Robotech Defenders
Encyclopedia
The Robotech Defenders are a line of scale model
kits released by Revell
during the early 1980s. Contrary to what their name seems to imply, the "'Robotech Defenders'" are not part of the Robotech
Anime Universe adapted by Carl Macek
and released by Harmony Gold USA
.
The "Robotech Defenders" were one of two "Robotech" lines released by Revell
, the other being the "Robotech Changers". The "Robotech Changers" line initially consisted of three models based on the Valkyrie Variable fighter
designs from Macross
, and the NEBO model, based upon the Drifand of Super Dimension Century Orguss.
The "Robotech Defenders" model line was tied into a two-issue limited series
of the same name, published by DC comics. It shares many common themes with other science fiction series of that time, including invading aliens, and giant mechanical war machines.
craze of the early 1980s, Model Company Revell
went to Japan, the home of the grand-masters in over-sized technological monstrosities, to look for suitable mecha
models prior to 1984. They eventually licensed a number of Takara's Fang of the Sun Dougram
models for the "Defenders" line. These models were repackaged with the "Robotech" moniker, and released in North America
and Europe
.
The humanoid Mech models had an average size of 30 cm, the in-scale humans were about 2 cm.
One of the features of these plastic models (except for the tiny Human and Grelon miniatures) was that they weren't just static when assembled, but had fully movable joints and removable equipment; kind of like modern toys (seen from today's point of view) that the children had to assemble, glue together, and paint before playing. Because of the complexity and the many details and parts of the high-quality model kits they can be seen as quasi-adult level, though they were sold with the notion "ages 12 and up" on their packages. But even for experienced modellers the details of assembly and painting were partially quite a challenge, especially with the Humans and Grelons. All in all, the model kits are both play-toys and potential centerpieces of a model showcase, assuming that a skilled painter applies his full range of techniques on all the details.
In the North American market, the models met with some success, appealing to both fans of the Robotech
Anime and the players of the Battletech
tabletop strategy game. In Europe, however, the models sales were disappointing, probably due to the practically non-existent background story and the relatively high prices for the models.
Robotech Defender "Aqualo" (1148: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram H404S "Mackerel" Marine Combat Armor.
Robotech Defender "Ziyon" (1149: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic HT-128 "Bigfoot" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Battlemaster")
Robotech Defender "Thoren" (1150: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H8 "Roundfacer" Combat
Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Griffon")
Robotech Defender "Zoltek" (1151: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram D7 "Dougram" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Shadow Hawk")
Robotech Defender "Condar" (1152: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H-102 "Bushman" Combat Armor-not transformable.
Robotech Defender "Talos" (1153: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram T-10B "Blockhead" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Wolverine")
Robotech Defender "Gartan" (1154: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Hasty F4X "Ironfoot" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Thunderbolt")
Robotech Defender "Armored Combat Team" (1191: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H8 "Roundfacer" Combat Armor-not transformable, with infantry jeeps. (See Robotech Defender "Thoren")
Robotech Defender "Strike Force" (1192: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Hasty F4X "Ironfoot"
Combat Armor and a Curailles MP-2 "Dewey" attack helicopter-not transformable. (See Robotech Defender "Gartan")
Robotech Defender "Assault Squad" (1193: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Abitate F35C "Blizzardgunner" Walker Tank and an Einstedt AFV attack helicopter-not transformable.
Robotech Defender "Robot Recovery Unit" (1194: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Bromry-LTR63GB Trailer Truck.
Robotech Defender "Airborne Attacker" (1197: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Soltic H-102 "Bushman" Combat Armor and an Eastland WE-211 "Maverick" cargo-lifting helicopter-not transformable. (See Robotech Defender "Condar")
Robotech Defender "Commando" (1199: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Abitate F44B "Tequilagunner" 4-legged Walker Tank-not transformable.
, who licensed the North America
n video rights to the Japanese Macross
anime
series, combining it with two other series to produce an 85 episode series they hoped to market direct to video. Since Revell
was already distributing the models, Harmony Gold could not support the show with merchandising. In the end, both companies decided to enter into a co-licensing agreement and the name Robotech
was eventually adopted for the syndicated television show that the home video line had transformed into.
Players of FASA's BattleTech
tabletop strategy game universe will instantly recognize nearly all of the models, as Mechs from the original Role Playing Game sourcebooks. The reason for this is that all of the original edition's 'Mech visuals were based on designs from a variety of anime series, including Macross, Dougram, and Orguss. FASA eventually became embroiled in a lawsuit with Harmony Gold regarding the use of these images, and later removed all images not created in house from their Sourcebooks. In addition, many players of BattleTech saw Revell's model kits as an attempt to participate in the BTech market without keeping to the BTech universe.
, a two-issue mini-series, was published by DC Comics
in 1984. It was originally intended to be a trilogy, but was reduced to the first normal-sized issue and a 32-page second issue with no advertisement. The universe of the "'Robotech Defenders'" Comicbook series bears no resemblance at all to the Robotech
universe adapted by Harmony Gold USA
. The lack of any real connection between the two, seems one of the more likely reasons for the failure of the comic book.
The story followed the battles of a team of pilots who fight a savage race of aliens, called "Grelons", who have conquered Earth using superior technology. They plan to colonize Earth, using their titanic humanoid war machines to eliminate all resistance. The heroes, a small combat unit, are losing badly when their leader accidentally activates one of the Robotech Defenders. She then learns of the existence of the other machines, which are scattered on the other pilots' home planets. Each of these units has a unique range of abilities and environmental specialties (e.g., Aqualo was capable of diving and sea-based activities, Ziyon's Element was cold and snow, Thoren's heat and magma, Gartan's urban combat).
By the end of the first issue, the team have managed to recover all the robots and engage the enemy in battle, but are still defeated and get captured. They escape by pushing a big red button which releases the Defenders' minds, unleashing the latter's' full combat capabilities. The pilots then track down the controller of the savage aliens. They defeat him by causing the evil alien energy siphon to suck the energy from the sun, causing their space ship to explode.
DC Comics
had originally agreed to publish a three-part mini-series in 1984 to test the waters, but the comic was of such poor quality, and sales of the first issue were so low, that it was canceled after only two issues.
Scale model
A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
kits released by Revell
Revell
Revell is the brand name today of two manufacturers of scale plastic models. The original US company merged with another, Monogram, but now trades only under the Revell name. European Revell Germany separated from the US company in 2006.-Early history:...
during the early 1980s. Contrary to what their name seems to imply, the "'Robotech Defenders'" are not part of the Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
Anime Universe adapted by Carl Macek
Carl Macek
Carl F. Macek was an American writer and controversial anime pioneer and producer of the 1980s and 1990s.-Robotech and Harmony Gold USA:...
and released by Harmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold is a television production and distribution company established in 1983. It is best known as the “creator” and main distributor of the anime series Robotech. It also partially dubbed the Dragon Ball series in the late 1980s....
.
The "Robotech Defenders" were one of two "Robotech" lines released by Revell
Revell
Revell is the brand name today of two manufacturers of scale plastic models. The original US company merged with another, Monogram, but now trades only under the Revell name. European Revell Germany separated from the US company in 2006.-Early history:...
, the other being the "Robotech Changers". The "Robotech Changers" line initially consisted of three models based on the Valkyrie Variable fighter
Variable fighter
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...
designs from Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
, and the NEBO model, based upon the Drifand of Super Dimension Century Orguss.
The "Robotech Defenders" model line was tied into a two-issue limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
of the same name, published by DC comics. It shares many common themes with other science fiction series of that time, including invading aliens, and giant mechanical war machines.
Model Review
Seeking to capitalize on the MechaMecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
craze of the early 1980s, Model Company Revell
Revell
Revell is the brand name today of two manufacturers of scale plastic models. The original US company merged with another, Monogram, but now trades only under the Revell name. European Revell Germany separated from the US company in 2006.-Early history:...
went to Japan, the home of the grand-masters in over-sized technological monstrosities, to look for suitable mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
models prior to 1984. They eventually licensed a number of Takara's Fang of the Sun Dougram
Fang of the Sun Dougram
is a 75-episode anime television series, created by Ryosuke Takahashi and Sunrise, and aired in Japan from October 23, 1981 to March 25, 1983 on TV Tokyo...
models for the "Defenders" line. These models were repackaged with the "Robotech" moniker, and released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
The humanoid Mech models had an average size of 30 cm, the in-scale humans were about 2 cm.
One of the features of these plastic models (except for the tiny Human and Grelon miniatures) was that they weren't just static when assembled, but had fully movable joints and removable equipment; kind of like modern toys (seen from today's point of view) that the children had to assemble, glue together, and paint before playing. Because of the complexity and the many details and parts of the high-quality model kits they can be seen as quasi-adult level, though they were sold with the notion "ages 12 and up" on their packages. But even for experienced modellers the details of assembly and painting were partially quite a challenge, especially with the Humans and Grelons. All in all, the model kits are both play-toys and potential centerpieces of a model showcase, assuming that a skilled painter applies his full range of techniques on all the details.
In the North American market, the models met with some success, appealing to both fans of the Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
Anime and the players of the Battletech
BattleTech
BattleTech is a wargaming and science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2000, and owned since 2003 by Topps. The series began with FASA's debut of the board game BattleTech by Jordan Weisman and L...
tabletop strategy game. In Europe, however, the models sales were disappointing, probably due to the practically non-existent background story and the relatively high prices for the models.
Model Details
Listed below are the Model Names, (Revell Model Number: Scale) and the source of the model (as well as the corresponding Battletech Mech, if known)Robotech Defender "Aqualo" (1148: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram H404S "Mackerel" Marine Combat Armor.
Robotech Defender "Ziyon" (1149: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic HT-128 "Bigfoot" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Battlemaster")
Robotech Defender "Thoren" (1150: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H8 "Roundfacer" Combat
Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Griffon")
Robotech Defender "Zoltek" (1151: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram D7 "Dougram" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Shadow Hawk")
Robotech Defender "Condar" (1152: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H-102 "Bushman" Combat Armor-not transformable.
Robotech Defender "Talos" (1153: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram T-10B "Blockhead" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Wolverine")
Robotech Defender "Gartan" (1154: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Hasty F4X "Ironfoot" Combat Armor-not transformable. (Battletech "Thunderbolt")
Robotech Defender "Armored Combat Team" (1191: 1/72 Scale) is the Dougram Soltic H8 "Roundfacer" Combat Armor-not transformable, with infantry jeeps. (See Robotech Defender "Thoren")
Robotech Defender "Strike Force" (1192: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Hasty F4X "Ironfoot"
Combat Armor and a Curailles MP-2 "Dewey" attack helicopter-not transformable. (See Robotech Defender "Gartan")
Robotech Defender "Assault Squad" (1193: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Abitate F35C "Blizzardgunner" Walker Tank and an Einstedt AFV attack helicopter-not transformable.
Robotech Defender "Robot Recovery Unit" (1194: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Bromry-LTR63GB Trailer Truck.
Robotech Defender "Airborne Attacker" (1197: 1/72 Scale) is a Dougram Soltic H-102 "Bushman" Combat Armor and an Eastland WE-211 "Maverick" cargo-lifting helicopter-not transformable. (See Robotech Defender "Condar")
Robotech Defender "Commando" (1199: 1/48 Scale) is the Dougram Abitate F44B "Tequilagunner" 4-legged Walker Tank-not transformable.
Marketing Confusion
Release of the "'Robotech Defenders'" and "'Robotech Changers'" model lines caused problems for media company Harmony Gold USAHarmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold is a television production and distribution company established in 1983. It is best known as the “creator” and main distributor of the anime series Robotech. It also partially dubbed the Dragon Ball series in the late 1980s....
, who licensed the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n video rights to the Japanese Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series, combining it with two other series to produce an 85 episode series they hoped to market direct to video. Since Revell
Revell
Revell is the brand name today of two manufacturers of scale plastic models. The original US company merged with another, Monogram, but now trades only under the Revell name. European Revell Germany separated from the US company in 2006.-Early history:...
was already distributing the models, Harmony Gold could not support the show with merchandising. In the end, both companies decided to enter into a co-licensing agreement and the name Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
was eventually adopted for the syndicated television show that the home video line had transformed into.
Players of FASA's BattleTech
BattleTech
BattleTech is a wargaming and science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2000, and owned since 2003 by Topps. The series began with FASA's debut of the board game BattleTech by Jordan Weisman and L...
tabletop strategy game universe will instantly recognize nearly all of the models, as Mechs from the original Role Playing Game sourcebooks. The reason for this is that all of the original edition's 'Mech visuals were based on designs from a variety of anime series, including Macross, Dougram, and Orguss. FASA eventually became embroiled in a lawsuit with Harmony Gold regarding the use of these images, and later removed all images not created in house from their Sourcebooks. In addition, many players of BattleTech saw Revell's model kits as an attempt to participate in the BTech market without keeping to the BTech universe.
Comicbooks
The Comic BookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
, a two-issue mini-series, was published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
in 1984. It was originally intended to be a trilogy, but was reduced to the first normal-sized issue and a 32-page second issue with no advertisement. The universe of the "'Robotech Defenders'" Comicbook series bears no resemblance at all to the Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
universe adapted by Harmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold is a television production and distribution company established in 1983. It is best known as the “creator” and main distributor of the anime series Robotech. It also partially dubbed the Dragon Ball series in the late 1980s....
. The lack of any real connection between the two, seems one of the more likely reasons for the failure of the comic book.
The story followed the battles of a team of pilots who fight a savage race of aliens, called "Grelons", who have conquered Earth using superior technology. They plan to colonize Earth, using their titanic humanoid war machines to eliminate all resistance. The heroes, a small combat unit, are losing badly when their leader accidentally activates one of the Robotech Defenders. She then learns of the existence of the other machines, which are scattered on the other pilots' home planets. Each of these units has a unique range of abilities and environmental specialties (e.g., Aqualo was capable of diving and sea-based activities, Ziyon's Element was cold and snow, Thoren's heat and magma, Gartan's urban combat).
By the end of the first issue, the team have managed to recover all the robots and engage the enemy in battle, but are still defeated and get captured. They escape by pushing a big red button which releases the Defenders' minds, unleashing the latter's' full combat capabilities. The pilots then track down the controller of the savage aliens. They defeat him by causing the evil alien energy siphon to suck the energy from the sun, causing their space ship to explode.
DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
had originally agreed to publish a three-part mini-series in 1984 to test the waters, but the comic was of such poor quality, and sales of the first issue were so low, that it was canceled after only two issues.
External links
- Robotech Defenders Model Sheets and some history
- Stupidcomics #73 Describes the disaster the comic was.
- Gundam.com Discussion a detailed list of the early Revell models, their details, and sources.