Bring Shinn Asuka’s ultimate Mobile Suit to your collection with the Bandai RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam #11 from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, combining an enormous weapons loadout, articulated wings and detailed Real Grade engineering in compact 1/144 scale.
Released on 27 April 2013, the Destiny Gundam is the 11th entry in Bandai’s Real Grade range and uses the Advanced MS Joint system alongside finely divided armour panels and detailed mechanical styling.
ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam
The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam is the signature Mobile Suit of Shinn Asuka in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
Developed using advanced ZAFT technology and combat data gathered through Shinn’s use of the Impulse Gundam, Destiny was conceived as an exceptionally versatile machine capable of handling close, medium and long-range combat without relying on interchangeable Silhouette equipment.
The result is a Gundam that carries an almost absurd amount of weaponry.
Sword?
Definitely.
Beam Rifle?
Obviously.
Shoulder-mounted boomerangs?
Of course.
Huge folding cannon?
Why not.
Beam cannons built into the palms?
Now we’re talking.
Shinn Asuka’s Ultimate Mobile Suit
The Destiny Gundam was developed specifically with Shinn Asuka in mind, incorporating technologies intended to take advantage of his combat abilities.
Its design combines high mobility with weapons capable of dealing with targets across a wide range of combat situations. The official RG manual describes the machine’s use of advanced technologies including its high-speed propulsion system and optical effects derived from Mirage Colloid technology.
This makes Destiny far more than simply an upgraded Impulse Gundam.
It’s the machine intended to represent the culmination of Shinn’s development as a ZAFT pilot.
Real Grade #11
The RG Destiny Gundam was released as Real Grade #11.
Bandai used the Real Grade format to reinterpret Destiny’s armour and mechanical construction with a greater level of separation and detail than normally associated with 1/144 scale kits.
The kit uses Advanced MS Joint components to support the highly dynamic aerial poses associated with the SEED series, while the exterior armour is divided into numerous panels inspired by real-world mechanical construction.
Small Realistic Decals can also be applied around the joints and armour to add further mechanical detail.
Advanced MS Joint Engineering
The RG Destiny Gundam uses Bandai’s earlier-generation Advanced MS Joint system as an important part of its internal construction.
This allows complex articulated sections to be incorporated into the relatively compact 1/144 model.
Bandai specifically designed the joint structure to reproduce the dynamic airborne action poses associated with Mobile Suits from the SEED universe.
Combined with the articulated wings and enormous weaponry, it gives Destiny plenty of options once construction is complete.
Distinctive Wing System
Destiny’s large backpack-mounted wings are among the most recognisable features of the design.
The Real Grade kit reproduces the wings with individually separated mechanical sections and deployment gimmicks, allowing their position to be changed dramatically depending on the pose. Bandai specifically highlights both the detailed wing construction and the ability to reproduce deployment mechanisms for the wings and weapons.
Spread them wide and the silhouette immediately becomes unmistakably Destiny.
Wings of Light
When operating at high speed, Destiny’s propulsion system produces its famous Wings of Light effect.
It’s one of the defining visual features of the Mobile Suit.
However, there’s an important distinction with this original RG release:
The Wings of Light effect parts are not included with the standard RG Destiny Gundam kit.
Bandai released a dedicated RG 1/144 Destiny Gundam Expansion Effect Unit “Wing of Light” separately in May 2013.
So while the standard kit provides the articulated mechanical wings, the large light-effect display requires the separately available expansion set.
MMI-714 Arondight Beam Sword
For close combat, Destiny carries the enormous MMI-714 Arondight Beam Sword.
Stored folded along the backpack when not required, the weapon can be deployed into its full sword configuration for combat. The official RG manual identifies the Arondight alongside Destiny’s major backpack-mounted weapon systems.
The sheer length of the weapon gives the finished RG considerably more presence than you might expect from a 1/144 model.
Display Destiny charging forward with the Arondight extended and suddenly the Action Base starts looking less optional.
High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon
Mounted on the opposite side of the backpack is Destiny’s M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon.
Like the Arondight, the cannon can be stored in a compact folded configuration before being extended into firing position.
The weapon swings forward from the backpack and can be positioned over the shoulder, giving Destiny its signature long-range firing configuration.
Having the Arondight on one side and the enormous cannon on the other also gives the backpack a fantastic mechanical appearance even when both weapons are stored.
High-Energy Beam Rifle
For more conventional ranged combat, Destiny carries its High-Energy Beam Rifle.
The rifle gives the model a cleaner combat configuration when you don’t want to deploy the enormous backpack cannon.
It can also be combined with the shield for a more conventional Gundam-style pose.
Conventional being a relative term when your Gundam still has a giant sword and cannon strapped to its back.
Flash-Edge 2 Beam Boomerangs
Mounted on Destiny’s shoulders are a pair of RQM60F Flash-Edge 2 Beam Boomerangs.
These weapons can be removed from the shoulders and deployed using beam effects, providing additional close-combat and throwing-weapon display options.
The original Mobile Suit can also use the Flash-Edge 2 weapons as beam blades, giving Destiny yet another option for close-range combat.
Because apparently the Arondight wasn’t enough sword.
Solidus Fulgor Beam Shield
Destiny is equipped with Solidus Fulgor Beam Shield Generators around its hands.
The RG kit includes equipment to reproduce Destiny’s distinctive Beam Shield, adding another immediately recognisable feature from the Mobile Suit. Bandai specifically lists the Beam Shield among the weapon and effect equipment represented by the RG release.
The transparent effect provides a striking contrast against Destiny’s red, blue, white and dark grey armour.
Palma Fiocina
One of Destiny Gundam’s most distinctive weapons is the MMI-X340 Palma Fiocina, a beam cannon built directly into each palm.
Rather than relying entirely on handheld weapons, Destiny can attack an opponent at extremely close range through these palm-mounted cannons.
It’s one of the features that gives Destiny such a recognisable fighting style in SEED Destiny.
Point an open hand directly towards an opponent and suddenly the pose becomes considerably more threatening.
High five?
Absolutely not.
Armour Separation & Mechanical Detail
The RG Destiny Gundam makes excellent use of Real Grade armour separation.
Different sections of the white armour use subtle changes in tone and individually moulded panels to create more visual depth without requiring a full custom paint job.
Bandai states that the armour division was developed with inspiration from real mechanical structures, while Realistic Decals around areas such as the joints add metallic-looking details.
Panel lining brings even more of this detail to the surface.
An Excellent Display Kit
Destiny is a machine that really benefits from an airborne display.
The wings, Arondight, Beam Cannon, Beam Rifle and Beam Shield create a huge number of possible configurations.
Deploy the wings.
Draw the Arondight.
Bring the cannon over the shoulder.
Use the Beam Rifle.
Launch the Beam Boomerangs.
Or create a close-range Palma Fiocina pose.
The kit’s silhouette can change dramatically depending on which equipment is deployed.
Add the separately available Wings of Light expansion and things become considerably more dramatic.
Product Features
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Grade: RG / Real Grade
- Scale: 1/144
- Real Grade Number: #11
- Model Number: ZGMF-X42S
- Mobile Suit: Destiny Gundam
- Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
- Pilot: Shinn Asuka
- Faction: ZAFT
- Uses Advanced MS Joint construction
- Detailed Real Grade armour separation
- Highly articulated wing system
- Wing and weapon deployment gimmicks
- Includes MMI-714 Arondight Beam Sword
- Includes M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon
- Includes High-Energy Beam Rifle
- Includes Shield
- Includes equipment for the Beam Shield
- Features Flash-Edge 2 Beam Boomerangs
- Recreates Destiny’s extensive close and long-range armament
- Realistic Decals included
- Colour-moulded snap-fit construction
- Painting optional
- Excellent for dynamic airborne displays
- Wings of Light expansion effect is sold separately
- Bandai product number: 2205030
- Original Japanese release: 27 April 2013
Build Your Gundam SEED Destiny Collection
The RG ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam is an obvious centrepiece for a Gundam SEED Destiny collection.
Display Shinn’s Destiny alongside the RG Strike Freedom Gundam and RG Infinite Justice Gundam and you’ve got three of the most recognisable high-performance Mobile Suits from the climax of the series.
It also looks fantastic alongside the Impulse Gundam, showing the progression from Shinn’s earlier machine to the Mobile Suit developed specifically around his combat abilities.
And with all the weapons deployed?
You’re going to need more shelf space.
Destiny doesn’t really understand the concept of travelling light.
Why Add the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam RG 1/144 #11 to Your Collection?
The Bandai RG 1/144 ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam #11 packs one of the most heavily armed designs from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny into a detailed Real Grade build.
With its Advanced MS Joint engineering, articulated wings, Arondight Beam Sword, High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon, Beam Rifle, Beam Shield and Flash-Edge 2 Beam Boomerangs, there are plenty of different ways to configure and display Shinn Asuka’s signature machine.
For anyone searching for a ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam RG 1/144, RG Destiny Gundam #11, Shinn Asuka Gunpla, Gundam SEED Destiny model kit or Real Grade Destiny Gundam, this remains one of the most recognisable SEED-era releases in the RG range.
Add the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam RG 1/144 #11 to your Gunpla collection and unleash Shinn Asuka’s ultimate machine with enough swords, cannons, beam weapons and wings to make subtlety completely unnecessary.
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