So what is it ? The MORITA was the rifle from the Paul Verhoven film 'StarShip Troopers', and featured heavily throughout the film. Some of the site members here (DolphiN#1 and Arnie) are going to construct several of these props from scratch, to create fully functional airsoft replicas. The airsoft M41 PulseRifle, and the MORITA project are going to be run consecutively, so expect this page, and the PulseRifle page to be updated at roughly the same time.
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The MORITA rifle, is the rifle of the 'Mobile Infantry' (MI), a futuristic representation of foot soldiers of the 23rd century. The MORITA comes in 3 basic forms, the standard, the carbine (without the lower shotgun), and the sniper version (long range). The image to the left shows the sniper version (the model with the scope attached). At this time we are going to concentrate our efforts on the standard version. |
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What is it really? The actual props were built from two individual firearms, and the actual design and ideas, may remind you of the PulseRifle, from 'Aliens'. The actual film, StarshipTroopers, was heavily slated upon it's release for heavily 'borrowing' from other films. In this respect, the MORITA is unfortunatley, not particularly original in it's design. To quote ChrisW's page on StarShip Troopers (which I'd highly recommend reading).
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"...if Paul Verhoeven learned anything during his stint in the Dutch marines, exposure to Hollywood has since leached it from his mind. Verhoeven et al decided to leave out the powered armor, turning the MI into a fairly conventional force, recognizable to any member of today's armed forces -- except of, course, for the complete lack of artillery, mechanized transport, armored fighting vehicles, squad-level automatic weapons and indirect fire weapons such as mortars, other squad-level squad level support systems, or combat medical units. Tactics consist of running towards the enemy in a big mob, running away from the enemy in a big mob, and walking from point A to point B in a big mob. (I especially like the scene where the MIs form a big circle around a Bug, with fellow troopers in their line of fire, and shoot at the Bug in the center -- I guess they are not as picky about friendly fire casualties in the 22nd century.) A supposedly elite unit, the MIs would have a hard time defeating a unit of Campfire Girls, let alone the Bugs..." |
 You'll notice in the image above, that if you look closely, you can see the backsight of the ruger rifle, inside the MORITA outer shell. |
Anyway, back to the construction of this sci-fi replica. The MORITA is built in a tried and tested 'under and over' design, with an automatic weapon at the top, and an underlsung shotgun at the bottom. The rifle in the top half, is a heavily modified Ruger Mini-14, converted into a 'bullpup' design. The lower firearm, is an Ithaca Model 37 pumpaction shotgun. Shown below you'll find images of both the Mini-14, and the Ithaca 37. |
The Ruger Mini-14 automatic rifle
The Ithaca 37 'Stakeout' pump-action shotgun
Stefan Otto sent in these couple of updates about the specifics of the MORITA build (thanks Otto):
- The back half of the morita shell is actually based on a Muzzelite Bullpup Stock Kit. You can find these at: http://www.muzzelite.com/products/Muzzelite/MZ-14.htm
- The full-auto versions of the moritas used a Ruger AC556. You can see the selector switch at the end of the receiver in some of the close-ups. See the following link for a picture/stats: http://www.duffysguns.com/Ruger%20AC556.htm
The Project: We intend to build a functional airsoft replica of the MORITA, constriction details will be worked out, as we build the first few. At this time.. there is no 'solution'. This page will be updated with information and data as the first prototypes are designed and built.
The basic theory, is that the shell will be built from sheet 5mm metal, that has been cut, welded and folded to shape. The AEG gut's will most likely be that of a FAMAS (with is already a bullpup airsoft product), and the lower shotgun, will most likely be constructed from a cheap Dong-Sang Ithaca springer. Again, a lot of this is likely to change, as the project is started.
1. The cheap solution: TBA
2. The professional solution: TBA
CAD Images We have a few CAD diagrams in our possesion, which have been downloaded off the net. These will be placed here if and when we get the original author's permission.
Phil of USMC Blackwatch has kindly given us permission to host copies of his plans for the MORITA and PulseRifle project (Thanks Phil). You can download them by clicking here.
Update - January 13, 2002: Are you looking for that perfect shell to build your MORITA around? Well you can get the resin casts used in the film here from ReelClothes. The cost the MORITA shell is about 500USD, which isn't that bad, but it is a tad pricey for a casual project. Thanks go out to Sean Dey of NEASG for this update.
One of the MORITA props up for sale at ReelClothes
(image from and copyright ReelClothes)
