VF-4 Lightning III
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Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III | ||
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Description | ||
Class | Tactical Variable Fighter | |
Crew | 1 | |
Entered service | 2012 | |
First operational deployment | SDF-2 Megaroad 01, 2012[1] | |
Manufacturer | Stonewell/Bellcom and Shinnakasu Industries | |
Preceded by | VF-1 Valkyrie | |
Succeeded by | VF-11 Thunderbolt | |
Dimensions, Fighter Mode | ||
Length | 14.92 m | |
Wingspan | 14.28 m | |
Height | 3.7 m | |
Weights | ||
Empty | 13,950 kg | |
Powerplant | ||
Engines | 2 Shinnakasu / P&W / Rolls-Royce plc FF-2011 thermonuclear turbine engines The VF-4G has 16500 kg [x g] class Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011(+) thermonuclear turbine engines. Two-dimensional exhaust nozzles. P&W HMM-1A high-manoeuvrability vernier thrusters. | |
Armament | ||
Guns | External 55 mm GU-11 gunpod with 200 rounds firing 1200 rounds per minute, mounted under central fuselage. Dual beam cannons. |
The VF-4 Lightning III is a fictional variable fighter aerospace mecha from the Macross universe. It was created by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.[2][3][4][5]
Contents
Fictional history
In the fictional Macross universe the VF-4 fighter was developed by Stonewell Bellcom in late 2009, and was promoted as the "next generation" variable fighter for the UN Spacy by the company.[6] The VF-4 was faster, more maneuverable, could generate more thrust than the standard VF-1 Valkyrie, and was armed with dual beam cannons[7] in addition to the traditional GU-11 gun pods. Early models of the VF-4, designated VF-X-4 Prototypes,[8][9] were produced on Earth for testing purposes in 2010, just as Space War One started to increase in magnitude.[10] The VF-X-4 prototypes were heavily based on the VF-1 Valkyrie design; 35% of the VF-X-4's components were directly taken from the VF-1 Valkyrie, including the entire nose and forward fuselage section.
More VF-X-4s were constructed and tested by a number of UN Spacy pilots, including Skull Squadron leader Hikaru Ichijyo.[11][12][13] In 2012 the final design for the VF-4 Lightning III was completed and mass production of the new fighter began.[14]
The first VF-4 squadrons were issued to the Skull and Iron Chiefs Squadrons, which accompanied the SDF-2 Megaroad-01 on her colonization mission in late 2012. After the Megaroad left production of the VF-4s continued, and in 2020 the Lightning III officially replaced the VF-1 Valkyrie as the main tactical fighter of the UN Spacy. The VF-4 design was itself replaced in 2030 by the VF-11 Thunderbolt. A grand total of 8,245 VF-4s were produced for the UN Spacy between 2012 and 2030.
Variants
- VF-X-4 : Pre-series trial-produced variable fighter built using 35% VF-1 Valkyrie parts, including the nose and forward fuselage section.
- VF-4B : Tandem dual-seat type.
- VF-4C : Atmosphere convertible type.
- VF-4D : "Sea Carrier-based fighter" convertible type.
- VF-4S : Earth atmosphere only version for exclusive marine use. The "S" alphabet designation refers to a marine (sea) function abbreviation. This version of the fighter features the removal of unnecessary equipment and an engine optimized with measures to avoid damage from salt breeze.
- VF-4SL : Equipped with FF-2011 Thermo-nuclear Fusion-Plasma Air-Reaction mass Intermix turbofan-engines (outer space Maximum-thrust 165KN x 2,with output 20% improvement by the tune-up), developmed and produced by " SHIN-NAKASU " (old NAKAJIMA Aircraft & Engines's anagram) / P&W / Rolls-Royce plc. Also features the P&W High-maneuverability vernier thrusters HMM-1A, thrust-reversers, a 3-Dimension Vectored-nozzle and it is equipped with one set of "Energy converter armor SWAG system" as Defense-armament improvement. Also features the removal of the arms region and the portion of the "hand and forearm unit" transformation mechanism of the "S-type" Lightning III. This craft has been called the "VF-4 Light Dressed Type" and is specialized in Anti-warship Attack /Interception. Transformation is possible only in a "forearms and manipulator (hand) less" Gerwalk mode. This model was preferred by emigrant fleet guards of United Nations Air Force (U.N. Spacy Atmosphere branch) until the introduction of the VF-11 Thunderbolt and the VF-17 Vampire.
- VF-4G : Production version in service in 2047 with engines replaced and upgraded for increased thrust. Equipped with an additional Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon mounted on the head when in battroid mode, or located on the upper fuselage when in GERWALK and fighter modes. In battroid mode, the laser has a 360° horizontal rotation and a 90° vertical arc of fire, giving the mecha a head profile similar to that of the VF-22 Sturmvogel variable fighters. In jet and GERWALK modes, the RÖV-20 is limited to firing only on targets either directly behind or overhead of the VF-4.[15][16]
Design background
- First appeared in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012;[17] a model of the VF-X-4 appeared in the last episode of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.[18][19]
- Gerwalk and Battroid modes of the fighter did not appear until the video game Macross Digital Mission VF-X was released.
- The VF-4 Lightning III was named after a proposed name for what would be eventually be deemed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, the next United States Air Force main fighter. The suggested Lightning 2 name in turn was coined from the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a World War II American fighter. Lightning II was later adopted as the name of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, after the P-38/F-5 Lightning and the BAC English Electric Lightning, a Cold War-era British supersonic interceptor.
- In Robotech (an American adaptation based on the original Macross television series and two other works), the VF-X-4 (subsequently named YF-4) was declined for production due to "staggering cost and complexity," and was superseded by the VFA-6 Alpha.
Replicas
Yamato Toys has released a 1/60 scale toy replica of the VF-4G Lightning III from Macross Digital Mission VF-X in late-2012 as their web store exclusive.[20]
References
- ↑ Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
- ↑ Sega Dreamcast GD-ROM Videogame Macross M3. Instruction Booklet. Shoeisha Inc., Japan. T-21502M. Y6800. 02-22-2001
- ↑ Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23
- ↑ Sony PlayStation Compatible CD-ROM Video Game. Macross Digital Mission VF-X. Instruction Booklet. SLPS-00386. UNiT Inc/Bandai Visual. Japan. Y6800. 1997, February 28
- ↑ Sony PlayStation Compatible CD-ROM Video Game. PlayStation The Best Collection Series: Macross Digital Mission VF-X. Instruction Booklet. SLPS-91058. UNiT Inc/Bandai Visual. Japan. Y2800. 1998, May 28
- ↑ Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23
- ↑ Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23
- ↑ Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23
- ↑ Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23
- ↑ Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
- ↑ Macross Roleplay Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 LIGHTNING III Section
- ↑ Sony PlayStation Compatible CD-ROM Video Game. PlayStation The Best Collection Series: Macross Digital Mission VF-X. Instruction Booklet. SLPS-91058. UNiT Inc/Bandai Visual. Japan. Y2800. 1998, May 28
- ↑ Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
- ↑ Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
- ↑ Yamato Toys - VF-4G Lightning III