When the Revell Robotech Defenders kits were released in the 1980’s, one huge kit was included in the product line. The Robotech Factory was a Grail kit that (as a kid) I wanted more than anything, but I could never find one. Back then, even if I could have found one, I would never have been able to afford one, so maybe it was just as well.

A member of Starship Modeler offered one for trade, along with a half dozen or so other Robotech Defenders kits, about five years ago, and I jumped on it. When the kit arrived (in two large boxes), it was still in its original box, which I couldn’t believe. After so many years, I finally had one!

The kit has a ton of parts, well over 200. It features two Mech repair bays, with the bay base sections measuring 12 inches long by 7.25 inches wide. The walls are the same length, but are about 8.25 inches high. The kit includes chair hoists, stairways, cherrypicker trucks for repairs, welding equipment, repair vehicles, figures, and two complete Mechs (one Tomahawk/Warhammer and one Armored Valkyrie/Crusader).

The display options are wide open for builders. A single bay section can be built, or both sections can be built and displayed side-by-side, or built and displayed across from each other with a styrene rear wall joining them. It’s all up to the builder. Light options are also a possibility (one that I might actually consider when I build this kit).

The base sections are molded in dark gray styrene with raised details (“caution” markings in raised letters, for example). The back wall sections are molded in light gray styrene. The Tomahawk/Warhammer is molded in coppery brown, and the Armored Valkyrie/Crusader is in light bluish gray. Vehicles are done in dark green, the figures are in white, and the building details are all done in dark gray. A sheet of waterslide decals is included with markings for the vehicles, building, equipment, warning stencils, and a bunch of other stuff.

I’ve been building a stockpile of 1:100 scale kits, and the nice thing is that I can display any of them inside the Factory once I build it. I’m not limited to the two Mech kits that came with the set, but can have a different set of Mechs in the repairs bays every few weeks if I want. Bandai, Arii, Imai, Robotech Defenders . . . most of them will fit in the bays.

These kits sell for around $125.00 to $150.00 these days for boxed kits, with unboxed kits (with sealed bags) priced anywhere from $75.00 to $125.00. The kits are expensive, but they are well worth it, and they make a great addition to a Robotech collection.

Box Art
Heck of a lot of parts in there!

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula

Entry created: 06-28-09