VF-1 Valkyrie

The VF-1 Valkyrie is a vehicle that features in Super Dimension Fortress Macross.

History

VF-1 Valkyrie were a series of a variable fighter developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien starship. After the crash-landing of an alien vessel in July 1999, it was discovered that the alien crew were a race of giants that were five times the size of a human. Fearful of being unprepared for a conflict with these aliens, the newly formed United Nations Government begins researching anti-giant weapon systems technologies. Utilizing OverTechnology found on the ASS-1, the non-variable humanoid mecha called the Destroid was designed; another weapon system was the transformable Battroid. The creation of the VF-1 Valkyrie was a direct consequence of a pivotal moment in human history: the crash-landing of an alien starship on South Ataria Island in the South Pacific in July 1999. Upon examining the vessel, designated the ASS-1 (Alien StarShip-One) and later renamed the SDF-1 Macross, human scientists made a startling discovery: its former occupants were a race of giant humanoid aliens, several times the size of a human. This revelation ended the ongoing Global Civil War and unified Earth's nations, who realized a potential conflict with such a formidable, large-sized enemy was inevitable and for which humanity was completely unprepared. The U.N. Government contracted Stonewell and Bellcom to develop an all-environment variable fighter eventually known as the 'Valkyrie'. Rising to the challenge, Stonewell and Bellcom subcontract with OT reaction powerplant producer Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Destroid developer Centinental to complete a basic design by 2005. The first transformable prototype was successfully tested in 2007 and the U.N. Government decides to formally adopt the Valkyrie in November of that year. By late 2008, mass production is in full swing on the VF-1A variable fighter. The design philosophy was heavily influenced by real-world fighter jets like the F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle, resulting in a fighter that could operate in atmospheric and space environments. A non-transformable aerodynamic prototype, the VF-X, was first developed and tested, proving the design's feasibility. This was followed by the VF-0 Phoenix, an atmospheric-only variable fighter, which saw brief service as the final bugs were worked out of the full-fledged VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1). The resulting VF-1 was a groundbreaking machine capable of transforming into three modes: Fighter, an intermediate GERWALK mode, and a humanoid Battroid mode for ground combat, allowing humanity to stand a chance against their enormous alien adversaries when they inevitably arrived.

Overview

In appearance, the VF-1 Valkyrie were a series of aircraft that had the ability to transform into a humanoid mecha. The VF-1 Valkyrie was a sleek, versatile aerospace craft, its appearance changing dramatically across its three distinct modes to adapt to different combat scenarios. In its primary Fighter mode, it resembled a conventional, aerodynamic military jet, most notably a real-world F-14 Tomcat, featuring a basic fuselage, variable-sweep wings, and outward-canted vertical stabilizers, but notably lacking tailplanes. Its weaponry included a ventral-mounted laser turret and a Howard GU-11 55mm gun pod tucked under the central fuselage, giving it the look of a formidable fighter jet capable of operating both in the atmosphere and in space. The intermediate GERWALK mode (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint) presented a far less conventional silhouette, often described as a 'chicken walker'. In this configuration, the aircraft's engines and intakes bent down and forward to form a pair of powerful, reverse-jointed legs, while arms folded out from storage between the engines and were positioned near the legs. The overall appearance was that of a winged fighter with humanoid limbs, capable of VTOL flight and highly maneuverable low-level combat, with the gun pod now held in its manipulator 'hands' like a large rifle. Finally, the Battroid mode transformed the craft into a full 12.7-meter-tall humanoid mecha, designed for ground and hand-to-hand combat against the giant Zentradi aliens. In this form, the legs were fully straightened in a human-like orientation, the sides of the nose section became a chest and shoulder assembly, and the laser turret or cannons were positioned on top of the head as a sort of 'head unit'. The cockpit, shielded by an armored cover, rested in the machine's sternum area, while the wings folded back against its posterior like coattails. The overall effect was a functional, yet athletic-looking giant robot, which proved highly effective in fighting the alien threat on their own imposing scale.

Known variants included:

• VF-1A Valkyrie :
• VF-1D Valkyrie :
• VF-1J Valkyrie :
• VF-1S Valkyrie :
• VF-1EX Valkyrie :
• VT-1 "Super Ostrich" Valkyrie :
• VE-1 "ELINT Seeker" Valkyrie :
• VF-1X++ :
• VF-1X Valkyrie Plus :
• VF-1EX Valkyrie

Pilots

• Hikaru Ichijyo :
• Fire Bomber :
• Alto Saotome :
• Hayate Immelmann :

Notes

• The VF-1 Valkyrie was created by Shoji Kawamori with contributions by his Studio Nue partner Kazutaka Miyatake where it featured in the setting of the Super Dimension Fortress Macross universe.
• The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and Grumman F-14 Tomcat with its variable-sweep wing design, served as the main design inspiration of the VF-1.
• When it came to naming Valkyrie was used as a tribute to the real world XB-70 Valkyrie, which was an experimental supersonic strategic bomber developed in the United States in the 1960s.
• In the Robotech universe, the aircraft was adapted to create the Veritech Fighter for that setting.

Alternate Versions

• In Macross II, different variations of the Valkyrie appeared in the setting of the alternate continuity series. One model created was the VA-1SS Metal Siren that were the next major variable fighter developed as a successor to the VF-2SS Valkyrie II in the 2090s. In addition the standard three-stage transformation modes of Fighter, GERWALK and Battroid, transformation, the VA-1SS has a fourth "Gundroid" form. The Gundroid form is similar in capabilities and humanoid form as Battroid mode, but provides an advantage in high-speed close combat and has aggressive attack capabilities, along with the full use of the back beam guns and missiles. With such incredible firepower, it can perform deadly single-unit enemy ship attack rushes. The VA-1SS excels in fighter combat as it is armed with a plasma spear cannon from its detachable nose while in fighter mode. However, unlike the blaze lance of YF-25 Prophecy, it does not function as a rail cannon. The VA-1SS Metal Siren was the newest variable fighter and was piloted by Captain Nexx Gilbert where it was used in the Earth's battle against the invading Marduk.

Appearances

• Super Dimension Fortress Macross:

External Links

• Macross Wiki Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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