[CUSTOM] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RGM-79D/2 GM Cold Districts Type 2 (Customised Build)

Model Number: RGM-79D/2 "GM" Cold Districts Type 2
Designation: Earth Federation Army (E.F. ARMY) Mass Production General Purpose Mobile Suit for Harsh Environments

One of the sexiest GM variants made even sexier!
Build Notes

A kitbash using the head and weapons of the HGUC 1/144 GM Cold Districts Type, the torso, waist, limbs and backpack of the HGBF 1/144 GM/GM and the shoulder units of the HG 1/144 Gundam Ground Type as well as the leftover NT-1 beam rifle from the HGUC 1/144 Gundam Tristan, the RGM-79D/2 GM Cold Districts Type 2 represents the next technical evolution for a purpose-built mobile suit.

The following colours were used:

• RedWheel White
• RedWheel Grey
• Nippon Pylox Deep Grey
• Nippon Pylox Medium Grey
• Nippon Pylox Pewter Grey
• Nippon Pylox Matt Grey White
• Nippon Pylox Naval Grey
• Red Fox Primer Grey
• Red Fox Bright Silver
• Red Fox Violet
• Tamiya Gun Metal
• Tamiya Metallic Black
• Anchor Flat Black
• Bosny Metallic Black
• CT7 Gold

Fictional Lore
Deployed by the Earth Federation Army to combat zones in harsh environments, the GM Cold Districts Type 2 represented the pinnacle of mass production mobile suit technology before the development of the GM II. A GM that sublimated all the technical data and combat experience from previous GM models, the resulting model suit was hardy, agile and could go against contemporary Zeonic machines and win.

Taking design and operational cues from the export-type RGM-79G[FP] GM Command (Federal Police Model) that was in use on the fringe of Federation-controlled space, the GM Cold Districts Type 2 bore remarkable reference to the civilian model, which had proven its worth in urban conflicts and small insurrections. Intended to stay in a theater of conflict and hold its position for long periods of time, the machine had considerable performance for a mass production machine and had - on paper - a higher output than the legendary RX-78-2 Gundam in cold climates. 

To resist the harsh conditions of its intended field of operations, the joints of the GM Cold Districts Type 2 were reinforced with additional plating as well as an active anti-freeze system. The cockpit was also insulated to extend the pilot's survivability and operational duration, with space heaters and other amenities incorporated to make the pilot more comfortable. The GM's visor-type main camera was also restructured under the hood, layering the sensitive optics beneath polymer-composite to extend their service life.

By the time this GM was introduced, Federation beam weapon technology had advanced to mass production levels, although these standard-issued weapons had far less power than the beam rifle wielded by the RX-78-2. Nevertheless, these weapons were still a force to be reckoned with, the beams generated easily piercing through any and all conventional armour plating, Zeonic or otherwise. 

The GM Cold District Type II was armed with a beam rifle that was first seen on the RX-78NT-1 "Alex", featuring adjustable firing output and a rechargeable e-pac shaped like a rifle box magazine. The beam rifle could fire a powerful penetrating beam or several weaker shots in rapid succession, giving the GM more tactical options to engage threats.

More conventional shell-firing weapons were also available to the GM Cold Districts Type 2, such as the NFHI GMG-TYPE2 90mm bullpup machine gun with underslung grenade launcher used by the first GM Cold District Type. Proving to be lethal even against well-armoured Hygoggs, the machine gun was nonetheless relegated to secondary weapon duty, as most pilots preferred to use beam weapons for their combat effectiveness. The machine gun was stored on a rack mounted on the GM's rear skirt armour.

The GM Cold District Type 2 also had an improved backpack with greater thruster capabilities, along with a single beam saber recharge socket and a weapon mount for a 360mm rocket bazooka. A heavy weapon brought to bear against thick-skinned foes, the rocket bazooka fired a shaped charge from a replaceable five-round magazine and was able to blow the torso off most mobile suits of its time. However, the size and mass of the weapon made it unwieldy and unsuitable for moving targets, necessitating use of other weaponry.

With the advent of more advanced mobile suit technology like the magnetic coating and subsequently the movable frame, post-One Year War units had an uphill battle to avoid fading into obscurity. The GM Cold Districts Type 2 prolonged its service life by rolling out an enhanced GM system in a hardy package.

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