Bring one of the most heavily armed ACs from ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON to your collection with the 30MM Balam Industries BD-011 Melander Liger Tail from Bandai Spirits.
Piloted by G1 Michigan, commander of the Redguns, Liger Tail takes the already tough Melander platform and turns it into a brutally equipped tetrapod Armored Core. Bandai’s 30 MINUTES MISSIONS release recreates its distinctive four-legged configuration alongside its substantial weapon loadout, while retaining the range’s modular 3mm connection system for extensive customisation.
BD-011 Melander Liger Tail
Liger Tail is the personal Armored Core of G1 Michigan, leader of the Balam-affiliated Redguns.
And subtle it isn’t.
Built around components from Balam Industries and its subsidiaries, Liger Tail combines heavy armour with a tetrapod lower body and enough weaponry to make it immediately recognisable among the ACs encountered in Fires of Rubicon.
The result perfectly suits Michigan himself.
Big.
Aggressive.
Loud.
And carrying enough ammunition to solve most disagreements permanently.
G1 Michigan – Hell on Four Legs
Michigan serves as the commander of the Redguns, Balam Industries’ elite AC unit operating on Rubicon.
He’s one of the game’s most memorable characters, barking orders, insulting practically everyone around him and somehow making the Redguns feel like the most dysfunctional military family on the planet.
His Liger Tail reflects that personality perfectly.
This isn’t an elegant lightweight machine designed to dance around enemy fire.
It’s a heavily armed tetrapod built to stay in the fight and throw an enormous amount of firepower back.
Based on ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON
Released in 2023, ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON brought FromSoftware’s long-running mecha series back after a decade-long absence.
The game revolves around mercenary Armored Cores fighting over the resource known as Coral on the devastated planet Rubicon 3.
One of the defining features of Armored Core has always been customisation.
Head.
Core.
Arms.
Legs.
Weapons.
Boosters.
Generators.
Everything can be changed.
Which makes Armored Core almost ridiculously well suited to the 30 MINUTES MISSIONS format.
30MM × Armored Core
Bandai’s 30MM Armored Core VI range translates the game’s modular AC designs into physical plastic model kits.
Rather than simply producing static recreations, Bandai has retained the core customisation philosophy of both franchises.
Build Liger Tail exactly as it appears in the game.
Then take it apart.
Swap the weapons.
Change the arms.
Replace equipment.
Combine it with other compatible AC releases.
Build your own mercenary machine.
That’s basically Armored Core in plastic form.
Massive Tetrapod Configuration
The defining feature of Liger Tail is obviously its four-legged tetrapod lower body.
Compared with conventional bipedal ACs, the enormous leg structure dramatically increases the physical footprint of the finished model.
Bandai has engineered the legs with multiple articulation points, allowing the distinctive stance of the in-game machine to be recreated.
Spread the legs wide and Liger Tail looks exactly as it should:
Like a heavily armed mobile weapons platform that’s decided walking on two legs simply isn’t enough.
Individually Articulated Legs
Each of the four legs features articulation, allowing you to adjust the stance and height of the completed machine.
That means Liger Tail doesn’t have to remain locked into one rigid configuration.
You can create:
- Wide combat stances
- Lower defensive poses
- Elevated firing positions
- Forward-moving poses
- Heavy weapons displays
The tetrapod design also gives Liger Tail a completely different silhouette from ACs such as Nightfall or Steel Haze.
DF-GA-08 HU-BEN Gatling Gun
Naturally, Michigan needs a Gatling gun.
Liger Tail carries the DF-GA-08 HU-BEN, one of the most recognisable heavy weapons in Armored Core VI.
The huge multi-barrel weapon looks fantastic attached to the already bulky Melander frame and gives the model an unmistakable heavy-assault appearance.
If your solution to a problem is “more bullets,” HU-BEN is generally an excellent place to start.
DF-ET-09 TAI-YANG-SHOU Explosive Thrower
The other arm carries the distinctive DF-ET-09 TAI-YANG-SHOU Explosive Thrower.
It’s a particularly unusual weapon visually, giving Liger Tail a much more distinctive silhouette than simply equipping another conventional rifle.
Combined with HU-BEN, it gives Michigan options at multiple combat ranges while reinforcing the wonderfully over-equipped appearance of the machine.
BML-G2/P17SPL-16 Split Missile Launcher
Mounted over the shoulder is the enormous BML-G2/P17SPL-16 Split Missile Launcher.
This substantial weapon system gives Liger Tail another layer of ranged firepower and contributes significantly to the height and overall bulk of the finished model.
Between the missiles and Gatling gun, Liger Tail isn’t exactly short of ways to fill the air with projectiles.
SONGBIRDS Grenade Cannon
Then there’s SONGBIRDS.
Anyone who’s spent time playing Armored Core VI will probably recognise this weapon immediately.
The shoulder-mounted grenade cannon provides heavy explosive firepower and became a favourite piece of equipment for plenty of players during the game.
Mounted alongside the missile system, it completes Liger Tail’s gloriously excessive shoulder loadout.
Gatling gun.
Explosive Thrower.
Missiles.
Grenade Cannon.
Michigan apparently took one look at the weapon-selection screen and decided:
Yes.
Detailed Melander Armour
Underneath all the equipment is the rugged Melander frame.
Balam Industries’ Melander components have a much more conventional military-machine appearance than some of the sleeker AC designs in the game.
The broad chest, heavy limbs and industrial armour panels give Liger Tail a suitably utilitarian look.
This is not a machine designed to win beauty contests.
It’s designed to survive Rubicon.
Colour-Separated Construction
Bandai uses multi-coloured injection-moulded components to recreate Liger Tail’s basic appearance without requiring a complete paint job.
As with other 30MM releases, you can assemble the kit straight from the runners and achieve a recognisable finished machine.
Naturally, experienced builders can take things considerably further.
Excellent for Weathering
Armored Core machines are absolutely made for weathering.
Rubicon isn’t exactly known for clean roads and regular detailing services.
Try adding:
- Dark panel lining
- Armour chipping
- Metallic exposed mechanics
- Oil staining
- Weapon wear
- Heat staining
- Dust and grime
- Scratches around the legs
- Warning markings
- Matte top coat
Liger Tail’s heavy military styling works particularly well with a battered finish.
Make it look like Michigan has actually been using it.
Which presumably means there shouldn’t be a clean panel anywhere.
3mm Connection System
One of the most important features of Bandai’s 30MM system is the widespread use of 3mm connection points.
Liger Tail continues that philosophy, allowing compatible equipment to be attached across the model.
That means the standard G1 Michigan configuration is really only the beginning.
Want another weapon?
Add one.
Different shoulder equipment?
Go for it.
Something completely ridiculous?
That’s practically encouraged.
Swap Parts with Other AC Kits
The 30MM Armored Core VI range has been designed around the customisation philosophy of the original game.
Compatible components can be exchanged between different AC releases, allowing you to physically recreate the experience of rebuilding your Armored Core.
Mix Liger Tail with machines such as:
- Nightfall
- Steel Haze
- Steel Haze Ortus
- Tenderfoot
- Full Course
- Milk Tooth
And suddenly you’ve got an enormous collection of armour and weapons to experiment with.
Your AC doesn’t need to exist anywhere in the game.
That’s the point.
Build Michigan’s Liger Tail – Then Make Your Own
Straight out of the box, the kit gives you one of the most recognisable Redgun machines.
But the real appeal comes after you’ve built it once.
Strip off the equipment.
Change the weapon loadout.
Use the tetrapod legs as the foundation for your own custom AC.
Add different armour.
Create your own callsign.
And spend the next three hours rearranging weapons instead of actually finishing the model.
Again:
Authentic Armored Core experience.
Great for Armored Core Fans New to Model Kits
The 30MM approach also makes this range relatively approachable for gamers who may never have built a plastic model before.
The construction is snap-fit, meaning glue isn’t normally required.
The parts are moulded in colour.
And the modular engineering means experimentation is actively encouraged.
A good pair of model nippers is really all you need to get started.
Product Features
- Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
- Range: 30 MINUTES MISSIONS / 30MM
- Series: ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON
- AC: Balam Industries BD-011 Melander Liger Tail
- Pilot: G1 Michigan
- Faction: Balam Industries / Redguns
- Plastic model kit
- Distinctive tetrapod configuration
- Four articulated legs
- Detailed Melander armour
- Highly articulated upper body
- Modular construction
- 3mm connection system
- Interchangeable equipment
- Compatible with other 30MM Armored Core VI releases
- Multi-colour injection-moulded parts
- Snap-fit construction
- No glue required
- Painting optional
Included Weapons
- DF-GA-08 HU-BEN Gatling Gun
- DF-ET-09 TAI-YANG-SHOU Explosive Thrower
- BML-G2/P17SPL-16 Split Missile Launcher
- SONGBIRDS Grenade Cannon
Why Add 30MM Liger Tail to Your Collection?
Because Liger Tail is exactly the sort of Armored Core that works brilliantly as a physical model.
The tetrapod legs immediately separate it from the more conventional bipedal machines in the 30MM AC lineup, while Michigan’s enormous weapon loadout ensures there’s something interesting happening from practically every angle.
You’ve got HU-BEN, TAI-YANG-SHOU, the huge split missile launcher and SONGBIRDS all hanging from a heavily armoured Melander frame.
And once you’ve finished building Michigan’s machine, the 30MM system lets you start tearing it apart and creating your own.
For Armored Core VI fans, Redguns supporters, 30MM collectors or builders who believe four legs and four enormous weapons are an entirely reasonable starting point, Liger Tail is one seriously impressive addition to the collection.
Four legs. Gatling gun. Missiles. Grenades. G1 Michigan at the controls. The 30MM BD-011 Melander Liger Tail brings one of Balam’s heaviest hitters from Rubicon straight onto your workbench.
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