Can The Vf-14 And Va-14 Be Considered As

[Phalanx]

I just thought about the designs of the VF-14 Hunter and the VA-14 Vampire and that made me wonder as to if the VA-14 can be called an atmospheric variant and the VF-14 be called a space variant.? I'm fully aware of the fact that the VA-14 is a Zentraedi version of the original VF-14, both variants have transatmospheric capabilities, and that SK never officialy declared one or the other as being atmospheric or space optimized, but I have reasonable doubt to believe that the VA-14 can be considered an atmospheric variant based on it's design aesthetics compared to the VF-14. What's your thoughts on this?

[Radd]

As far as I know, the VA-14 has never been seen. There is no official linework of it. What is commonly called the VA-14 lineart is actually an early version of the VF-14 that was used in Macross 7, only to be redesigned by Kawamori later to appear in M3.

At least, that's my understanding of the issue.

[azrael]

No we really can't consider that. The VA-14's design may allow it to be a much better fighter in atmosphere, but since both planes are all-environment, then it doesn't work to call it an "atmospheric variant".

As far as I know, the VA-14 has never been seen. There is no official linework of it. What is commonly called the VA-14 lineart is actually an early version of the VF-14 that was used in Macross 7, ...

Also the early lineart for the VF-14 does have a few flaws which would classify it as a VF-14. The silhouete of the VA-14 is closer to the Az-130 Panzerzorene.

http://macross.anime.net/mecha/united_nati...va14/index.html

http://macross.anime.net/mecha/varauta/var...z130/index.html

[Nied]

While the Macross 7 P*L*U*S* version is often generally accepted as the VA-14 as the link azreal posted points out it hasn't officially been accepted into canon as such (though frankly I like it a lot better than the M3 version).

Given it's VA designation it would appear that the VA-14 is an attack optimized variant of the VF-14 rather than one optimized for atmospheric operations.

[Phalanx]

Now that I think about it Nied, you're right because the VA-14 has laser cannons in place of where the missle launcher's are on the VF-14 which makes it optimized for various attacks. Also due to the VF's lighter size that makes it more maneuverable than the VF-14 which is optimized for heavy assault and bombing missions, so the run down is this:

VA-14: Lightweight Fighter/Attacker/Bomber Zentraedi Version

VF-14: Heavyweight Heavy Duty Fighter/Bomber Standard U.N Spacy Version

[Nied]

Now that I think about it Nied, you're right because the VA-14 has laser cannons in place of where the missle launcher's are on the VF-14 which makes it optimized for various attacks. Also due to the VF's lighter size that makes it more maneuverable than the VF-14 which is optimized for heavy assault and bombing missions, so the run down is this:

VA-14: Lightweight Fighter/Attacker/Bomber Zentraedi Version

VF-14: Heavyweight Heavy Duty Fighter/Bomber Standard U.N Spacy Version

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Actually the VA-14 is described as being heavier than the VF-14. I think the run down is closer to:

VF-14: Heavy long range escort/interceptor with a secondary attack role

VA-14: Heavier attack/bomber optimized for Zentradi tactics.

I imagine that the VA-14 has a wing design similar to the large almost straight wings of the Az-130, which would give it very low wing loading, which is good for carrying a large load of bombs. Drop those bombs however and coulple that wing with the VA-14's more powerful engines and you also have a recipe for a very maneuverable fighter (low wing loading+powerful engines=good turning rate).

[Graham]

The name 'Hunter' is not canon either.

Graham