DONE @ p.2 +++ 1:100 VF-1J+ Valkyrie with dazzle camouflage

Dizzyfugu · September 16, 2017, 04:20:37 AM

Finishing touches to the ordnance - painting a dozen of these tiny AAMs is a PITA... $:-\$

nighthunter · September 17, 2017, 12:29:19 AM

This is a thing of beauty!

Dizzyfugu · September 17, 2017, 09:47:43 AM

Thank you!

But now it's time for "pics in action"! Here she is, a 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, 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).

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The space-capable 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.

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the "Plus" MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1's successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

General characteristics:
Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid
Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force
Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat
Dimensions:
Fighter Mode:
- Length 14.23 meters
- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)
- Height 3.84 meters
Battroid Mode:
- Height 12.68 meters
- Width 7.3 meters
- Length 4.0 meters
Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons
Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons
MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

Powerplant:
2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,
output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)
4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse
vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,
1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)
18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

Performance:
Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h
Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87
g limit: in space +7
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

Design features:
3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

Transformation:
Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.
Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

Armament:
1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute
1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min
4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including
- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or
- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or
- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or
- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,
or a combination of above load-outs

Optional Armament:
Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or
Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1J+ (Block 4 Update) Valkyrie; "ZA 248" of the U.N.S. Air Force SVFT-685 "Gyrfalcons" aggressor squadron; New Edwards Air Base, Eden; 2027 (modified ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

DogfighterZen · September 17, 2017, 05:00:20 PM

That scheme looks very good!

Dizzyfugu · September 17, 2017, 11:54:19 PM

Thanks a lot!

Old Wombat · September 18, 2017, 02:16:52 AM

Looks very good, indeed!

sykotik · September 18, 2017, 05:39:26 AM

yeah those colours work beautifully together and the splinter scheme is fantastic. Really nicely done

Dizzyfugu · September 18, 2017, 10:15:25 AM

Thanks a lot, too, glad you like it!

NARSES2 · September 19, 2017, 01:05:50 AM

Quote from: sykotik on September 18, 2017, 05:39:26 AM
yeah those colours work beautifully together and the splinter scheme is fantastic. Really nicely done

Certainly has a look about her

zenrat · September 19, 2017, 03:01:25 AM

Fantastic paintjob Dizz. Even if the yellow decals look, in some pics, like strips of masking tape you've forgotten to remove.

Dizzyfugu · September 19, 2017, 03:35:52 AM

Yes, the contrast is not great. The only other options would have been black or white, and these would not have worked at all - and I did not want to add an opaque background in the form of a trim stripe. Only 2nd best solution, but it's O.K. because the yellow does not stand out too much from the camouflage - and for a more balance look I added yellow stencils here and there, so that everything matches, somehow...