FIX #0015 FA-78-2 HEAVY GUNDAM (RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam)

Back view of FA-78-2.  The figure came with shoulder cannon mount on to the backpack much like FA-78-1 Armor Gundam. The right arm carried the "Heavy Launcher" weapon which comprised of Gatling-gun and missile launcher.

FA-78-2 can be converted back to the basic RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam.

 GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION #0015 FA-78-2 HEAVY GUNDAM

EFSF MODEL # FA-78-2 ARMAMENT: BEAM CANNON, BEAM SABER, AND HEAVY LAUNCHER.

EFSF MODEL # RX-78-1 PROTOTYPE GUNDAM ARMAMENT : 60mm VULCAN X 2, BEAM SABER X 2, AND BEAM RIFLE

FA-78-02 was the 15th in the FIX Figuration Series and returned to the MSV series after the long run of Gundam Sentinel Superior models.  Though this might seem a little bit of a let down after the awesome  released of Deep Striker set, Heavy Gundam however finally gave collectors follow up to the first FIX Gundam (#0001 Full-Armor Gundam) and a new design instead of repaint of another Superior Gundam.  FIX#0015 Heavy Gundam showed what a big improvement the FIX series had came since its debut product.  The RX-78 Gundam featured the RX-78-1 Prototype version in the nice dark gray / red scheme. The figures had much more details than the basic RX-78 that came with the Full Armor version including nice stencils marking like "WB101" unit markings and ESFS logo.  The set also included several accessories just for the RX-78-1 so it was not just a thrown in skeleton figure for the armored version but a full displayable version of the Prototype Gundam.  Beside the basic weaponry like the beam bazooka and beam sabers, the RX-78-1 also came with Gundam Javelin, Gundam Hammer and two Core fighters.  The main attraction of the set of course was still the alternate mode (a theme common with FIX series toys) - the Heavy Gundam from the MSV (Mobile Suit Variations) line.  FIX Heavy Gundam conversion set came in dark brown (not a color you usually associated with Gundam) that easily snap on to the RX-78-1 figure.  The armors snap on securely with excellent fit overall.  It seem with the later released since FIX#10 GP04, Bandai had been more vigilant about the fitting problem that severely plaque many of the FIX toys.  Heavy Gundam came with his signature weapon the Heavy Launcher which fit nicely onto the right arm.  The articulations can be somewhat limited with the armor on but typical of FIX series.

FA-78-2 HEAVY ARMOR GUNDAM APPEARED AS PART OF BANDAI "EXPANDED UNIVERSE" MODEL KITS LINE CALLED 'GUNDAM MSV' (MOBILE SUIT VARIATIONS).  THE MSV SERIES WAS BANDAI WAY TO POPULATE THE GUNDAM UNIVERSE WITH MORE 'REALISTIC' WAR MACHINES USING MODIFICATIONS AND VARIANTS THEME MUCH LIKE THE REAL WORLD MACHINERY (AND ALSO A WAY FOR BANDAI TO SELL MORE PLASTIC MODEL KITS). HEAVY GUNDAM WAS A FOLLOW UP MODEL TO THE FULL-ARMOR GUNDAM (AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THE FIREPOWER AND DEFENSE OF BASIC RX-78 MODEL TO CREATE FSWS - FULL STRIKE WEAPON SYSTEM) . HEAVY ARMOR BUILD ON THE BASIS OF FULL-ARMOR GUNDAM BUT WITH BETTER SPEED AND MANEUVERABILITY. HOWEVER BY THE END OF THE WAR BASIC GUNDAM WAS STILL SURPASS THE LATEST OF ZEON MOBILE SUITS AND ONLY ONE PROTOTYPE OF FA-78-2 WAS BUILD.  FA-78-2 APPEARED AS MSV KITS AND IN "PLAMO-KYO SHIRO" MANGA.