MG 1/100 Tallgeese EW — Wing's Most Underrated Suit Gets Its Due

The Tallgeese EW doesn't get enough attention. While Wing Zero and Epyon command the headlines, the proto-Wing design — the original mobile suit that all Gundams were designed around — is a jaw-dropping display piece in MG form.

The Thrusters

Those massive ovoid shoulder thrusters are the design's defining feature, and the MG captures their sheer bulk perfectly. They're hollowed out with internal detail, and the vernier nozzles have individual moving vanes. It's brutalist engineering beauty.

MG Tallgeese EW: The Predecessor Suit

The Tallgeese is the prototype mobile suit that the Wing Gundam line was developed from. In Endless Waltz canon, it's piloted by Treize Khushrenada (later Zechs Merquise). The 'EW' designation refers to the redesigned version from the Endless Waltz movies — the version most fans recognize.

The MG Tallgeese EW (2012) captures this iconic design at 1/100 scale. For Wing fans, it's an essential kit alongside Wing Zero, Sandrock, and the rest of the EW line.

The 'Powered Knight' Aesthetic

The Tallgeese's design philosophy is 'classical European knight in space' — a vertical silhouette, ornamental shoulder armor, a face that evokes a helmet visor, and rigid posture rather than the dynamic curves of Wing Zero or Strike. The MG kit captures this faithfully.

The proportions are slightly imposing; the Tallgeese stands taller than other 1/100 MG Wing kits and reads as the 'commander' figure on a Wing-themed shelf.

The Beam Rifle & Sword

Beam rifle (with extending barrel and articulated trigger), beam saber (single, dual-handle), and the over-shoulder thruster pack. The shoulder thrusters are removable for non-flight display.

The hand units include trigger-finger options for the rifle. Closed-grip alternates for the saber. Standard MG accessory complement.

The Color Scheme

White, with blue accent panels and gold trim. The white plastic has a slight metallic shimmer (similar to Wing Zero EW). The blue is a true royal blue, deeper than typical Wing palette. The gold is genuine gold-plated plastic for major trim, painted gold for small details.

For maximum impact, a Mr Color Super Gold over-coat on the painted-gold trim brings everything to the same metallic standard. Otherwise the kit is excellent OOB.

The Ariadne Connection

The Tallgeese chassis was reused for the Ariadne and the Tallgeese Flugel variants. Bandai released the Tallgeese II as a P-Bandai exclusive and the Tallgeese III as a separate retail kit. The kits share architecture but have visible differences in the chest, head, and shoulders.

For collectors building a complete Tallgeese line, the trio (Tallgeese EW, Tallgeese II, Tallgeese III) is achievable but requires P-Bandai hunting for the II.

Articulation

Standard 2012-era MG articulation. Hip ball joints, double-hinge knees, swivel waist, ball-jointed shoulders. The Tallgeese pose vocabulary tends to be vertical and stable rather than dynamic — the kit accommodates this design language well but feels slightly under-articulated for extreme flight poses.

Build Considerations

About 10 hours for a careful first build. The thruster pack assembly is the most time-consuming section. The body itself builds quickly using standard MG techniques.

The decal sheet (included with the standard kit) has comprehensive Tallgeese unit insignia. Apply per the manual; the Tallgeese without decals looks slightly bland.