Overview

The Motor Nuclear MNP-XH17 Ma Chao is a Zhong Yong Class model kit from the Legend of Star General series, standing approximately 23.5 cm tall (to head, without backpack). Ma Chao - the "Splendid Cavalry" general of Shu Han - is reimagined here as a heavily armed mecha blending classical Chinese armor motifs with sci-fi engineering, featuring layered beast-face shoulder armor, a switchable helmet visor, and an arsenal of five named weapon systems drawn from Three Kingdoms mythology. Motor Nuclear is a Chinese manufacturer known for original mecha designs backed by a serialized manhua (Legend of Star General), and the Ma Chao is one of the largest and most accessory-dense kits in the lineup to date.

Key Features

• Pre-Assembled Alloy Inner Frame - 13-part pre-assembled metal inner frame provides structural rigidity and display-grade weight, consistent with Motor Nuclear's MNP-tier engineering.
• 591 Total Parts Across 31 Runners - Includes 7 pre-painted runners with 104 pre-painted parts for display-ready color separation without painting. Nearly all parts are undergated for clean visible surfaces.
• Five Named Weapon Systems - Zhan Jin Hu Jia (Azure Gold Tiger Halberd, separates into short halberd and short gun), Tianwu Liutou javelins (6 total), Jin Shi Nu (Brocade Lion Crossbow, transforms into shield and arm crossbow modes), Yu Chan gauntlet, and retractable Yu Chan spike.
• Full On-Body Weapon Storage - All weapons mount to the mecha body via dedicated storage points on the backpack, rear waist, and arms, allowing a fully loaded display configuration without external weapon racks.
• Swappable Backpacks and Armor - Large and small backpacks interchange freely. Two chest armor options and a riding-pose front skirt armor are included for display versatility.
• Advanced Leg Linkage System - Knee articulation reaches 75 degrees with linked red inner frame exposure, lower leg bends to 90 degrees with kneecap separation and inner frame reveal. Hip joints extend downward for expanded posing range.
• Fur Cape Shoulder Accessory - Includes a sculpted fur cape with ornamental attachments. Left shoulder features layered ring-arm armor inspired by classical Chinese lamellar designs, right shoulder carries a beast-face motif with gold-tipped horns.

Builder Context

The MNP-XH17 Ma Chao is suited for intermediate to advanced builders comfortable with multi-session builds and alloy inner frame integration. Construction is snap-fit with no glue or cement required, and the pre-painted components deliver a display-ready result without painting. The build complexity and part count (591 parts) place it above Motor Nuclear's Loyal Grade kits like the Ao Bing and below the Brave Grade Lu Bu (738 parts), comparable in scope to a high-end MG Bandai kit with the added step of fitting armor over a metal skeleton.

Why Build This Kit

The Motor Nuclear MNP-XH17 Ma Chao is one of the most weapon-dense kits in the Legend of Star General lineup, with five distinct named weapon systems that each feature their own transformation or separation gimmick - the Jin Shi Nu crossbow alone converts between handheld, shield, and arm-mounted modes. At 23.5 cm with a total assembled weight of approximately 635 grams (with all accessories), Ma Chao has commanding shelf presence that competes with MG-scale Bandai kits while offering a visual language entirely outside the Gundam universe. The on-body weapon storage system means every weapon can be displayed mounted to the mecha simultaneously, creating a fully loaded silhouette without needing separate weapon racks or display stands. Builders who have already built Motor Nuclear's Zhao Yun or Lu Bu will recognize the engineering conventions and alloy frame integration, while the included riding-pose front skirt armor suggests compatibility with future mount accessories. The pre-painted parts and undergated runners mean this kit looks finished out of the box, making it accessible to builders who prefer not to paint but want a result that doesn't look like an unpainted model.

Box Contents

• Main body unit x1
• Interchangeable hands x10 pairs
• Zhan Jin Hu Jia (Azure Gold Tiger Halberd) x1
• Tianwu Liutou javelins (left) x3
• Tianwu Liutou javelins (right) x3
• Large backpack x1
• Large backpack Tianwu javelin connectors x2 sets
• Small backpack x1
• Replacement chest armor x1
• Replacement arm armor x1
• Yu Chan gauntlet x1
• Yu Chan spike x1
• Replacement front skirt armor (riding pose) x1
• Jin Shi Nu (Brocade Lion Crossbow) x1
• Jin Shi Nu shield/crossbow mode connector x1
• Jin Shi Nu auxiliary connectors x1 pair
• Jin Shi Nu rear skirt armor storage connector x1
• Jin Shi Nu handle x1
• Additional replacement hand parts x2 pairs
• Zhan Jin Hu Jia rear skirt armor connector x1
• Fur cape (with ornamental attachments) x1
• Body-to-stand connector x1
• Hexagonal display base pieces x3
• Display base connectors x3
• Display base nameplate x1
• Display stand x1 set
• Nameplate sticker sheet x1

Preorder Notice:
This item is currently on preorder and will be shipped once available. Please be aware that cancelling a preorder will incur a 25% restocking fee. For detailed information on our preorder and cancellation policies, please visit our FAQs page.