Otaku Airplane Models ① Jet Beetle

A new series starting with this post.

This series will introduce plastic models of airplanes (including things that look like them) that play an active role in anime, manga, and tokusatsu works.

As usual, this is not a 'production log,' so I won't be showing much of the production process; instead, I will mainly talk about their active scenes in the works and the 'love' that overflows from me personally.

Also, since the quality of my work is still at an amateur level, I recommend that if you, the reader, try to build the same plastic model, you should not use this as a reference under any circumstances.

★Machine No. 1★ Science Special Search Party Jet Beetle / "Ultraman"

In my previous posts, I have repeatedly built plastic models of the "VF-1 Valkyrie," the main mecha from "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross," and through that, I have awakened to the joy of airplane modeling.

I wanted to build something other than "Macross" this time, so there were fighter planes I picked up at the hobby shop shelf thinking, "Oh, this looks cool." But I had no 'love' for those aircraft.

The reason is that I don't know the scenes where those aircraft were active.

Well, if it's something as major as a "Zero Fighter," I know scenes where it was active in several movies and anime, but for example, with a "Messerschmitt" or an "F-16," I know the aircraft, but I can't recall any active scenes. And even if I could recall an appearance scene, I don't want to build a "B-29."

So, I don't think I would have background music playing in my head while building them, like how Minmay's hit songs were on heavy rotation in my brain while I was building the "VF-1" before.

Well, when I made the F-14 into Major Fokker's plane, "Danger Zone" was playing, though...

So I set a restriction for myself: "I will build those cool airplanes that I have watched on TV and in movies since I was a child!"

And so, I decided to start building those aircraft whose active scenes I can visualize, within the range of what is available (and economically feasible) at the store.

The first of these is this "Jet Beetle."
It is the Science Special Search Party's general-purpose combat attack aircraft against giant creatures that appears in the well-known "Ultraman."

Its main firearms are the nose beam cannon and the main wing rocket missiles, but it is possible to equip various optional weapons such as rocket launchers, bombs, and improvised special firearms depending on the enemy monster, alien, or situation.

And what is worth noting is that it possesses the astonishing performance of being capable of extra-atmospheric operations by additionally installing sub-rocket engines and a nuclear pulse propulsion rocket.

Does that mean it is capable of atmospheric reentry?
If so, it makes sense that its form somewhat resembles the Space Shuttle.

By the way, I have been under a misunderstanding for over 50 years regarding the name "Beetle".

I had always assumed it meant "beetle," just like the Volkswagen Beetle.

But in fact, it turns out "Beetle" comes from "VTOL" (Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft)!

Now, about the Bandai Mecha Collection "Science Special Search Party Jet Beetle."
The scale is not explicitly stated, but I suspect it is around 1/200, which is quite a bit smaller than the typical 1/72 scale aircraft model.

But as expected of Bandai.
The parts are divided by molded color, and it comes with proper water-slide decals instead of stickers like HG Gunpla. (Though Gunpla is also Bandai...)

There are few parts and no glue is required, so assembly itself is very easy, but since the form is so beautiful, I painted it in titanium silver and red, and after panel lining, I applied a semi-gloss top coat.

I debated whether to do weathering, but since I wanted to cherish the atmosphere of the show, I dared to leave it with a "model-like" look and decided not to dirty it up.

Once again, I am captivated by the wonderful design of this "Jet Beetle."

Among the mecha in the Ultra series, there are many excellent ones like the "Ultra Hawk" and "Pointer" from "Ultraseven," and the "MAT Arrow" from "Return of Ultraman," but this "Jet Beetle" is, how should I put it, not overly cluttered and excels in functional beauty.

Perhaps the mecha and monsters that appeared in "Ultraman" around this time were designed purely for their roles in the show, without yet anticipating being turned into "toys."

I don't think being conscious of toy or plastic model production is a bad thing at all, and I enjoy building these plastic models just like this.

However, I feel that mecha designed with convincing settings within the work, rather than those designed for commercial purposes like toy lines, are the ones that tend to be talked about for a long time to come.

Science Special Search Party "Jet Beetle."

I have loved this airplane for a very, very long time.