Gatcha Spartan

The Gatcha Spartan (ガッチャスパルタン, gatcha suparutan) is a high speed aircraft that serves as the main mecha of the Science Ninja Team after the destruction of the New God Phoenix in Gatchaman Fighter.

Unlike its predecessors, which were vehicles independent of the main mechs, the Gatcha Spartan is a fusion of the team's 5 mechs and must have all of the team members in order to form the ship.

Specs

Top air speed: Mach 5

Top nautical speed: 60 knots

Weapons:

2 33mm Vulcan guns

10 Victory Missiles

1 Spartan Laser

Arsenal

Spartan Laser: A powerful multi-directional beam weapon on the tip of the nose cone. It is also referred to as the Bird Laser Beam in certain episodes.

Spartan Laser

Victory Missiles: The Gatcha Spartan carries a payload supply of up to 10 Victory Missiles, though they are rarely used in the series.

Space Equipment:The Gatcha Spartan has equipment used for space travel. The first being a set of booster rockets that launch it from a ramp. The second is a special rocket platform which gives the Gatcha Spartan enhanced speed and maneuverability as well as a disposable rocket launcher which fires 3 high explosive missiles. The ship can be also be fitted into any 3 stage rocket for emergency travel.

The Gatchaspartan blasts off for space on a special ramp.

Boosters are used to escape Earth's orbit

..and detach from the ship once the fuel is expended.

The Gatchaspartan with its space missile launcher and rocket platform attached.

Hypershoot: A maneuver where the ship charges Delta Power into the Gatcha One vehicle and launches it towards the enemy mech with Ken riding on top of it, wielding the Gatchaman Fencer sword. Ken then uses the Gatchaman Fencer to cleave the giant enemy mech, then ram into it with the Gatcha Spartan and slice it from the inside. One of the drawbacks of this weapon in all its forms is that the Delta Energy radiation it emits from the Gatchaman Fencer is slowly killing Ken from exposure. The energy this attack produces is equivalent to 2,000,000 kW of electricity.

• Science Ninja Technique: Hypershoot: An enhanced version of this attack debuts in episode 16, Ken rides on top of the Gatcha Spartan and the upgraded Delta Power generators create a rainbow colored energy field around the ship. The entire ship becomes a wedge shaped battering ram which destroys Galactor Iron Beasts. This attack puts tremendous strain on the entire team as they feel the effects of the energy surge.
  • Ultra Hypershoot: The strongest version of the Hypershoot. The Delta Power generators go to maximum output and surround the ship and Ken in a bright white aura. This attack is used to penetrate Iron Beast barriers and shields. It also protects Ken from the vacuum of space when engaging an enemy off-planet. The effects of this attack's energy stay with Ken for a short period of time and leaves him in a weakened state afterwards.

"Kagaku Ninpo: Hypershoot!"

Ultra Hypershoot

Trivia

• The Gatcha Spartan's design is often compared to the Star Destroyer by Star Wars fans. This is unsurprising, as Star Wars was very popular in Japan at the time when Gatchaman Fighter aired back in 1979 and possibly influenced it's design direction. However, fans will often also dub it "The Paper Airplane" due to its similarity in shape to one.
• It was renamed to the "Ultra Eagle 5" when Eagle Riders began adapting from Gatchaman Fighter.

Development Period

• When the third series was pitched under the title Burning Gatchaman, the Gatcha Spartan did not yet exist (but later came about due to demands of Popy, the toy sponsor). Instead, the ship the team were to use was called the United Phoenix Fortress. Concept art by Sadao Miyamoto showed that the ship would be identical to the hilt of Ken's sword. After it was redesigned to the more familiar airplane look, the name was to be the Phoenix Victory but was changed for whatever reason to the current Spartan name.