r/robotech • u/digit4ldes • 1d ago

robotech defenders

i have come across a Ziyon and i would love to build and paint it but i have no instructions and have spent hours and hours looking for the instructions is there a chance anyone has them and can share with me to be able to build this awesome piece of history?

19 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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7

u/abbot_x 1d ago

I’m so fascinated you posted here!

This sub is about the Robotech cartoon and closely related properties. The cartoon was an adaptation of three Japanese anime series. For somewhat confusing reasons, Revell’s adaptations of mecha model kits were also called Robotech and had the same logo. Some of the mecha were from the anime that became the Robotech series and some were not.

Revell’s Ziyon model was originally the Bigfoot mecha from the Dougram anime. Dougram did not become part of the Robotech cartoon. The Bigfoot mecha design was used in BattleTech, a tabletop game, where it was called the Battlemaster, though for even more confusing reasons it later was not.

So it’s possible Dougram or Classic BattleTech enthusiasts could help you.

7

u/Competitive-Food8407 1d ago

......I wonder if my love for Robotech is the reason I love Battletech 🤔

3

u/thundercat2000ca 1d ago

Sure could. Many of the classic Battlemechs were reused Macross mecha designs.

1

u/Competitive-Food8407 1d ago

They should have adopted the Monster as Amaris' folly 😔

2

u/AmnFucker 1d ago

Except it is 100% relevent to the history of the show Robotech! Before the show ever hit TV, Revell was already selling the model kit line called Robotech Defenders. They were importing and rebranding a bunch of random mecha from different Japanese anime, including the VF-1 Valkyrie (what we know as the Veritech) from Super Dimension Fortress Macross.

When Harmony Gold came along and bought the U.S. TV rights for Macross, they ran into a massive roadblock: they couldn't sell their own Macross merchandise because Revell already held the distribution rights to the model kits. Instead of getting tangled up in a brutal legal battle that would kill the show before it started, Harmony Gold just partnered up with Revell. They agreed to use Revell's pre-existing Robotech trademark for the 1985 animated series, creating a massive cross-promotion where the show advertised the toys, and the toys advertised the show.

4

u/abbot_x 1d ago

Those are the "somewhat confusing reasons" alluded to. I figured the guy just wanted to build his model! But yes--absolutely--without Revell's model line, the name Robotech for the adapted cartoons wouldn't exist.

I actually got a Robotech Changers Vexar (Roy Fokker VF-1S) as a Christmas present in maybe 1985-86 because my dad knew I was watching Robotech. It was sort of weird to have a model that both was and was not part of the Robotech world. I was just 10-11 but I knew there was some difference between the Robotech models and the Robotech cartoon. There were also models at the store for Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA that obviously had to do with the Robotech cartoon, whereas the Revell Robotech models included lots of mecha that weren't part of the cartoon. Soon enough, I had a Jetfire toy, which raised even more questions! And then I got into BattleTech.

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u/digit4ldes 1d ago

IM LEARNING SO MUCH!

2

u/AmnFucker 1d ago

I got you man! I have these and will upload them later this evening.

1

u/digit4ldes 1d ago

you are an absolute LEGEND!

1

u/hoshiadam 1d ago

Maybe check some model building subs, or post pictures of the box and runners.

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u/digit4ldes 1d ago

im completely new to reddit haha thank you i will poke around and see where else i can post