put the M01 beside the original HGUC Messer F01 and the differences become obvious.

The M01 features substantial changes across the:

• Head
• Chest
• Shoulder armour
• Forearms
• Front and rear skirts
• Legs
• Ankle armour
• Feet
• Backpack and thrusters
• Shield

The M01 has a smaller, sharper-looking head, more pronounced forward-projecting chest armour and considerably more angular detailing throughout the legs and thruster assemblies.

So if you’ve already built the F01, there’s still plenty new here.

A Proper Chunky Mobile Suit

Messer has never been a small Mobile Suit.

The M01’s in-universe head height is around 23 metres, and that size is immediately noticeable when the HG is placed alongside a conventional 1/144 Gundam.

The huge legs, long skirt armour, broad torso and oversized shoulders give the finished kit considerably more physical presence than something like an RX-78-2.

This is one of those HG kits that doesn’t really feel like a normal HG once it’s sitting on the shelf.

Newly Designed Articulation

Despite all that armour, Bandai has put considerable attention into keeping the M01 poseable.

The front and rear skirt armour incorporate a redesigned structure intended to reduce interference during posing, while the elbows and knees offer smooth movement despite the machine’s bulky proportions.

The shoulders can also swing substantially forward, while the torso offers movement through the chest and waist.

So Messer may look like a walking brick.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to pose like one.

Long Beam Rifle

Gawman’s Messer comes equipped with its distinctive Long Beam Rifle.

The elongated weapon suits the M01’s enormous proportions perfectly and provides the kit with its primary ranged armament.

A dedicated right weapon-holding hand is included, helping the rifle sit securely when posing the finished model.

Small Shield

One of the noticeable differences from earlier Messer designs is the M01’s smaller shield.

Mounted on the arm, it complements the more angular M-Type armour without overwhelming the silhouette.

The different shield design is another feature that helps distinguish the M01 immediately when displayed beside the F01.

Beam Sabers

For close combat, the kit includes two Beam Saber blades.

They give Gawman’s Messer a straightforward melee option and allow for much more aggressive poses than simply standing there holding the enormous rifle.

Long Beam Rifle at range.

Beam Saber when things get unpleasant.

Simple.

Effective.

Very Mafty.

Excellent Colour Separation

The M01 uses multiple moulded colours to recreate its distinctive military-style appearance.

Red-brown and lighter brown armour is broken up with yellow details, darker components and grey mechanical sections. The kit also uses a small foil sticker sheet for details including the mono-eye, chest sensor and rifle sight.

Most importantly, that unfinished left shoulder is intentionally represented as part of Gawman’s unique appearance.

KPS Joint Construction

The internal and joint components make use of KPS plastic, with the kit avoiding traditional polycaps.

That gives the M01 a modern HG construction despite its enormous, old-school Mobile Suit proportions.

The large feet also provide a stable footprint, which is particularly useful when posing something this bulky.

Fantastic Weathering Potential

The Messer Type-M01 is practically begging for a military finish.

This isn’t a pristine ceremonial Gundam.

It’s a guerrilla-operated combat machine rushed into service with one shoulder that wasn’t even finished being painted.

Try adding:

• Dark panel lining
• Subtle armour chipping
• Dust around the feet
• Thruster staining
• Metallic joint details
• Rifle wear
• Scratches around the skirt armour
• Heat effects around the backpack
• Matte top coat

A slightly battered finish would suit Gawman’s machine brilliantly.

Product Features

• Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
• Grade: HG / HGUC
• Scale: 1/144
• Mobile Suit: Me02R-M01 Messer Type-M01
• Version: Gawman Use
• Pilot: Gawman Nobil
• Organisation: Mafty
• Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe
• 2026 release
• Substantially redesigned exterior compared with the Messer F01
• Newly designed M01 armour
• Distinctive unfinished left shoulder reproduced
• Large, heavyweight 1/144 proportions
• Improved front and rear skirt construction
• Articulated elbows and knees
• Forward-swinging shoulder articulation
• Movable torso
• KPS joint construction
• Polycaps not used
• Multi-colour moulded parts
• Snap-fit assembly
• Painting optional

Weapons & Accessories

• Long Beam Rifle ×1
• Small Shield ×1
• Beam Saber blades ×2
• Right weapon-holding hand
• Foil sticker sheet

Why Add Messer Type-M01 Gawman Use HG 1/144 to Your Collection?

Because this is not just another Messer recolour.

Bandai has taken the M-Type’s substantially different design and turned it into a largely new HG kit. The smaller head, projecting chest, angular leg armour, different thrusters, enlarged shoulder equipment and smaller shield give it a noticeably different personality from the earlier Messer F01.

Then there’s Gawman’s unfinished shoulder.

It’s such a simple detail, but it tells you something about the machine before you’ve even read its backstory: this thing was needed in combat before anyone had time to finish painting it.

For Hathaway fans, Mafty collectors or anyone who likes their Mobile Suits big, chunky and unapologetically military, the Messer M01 is a fantastic addition to the HGUC lineup.

Long rifle ready. Beam Sabers armed. One shoulder still waiting for the paint shop. The Messer Type-M01 HG 1/144 looks like Mafty needed another Mobile Suit immediately — and Gawman wasn’t prepared to wait.