| Sketchley's Translations Main Index | Macross Portal |
| By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.0 2013.05.01 |
| Mechanic: D7 UN 01A VF-5000 Star Mirage |
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VF-5000 Star Mirage: Shinsei Industry's First Variable Fighter, Which Defends Planet Zola's Sky.
Aircraft Explanation:
The VF-5000, referred to by the pet name Star Mirage, is a Variable Fighter made by Shinsei Industry. It is designed based on the VF-1 Valkyrie with Zentraadi technology adopted into it. The VF-5000 acquired a comparatively favourable performance by adding improvements to the design of the masterpiece VF-1 with a low production cost. It was operated from the latter half of the 2020's as the main fighter of the Unified Forces, after replacing the VF-4 Lightning III in that role. However, because the VF-5000 wasn't able to rid itself of the existing VF design concepts, it was often removed from the front-lines with the appearance of the VF-11 Thunderbolt in 2030. That said, even around 2047, the VF-5000 continued to be operated in remote regions, such as Planet Zola and so on, because of its great cost performance.
Data:
Attached To: the Unified Forces
Length: 14.03 m
Height: under investigation
Empty Weight: 8,300 kg
Engine: Shinsei / P&W / Royce FF-2015 Thermonuclear Turbine Engine x2
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.85+
Cruising Range: infinite
Standard Armament: Anti-Air Pulse Laser Gun x1, Gun Pod x1, Micro-missile Launcher Pod x1, Others.
* Data is when in fighter mode
Size Comparison:
VF-1J
VF-5000
Development Genealogy Chart:
VF-4 > VF-5000 > VF-11
Main Pilots:
Patrol Corps Leader*, Liza Hoilly
* Translator's note: added in the revised edition.
Caption: The setting of the VF-5000 that is assigned to the Zola's Galactic Patrol Corps is to pursue the maintenance of public order, and it also undertook the arrest of the group that carried off VFs and poached Galactic Whales.
Caption: Although they were armaments of a frontier planet, one could say that the Galactic Patrol Corps maintained enough equipment to perfectly demonstrate this aircraft's performance.
Standard Equipment
Anti-Air Pulse Laser Gun:
A single anti-air self-defence pulse laser gun is installed on the top of the head. The structure of the head unit of the two-seater T-G model (right illustration) differs greatly and it also has two laser guns.
Up: G model (left), T-G model (right)
Shock Gun Pod:
The aircraft of planet Zola's Patrol Corps are equipped with a unique armament referred to as a shock gun pod. This is a weapon that deprives the targets freedom of movement with adhesive bullets, though a degree of damage is also expected from the shock of impact. Its shape resembles that of the VF-1's gun pod, it has an aiming sensor on the top of the tip of the gun barrel, and the tail fin becomes a straightening vane in Fighter form.
Cockpit:
Even though the cockpit structure hasn't greatly changed from that of the VF-1, it is designed so the pilot has a great field of view with a frame-less canopy and a higher seat position. Also, consideration of the VF-5000's operability can be seen with such things as a canopy projected HUD (Head's Up Display) and the seat's 30 inclination toward the rear.
Left: Ejection seat (front)
Up: Throttle Lever
Up: Ejection seat (rear) & side stick
Up: Control Stick
Fighter Mode:
By having a blended-wing body structure, the fighter form of the VF-5000 features an improvement in its aerodynamic characteristics within the atmosphere and enhanced stealthiness by heavily using a lot of straight-lined flat surfaces (a stealth coating that suppressed radar reflections was also used at the same time). Moreover, the VF-5000 has a swing-wing mechanism and one can surmise that the aircraft makes the best use of the VF-1's design.
Caption: The thigh's balloon shell is a special resin rescue catcher and it functions by wrapping around the target and protecting it. In addition, it is also possible to use it as a restraint.
Right: Even though the VF-5000 is a developed type of VF-1, the exterior's impression differs depending on its characteristic colouring. In addition, the emblem on the left main wing and behind the cockpit is the emblem of the Planet Zola's Galactic Patrol Corps.
Down: The VF-5000 has fluid controlled turning nozzles and a sensor system. In addition, the intakes in the underside of the aircraft close and store propellant internally when used in outer space.
Left: The engines each have a 12,500 kg output and P&W HMM-3A are used as the vernier thrusters. Also, at altitudes of 30,000 m or higher, the VF-5000 boasts a maximum speed of more than Mach 4.73.
Caption: As Zola was originally a tranquil emigrant planet, the Patrol Corps undertook few large-scale above ground missions using VFs. For that reason, the GERWALK form was limited only to such things as landings.
Caption: As the operation of the fighter in high-manoeuvrability combat and the battroid in close combat is clearly distinct, there were a lot of cases were GERWALK was the form midway through the transformation between the other two forms.
Left: Even though the illustration on the left is the GERWALK form of the T-G model, its structure is completely the same as the other VF-5000 models. Also, when it's equipped with the Dimensional Resonance Speaker Units, the rotational air-resistance is abated.
Down: Even though the functions of GERWALK form correspond to those of the VF-1, the transformation mechanism is more complex. Such differences can be seen in such places as the structure of the arms.
Down: In the rear view of the GERWALK form, the back nozzle block of the Battroid form can be confirmed. Also from this view, one can understand some of the transformation mechanisms that have been improved upon from the VF-1.
Battroid Mode
The gist of the VF-5000's following of the VF-1's design can be understood from the impressions left on the externals of the Battroid form by the VF-1. However, by incorporating the characteristic double-layered structure of the lower arm that the vertical stabilizers insert into and the internal micro-missile pods have led to an improvement in operability. Also, as the main mission of Planet Zola's Galactic Patrol Corps is the restraint of criminals, which differs from the armed forces, it seems like it's possible to say that the Battroid form was an exceedingly useful form, as it is suitable for such things as dis-empowering and arresting targets.
Caption: As this VF was mostly used in cases with the Galactic Whale Poaching Group, which were rampant on Zola, it was necessary for the Patrol Corps to also use the Battroid form to obstruct the Poaching Group.
Caption: The Patrol Corps strictly observed tactics that guaranteed that the criminals continued to live. For that reason, close-combat was often carried out in Battroid form, which made use of the Shock Gun Pod.
Caption: Even though the G model that the Patrol Corps operated was also equipped with micro-missile pods, the missiles they used were the shock-shell type, and even though their power was low, they had a great guidance ability.
Down: A total of 4 micro-missile pods are built into the lower part of the arms and the exterior of the legs. Also, in order to improve stealthiness, such things as the joints and connections are arranged with straight-line designs.
Up: The G model's commander specification aircraft features smaller face-plate goggles. The Fighter form's vertical stabilizers can be seen in the bottom of the lower arms. The tails that fold up when transforming are constructed so that they slip into the partition in the lower arms.