The Destroid Spartan is a classic design from the Macross universe that was later adapted into the Battletech line of ‘Mechs as the Archer. The primary mission of the Spartan was long-range support fire through the use of dual shoulder-mounted missile batteries. However, the ‘Mech also was equipped with in-close defensive weapons in the form of a chest-mounted large laser and two medium lasers, as well as head-mounted small lasers in a small turret located between the shoulders and above the cockpit.

The kit was originally released in 1982 by Arii but was reissued by Bandai in 2010. The 101 parts are molded in army green (it looks like the same color that most of us know from plastic army soldiers) and clear styrene (for the lights in the thighs, rear shoulders and weapons’ targeting sensors) and are crisply molded with little or no flash. As this is a reissue of a 1980’s-era kit, the plastic is somewhat thick, with simplified detailing and slightly overstated panel lines. A full sheet of waterslide decals is included, totaling over 50 markings for the completed ‘Mech.

The instruction sheet is both color and black-and-white. The folded front/back page contains a parts map and color photos of the completed model, showing decal call-out locations. The interior black-and-white line drawings provide assembly instructions in nine steps. Paint colors are indicated on the front page of the instructions, but as they are in Japanese, they are somewhat useless. If the builder wants to match the Macross colors, it might be best to scan the instructions and upload them to an online paint matching website. If a Battletech paint scheme is desired, the wide range of ‘Mecha in that universe pretty much let the builder use their imaginations, unless they are trying to model a specific House or unit allegiance.

Although it appears that this is merely an up-scaling of Arii’s smaller 1:100 kit, there are new features, including an opening chest panel which hides the center-mounted large laser and medium laser weapons. The weapons extend into firing position and then retract back into the chest, allowing the panel to be closed.

The shoulder missile bays are molded in left and right halves with the seam line going straight through the middle. The doors are closed and no interior detailing is provided (the piece is hollow and allows the arm section to pass through into the center torso for mounting). Interior detail could be added, but it will take a significant amount of work to add decent-looking sections without compromising the ability of the arms to move.

The completed model appears to stand approximately 7.5 inches in overall height.

If you are a Macross fan, this is a nice kit to have as it’s in scale with the majority of the Valkyrie fighters (and other 1:72 aircraft from the same series). It represents one of the few land-based, non-transformable designs from the series.

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula

Entry created: March 6, 2014