1:100 VF-1A "Valkyrie", "NE 114" of SVF-65 "Blue Knights", 2010

[Dizzyfugu]

Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (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. Its production was preceded 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).

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 remained 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, though.

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.


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) and its success was increased by continued development of various enhancements including the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie, FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie and the additional RÖ-X2 heavy cannon pack weapon system for the VF-1S for additional firepower.
The FAST Pack system was designed to enhance the VF-1 Valkyrie variable fighter, and the initial V1.0 came in the form of conformal pallets that could be attached to the fighter's leg flanks for additional fuel – primarily for Long Range Interdiction tasks in atmospheric environment. Later FAST Packs were designed for space operations.

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would be replaced in 2020 as the primary Variable Fighter of the U.N. Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.
The versatile aircraft also underwent constant upgrade programs. For instance, about a third of all VF-1 Valkyries were upgraded with Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems from 2016 onwards, placed in a streamlined fairing on the upper side of the nose, just in front of the cockpit. This system allowed for long-range search and track modes, freeing the pilot from the need to give away his position with active radar emissions, and it could also be used for target illumination and guiding precision weapons.
Many Valkyries also received improved radar warning systems, with receivers, depending on the systems, mounted on the wing-tips, on the fins and/or on the LERXs. Improved ECR measures were also mounted on some machines, typically in conformal fairings on the flanks of the legs/engine pods.


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (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 VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters with 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 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!



General characteristics:
All-environment variable fighter and tactical combat Battroid,
used by 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 (at 20° minimum sweep)
  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

Power Plant:
2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2001 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, 1 x 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.
Min. 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 RPG, 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 15 x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,
or a combination of above load-outs



The kit and its assembly:
Well, once in a while I dig one of these vintage ARII kits out of the mecha pile and let the spirits flow. This time it was a distraction from Corona cabin fever, and this Valkyrie is heavily based on a profile drawing published in the Macross source book "Variable Fighter Master File VF-1 Valkyrie", p. 122; an online version of this profile can be found here:

http://mechajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2010-1-SVF-65-100.jpg

It shows aircraft "100", though, the machine of SVF-65's squadron leader, a VF-1 in an all-light blue livery with blue and white trim and some exotic details like a blue canopy frame or a yellow buzz number. I always found this scheme quite attractive, so I decided to replicate it with a model.
However, I was not able to 100% copy the look of "NE 100", so I rather decided to build a standard fighter from this unit, with a slightly less flashy livery but still as close to the benchmark as possible.

Concerning the model, it's another vintage ARII VF-1, in this case a basic VF-1A. It was built OOB, with the landing gear retracted, a scratched wire display that sticks in the gun pod's rear end and holds the Valkyrie in flight, and the simple model received a few standard personal updates like a pilot figure and some blade antennae. The ordnance is strictly OOB.


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Painting and markings:
The basic colors are Humbrol 47 (Sea Blue) overall, with white (Revell 301, a very pure/cold tone) on nose and fins and dark blue (Humbrol 15, Midnight Blue) and medium blue (Humbrol 48, Mediterranean Blue) trim lines. As mentioned above, I tried to stay as close to the benchmark profile as possible, and this posed some challenges.
Painting was done, as usual, only with brushes. The trim on fins, legs and wings was created with paint and masking, while the cheatlines under the cockpit were "faked" with enamel paint on decal sheet, since masking would have been a messy affair in this section of the tiny model. The grey leading edges on wings and fins were done with decal material, too.


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:100 Stonewell/Bellcom VF-1A (Block 5) "Valkyrie"; aircraft "NE 114" of the U.N. Spacy SVF-65 "Blue Knights"; based on board of ARMD-05 UES "Akagi", early 2010 (ARII kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


After a black ink wash, very light post-shading was added. The decals and stencils come mostly from the OOB sheet, which turned out to be tough customers because it took them ages to detach from the carrier paper. The tactical codes were gathered from the scrap box: the "114"s come from a 1:72 Canadair Tutor trainer (their BuNo), the "NE" code on the fin with 3D effect was created from yellow and black single letters of the same size placed one above the other. The "SVF-65", "ARMD-5" and "AKAGI" tags were created at home with an ink jet printer and respective clear carrier film.
Finally, after some typical highlights with clear paint had been added, the small VF-1 was sealed with a semi-gloss acrylic varnish.



A small and quick interim project, realized in just a few days – most time passed while waiting for the gloss Humbrol enamels to cure properly. There are certainly better VF-1 kits, but I just love those simple vintage ARII models. Staying close to the benchmark profile was quite a challenge, but worked out fine, and the compromise of a "normal" fighter of the unit with slightly simplified markings turned out well. And it's certainly not the last Valkyrie of this kind to come...

[zenrat]

Looks good Dizz.  Nice colours.

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you!