1/100 NG GNY-001 Astraea

Astraea appears in the side-stories of Mobile Suit Gundam 00P and Mobile Suit Gundam 00F. A prototype mobile unit, which serves as the intermediary design between the 1st-generation GN-000 0 Gundam and the 3rd-generation GN-001 Gundam Exia. It is a testbed for a number of experimental technologies, incorporated in pursuit of a greater general utility versus the 0. The GN Drive control mechanism differs from that of 0 Gundam, and benchmarks with both higher output and higher instability.

History
In 00P, where the Astraea is initially introduced, its paint scheme is white with blue and red highlights. As of 00F, 15 years later in the 00 continuity, the scheme has been altered to red with grey highlights, and the face has been covered with a black mask, in order to disguise the fact that it is actually a Gundam; as 00F pointed out, Celestial Being and its associates want to keep only four Gundams being known to the world. No explanation has been provided for the other changes thus far. Astraea eventually got modified for second time into the GNY-001F2 using various parts from Exia.

The two ear-like protrusions that extend backwards from the sides of the head structure appear to be a design feature unique to the Astraea, but their purpose is thus far unknown and its paint scheme is white with blue and red highlights.

The unit name derives from the goddess Astraea, who is associated with the card Justice -- one of the twenty-two Major Arcana in the Tarot. The other Gundam test-types follow this naming theme.

Appearance
Astraea appearance is almost likely the same on Exia. their body, legs and arms are very similar to Exia's appearance. Since Astraea is the prototype for the Gundam Exia

Colors
For the Colors, Astraea has a very typical color for a gundam. Red, blue, white and Grey are used on this model kit. White is the very used color for this one. It covers almost all over its arms, legs, head, feet, and body with white. As for Blue and Red, they are found on the body area which Blue covers on top portion of the body and Red in its abdomen. Also Red is on lower part of the feet and chin. For Grey they are on joints and palms of the kit.

Articulation
Since this came from the new series, It has a very good articulation. Its articulation is the same with over models in the series of Gundam 00. Chest parts, waist, arms knees and feet are very articulated.


Accessories
As for the accessories, It has a similar type of weapon for the Exia. It has a GN sword(same with exia but no guns attached), Has a separate GN riffle, GN cannon, GN Shield (almost the same pattern to exia 's shield), and two Beam sabers.

Availability on the market and Costs
If your thinking this is expensive since it is on a 1/100 scale, well it does not. Astraea comes with a cheaper price of 1400 yen or $14.65 US (according to Hobby Link Japan). And luckily this item is no hard to found. Astraea is very easy to buy since it has a lot of stock available.

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