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HGUC Messer Type-F01

High Grade Universal Century release of the Messer Type-F01 mobile suit.
Jenxi Seow Published 2 Jan 2025 Updated 2 Jan 2025
HGUC Messer Type-F01

HGUC Messer Type-F01 debuted on 4 July 2020 as Bandai Spirits’ first High Grade rendition of Mafty’s heavy front-line unit, launching at ¥2,500 and shipping with the full armour loadout from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway.1

Overview

The Messer headlines Hathaway’s ground forces alongside the Xi Gundam, and Bandai prioritised a muscular silhouette with generous armour coverage whilst retaining articulation.1 The kit mirrors film proportions and keeps the Mafty insignia placements accurate straight from the runner.

Features

  • Poseable mono-eye mechanism accessed by lifting the upper head cowl.1
  • Swappable right-hand manipulators: dedicated trigger finger and general-purpose holding palms.
  • Shield-mounted beam sabre storage with optional mounting pegs so the hilt can rest on the right shoulder armour.
  • Included adaptor for Action Base display, supporting dynamic lunges and aerial poses.

Build experience

The Messer employs large PS armour plates over a straightforward inner frame. Expect crisp engraving on the shoulder pauldrons and skirts, but take care when trimming the long shoulder spikes to avoid stress marks. The manual notes that repeated removal of the heavy backpack can loosen the torso joint; reinforcing with a light acrylic topcoat helps maintain tolerance.2 Panel lining the recessed vents on the chest and thighs adds depth to the otherwise olive drab surfaces.

Kit content

  • Messer Type-F01 main body
  • Long beam rifle
  • Large shield with integrated beam sabre racks
  • Beam sabre effect parts (x2)
  • Manipulators: multi-purpose holding pair, trigger-finger right, open-palm pair
  • Action Base adaptor

Colour guide

Awaiting official manual breakdown. The manual specifies distinct mixes for the brown armour, dark grey joints, and orange chest intakes—transcribe ratios from the PDF once processed.2

Comparisons

Relative to older ground-type Zeon kits, the Messer eclipses them in height and bulk, demanding more shelf space. When displayed with the Xi Gundam, it balances the scene as the Mafty mass-production counterpart, and the engineering lines up with the later Type-F02 variants.

Official assets

Coming soon. Add optimised Bandai stock photography to highlight key stances and the beam rifle detailing.

Build showcase

Share Messer builds in the Discord #gunpla-showcase channel for potential feature slots.

Release notes

Originally slated for June 2020, the Messer slipped to 4 July because of pandemic-related production delays, then quickly returned for follow-up reprints alongside the Hathaway theatrical run. Track future restock updates in /gunpla-releases/2020-07.

Retailer availability

Footnotes

  1. Bandai Spirits. “HGUC 1/144 メッサーF01型.” Bandai Hobby, July 2020, https://bandai-hobby.net/item/3742/. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Bandai Spirits. “HGUC 1/144 メッサーF01型 Instruction Manual.” Bandai Hobby Instruction Manual Portal, 2020, https://manual.bandai-hobby.net/menus/detail/500. ↩ ↩2

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