Stupid gimmick !!!??? that´s an outrageously stupid assumption, how do you expect Ivanov to localize Fokker´s VF-0 and shoot him down without giving away his possition by exposing the whole of the mecha and being shot at ? specially when all the sensors are located in the head unit ? that would be plainly stupid if you ask me...furthermore , the SV-51s featured in EP.2 were adapted for underwater take off and in that situation a telescopic head unit is very handy , particularly when the pilot is unable to see beyond a few meters underwater , let alone beyond the surface of the water
i actually thought it was a great design feature of the -51, for that very reason, but i didnt expect for that head to extend that far above the valk.