Variable fighter
Encyclopedia
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter
mecha
primarily designed by Studio Nue
's Shoji Kawamori
for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
and later related projects. It is also known as Valkyrie in the Macross
universe, due to the great popularity of the first known variable fighter model used during Space War I
, the VF-1 Valkyrie
.
called Battroid and an in-between mode called GERWALK (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint), in which the nose and wings have a pair of "chicken walker
" legs extending underneath enabling VTOL
, and two arms reaching forward from the sides. Another prevalent (but not universal) design point is the use of a detachable gun pod
instead of an internally mounted gun. This allows it to be used as a hand-held weapon in GERWALK and battroid modes. They usually also have one or more trainable head-mounted lasers in battroid mode, stowed internally or used as fixed armament in fighter and GERWALK modes.
, the reason behind the development of the variable fighters' Battroid mode was the discovery of the existence of the Zentradi
race, giant humanoid aliens genetically engineered for military conquest. Although at the time the humans hadn't met any actual Zentradi, the discovery of the SDF-1 Macross
and its accommodations for humanoid giants justified the development of a weapon that could enable mankind to fight the aliens on their own environment (Battroid mode), on the ground (Gerwalk mode), and the air (Fighter mode). Thus, research into alien
Overtechnology culminated in the development of the variable fighters for the U.N. Spacy
.
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
primarily designed by Studio Nue
Studio Nue
Studio Nue is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho...
's Shoji Kawamori
Shoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
and later related projects. It is also known as Valkyrie in the Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
universe, due to the great popularity of the first known variable fighter model used during Space War I
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
, the VF-1 Valkyrie
VF-1 Valkyrie
This article is about a fictional vehicle; for the fighter squadron see VF-1.In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter or veritech fighter is called the VF-1 Valkyrie.-Background:The VF-1 was created by the...
.
Design Characteristics
Their most notable feature is the ability to transform—usually into a humanoid giant robotMecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
called Battroid and an in-between mode called GERWALK (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint), in which the nose and wings have a pair of "chicken walker
Chicken walker
A chicken walker is a fictional type of bipedal robot or mecha, distinguished by its rear-facing knee joint. This type of articulation resembles a bird's legs, hence the name. However, birds actually have forward-facing knees; they are digitigrade, and what most call the "knee" is actually the...
" legs extending underneath enabling VTOL
VTOL
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
, and two arms reaching forward from the sides. Another prevalent (but not universal) design point is the use of a detachable gun pod
Gun pod
A gun pod is a detachable pod or pack containing machine guns or automatic cannon and ancillaries, mounted externally on a vehicle such as a military aircraft which may or may not also have its own guns....
instead of an internally mounted gun. This allows it to be used as a hand-held weapon in GERWALK and battroid modes. They usually also have one or more trainable head-mounted lasers in battroid mode, stowed internally or used as fixed armament in fighter and GERWALK modes.
Fictional Background
In the original seriesThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
, the reason behind the development of the variable fighters' Battroid mode was the discovery of the existence of the Zentradi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
race, giant humanoid aliens genetically engineered for military conquest. Although at the time the humans hadn't met any actual Zentradi, the discovery of the SDF-1 Macross
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
and its accommodations for humanoid giants justified the development of a weapon that could enable mankind to fight the aliens on their own environment (Battroid mode), on the ground (Gerwalk mode), and the air (Fighter mode). Thus, research into alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Overtechnology culminated in the development of the variable fighters for the U.N. Spacy
U.N. Spacy
The U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
.
Variable Fighters (Official Macross Continuity)
(Items in Parentheses indicate where they first appeared)- Stonewell/Bellcom VF-X - Non-transformable flight test vehicle
- Northrop Grumman/Stonewell/Shinnakasu VF-0 Phoenix (Macross Zero) - Atmospheric-use prototype for the VF-1 Valkyrie
- SukhoiSukhoiSukhoi Company is a major Russian aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Begovoy District, Northern Administrative Okrug, Moscow, famous for its fighters...
/Israel Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aircraft IndustriesIsrael Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007...
/DornierDornier FlugzeugwerkeDornier Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claudius Dornier. Over the course of its long lifespan, the company produced many notable designs for both the civil and military markets.-History:...
SV-51SV-51The SV-51 is a fictional transforming aircraft from the Macross Zero anime science fiction series. It was designed by anime mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional Design:The SV-51 was the only variable fighter developed by the Anti-U.N. forces...
(Macross Zero) - Atmospheric-use variable fighter used by anti-UN forces - VF-X-1 - Transformable flight test vehicle
- Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1 ValkyrieVF-1 ValkyrieThis article is about a fictional vehicle; for the fighter squadron see VF-1.In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation Robotech, the first mass-produced variable fighter or veritech fighter is called the VF-1 Valkyrie.-Background:The VF-1 was created by the...
series (Macross) - U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
main variable aerospace fighter from 2009 to 2020 - Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu SDP-1 Stampede Valkyrie (Macross: Remember Me) - U.N. Spacy anti-capital ship assault variable fighter
- VF-X-2
- VF-3/VF-X-3 Star Crusader (Macross: Remember Me) - U.N. Spacy prototype variable space fighter-interceptor based on the VF-1 Valkyrie.
- Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu VF-3000 Crusader (Macross M3) - Atmospheric-use variable fighter
- VF-X-4
- Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning IIIVF-4 Lightning IIIThe VF-4 Lightning III is a fictional variable fighter aerospace mecha from the Macross universe. It was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
(Macross Flashback 2012) - U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
main variable fighter from 2020 to 2030 - VF-5
- Shinsei Industry VF-5000 Star Mirage - Atmospheric-use variable fighter
- VF-6
- VF-7
- Zentradi Variable Glaug (Macross M3) - A transformable version of the Zentradi Roiquonmi Glaug Command Battle Pod.
- General Galaxy VF-9 CutlassVF-9 CutlassThe General Galaxy VF-9 Cutlass is a fictional variable fighter in alternate stories and video games based on the Macross japanese animated series...
(Macross M3) - Shinsei Industry VF-11 ThunderboltVF-11 ThunderboltThe VF-11 Thunderbolt is a fictional variable fighter in the Macross storyline. It was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional Background:...
(Macross Plus) - U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
main variable fighter from 2030 to 2040 - General Galaxy/Messer VF-14 Vampire (Macross 7) - This fighter design was adapted by the Varauta army of the ProtodevilnProtodevilnThe ' are a fictional race of alien beings hailing from an adjoining sub-universe in the anime series Macross 7. Though some appear humanoid , and some bear resemblance of vampire-like elves, most are gigantic creatures with few human features, resembling devils...
. - VF-15
- VF-16
- General Galaxy VF-17 NightmareVF-17 NightmareThe VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter from the anime television series Macross 7 and Macross Frontier. This fictional variable fighter mecha was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
(Macross 7) - Updated into the VF-171 variable fighter. Modelled after the real-life F-117. - Neo Glaug - Human-designed variable drone fighter.
- Shinsei Industry YF-19 "Alpha One" or "Eagle One"VF-19 ExcaliburThe VF-19 Excalibur is a fictional spacecraft in the anime Macross. It is an Advanced Variable Fighter, the UN Spacy's latest frontline variable fighter to replace the already aging VF-11 Thunderbolt. In the year 2040, a contest was held for the design of the Advanced Variable Fighter. Two...
(Macross Plus) - Prototype for the VF-19 Excalibur variable fighter. - Shinsei Industry VF-19 ExcaliburVF-19 ExcaliburThe VF-19 Excalibur is a fictional spacecraft in the anime Macross. It is an Advanced Variable Fighter, the UN Spacy's latest frontline variable fighter to replace the already aging VF-11 Thunderbolt. In the year 2040, a contest was held for the design of the Advanced Variable Fighter. Two...
(Macross 7) - Production model of YF-19. First deployed in 2046 - General Galaxy YF-21 "Omega One"VF-22 Sturmvogel IIThe VF-22 Sturmvogel is a fictional variable fighter from the anime Macross 7. It is based on the YF-21 from the OVA series Macross Plus.-Backstory:...
(Macross Plus) prototype of VF-22 Sturmvogel. - General Galaxy VF-22 Sturmvogel IIVF-22 Sturmvogel IIThe VF-22 Sturmvogel is a fictional variable fighter from the anime Macross 7. It is based on the YF-21 from the OVA series Macross Plus.-Backstory:...
(Macross 7) - YF-21 production version. Used as special forces/ace pilot fighter in 2046 - General Galaxy/Messer-Varauta Fz-109 Elgerzorene (Macross 7) - Standard Protodeviln fighter based on a U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
design. Equipped with a beam that extracts Spiritia energy from enemy pilots. - General Galaxy/Messer-Varauta Az-130 Pantserzorene (Macross 7) - Protodeviln attack fighter based on a U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
design. - Northrom and Grumman/Messer-Varauta FBz-99 Saubergeran (Macross 7) - Protodeviln attack fighter based on a U.N. SpacyU.N. SpacyThe U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
design. Often assigned as first-wave strike weapons due to heavy missile load. - Zentradi Variable Device "Pheyos Valkyrie" (Macross Digital Mission VF-X2) - Renegade Zentradi advanced variable fighter.
- General Galaxy VF-171 Nightmare PlusVF-17 NightmareThe VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter from the anime television series Macross 7 and Macross Frontier. This fictional variable fighter mecha was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
(Macross Frontier) Standard-issue NUNS Fleet variable fighter in 2059. - Shinsei Industry/General Galaxy YF-24 Evolution (Macross Frontier) - Delta wing Prototype for the VF-25 Messiah and VF-27 Lucifer variable fighters.
- Shinsei Industry/Macross Frontier Arsenal Original Development/L.A.I. YF-25 Prophecy (Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva) - N.U.N.S. Frontier fleet prototype for the VF-25 Messiah variable fighter.
- Shinsei Industry/Macross Frontier Arsenal Original Development/L.A.I. VF-25 MessiahVF-25 MessiahThe VF-25 Messiah is a fictional space-capable variable fighter, seen in the anime Macross Frontier of the Macross series. The craft was developed on board the space colonization fleet Macross Frontier from the YF-24 Evolution prototype whose blueprint was delivered via the Galaxy Network...
(Macross Frontier) - New fighter craft of the N.U.N.S. Frontier fleet first deployed by the private military companyPrivate military companyA private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) to evaluate its combat performance under field conditions. Includes VF-25F, VF-25G, VF-25S, and RVF-25 variants) - Macross Galaxy Variable Fighter Development Arsenal (Guld Works) VF-27 Lucifer (Macross Frontier)
- General Galaxy VF-171EX Nightmare Plus EXVF-17 NightmareThe VF-17 Nightmare is a fictional variable fighter from the anime television series Macross 7 and Macross Frontier. This fictional variable fighter mecha was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.-Fictional History:...
(Macross Frontier) - Shinsei Industry/Macross Frontier Arsenal Original Development/L.A.I. YF-29 Durandal (Macross Frontier: The Wings of Goodbye) - Advanced version of the VF-25 variable fighter first deployed by the private military company S.M.S. Features include canards, forward swept wings and built-in boosters. Incorporates the "Philosopher's Stone"; natural-shaped, highly-purified fold quartz and the Fold Wave System into the variable fighter's body.
Variable Attack/Bomber Aircraft
- Northrom Grumman VA-3 Invader (Digital Mission VF-X2) - A variable bomber that entered service with the U.N. Spacy during the period between Macross PlusMacross Plusis a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the Macross series. It was the first sequel to the original Macross television series that took place in the official timeline...
and Macross FrontierMacross Frontieris a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...
. - VB-6 König Monster (Digital Mission VF-X2) - A fully transformable version of the original Macross series' Viggers/Centinental HWR-00 Monster Destroid.
Macross II (Alternate Macross Continuity)
Note: None of the variable fighters from Macross II were designed by Shoji Kawamori.- VF-XX Zentradian Valkyrie - Valkyrie designed for use by micronized Zentradi pilots.
- VF-2SS Valkyrie II - Standard U.N. Spacy variable fighter. Can be equipped with a Super Armor Pack, which contains a large beam cannon and additional missile pods. Designed by Kouichi Ohata.
- VF-2JA Icarus - Atmospheric-use version of the VF-2.
- VA-1SS Metal Siren - Advanced combat-capable variable fighter prototype equipped with an EMPElectromagnetic pulseAn electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field...
anti-capital ship device, missiles, and energy weapons. Appeared in Episode 3. - VC-079 Civilian Valkyrie - Unarmed civilian variable fighter only capable of changing to GERWALK mode.
External links
- Mecha Section of Macross Compendium
- Macross Mecha Designs (RPG)
- Macross Section of Mecha Anime Headquarters
- Macross Mecha Manual A website profiling the fictional vehicles of the Macross series