Bandai Spirits is finally circling back on 1/144 scale Endless Waltz kits with the HGAC Gundam Sandrock Custom this June. That said, I’m expecting these releases to be trickled in the next couple of years, and that’s just the five Gundams. For those who prefer to collect grunt units, then I don’t recommend holding your breath for an HGCE Serpent… except that a third-party company intends to fill up this particular void.
If you remember, we were teased of Real Grades for the five Endless Waltz Gundams though we only got the Wing Gundam and Wing Gundam Zero and they’ve since pivoted to doing High Grades. Those who want a Serpent would have to thank Qingzhou Model with the Hyper Gizmo “Python,“ a 1/144 scale kit based on the MMS-01 Serpent and uses what I think is an entirely new mold.
Again, I’m coming in with no idea of how this kit is engineered. Though it seems to be able to pull very decent poses despite only seen standing and shooting their double gatling gun. Before going further, I do commend the complete color accuracy of this kit, straight out of the box. The red thruster bells on the back are an odd-choice, though it might be easier to paint the exterior in gray than the other way around.
“Python” comes with several weapons, chief of which are this pair of double gatling guns. It’s able to hold them without issues though I am curious if they can also be stored at the back since none of the solicitation images I’ve seen show them in storage.
It also comes with a beam cannon and bazooka. Do note that it comes with special manipulators/hands bent at an angle to facilitate holding the bazooka trigger properly.
Here’s “Python” next to the HGUC Gundam from 2015, the former of which should be smaller given its in-universe head height of 16.6 meters. Though those particular in scale would note how “Python” should be smaller. But we’ve been getting kits larger than they should recently so this isn’t an issue.
Here’s everything that comes with the “Python” though it also comes with an axe for some reason. Besides the regular and angled weapon-holding manipulators/hands, it also comes with a pair of open splayed ones for relaxed or weapon supporting poses. Also note that for the head visor, the kit uses a 3D sticker just like some recent Bandai Spirits releases.
As mentioned, I’m not expecting an official 1/144 scale Serpent model kit any time soon, so if you want mobile suits as foils for the upcoming HGAC Endless Waltz kits, then Qingzhou Model’s “Python” is a very viable option.
