VF-1 Valkyrie
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In the fictional ''
Macross is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and the ...
'' Japanese anime series and its English adaptation ''
Robotech ''Robotech'' is a science fiction franchise that began with an 85-episode anime television series produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production and first released in the United States in 1985. The show was adapted from t ...
'', the first
mass-produced Mass production, also known as flow production or continuous production, is the production of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, including and especially on assembly lines. Together with job production and batch ...
transforming aerospace fighter
mecha In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
is called the VF-1 Valkyrie. The VF-1 Valkyrie is referred to as a "
variable fighter A variable-sweep wing, colloquially known as a "swing wing", is an airplane wing, or set of wings, that may be swept back and then returned to its original straight position during flight. It allows the aircraft's shape to be modified in fli ...
" in ''Macross'', but this is changed to the term "veritech fighter" in the ''Robotech'' series.


Background

The VF-1 was created between 1980 and 1982 by Japanese mecha designer
Shoji Kawamori A is a door, window or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture, consisting of translucent (or transparent) sheets on a lattice frame. Where light transmission is not needed, the similar but opaque ''fusuma'' is used (oshiire/ ...
with contributions by his
Studio Nue Studio Nue, Inc. ( ja, スタジオぬえ) is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 (as Crystal Art Studio) by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho. Crystal Art Studio would change their name to Studio Nue i ...
partner
Kazutaka Miyatake is a visual artist and anime designer known for the mechanical design of the ''Macross'' TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such ...
. The VF-1 Valkyrie was to be the centerpiece
mecha In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
design for the
anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
series ''
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross is an anime television series from 1982. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. It is the first part of two franchises: The ''Super D ...
'' which aired between 1982 and 1983. The
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force selected McDonnell Douglas's ...
and
Grumman F-14 Tomcat The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the ...
with its
variable-sweep wing A variable-sweep wing, colloquially known as a "swing wing", is an airplane wing, or set of wings, that may be swept back and then returned to its original straight position during flight. It allows the aircraft's shape to be modified in fli ...
design, served as the main design inspiration of the VF-1.Mechanic of Macross: VF-1 "Valkyrie". Pages 151-160. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, October 10.The Super Dimension Fortress "Macross": Studio Nue Staff. Page 248. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, October 10. When it came to naming "Valkyrie" was used as a tribute to the real world
XB-70 Valkyrie The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was the prototype version of the planned B-70 nuclear-armed, deep-penetration supersonic strategic bomber for the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command. Designed in the late 1950s by North Ame ...
, which was an experimental supersonic strategic bomber developed in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
in the 1960s. The VF-1 was created entirely by Kawamori and Studio Nue.


Fictional fighter design


Macross

In ''Macross'', the VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the
U.N. Spacy is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and th ...
by using alien ''Overtechnology'' obtained from the
SDF-1 Macross is an anime television series from 1982. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. It is the first part of two franchises: The ''Super D ...
alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an
aerodynamic Aerodynamics, from grc, ἀήρ ''aero'' (air) + grc, δυναμική (dynamics), is the study of the motion of air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dyn ...
proving version of its
airframe The mechanical structure of an aircraft is known as the airframe. This structure is typically considered to include the fuselage, undercarriage, empennage and wings, and excludes the propulsion system. Airframe design is a field of aerospa ...
, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a
jet aircraft A jet aircraft (or simply jet) is an aircraft (nearly always a fixed-wing aircraft) propelled by jet engines. Whereas the engines in propeller-powered aircraft generally achieve their maximum efficiency at much lower speeds and altitudes, je ...
, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible. After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1). The VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later, replaced by the far more advanced
VF-4 Lightning III In the fictional ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross'' Japanese anime series and its English adaptation ''Robotech'', the first mass production, mass-produced transforming aerospace fighter aircraft, fighter mecha is called the VF-1 Valk ...
. However, the fighter would continue to show its worthiness years later when, during the events of
Macross 7 is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1 ...
, Milia Jenius (a major character in the original series) would use her old fighter in defense of the colonization fleet.


Robotech

In ''Robotech'', development of the Valkyrie began at the end of the Global Civil War, when an alien spaceship crashed into Macross Island in the South Pacific. After learning of the existence of large aggressive humanoid aliens, a United Earth Government was formed and development began on the mecha by the Robotech Defense Force to combat the alien threat by using ''Robotechnology'' obtained from the SDF-1 alien ship. In the "Robotech" continuity, the VF-0 did not exist; the non-transformable VF-X was followed by a version which had only fighter and Guardian mode. Not until June 2007 was the final version of the VF-1, which could transform into battloid mode, released. It unofficially saw its first combat in early 2007, when test pilot Roy Fokker "borrowed" the first production-model aircraft - a VF-1S that would remain his mount for the rest of his life, and become Rick Hunter's aircraft after his death - to thwart an Anti-Unification plot to destroy the three primary symbols of UEG power. Officially, the first combat of the VF-1 was, like ''Macross'', February 7, 2009, during the Battle of Macross Island - the first battle of the First Robotech War. Much like its "Macross" counterpart, the VF-1 would remain in service for the remainder of the conflict.


Modes

The VF-1 is different from modern fighter aircraft in that it can transform into three different configurations or modes for different combat environments, and can perform the task of more than one fighting vehicle: In Fighter mode it can act as a jet fighter or a space fighter; in GERWALK (or Guardian in ''Robotech'') mode it acts as a
VTOL A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is one that can take off and land vertically without relying on a runway. This classification can include a variety of types of aircraft including helicopters as well as thrust-vectoring fixed-win ...
unit or a "
chicken walker In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the meaning in Japanese is mo ...
" mecha; in Battroid mode (or Battloid in ''Robotech'') it acts as a humanoid
mecha In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
.


Fighter mode

The VF-1's Fighter mode is its basic mode and is the typical mode employed when the craft is parked at a military base and is the primary mode used in high altitude
aerial combat Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare. Aerial warfare includes bombers attacking enemy installations or a concentration of enemy troops or strategic targets; fighter aircraft battling for control o ...
planetside and in space combat. In this mode, it features a basic fuselage similar to the real-world
F-14 Tomcat The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic aircraft, supersonic, twinjet, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experi ...
jet fighter, including underslung intakes and
variable-sweep wing A variable-sweep wing, colloquially known as a "swing wing", is an airplane wing, or set of wings, that may be swept back and then returned to its original straight position during flight. It allows the aircraft's shape to be modified in fli ...
, but with outward-canted vertical stabilizers similar to the
F/A-18 Hornet The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather, twinjet, twin-engine, supersonic aircraft, supersonic, carrier-based aircraft, carrier-capable, Multirole combat aircraft, multirole combat aircraft, designed as both a Fighter aircraft, ...
's, swiveling under-wing hardpoints (last seen on the
F-111 Aardvark The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a retired supersonic, medium-range, multirole combat aircraft. Production variants of the F-111 had roles that included ground attack (e.g. interdiction), strategic bombing (including nuclear weapons ca ...
,
Su-24 Fencer The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name: Fencer) is a supersonic, night fighter, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. The aircraft has a variable-sweep wing, Twinjet, twin-engines and a side-by-side seating arrangement for it ...
, and
Panavia Tornado The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany. There are three primary Tornado variants: the Tornado IDS (inter ...
), and a total lack of
tailplane A tailplane, also known as a horizontal stabiliser, is a small lifting surface located on the tail (empennage) behind the main lifting surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft as well as other non-fixed-wing aircraft such as helicopters and gyroplane ...
s. It is armed with 1, 2, or 4 (depending on model) Mauler RÖV-20 laser cannons mounted on a ventral turret, a GU-11 55mm three-barrelled gun pod holding 200 rounds, four underwing hardpoints holding up to twelve medium-range AMM-1 missiles, twelve Mk-82 LDGP bombs, six RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles or four UUM-7 micro-missile pods containing up to 15 Bifors HMM-01 "micro-missiles". Like most of the VF-1's nomenclature, the "GU" and "AMM" designations of its weapons are references to current US military designations (GPU for Gun Pod Unit and AIM for Air Intercept Missile). In fighter mode the VF-1's thermonuclear engines and the several vernier rockets on its fuselage make it capable of operating as an aerospace fighter. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.87 at high altitude (above ), and Mach 2.71 at medium altitude (). Its wings, similar to those of the F-14 Tomcat, sweep between 20 degrees back and 72 degrees back. Unlike the F-14, the wings can sweep 90 degrees back for storage, with the tail module folding up over the fighter's back. Although the VF-1 technically has an unlimited service ceiling and atmospheric range (since it can operate in space), the VF-1's internal tanks cannot carry enough propellant to achieve a stable orbit and needs the help of a booster pack to reach
Low Earth Orbit A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit around Earth with a period of 128 minutes or less (making at least 11.25 orbits per day) and an eccentricity less than 0.25. Most of the artificial objects in outer space are in LEO, with an altitude never mor ...
. While in fighter mode, the VF-1 can also be equipped with a FAST (Fuel And Sensor Tactical) Pack space booster and weaponry system. This system vastly improves the speed and survivability of the fighter as well as giving it access to extra ammunition. The FAST pack isn't adapted for atmospheric use, due to its impact on a Valkyrie's aerodynamics and its weight; as such, it needs to be discarded before atmospheric entry. Contrary to the GBP-1S (see below), the FAST pack doesn't prevent transformation. Fighter mode has two sub-modes: * In atmospheric mode the engine air intakes are open; wings geometry is flexible. * In space mode the engine air intakes are closed. Wings remain extended but fixed due to the presence of
vernier thruster A vernier thruster is a rocket engine used on a spacecraft for fine adjustments to the attitude or velocity of a spacecraft. Depending on the design of a craft's maneuvering and stability systems, it may simply be a smaller thruster complementin ...
s on the wing tips, and wing-carried ordnance. The shield that covers the cockpit in Battroid mode is usually absent, except on pilot's request for use as a heat shield, for example in case of atmospheric re-entry (seen performed in the original ''Macross'' series in episode 27).


GERWALK mode

In GERWALK (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint) mode (called "Guardian Mode" in ''Robotech''), the VF-1 looks like the nose and wings of a fighter plane stuck on "chicken walker" legs with two arms. The legs are formed by the aircraft's engines and intakes, bent down and forward. The arms are stored between the engines in fighter mode and fold out to the sides, reaching around from behind the legs. In GERWALK mode, the gun pod is held by the fighter's manipulator "hands" and acts in all respects as a very large automatic rifle. This mode is the intermediate one which was originally intended to simply allow the craft to land in a combat zone with a maximum of defensive ability. However, many pilots soon realized that this mode's considerable maneuverability combined with its speed made it formidable in low level aerial combat as well as when making flanking maneuvers on the ground, and most took advantage of these characteristics for such situations. Valkyrie pilots also have the option to deploy the legs alone, leaving the arms in storage. According to an article in ''
Animerica ''Animerica'' was a monthly magazine published by Viz Media containing news, feature articles, and reviews on manga, anime, and related media, as well as a section that serialized manga published by Viz. After an initial November 1992 preview is ...
'' magazine, the form came about partially by accident. Early in the development cycle for ''Macross'', the creators planned a main mecha called "GA-WALK", with an ostrich-like leg configuration (similar to the enemy battle pods from the finished series). However, the idea met with resistance from the initial sponsor, which wanted a more conventional robot for the hero to pilot. When creator Shoji Kawamori designed the transforming "Breast Fighters" (later redesigned and renamed the "VF-1 Valkyrie" fighters) instead, he had no real thoughts of a third mode. But when the manufacturer
Takatoku Toys was a Japanese toy company active during the 1970s and early 1980s. While responsible for many robots, action-figures and vehicles, they are today mainly known for making the original Macross toys. During the 1970s Takatoku made toys based on sh ...
sent along the prototype of a Valkyrie toy for his input, the prototype's legs were not yet locked into place in Fighter mode, causing the legs to swing down. This was reminiscent to him of the discarded "GA-WALK" mecha idea that had been shot down early in pre-production. He liked the idea, and worked to incorporate the third mode, now renamed "GERWALK," into ''Macross''.The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: The Making of Macross. Pages 203-246. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Y2800. Minori Library, Japan. 1983, October 10. In GERWALK mode, the VF-1 has a maximum speed of flying, walking.


Battroid mode

In Battroid mode (called "Battloid Mode" in ''Robotech''), the VF-1 looks like a fighter airplane folded up to resemble a 12.7-meter-tall (42-foot-tall) humanoid.
The legs are now straight and bend in the normal direction; the sides of the nose now resemble a human chest and shoulders (where the arms attach), and the laser turret is now a head. While the Battroid mode has some limited altitude control, its primary purpose is for ground
hand-to-hand combat Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H) is a physical confrontation between two or more persons at short range (grappling distance or within the physical reach of a handheld weapon) that does not involve the use of weapons.Huns ...
, which enabled Earth forces to fight the giant alien invaders on their own scale as the military had anticipated they would need. As shown in the original TV series, this mode allowed the humans to disguise their VF-1 as a Zentradi officer and to infiltrate one of their warships during a rescue operation. The VF-1 valkyrie in battroid mode is also much stronger than the average Zentradi soldier and is able to defeat them in unarmed combat with ease. However, the superior size, physical strength, endurance and resistance to space vacuum of Commander Type Zentradi makes them much more dangerous and equal opponents for the Valkyrie. In Battroid mode, the VF-1 has a maximum airspeed of . Its maximum running speed is . In this mode, the Valkyrie can also be equipped with a
reactive armor Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic ener ...
package called the GBP-1S Ground Battle Protector weapon system. Manufactured by ''Shinnakasu Heavy Industries'' this pack is armed with fifty-six diameter ''Erlikon'' GH-32 Grenade Crusher high maneuverability micro-missiles (twenty-two mounted in two shoulder launchers, ten mounted in two chest launchers, sixteen mounted in side leg launchers, and eight mounted in rear leg launchers), eighteen ''Erlikon'' GA-100 Crusher high-speed armor-penetrating projectiles mounted in two lower arm launchers, and six ''Remington'' H-22T large hand grenades mounted on torso. This armor pack has to be ejected to allow the Valkyrie's transformation into GERWALK and Fighter modes.


Variants

The VF-1 ''Valkyrie'' is a variable geometry aerospace fighter built in four main variants). The four models differ slightly in engines, avionics, and armament: * VF-1A: a standard soldier's fighter. Has one
laser A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The fir ...
cannon on its head. * VF-1D: a two-seat variant of the VF-1A. Has two lasers. (used as a trainer in ''Robotech''). * VF-1J: a team leader/squadron commander's fighter. Has two lasers. * VF-1S: a squadron commander/ Commander Air Group's fighter. Has four lasers. * VF-1R: a variation of the VF-1A as a mid-life upgrade to improve survivability. It features powerplant and armor upgrades, as well as an additional pulse cannon mounted as a third cannon on the head which will automatically target incoming missiles without pilot input and free up the pilot's mind for more important tasks. Originally thought to be an animation mistake in Episode 32, but Harmony Gold capitalized on it in the 2000s to introduce a new character (Jack Archer from the Robotech: Battlecry video game) and model. * VT-1: a two-seat unarmed primary trainer (''Macross'' only). * There are several less frequently used variants.


Macross variants

''Information listed here is only canon for the ''Macross'' continuity. This list is incomplete.''


Robotech variants

''Models referenced here are only from the ''Robotech'' continuity. This list is incomplete.''


Replicas


Toys


Takatoku Toys/Bandai

In 1983,
Takatoku Toys was a Japanese toy company active during the 1970s and early 1980s. While responsible for many robots, action-figures and vehicles, they are today mainly known for making the original Macross toys. During the 1970s Takatoku made toys based on sh ...
released a range of ''Macross'' toys. Their first release was the 1/55 VF-1 Battroid Valkyrie, which was the first fully transformable replica of the VF-1. The toy was licensed by
Hasbro Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of ...
for release in their markets as part of the ''
Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, suc ...
'' toyline, and was retooled to become the character
Jetfire Jetfire is the name of several character (arts), fictional characters from the ''Transformers'' franchise. He is almost always depicted as an Autobot with flight capabilities and a jet or space shuttle as an alternate mode. In some continuities he ...
. Due to Hasbro licensing the toy,
Matchbox Phillumeny (also known as phillumenism) is the hobby of collecting different match-related items: matchboxes, matchbox labels, matchbooks, matchcovers, matchsafes, etc. Matchbox A matchbox is a box made of cardboard or thin wood and designed ...
was unable to release it as part of the ''Robotech'' toyline (instead, Matchbox opted to release a semi-transformable version scaled to fit a 3 3/4" action figure with the Valkyrie/Veritech's proportions selectively compressed). Takatoku released the smaller 1/100 VF-1S Battroid Valkyrie later in the same year. In 1984,
Bandai is a Japanese multinational toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Taitō, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and Richmond ...
acquired the molds of the Valkyrie toy from Matsushiro Toys (which had obtained them from a bankrupt Takatoku Toys months prior) and used them as the basis for a new range. To coincide with the release of the film '' Macross: Do You Remember Love?'', Bandai released the 1/55 Hi-Metal VF-1A Valkyrie with the newer paint scheme used by
Hikaru Ichijyo Hikaru Ichijyo (一条 輝 ''Ichijō Hikaru'') is one of the main fictional characters of the ''Macross'' Japanese anime series.Character of Macross: Hikaru Ichijyo. Pages 102–105. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Mi ...
. This was followed in the same year by the VT-1 Super Ostrich and VE-1 ELINT Seeker, as well as the VF-1S Strike Valkyrie. Throughout the years, Bandai has reissued the 1/55 VF-1 Valkyrie toy line in Japan during anniversary celebrations of the ''Macross'' franchise - most recently in 2008 as part of ''Macrosss 25th anniversary and the launch of ''
Macross Frontier is a Japanese anime television series and the third Japanese anime television series set in the ''Macross'' universe. It was broadcast on MBS from April 4, 2008 to September 26, 2008. ''Macross Frontier'' is the story of a human space ...
''. In 2010, Bandai released an all-new transformable 1/100 VF-1 Valkyrie toy under their VF Hi-Metal line.


Yamato Toys/Arcadia

In 2001, Yamato Toys released their 1/60 VF-1 Valkyrie line. Two years later, they unveiled their 1/48 scale Valkyrie, which went into production until 2007 with limited reissues in 2010. In 2008, Yamato used design and engineering cues from the 1/48 line to release newer versions of their 1/60 line. An unpainted, unassembled kit version of their 1/60 VF-1S Valkyrie was released in 2010. This kit is targeted to collectors who are into customizing their Valkyrie collection. In 2009, Yamato Toys released their Valkyrie Battroid figures on their GN-U Dou line to compete with Kaiyodo's Revoltech figures. Despite being non-transformable, these figures boast exceptional articulation and poseability. In 2013, Yamato Toys was restructured into Arcadia. The company is in the process of reissuing their 1/60 VF-1 Valkyrie replicas.


Toynami

In 2002,
Toynami Toynami is an American toy company based in Van Nuys, California. Founded in 2000 by George Sohn, Toynami is primarily focused on anime licenses for specialty retailers and collectors in the North American market. The company's name is a portmante ...
released a ''
Robotech ''Robotech'' is a science fiction franchise that began with an 85-episode anime television series produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production and first released in the United States in 1985. The show was adapted from t ...
Masterpiece Collection'' range of products. Included in this range was a series of fully transformable VF-1 models in collector's packaging. Following the end of the ''Macross Saga'' of the Masterpiece Collection, Toynami released 1/100 scale VF-1 toys in 2006 that were marketed as ''Macross'' toys rather than ''Robotech'' toys. This lineup also included the ''Do You Remember Love?'' variants. These toys were released mainly for the North American market.


Kaiyodo

Kaiyodo is a Japanese company which manufactures action figures, figurines and garage kits. Its headquarters is in Kadoma, Osaka, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture.Revoltech is a Japanese company which manufactures figurines and garage kits. Its headquarters is in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture.会社概要 ...
line in 2006. Despite not being transformable, these figures boast extreme points of articulation and poseability. Transformable versions of the Revoltech VF-1 Valkyrie figures were released in early 2010. These figures are currently being offered in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
by
Harmony Gold USA Harmony Gold USA, Inc. was an American film and television production company. It was founded in 1983 by Egyptian-born Frank Agrama and is managed by his daughter, Jehan F. Agrama. In 1976, Agrama sold broadcast rights from Paramount Pictures t ...
through Robotech.com.


Model kits

During the run of the original ''Macross'' series, model kits of the VF-1 Valkyrie were released in Japan by Arii, Imai, and Nichimo. Most of these were non-transformable and required glue and paint to assemble, but variable types were also released in 1/100 and 1/72 scale. These transformed into all three modes, but required swapping the front fuselage for Battroid mode. Many of these kits were imported into the U.S. by
Revell Revell GmbH is an American-origin manufacturer of plastic scale models, currently based in Bünde. The original Revell company merged with Monogram in 1986, becoming "Revell-Monogram". The business operated until 2007, when American Revell was ...
under the ''
Robotech Defenders The Robotech Defenders are a line of scale model kits released by Revell during the early 1980s with an accompanying limited comic series published by DC Comics. Contrary to what their name seems to imply, the "'Robotech Defenders'" are not part ...
'' line. When Imai went out of business, the molds of their ''Macross'' model kits were acquired by Bandai, who reissued the kits throughout the 1990s. In 1999, Arii released the 1/24 scale VF-1S Valkyrie fighter kit, which is the largest scale replica of the Valkyrie to date. In 2001, Big West commissioned Hasegawa Corporation to manufacture new 1/72 model kits of the VF-1. As Hasegawa's products are geared towards more experienced modelers, their Valkyrie kits are very accurately detailed. Since the VF-1, Hasegawa has released kits of variable fighters from most of the other Macross series as well. In 2013, Bandai released an all-new 1/72 scale transforming kit of the VF-1 Valkyrie to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ''Macross''. Unlike previous transforming kits, this model is capable of perfect transformation without the need of swapping parts. In addition, the transformation to Battroid mode utilizes retractable actuators that are accurate to the original line art.


Legacy

Since the release of the original ''Macross'' series, the VF-1 Valkyrie has become one of the most popular and well-known mecha among anime and science fiction fans. Its design and three modes influenced those of transformable fighter aircraft from other anime and media, such as: * The Armo-Fighter AFC-01 Legioss (VFA-6 Alpha Fighter in ''Robotech'') in ''
Genesis Climber MOSPEADA (literally "Armored Genesis MOSPEADA") is an anime science fiction series created by Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma. The 25-episode television series ran from late 1983 to early 1984 in Japan. MOSPEADA stands for Military Operation Soldie ...
'' * The original
Jetfire Jetfire is the name of several character (arts), fictional characters from the ''Transformers'' franchise. He is almost always depicted as an Autobot with flight capabilities and a jet or space shuttle as an alternate mode. In some continuities he ...
model in the original ''
Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, suc ...
'' toyline is a VF-1S Super Valkyrie *
Starscream Starscream is a fictional character in the ''Transformers'' media franchise. He is one of the most frequently occurring characters in the franchise, appearing in almost all of its different continuities. Starscream in generally depicted as the s ...
in ''
Transformers Animated ''Transformers: Animated'' is an American superhero animated television series based on the ''Transformers'' toy line. It was produced by Cartoon Network Studios and Hasbro Entertainment and animated by The Answer Studio, Mook Animation, and S ...
'' * The playable character in ''
Herzog Zwei (, German language, German for "''Herzog, Duke Two''") is a real-time strategy video game developed by Technosoft and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis. An early real-time strategy game, it predates the genre-popularizing ''Dune II''. ...
'' * The X-Tornado in ''
Sonic X is a Japanese anime television series based on Sega's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' video game series. Produced by TMS Entertainment under partnership with Sega and Sonic Team, and directed by Hajime Kamegaki, ''Sonic X'' initially ran for 52 epis ...
'' * The Empire of the Rising Sun's Mecha Tengu/Jet Tengu in '' Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3'' * The Type Yi fighters in ''
Astro Plan ''Astro Plan'', known in China as ''Space Adventures'' () and informally in Japan as , is a science fiction mecha animated series created by Guangzhou-based toy firm Xing Yuan. Hailed as "China's first sci-fi animation", the series premiered on Chi ...
'' * The Viking in '' StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty'' * The Stinger, Wasp, and Phoenix Hawk Land-Air Battlemechs (LAMs) in ''
BattleTech ''BattleTech'' is a wargaming and military science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2001, which was in turn acquired by Topps in 2003; and published since 2007 by Catalyst Game Labs. The trademark ...
'' * The Imponte Deluxo from ''
Grand Theft Auto Online ''Grand Theft Auto Online'' is an online multiplayer action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 1 October 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, 18 November 2014 for PlayStation 4 and Xbo ...
'', based on a DeLorean which can transform into a flying car and equipped with weaponry. Because of its popularity, all of the VF-1's successors in the ''Macross'' universe are commonly referred to as "Valkyries" rather than "Variable Fighters".


See also

*''
Space Gundam V ''Space Gundam V'' (스페이스 간담브이) (sometimes spelled ''Space Gandam V'') is a South Korean animated film directed by Kim Cheong-gi, released on July 21, 1983. Despite its title, the series is not related to ''Mobile Suit Gundam''. I ...
'' - A
Korean Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula * Korean cuisine * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl **Korean dialects and the Jeju language ** ...
animated series featuring the VF-1J Valkyrie.


References


External links


VF-1 Entry
A website profiling the fictional vehicles of the Macross series {{DEFAULTSORT:VF-01 Valkyrie Fictional aircraft Fictional mecha Fictional spacecraft Macross Robotech