Regult Tactical Scouts are Battle Pods featured in the Super Dimension Fortress Macross television series. Manufactured by Ectromelia, they were used by the Zentradi during Space War I.
A deadly addition to the Zentradi Regult mecha forces, the Tactical Scout is the reconnaissance variant of the standard Regult battle pod. Removing all weaponry, the Tactical Scout is equipped with many additional sensor clusters and long-range detection equipment.
Always found operating among other Regult mecha, the Scout is capable of early warning enemy detection as well as ECM/ECCM roles (Electronic Countermeasures/Electronic Counter-Countermeasures).
A deadly addition to the Zentradi Regult mecha forces, the Tactical Scout is the reconnaissance variant of the standard Regult battle pod. Removing all weaponry, the Tactical Scout is equipped with many additional sensor clusters and long-range detection equipment.
Always found operating among other Regult mecha, the Scout is capable of early warning enemy detection as well as ECM/ECCM roles (Electronic Countermeasures/Electronic Counter-Countermeasures).
Arguably my one most wanted mecha I wanted to own so badly. And it is so so so hard to come by because if I'm not wrong, IMAI/ARII/BANDAI 1/100 and a Nichimo 1/200 model kit are the only known product of the Regult Scout. Almost no opportunity to own it as they are so rare and never seen locally. When it is at eBay, price for 1 is sky high. When Hasegawa make this available in 1/72 scale, I knew my dream is coming true.
I couldn't even wait for local shops to bring in and got it from Aliexpress. Paid slightly higher than retail but I don't care. It was relief when the box arrived slightly under 2 weeks. Ahh, I finally got this in my grubby little hands.
I couldn't even wait for local shops to bring in and got it from Aliexpress. Paid slightly higher than retail but I don't care. It was relief when the box arrived slightly under 2 weeks. Ahh, I finally got this in my grubby little hands.
HASAGEWA - The Brand - 4/5
I was introduced to Plastic Modelling with Hasegawa. My very first kit was the 1/32 scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II jet fighter by Hasegawa from my childhood days. Yeah I went in with a big BANG! Followed by a myriad of 1/72 scale fighter jets. Off my head, there were A4 Skyhawk, Saab Vigen, Mirage F1C, A6M5 Zero Fighter, AV8 Harrier, and a few more. The unique Hasegawa smell when the box was opened... it get etched in my mind. Surprisingly, same smell retain in modern kit like this. There was never issue with quality, they were top notch. No mold flashes, no misalignment, no fitting issue.
I was introduced to Plastic Modelling with Hasegawa. My very first kit was the 1/32 scale Northrop F-5E Tiger II jet fighter by Hasegawa from my childhood days. Yeah I went in with a big BANG! Followed by a myriad of 1/72 scale fighter jets. Off my head, there were A4 Skyhawk, Saab Vigen, Mirage F1C, A6M5 Zero Fighter, AV8 Harrier, and a few more. The unique Hasegawa smell when the box was opened... it get etched in my mind. Surprisingly, same smell retain in modern kit like this. There was never issue with quality, they were top notch. No mold flashes, no misalignment, no fitting issue.
HASEGAWA - The Regult Model Kit - 2.5/5
However, quality seem to have taken steps back from this series of Regult kit. Although there is still no flashes, no fitting issues but when 2 halves of the part are joint together, lines and details are misaligned. It is disappointing such an established brand like Hasegawa makes such fundamental error.
This kit is the 3rd Hasegawa Regult I build. Previously build Regult Light Missile Carrier and the standard Regult Battle Pod. All have this same issue - from the common mold on the common part.
However, quality seem to have taken steps back from this series of Regult kit. Although there is still no flashes, no fitting issues but when 2 halves of the part are joint together, lines and details are misaligned. It is disappointing such an established brand like Hasegawa makes such fundamental error.
This kit is the 3rd Hasegawa Regult I build. Previously build Regult Light Missile Carrier and the standard Regult Battle Pod. All have this same issue - from the common mold on the common part.
Personally I feel the sprue design of this kit is quite dated - in terms of how each piece part is being thought through. Example for the shin part I feel it should already be a single piece rather than having 2 halves come together for forming it. And this method are used almost on every part imaginable. Bandai is waaay ahead in this.
Colour seperation is also very basic. Build it straight from the box is not possible even if you only need a little resemblance. Some painting need to be applied. But is expected and Hasegawa is just sticking to the same way they produce kits as before. But is this a trademark for them or is an adamant refusal to change with times?
Me being a Action Figure collector first and foremost, hereby using expectation of an action figure for a few grading.
But this is a model kit, supposedly meant to be static pose display. If the following is no longer relevant, feel free to skip the section.
Colour seperation is also very basic. Build it straight from the box is not possible even if you only need a little resemblance. Some painting need to be applied. But is expected and Hasegawa is just sticking to the same way they produce kits as before. But is this a trademark for them or is an adamant refusal to change with times?
Me being a Action Figure collector first and foremost, hereby using expectation of an action figure for a few grading.
But this is a model kit, supposedly meant to be static pose display. If the following is no longer relevant, feel free to skip the section.
POSEABILITY - 2/5
Big head/body supported by 2 skinny legs, the Regult cannot be even be standing on its 2 legs/feet without toppling over after some time. The stand (provided in the kit) need to be perpetually used.
There are 3 sections for the legs namely the "thigh" portion where the hole goes into the ball joint socket on the hip joint piece. Then there are the "knee" part as a standalone. It has sprues top and bottom to connect to the bottom end of the thigh and the top end of the "Calf/Shin" section. With this, the Regult can be pose in a running/walking pose.
But here is where the trouble begins. Sprues on the "Knee" are too short. Making tighter angles bend will dislodged it from the adjoining parts.
Connection of the 3 sections are then by means of soft vinyl polycaps which will definitely disintegrate with time. In order to salvage the kit when the polycaps inevitable give way, is to permanently glued it to position. A permanent pose thereafter.
"Head" part is unable to swivel 90° right/left. Just a small turn about 5° - 8° both direction - blocked by the mid leg joint. No up down motion which can be achieved by lifting opening the angle of the knee or swivel through the ball and socket joint.
Big head/body supported by 2 skinny legs, the Regult cannot be even be standing on its 2 legs/feet without toppling over after some time. The stand (provided in the kit) need to be perpetually used.
There are 3 sections for the legs namely the "thigh" portion where the hole goes into the ball joint socket on the hip joint piece. Then there are the "knee" part as a standalone. It has sprues top and bottom to connect to the bottom end of the thigh and the top end of the "Calf/Shin" section. With this, the Regult can be pose in a running/walking pose.
But here is where the trouble begins. Sprues on the "Knee" are too short. Making tighter angles bend will dislodged it from the adjoining parts.
Connection of the 3 sections are then by means of soft vinyl polycaps which will definitely disintegrate with time. In order to salvage the kit when the polycaps inevitable give way, is to permanently glued it to position. A permanent pose thereafter.
"Head" part is unable to swivel 90° right/left. Just a small turn about 5° - 8° both direction - blocked by the mid leg joint. No up down motion which can be achieved by lifting opening the angle of the knee or swivel through the ball and socket joint.
LIKENESS - 5/5
This topic can become complicated and will have no conclusion. I don't believe there are specific dimension of the Regult except general height, width. There are different interpretation from different maker nobody can say any of it is wrong.
Some regult looks wider, some shorter head, some with different design of the hatch.
So for this secion, it is purely based on my own judgement which I gave a full score. Love the aesthetic and proportion of this kit. Hasegawa gave a sleak slim design of the Regult which exudes great mobility. I can imagine it running along - with speed - towards its target or dodging enemy's fire with agility.
I can stare at it for a long time and still admiring how beautiful it is.
This topic can become complicated and will have no conclusion. I don't believe there are specific dimension of the Regult except general height, width. There are different interpretation from different maker nobody can say any of it is wrong.
Some regult looks wider, some shorter head, some with different design of the hatch.
So for this secion, it is purely based on my own judgement which I gave a full score. Love the aesthetic and proportion of this kit. Hasegawa gave a sleak slim design of the Regult which exudes great mobility. I can imagine it running along - with speed - towards its target or dodging enemy's fire with agility.
I can stare at it for a long time and still admiring how beautiful it is.
FINAL WORD
Whatever the negativity brought up for this kit, it is probably the highest quality Regult Scount model kit the market can offer right now. Scaled at 1/72, it is a good size although 1/100 would be more display space friendly. I build it almost straight away after receiving it from postage. Armed with knowledge and experience from the previous 2 Regult build, I start off without worries. Build was smooth and all alternate techniques applied.
Some hicups during painting time and took more time to resolve than normal. Almost wanted to get another and give this one up. But perseverance and it worked out.
My longtime wish to own a Regult Scount is fulfilled. Yeah, worth every cents, every effort and every hours spent on completing this kit.
Many of my collecting buddies tell me they do not have the skills to build one properly. I say just go out and buy the kit. Passion will drive one to put in the best effort. Most importantly the one made by ourself is unique, 1 of its kind and be proud of it.
Whatever the negativity brought up for this kit, it is probably the highest quality Regult Scount model kit the market can offer right now. Scaled at 1/72, it is a good size although 1/100 would be more display space friendly. I build it almost straight away after receiving it from postage. Armed with knowledge and experience from the previous 2 Regult build, I start off without worries. Build was smooth and all alternate techniques applied.
Some hicups during painting time and took more time to resolve than normal. Almost wanted to get another and give this one up. But perseverance and it worked out.
My longtime wish to own a Regult Scount is fulfilled. Yeah, worth every cents, every effort and every hours spent on completing this kit.
Many of my collecting buddies tell me they do not have the skills to build one properly. I say just go out and buy the kit. Passion will drive one to put in the best effort. Most importantly the one made by ourself is unique, 1 of its kind and be proud of it.
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