The RG Aile Strike is the third real grade kit and second RG Gundam to be released, 2011, with the MS Joint 3 inner frame (grandpa and zaku being 1 and 2). This is also the inner frame controversially used for the 2024 Akatsuki Oowashi.
Aesthetics:
The kit is pretty typical according to the Real Grade philosophy, that being that it should look like something that could be real and has a relatively high multi-color separation. I say relatively, because this kit has not aged well visually.
For some reason the head has gigantic V fins and looks more cartoonish than the 2014 HG version and even the Entry Grade, both of which look more serious. All the early RG Gundams have this compromised proportion look to their limbs that are built up around the pre-molded inner frame, which make them look very separate from the body due to the simple hip and shoulder joints.
The kit comes with a large sticker decal sheet full of foils, something Bandai moved away from, since the tiny strips tend to peel off, though you can top-coat the kit and increase the durability of them. I actually recommend using sticker decals on most old RGs, since the kits rely on not just the foils but also the intricate stickers for the full experience.
Mechanics:
The Strike is known for modularity and being able to swap out packs, but apart from the RG#06 Skygrasper, there aren't any kits to swap with and it's not compatible with HG packs.
The articulation is limited, notably the feet can't even angle themselves, as they're on a peg and not a ball-joint (baffling). The arms, however, are strong enough to hold up not just the shield and rifle, but the very large sword and launcher from the Skygrasper kit, without any issues.
This kit is specifically known for being an Early Real Grade Syndrome victim due to how sloppy the inner frame was, but reprints seem to be better than the 'red label' bandai kits. Whether from age or a difference in quality, we don't know, but my kit is pretty solid, though with that spongy feel that MS Joint limbs have.
It has sliding panels on the arms and legs and the cockpit hatch opens. The Aile Pack has some movement on the wings but nothing special, while the thrusters have a wide range on the ball joints they're equipped on.
Equipment:
1 Beam Rifle without storage
1 Shield equipped on either arm
2 Beam Saber hilts with an option between two with pegs or two without pegs for plugging into the MS Joint hands - You have to pick, because there are only two top-halves of the hilts
2 Beam Saber effect parts
1 Aile Strike Pack (you don't *have* to use it)
1 Kira "Gundam Jesus" Yamato mini figurine
4 hands - 2 MS Joint fists and 2 MS Joint articulated hands
NOTE - The *NOT INCLUDED* RG#06 Skygrasper comes with two sandwich style holding hands that are rock solid
Conclusion:
I bought this along with the Skygrasper and I've equipped the other packs to make a fake Perfect Strike - Note that there is a P-Bandai Perfect Strike kit with the full equippable set of everything, while the RG#03 and RG#06 are only really meant to give you the option of swapping between the packs, but the result is okay anyway.
The tilt on the Aile pack is super annoying and should probably be glued into place. I drilled a 3mm hole in the grey fin on the Aile pack to use it with an action base, instead of the crotch base adapter which is pretty bad. It's an easy modification and works quite well, but you really should glue the C-clip tilt so it stays mounted in a flush position on the Strike Gundam.
The combined price for the Skygrasper and Strike is exorbitant and not worth it. The P-Bandai Perfect Strike without the Skygrasper is cheaper and better, if you can find it.
The kit has also aged a lot and is limited in bad ways. Not being able to angle the feet is very odd and it just doesn't look particularly good. It's not bad, but it's certainly not good and you still have to baby it since things tend to come off and the weight distribution is bad, especially if you put more stuff on it.
Unless you love the Strike or collect RG kits, I can't really recommend it. RG has come along so far and the new kits are so phenomenal that they leave stuff like this in the dust. Other old RG kits just have more going for them and look better.
