Stront75's 1980's Giant Robots. ATM-09-ST Scopedog.

[Stront75]

Last in my 1980's giant robot series is the Scopedog from Armoured Trooper Votoms.

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Votoms is a military science fiction mecha anime series, having undergone several incarnations. The original 1983 television series was created by Ryosuke Takahashi and Sunrise, featuring mechanical designs by Kunio Okawara. Following directly in the footsteps of Takahashi's previous series, Fang of the Sun Dougram, VOTOMS continued the trend towards hard science in the mecha anime subgenre. The series was supplemented by numerous original video animation releases, and also inspired a number of spin-off works whose media ranges from serialized light novels to video games.

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Story,
The Gilgamesh and Balarant nations had until recently been locked in a century-old galactic war whose cause was long ago forgotten. Now, the war is ending and an uneasy truce has settled. The main weapon of the conflict is the common Armored Trooper, a mass-produced humanoid combat vehicle piloted by a single soldier. They are known alternately as VOTOMS (Vertical One-man Tank for Offense & ManeuverS).

The series follows a main character named Chirico Cuvie, a special forces Armored Trooper pilot and former member of the Red Shoulder Battalion, an elite force used by the Gilgamesh Confederation in its war against the Balarant Union. Chirico is suddenly transferred to a unit engaged in a suspicious mission, unaware that he is aiding to steal secrets from what appears to be his own side. Chirico is betrayed and left behind to die, but he survives, is arrested by the Gilgamesh military as a traitor, and tortured for information on their homeworld. He escapes, triggering a pursuit extending across the entire series, with Chirico hunted by the army and criminals alike as he seeks the truth behind the operation. He is especially driven to discover the truth of one of the objects he was assigned to retrieve in that operation: a mysterious and beautiful woman who would become his sole clue to unraveling the galactic conspiracy.

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In many ways this is anime's Vietnam. its a harrowing and thoughtful portrayal of war in the far future. Of one mans quest for the truth.

[Lysus]

Of all these, VOTOMS is one I think needs a 21st Century rebirth. The story was a great war story, the designs were so different. Practical but fantastical as well. Way ahead of the curve on the whole "powered armor" trend.

And Scopedog was always my favorite of the lot.

Can't wait! You've a full plate ahead of ya

[Stront75]

yeah i know lol. thats why i pushed for a later finish date. Yeah Votoms is awesome. Ive got the larger 1/20 and 1/24 kits too. But for the group build im only doing small mechs.
It has been updated several times in Japan. Votoms doesnt really ever make its way out here to the west though which is a shame.
It would be cool if the original series was rebooted for the 21st century. That would be very cool.

[Skullfish]

great info there

im following along


Jase

[Lysus]

Hi there, just a reminder that one month remains to complete your build in order to qualify for the prize draw! Hope all is well and we all look forward to seeing your work!