Something from the Stardust Memory series and FINALLY! Took a long time for this kit to be released.
The Gerbera Tetra is actually a GP-04 that was never been made since its’ role overlaps with the more multi-role GP-01/01FB. With that AE sold it to a “prospecting” buyer and gave it a new body work.
The Gerbera Tetra is a machine is built for the high-speed assault role, in-line with many Zeon attack doctrines, especially when the thrusters at the shoulders are very pronounced and coupled with a fast-firing beam machine gun.
The Gerbera Tetra could be mistaken as a sister unit of the Kampfer, which inadvertently also a fast assault unit and shares some of the visual aesthetics.
Large thrusters dominates the MS. The main thruster at the back has a special feature, more of this later. The design for the shoulders are fiddly to move and are a bit fragile.
You’d noticed that Bandai used the parts seam lines as armour fitting lines so much that its hard to identify on where is it. You also noticed that it lacks of a shield and some protective armour. Since its a speed-based unit it uses its’ speed and agility as means of survival.
Details
Originally the eye is just a circular green seal/sticker/decal that you just paste it, just like the previous HGUC Dreissen. Mine however, had been modified to incorporate a movable eye. The modification is similar to the Dreissen albeit on a smaller area.
The engineering for this kit is something a mix of both old and new; while some parts moves nicely while others… a bit limited (non-pivoting pelvis and a 90° elbow joint).
The foot (and the rest of the kit) has a very spartan colour scheme and very devoid of markings.
The main thruster has a protective shroud, which very well means it has a higher than normal output.
The legs also houses thrusters in giving its high agility factor.
Articulation
The arms couldn’t go high as it is blocked by the over-sized shoulder thrusters, also, the said thruster is secured with a flat peg which one could “accidentally” break it, which, I learned the hard way. Hence the long-ish delay for the review.
The torso however is connected by ball joints so it can swing side-to-side and forward backward.
It uses a single-joint elbow, which fits the purpose.
The arms, like many modern HG kits able to swing the arms forward and yes, the shoulder armour/cowlings tends to get loose whenever you do movement also the pegs for the parts looks kinda frail…
The knee, eventhough it’s double-joint, could only do a 90º due to the armour design.
Not much. Its because of the thighs’ beam faux beam saber storage blocking the range.
Weapons
This beam machine has a higher than normal firing rate very likely to overheat if fired too long. It uses the standard AE-designed magazine clip at the stock of the rifle, the tubing jutting out at a 35º angle is actually the coolant storage (which you don’t see in many other handheld beam weaponry).
Your stock-standard beam saber, the meat and potato of melee combat.
The more unusual weapon on an MS. Used for quick target harassment/suppression during combat.
The backpack can be interchanged between the normal and the Stürm Booster backpack which enables the unit to go faster than many MS and give it an extended combat time.
Even with the Stürm Booster, the Gerbera Tetra has no problem standing straight as its hollow.
Action
Since this is a space-based MS, an action is highly recommended for posing.
Nothing annoying others by doing a fast strafing run.
The Gerbera Tetra is more menacing with the movable eye.
It is very hard to shoot down a fast moving and agile target, just ask Lt. South Burning.
To give the machine gun a more stabler firing solution.
The kit comes with two beam sabers and instead of your usual pink ones, its yellow.
With the Stürm Booster, the beam saber is only good for a hit-n-run slash attacks but not so for dueling (its kinda hard on NOT to miss the overly large fuel tank).
Salute to the Stark Jegan pilot in OVA MS Gundam Unicorn, episode 1.
As a conclusion, the kit is very nice and pretty solid (all except the shoulder armour and thrusters and the hand parts that likes to pop-out). Sadly it is also very underrated by many as it only appeared for a short time and the lack of exposure in terms of kit releases. Also maybe a turn-off for some who likes their kits with lining details as this has very less (then again, the design of it is already very minimal).
Nice review. This kit has lots of painting and customization potential. 🙂
Thanks. Yep, the paneling aids very nicely for custom paint schemes.