VF-4 Lightning III

From WikiAlpha
Jump to: navigation, search
The below content is licensed according to Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License contrary to the public domain logo at the foot of the page. It originally appeared on http://en.wikipedia.org. The original article might still be accessible here. You may be able to find a list of the article's previous contributors on the talk page.
Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 Lightning III

300px
The VF-4 Lightning III as seen in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012.

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]

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

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

  1. Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
  2. Sega Dreamcast GD-ROM Videogame Macross M3. Instruction Booklet. Shoeisha Inc., Japan. T-21502M. Y6800. 02-22-2001
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  9. Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  10. 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
  11. Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  12. Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  13. 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
  14. Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
  15. Macross Roleplay Stonewell Bellcom VF-4 LIGHTNING III Section
  16. 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
  17. Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, 1987. Y910.
  18. Macross Outside Story: VF-X-4. Page 68. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  19. Mechanic of Macross: VF-X-4. Page 160. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, 1983 October 10. Y2800.
  20. Yamato Toys - VF-4G Lightning III

External links