RX-79G Gundam Ground Type RG 1/144

The 08th MS Team finally gets the Real Grade treatment.

Bring Shiro Amada’s rugged frontline Gundam to your collection with the upcoming RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type RG 1/144 from Bandai Spirits, based on Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.

This isn’t simply the existing HG with more panel lines. The Real Grade version uses completely new tooling for both the Mobile Suit and its extensive weapon loadout, with an advanced waist and leg frame designed specifically to reproduce the low crouching and firing poses that define the Ground Type in the series. The Japanese release is currently listed for February 2027, making this a future release as of August 2026.

RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type was developed for the Earth Federation Forces using components originally produced for the RX-78 Gundam programme.

Unlike the RX-78-2, however, this wasn’t a machine designed around fighting in space.

The Ground Type was built specifically for terrestrial combat, with its equipment, armour and operational systems adapted for deployment on Earth.

That gives the RX-79[G] a much more grounded military appearance than many Gundams.

And yes, that pun was unavoidable.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

The Ground Type is most closely associated with Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, where a squad of Federation Mobile Suits fights through the jungles and battlefields of Southeast Asia during the One Year War.

Rather than focusing on enormous space battles and Newtype superweapons, The 08th MS Team presents Mobile Suits much more like conventional military hardware.

They get dirty.

They need supplies.

They carry ammunition.

Weapons get stored in containers.

And sometimes a Gundam spends a considerable amount of time kneeling in the mud with a 180mm cannon.

That’s exactly the atmosphere this RG is designed to capture.

Built for Shiro Amada

The RX-79[G] is particularly associated with Shiro Amada, commander of the 08th Mobile Suit Team.

Shiro’s Ground Type becomes one of the defining machines of the OVA before eventually being replaced by the heavily modified Gundam Ez8.

For fans of Shiro and the 08th Team, a modern RG Ground Type has been a very long time coming.

Completely New Real Grade Design

Bandai has developed the RG Ground Type as an all-new Real Grade, including newly designed weapons rather than simply repackaging older components.

The new engineering focuses heavily on reproducing the military posing seen throughout the anime.

That includes:

• Deep crouching poses
• Kneeling firing positions
• Two-handed weapon poses
• Grounded combat stances
• Heavy cannon firing positions

This is exactly what the Ground Type needs.

It isn’t a Gundam that should spend its entire life floating elegantly on an Action Base.

It belongs in the dirt.

Advanced Waist & Leg Frame

The waist and leg frame construction has been specifically engineered to provide the articulation required for low firing positions.

This should allow the Ground Type to reproduce its famous kneeling stance while maintaining convincing armour positioning.

For a machine from The 08th MS Team, that’s arguably more important than being able to perform enormous aerial kicks.

Opening Chest Vulcan System

The chest includes an opening gimmick for the Vulcan system.

This adds another layer of mechanical detail to the upper body and reinforces the Real Grade approach of turning the 1/144 model into something that feels like an actual piece of machinery.

Opening Cockpit Hatch

The chest also incorporates an opening cockpit hatch.

It’s a small feature in 1/144 scale, but exactly the sort of mechanical detail that makes a Real Grade rewarding to inspect once completed.

100mm Machine Gun

The classic 100mm Machine Gun is included.

It’s probably the weapon most closely associated with the Ground Type’s gritty military appearance.

Compared with enormous futuristic Beam Cannons, the straightforward machine gun makes the RX-79[G] feel much more like a conventional battlefield machine.

And that is a huge part of its appeal.

180mm Cannon

Naturally, the enormous 180mm Cannon is here too.

This is one of the signature weapons of The 08th MS Team, and the new RG articulation is specifically suited to recreating those famous heavy-cannon firing positions.

Drop the Gundam onto one knee.

Brace the cannon.

Aim.

That’s the pose.

Rocket Launcher

Bandai also includes a Rocket Launcher, expanding the Ground Type’s already substantial weapon selection.

This gives you another option for building the model as a heavily equipped frontline machine rather than sticking permanently with the familiar machine gun.

Beam Rifle

Retail listings for the Japanese release also specify a Beam Rifle in the complete weapon set.

That means this RG offers an unusually broad selection of ranged weapons straight from the box.

Switch between:

• 100mm Machine Gun
• Beam Rifle
• 180mm Cannon
• Rocket Launcher

depending on how heavily armed you want Shiro to be that day.

Beam Sabers Stored in the Legs

One of the Ground Type’s distinctive design features is the storage of its Beam Sabers inside the legs.

The RG reproduces this with opening leg-mounted saber racks, allowing the two Beam Sabers to be removed and equipped.

It’s exactly the kind of functional mechanical gimmick that suits the Real Grade format.

Ground Type Shield

The distinctive compact Ground Type Shield is included.

Unlike the enormous shields carried by some Gundams, this one looks appropriately practical and military.

Bandai is also including something unusual specifically for displaying it.

Shield Ground Effect Part

The kit includes a dedicated ground effect/display component for the shield.

This lets you recreate the famous style of battlefield pose where the shield is planted into the terrain to provide cover or weapon support.

It’s a small accessory, but one that feels tailor-made for The 08th MS Team.

Weapon Container

One of the most important accessories is the enormous Weapon Container carried on the Gundam’s backpack.

The RG version can be mounted to the rear of the Mobile Suit and includes a raising and lowering mechanism.

This is another feature that perfectly reinforces the military logistics theme of the Ground Type.

Instead of magically carrying an unlimited supply of weapons, it literally brings its equipment onto the battlefield in a giant box.

Detailed Container Engineering

Bandai has put surprising effort into the container itself.

The opening panels feature a locking mechanism, while the internal seat moves in conjunction with the container structure.

This makes what could have been a fairly simple accessory another proper Real Grade mechanical feature.

Two Antenna Colour Options

The head antenna can be assembled in either white or yellow.

That gives builders a simple appearance choice without requiring paint.

Small option.

Nice inclusion.

Realistic Decals

As expected from Real Grade, the kit includes a Realistic Decal sheet along with foil stickers.

The Ground Type is particularly well suited to technical markings.

Federation unit numbers, warning symbols and additional military-style markings can really enhance its utilitarian battlefield appearance.

Perfect for Weathering

If there was ever a Gundam that shouldn’t necessarily look factory fresh, it’s this one.

The 08th MS Team operates in jungles, mud and rough terrain.

Try adding:

• Mud around the feet
• Dust across the lower legs
• Armour scratches
• Weapon wear
• Metallic exposed-frame details
• Oil staining
• Dark panel washes
• Federation unit markings
• Chipping around the shield
• Matte top coat

A lightly weathered RG Ground Type should look fantastic.

Recreate the 08th MS Team

Naturally, one Ground Type is good.

A squad is better.

Display it alongside other machines from the OVA, including:

• Gundam Ez8
• GM Ground Type
• Ground Type Gundam variants
• Gouf Custom
• Zaku II
• Zaku I Sniper Type

The relatively military styling of all these machines creates one of the most coherent Universal Century collections you can build.

A Real Grade Fans Have Waited Years For

Interestingly, the Ground Type has been associated with the RG lineup for a long time.

The new release finally turns that idea into a full production kit, with completely new engineering rather than merely adapting an older 1/144 release. One retailer notes that concepts for an RG Ground Type had been teased as far back as 2013.

For fans of The 08th MS Team, this one has been a long wait.

Kit Features

• Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
• Grade: Real Grade (RG)
• Scale: 1/144
• Mobile Suit: RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type
• Series: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
• Notable Pilot: Shiro Amada
• Earth Federation Forces
• Completely new RG tooling
• Newly designed weapon set
• Advanced waist and leg frame
• Designed for crouching and kneeling firing poses
• Opening chest Vulcan mechanism
• Opening cockpit hatch
• Opening Beam Saber racks in legs
• Backpack-mounted Weapon Container
• Raising/lowering Weapon Container mechanism
• Locking container panels
• Movable internal container structure
• White and yellow antenna options
• Snap-fit construction
• Painting optional
• Japanese release currently listed for February 2027

Included Weapons & Accessories

• 100mm Machine Gun ×1
• 180mm Cannon ×1
• Rocket Launcher ×1
• Beam Sabers ×2
• Shield ×1
• Weapon Container ×1
• Shield ground-display effect part
• Antenna parts set
• Hand parts set
• Foil sticker sheet
• Realistic Decal sheet

Why Add the RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type RG 1/144 to Your Collection?

Because this is exactly the sort of Mobile Suit that deserves the Real Grade treatment.

The Ground Type has always been about mechanics, equipment and believable battlefield operation rather than flashy superpowers. The new RG engineering leans directly into that, with articulation designed around kneeling and firing poses, opening chest details, functional Beam Saber storage and a properly engineered Weapon Container.

Then look at the weapon selection.

Machine Gun.

Rocket Launcher.

180mm Cannon.

Beam Sabers.

Shield.

And a giant backpack container to carry everything.

For 08th MS Team fans, Universal Century collectors or builders who prefer their Gundams looking like proper military hardware, the RX-79[G] Ground Type RG 1/144 could be one of the standout Real Grade releases of 2027.

Weapon Container loaded. 180mm Cannon ready. Shield planted in the dirt. The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type RG 1/144 finally gives The 08th MS Team the modern Real Grade it has been waiting for.