mospeada (mecha)

Mecha featured in the 1980s anime TV show Kikou Souseiki Mospeada.

M.O.S.P.E.A.D.A. stands for "Military Operation Soldier Protection Emergency Aviation Dive Armor". This mecha is a transformable motorcycle-power armor hybrid used by the humans to fight the Inbit aliens that have invaded Earth.

There are three basic models shown in the series:

• The red VR-038L Bartley is armed with a six-round rocket launcher and is the most agile but least armored of the M.O.S.P.E.A.D.A. versions.
• The blue VR-041H Blowsperior is equipped with a pair of retractable vibroblades/shields for close combat and carries 12 mini-missiles in internal chest racks.
• The green VR-052 Battler comes in two sub-models carrying different weapons: the VR-052F, armed with a beam rifle and forearm rocket launchers, and the VR-052T, which carries a high-capacity beam pistol.

This mecha was designed by Aramaki Shinji. When asked about the inspiration for his innovative variable motorcycle design, Aramaki replied that he thought his own motorcycle at the time (possibly a Suzuki Katana, which greatly resembles the Mospeada) was just the right size for a man to wear as armor, so he designed the Mospeada mecha from it.