| Sketchley's Translations Main Index | Macross Portal |
| By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.0 2015.10.15 |
| Great Mechanics 10: Macross Zero Feature |
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Chapter 3 News Flash!! The Destroid Series Appears On The South Seas' Island!!
Composition & Text: Ishii Makoto
The 3rd chapter of "Macross Zero" is scheduled to go on sale in November. Although it is a new century for the Macross series, which showed developments that struck the viewer dumbfounded in each instalment, we've caught the news that the Destroid Series appears in the next episode. We approach the riddle of the Destroids together with a story news flash for chapter 3 "The Pale Struggle To The Death".
The Anti-Aircraft Interception Destroid that's loaded aboard the carriers of the Unified Forces
The Anti-aircraft Interception Destroid was deployed to the Unified Forces registered carrier Asuka - the ship that Fokker and the others had boarded. The Tomahawk, Phalanx, and Defender, which had appeared in the original TV series, are the base Destroids [of the Cheyenne]. The head has roughly the same shape as the Tomahawk, and it is expected that it isn't an initial model of the Tomahawk - which is assumed to have existed in the setting and have been deployed in 2006 in the series. [The Cheyenne] is equipped with Anti-aircraft Gatling Guns on the arms, and Rocket Launchers on the shoulders.
Caption: Both arms are equipped with large anti-aircraft machine guns that have 6 barrels, however, their calibre is unknown. One can grasp that those anti-aircraft machine-guns are fairly large ones when compared to the Destroid. In addition to having a great rapid firing speed, it's thought that the destructive power of the large calibre guns is considerable. Large drum magazines are placed behind the elbow joints. Cartridges are ejected to the outside when the machine-guns fire.
Roller Dash Function
Wheels for high-speed movement are installed on the knee and ankle parts of the legs. Due to that, high-speed movement that lowers the Destroid's posture and rapid evasive action are possible, and it is possible for [the Cheyenne] to move like a highly mobile tank. Even in the animation, the Destroid is depicted moving in the scene where it intercepts the SV-51 by gliding on the deck. It is a new function of the Destroids that sweeps away the slow-witted image of the Destroids up until now.
A missile launching type also appears
The appearance of a [Cheyenne] type that is equipped with Large Missile Pods on both arms can be confirmed in part of the publicly released contents stage. It has an image close to that of the Phalanx that appeared in the TV series.
In chapter 3 "The Pale Struggle To The Death", the struggle intensifies between the Unified Forces and the Anti Unification Forces for the "Birdman", which forms the key to the Protoculture. As a result, the Anti Unification Forces carry out a fierce attack even on the carrier Asuka, in which the Skull squadron -led by Fokker and others- has boarded.
Thereupon, the Destroids -which play a role that's like a mobile gun battery- take an active part together with the VF-0. Even though the militants have mutually restrained the combat in the battles up to chapter 2, this time it expands into a large-scale battle that swallows up the islanders. The Destroids intercept the enemy aircraft with anti-aircraft fire from the deck, and in addition to that, they succeed in landing on the island to defend the islanders.
Even though the Destroids only had an impression like a slow-witted armament in the TV series when compared to the VF-1, the Destroids that appear this time are equipped with a roller-dash function in the legs, and despite having heavy armour, they are able to nimbly move. Also, their enemy search abilities are also high as they they are deployed with a radar dome on the shoulder, and both arms are equipped with Gatling guns that excel in firing quickly. They take the place of the VF-0, which cannot sortie in time for the raid by the Anti Unification Forces' SV-51, and they take an active part in the defence of the carrier Asuka. Due to the appearance of the Destroids, which overflow with tank-like charm, the story of the new series in Macross accelerates even more toward its the end.
Caption: The Sv-51 sortied from a submarine -which amounts to their mothership-, and attacked the Unified Forces fleet in a manner that took the fleet by surprise. Their aim was to capture the Protoculture "Bird Man", which had been stowed aboard the Asuka. The slow-to-react Unified Forces fleet was immediately at a disadvantage.
The Approaching Sv-51 Formation
Caption: Ivanov's and Nora's Sv-51 succeed in cutting their way through the Unified Forces' counterattack, and get close to the vicinity of the Asuka's deck. The two separate, and attempt to both inhibit the Unified Forces and infiltrate into the ship.
Caption: Fokker's VF-0 appears before Ivanov's fighter, which had attempted to infiltrate into the Asuka. An intense battle started in the limited space on the Asuka's deck.
Caption: Fokker fights alone against Ivanov and Nora, a pair of ace pilots. How does he fight against a pair of Sv-51 while defending the mothership? And, what is the way to conclusion of this battle?
The Battle On The Ship
Caption: The Unified Forces Fleet start an emergency scramble. Prior to the sortieing of the VF-0, the unmanned Ghost fighters takeoff. They have a different impression from the VF-0, due to their unique wing shape.
The VF-0 Take Off From The Ship
Caption: The VF-0 takeoff sequence is depicted for the first time in the series. They move to the deck by elevator from the lower level hangar, and are shot off the deck by a catapult. The scene enlivens the battle in the approaching twilight.
Caption: Shin and Nora, who share a deep fate, battle for the second time after chapter 1. To what extent will Shin's skills, which have been improved with practice, be used against Nora?
Chapter 3 gets the story going in a big way, and is fully loaded with noteworthy human drama and combat scenes.
Aries, who is searching for the connection between the enigmatic cells harvested from Mao's blood and the Mayan Island legends, has an interest in the shaman powers that Sara has, and the two women get acquainted with each other. However, in the meantime a fierce attack by the Anti Unification Forces -who are aiming at the "Bird Man" relic that the Asuka recovered- begins, and a large battle starts on the seas. Responding to the attack on the Asuka are the Destroids and Fokker's VF-0. The firing lines of both forces intersect on the twilight seas.
In what way are the Mayan Island legends - which the Unified Forces are fixated on - concerned with the Protoculture? Finally, the fight between the Unified Forces and the Anti Unification Forces -who are genuinely starting to move- swallows up the islanders, and tremendous wartime destruction scorches the tropical sky.
The story of "Macross Zero", which is composed of a total of 5 chapters, suddenly gets going in chapter 3. Work on it is currently in progress at a fast pitch, with the goal of releasing it in November.
From the newly acquired scenes, it's apparent that the anticipated mechanical depictions and the quality of the anime is greater than that in chapters 1 and 2, due to increased CG use that has a greater degree of perfection.
Also, Destroids and an Armoured type of Valkyrie appear, and twilight and underwater battles unfold. How do these new elements combine? Don't miss the November release!
Battroid Form
It has a form with a smarter impression overall compared to the VF-0. Even though it has a delicate image at first glance, it boasts of a hardiness greater than its appearance due to great engine output and being covered in heavy armour.
Anti-Unification Forces Variable Fighter SV-51
The trial manufactured experimental type of Variable Fighter that the Anti Unification Forces designed on the assumption of being used in actual combat. The experimental aircraft is an improvement compared to the Unified Forces VF-0, and such things as the airframe's stability and practicality are high. One can see that each part of the airframe boasts a high level of perfection, considering their operating situation.
Main Wing and Drop Tank
As the main wings don't have a stow-away function like the VF-0, they are left as-is spread out even when in Battroid. It is possible to mount drop tanks, which are combined with micro-missile launchers, on the underside of the wings.
Cockpit
The cockpit part is drawn into the torso. Due to that, the surrounding parts stand in for armour, and the safety of the pilot is ensured.
Dedicated Gun Pod
What amounts to the main armament of the SV-51 is the Gsh-371 55 mm Gun Pod. This large calibre firearm can load 120 shells, and the shells can pierce the armour of the VF-0, which is strengthened by Energy Conversion [Armour].
Lift Fan
The Lift Fan, which is used for vertical takeoff and landing when in Fighter, is located in the back when in Battroid. By using it, the SV-51 can also make high-speed movements forward, and it exhibites high-manoeuvrability even when in Battroid.
SV-51 Specs
Production Design: joint development of Sukhoi / Israel Aircraft Industries / Dornier
Length: 22.77 m
Empty Weight: 17,800 Kg
Engine: Aviadvigatel D-30 F 6 X Turbofan jet (102.5 kN, with afterburner 204.7 kN) x2; VTOL Fanjet x2 (operated as high-mobility jets in battroid form).
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.81 (11,000 m altitude)
Cruising Range: 1,910 km (when equipped with the standard Combined Micro-Missile Launcher & Drop Tanks Pods)
Ceiling: 22,500 m
Armament - Fixed Equipment: Mini-gun (Gsh-231 12.7 mm machine gun) x1
Standard Armament: 55 mm Gun-pod (Gsh-371 loaded with 120 shells) x1 (normally equipped with a spare magazine x1 at the rear of the fuselage),
Combined Micro-Missile Launcher & Drop Tanks Pods x2 (normally installed on 2 out of the 6 hardpoints under the main wings),
8x Turopov SA-19M I/IR guided Micro Missiles are stored in each pod
The SV-51 can be equipped with the majority of the former Warsaw Pact Forces' standard aircraft armaments.
Defensive Armaments: SPO-15C 360 degree Passive Radar Warning Reception System,
Chaff and Flare dispenser system (APP-60) x1,
Active Stealth System (RP-51), SWAG Energy Conversion Armour System (SW-51), and others.
Able to launch from within the sea: a few improved SV-51 airframes exist for launch and flight from within the sea from a submarine. It is possible to do the underwater launch from periscope depth to 30 m below the surface - after the SV-51 is shot out of the submarine by compressed air and advances into the air with a rocket motor, the SV-51 shifts to flight with a conventional turbojet engine. These airframes have been waterproofed, and in addition to being strengthened to resist pressure, other modifications include a folding mechanism in the wings so the SV-51 can fit in the compact launch dock inside the submarine.
Vectoring Nozzle
The main nozzles can be turned 90 downwards, and the SV-51 can do vertical take off and landing when the main nozzles are used together with the lift fans in the center of the airframe. Thanks to those mobile nozzles, the SV-51 also secures high manoeuvrability as-is in Fighter form.
Canard Wings
The canards adjust the airflow current, and they play a role in maintaining the aircraft's great stability when flying at high speed. As the base of the Canard Wings is movable, they produce an airflow current that's stable according to the flight posture.
Main Wings
In order for the wings to be movable, a hinge has been installed in the middle. Air resistance is reduced by moving the [outer part of the] wings down based on the hinge, and it enables a high-speed movement form that values movement speed.
Mini gun
The SV-51's fixed armament. A Gsh-231 12.7 mm machine gun is installed in the fuselage. As it is located in the front of the legs, it is able to be used in close-range combat even when in Battroid.
Lift Fan
Two fans are arranged in the center of the fuselage, and they even enable vertical takeoff and landing as is, in Fighter form.
GERWALK Form
The midway form between Fighter and Battroid. As it is a form that exhibits high manoeuvrability while using lifting power, it is possible to use the GERWALK form by adjusting to various situations from low altitude to high altitude.
Head Camera
The Head Camera in the rear of the fuselage can flexibly move due to an actuator when in GERWALK, and it can also play the role of a periscope.
Caption: In the 2nd chapter, the Head Camera was extended like a periscope and used from the shadows of a cliff.
The armaments that appear in the Macross series are designed based on thorough mechanical investigations. This section presents that sort of fascinating airframe. This time -which amounts to the first time-, we put the spotlight on and look at the Anti Unification Forces Variable Fighter SV-51, and the F-14 Tomcat that is used by the Unified Forces.
The SV-51 is active in the drama as the rival aircraft of the VF-0. The aircraft development staff of the former Soviet Union worked on the design of the aircraft, which the Anti Unification Forces independently developed for anti-alien use. The SV-51's performance exhibits abilities greater than that of the Sukhoi series, which were proud of their high manoeuvrability. The SV-51 has the drawback of a short cruising range, as it is equipped with a turbofan jet engine that is large when compared to the VF-0, in addition to being covered by heavy armour. Due to that, SV-51 operations are performed using the method of transporting the SV-51 by submarine to the very limits of the area of its intended use, and sortieing them from underwater. In contrast to the VF-0, which is an aircraft with high air-superiority abilities that was premised on being carrier operated, the SV-51 may be called an aircraft that is strong with elements for combat in a limited area.
The Anti Unification Forces don't seem to have been able to resolve the shortness of the SV-51's cruising range, which was the greatest weakness from using jet engines, as the SV-51 was originally premised to be equipped with Thermonuclear Turbine Engines that are close to being implemented from technology that was brought by aliens. When the SV-51 is equipped with the Thermonuclear Turbine Engines that enable flight without refuelling in an atmosphere due to the influx of air, the SV-51 becomes an aircraft that embodies its original architecture.
Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat Specs
Length: 19.1 m
Height: 4.88 m
Width: 11.65 m (swept), 19.54 (unswept)
Wing Area: 52.5 m2 (unswept)
Empty Weight: 18,951 kg
Maximum Weight: 33,724 kg
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.34 (at high altitude)
Ceiling: 16,150 m
Cruising Range: 3,213 km
Engine: GE F-110-GE-400 Turbofan (6,350 kg x2)
Crew Number: 2
Production Aircraft Number: 575
Armament: 20 mm Machine-gun x1, possibility of loading [up to] 6,577 kg of armaments
Prototype's First Flight: December, 1970
The birth of the F-14 Tomcat accompanied the advancement of fighter missile technology, and its development started in the latter half of the 1960's as a next generation fighter that could be put to use in various roles. The F-14 was required to have enhanced fleet air-defence abilities, which were acquired from the F-4 Phantom II, the former ship-board fighter. That is to say, the F-14 had to have both the ability to protect the anti-ship attack forces that mobilized at the same time as it, and air superiority abilities. In addition, the F-14 had placed upon it the extravagant demand of having an extensive action radius by being able to operate long-range missiles.
The F-14 employed swing-wings as it was created as the successor craft to the F-4 -which was premised on operations on aircraft carriers-, and as it was necessary for the F-14 to have a steady operability at high and low speeds, and a great loading capacity.
While the F-14 has an airframe that is larger than usual, it was possible to operate it in the limited space aboard a warship by folding up its wings. Also, by having a pulse-Doppler radar with a wide search range installed, the F-14 had the ability to operate the 200 km shooting-range Phoenix radar-homing missiles. Furthermore, due to the variable wings, it demonstrated a great dog-fighting ability. As the F-14 can take an active part at both long and short ranges, it naturally became an ideal fighter. However, its production cost was high as it has a complicated swing-wing mechanism, and it practically wasn't operated outside of the United States.
In the real world, after 30 years passed since the start of operations, the F-14 was retired from military service. However, as the world of Macross diverges from the real world with the obtainment of alien technology in 1999, the F-14 walks along a somewhat different road than it does in reality.
The setting of "Macross Zero" is 2007. F-14 Tomcats, which have had modernization improvements on such things as their avionics (aviation electronics), are carried aboard Unified Forces aircraft carriers as aircraft on active duty. It seems that the point in that setting is that the Unification Forces and the Anti-Unification Forces are maintaining a military relationship that is a present-day extension of the East-West Cold War.
In the real world, the production of the F-14 has ended, and the background of its retirement from active service is caught in the change of strategic ideology. The East-West Cold War has ended, and the possibility of battles among fleets on the sea has fallen. More than fleet defence, the role of ship-borne fighters has often been to be operated as anti-ground and anti-air attack craft when the fleet has gotten as close as it can to regions where disputes have occurred. For that reason, the F-14, which excels in fleet defensive capabilities, had nowhere to go.
On the other hand, in "Macross Zero", the era in which fleet defence duties are essential continues. As a result, the F-14 has also undergone a modernization improvement and continues to take an active role. Also, according to one theory, even the F-14 has incorporated some of the alien Over Technology. It's said that a further boost in the F-14's performance was attempted with the introduction of Over Technology.