The 18 inch or 46cm height is with the base, transformation height and 'wing' segment included. Point being, it takes up a lot of space.
As a display model, it is very impressive. As a functional model, its weight and outdated tech leaves it unable to hold its own equipment.
Some mobile suit designs (like the Astrays) are very much 'If you've built one, you've built them all' and the Unicorns (and by extension Banshee) are one of those kits. RG, MG and PG, same thing, different scale.
As a build experience, while also installing the LED system, this was difficult and frustrating. I've built hundreds of models and while this isn't impossible by any means, it has some frustrating points.
Aesthetics:
Unlike the newer Real Grade which has several shades of dark blue, the Perfect Grade Banshee comes in just dark navy blue, with orange psychoframe internals, grey inner frame and a mix of metal injection gold and a very nice matte coated gold (horns, face and chest).
I built mine with the LED and both with and without the lights, it looks impressive.
Mechanics:
Just like the RG and MG versions, the PG transforms into Destroy Mode and this particular edition of the Banshee has an 'Unchained Destroy Mode' which features a few extra bits, like fins on top of the head extending and most notably the sides of the shins folding out. It's subtle, there are a few more opening hatches, but overall it looks more aggressive.
While the whole build has good movement/articulation and posability, it is unfortunately not very solid, the joints simply cannot hold its own weight. You can bend the knees and they'll mostly stay in place, but the elbows can't support the shield or the gun. In fact the shield is so heavy that it will always lean to its left, even on the support stand/base.
Also, the transformation itself can be tricky - Pulling the chest apart and extending the ankles is genuinely both hard to do and nerve wracking, because of how much force you need - The ankle is more difficult, due to what you can pull on - You're meant to pull on the foot, but I had to dig my nails into the seams and push against the ankle locks with my thumbs, to do it. You'd think this would be EASIER with a bigger model, not harder...
Equipment:
1 Magnum Beam Rifle with detachable magazine - No idea if the rifle can be stored, but the hand groove itself is good enough to hold the weapon, even if the arm can't
1 extra magazine, stored on the back skirt
2 Revolving Launchers and a holder - Grenade launcher for the rifle
2 Jutte Bayonet beam sabers not stored anywhere, but can be put into the launchers - Problem is that it already can't hold the rifle, so it obviously can't hold an even heavier rifle
1 Jutte Bayonet Beam effect part - Mine was bent
1 "Armed Armor Defense Extension" (shield) - Standard Unicorn shield with an expansion built around it that transforms into Destroy Mode. The Banshee *can* hold it, but can't pose with it
1 "Armed Armor Xeno-Connect" which are the gold plates on the backpack that fold out for Destroy Mode
4 Beam Saber hilts, two in the AAXC backpack and one on each forearm
2 pink Beam Saber effect parts - Mine were bent
1 Base to hold the model, can extend in height to match the Destroy Mode
2 Shield Adapters to equip shield on the back of the Banshee and FA build
1 Riddhe Marcenas 1/60 scale
1 Sticker sheet which is absolutely atrocious, do NOT use this trash, buy water slide decals or the expansion pack which has water slides
1 foil sticker sheet which you need to place inside of the model
Conclusion:
If you can't tell from the review, I'm just done with this kit, in a mental sense. It's difficult to assemble with the LED system and it's difficult to transform. It feels outdated in several ways and because you basically can't pose it, it's functionally just an expensive statue that you spend a lot of time and effort messing around with. It is highly ironic that the best PG I've built is one of the oldest ones (Mk-II), from 2001.
My complaints aside, this is a very impressive looking kit and when I one day decide to put waterslide decals on it, it'll look that much more impressive.
I had originally planned to get the Unicorn as well, but honestly? I think I'll just get the Mega Size instead. Bigger and simpler for half the price.
If I'm so annoyed with it, then why five stars? Because it's still a Bandai model kit. Its downfalls are largely part of a limitation of tech for its time and the sheer weight of it and not even Bandai can break the laws of physics. I just can't help but think it could've been better...
