About the Macross Chronicle

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Technology 010: Variable Fighter: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtechnology/01oVariableFighter.php

- maybe it should be subtitled "and this is what really happened to the VF-19/22"?

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Worldguide 04A: Earth Unified Government: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRworldguide/04aEarthUnifiedGovernment.php

- some interesting things, alas nothing on the rebranding of the Unified Forces that occurred between VF-X2 and MF. Maybe the B sheet will have something on it? Or maybe it's only a real world thing (creative or legal)?

Edited April 22, 2013 by sketchley

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Worldguide 04B: Earth Unified Government: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRworldguide/04bEarthUnifiedGovernment.php

- this one is all about the Unified Forces. AND it does explain the re-branding from "Unified Forces" to "New Unified Forces", though not very precisely. (I'd define it as a loss of political power in line with returning it to an armed force under civilian control - the caveat being each Emigration Fleet's civilians, and not mankind as a whole).

[Murphy]

I'm confused, So are they saying that the designs yf-19/vf-19 was too advance to send out to the emigration fleets due to fear of overpowering the main new united forces on earth yet the yf-24/vf -25 designs was ok to send out?

[sketchley]

I'm confused, So are they saying that the designs yf-19/vf-19 was too advance to send out to the emigration fleets due to fear of overpowering the main new united forces on earth yet the yf-24/vf -25 designs was ok to send out?

The pages on their own are a bit vague, but if you include information from other sources, it begins to make a bit more sense (but there is one overriding thing that we all cannot forget: each show essentially rewrites the universe. In this case, the VF-19 was supposed to be the next main fighter, but because it looked too similar to the VF-25, Kawamori-san thought the VF-171 would be much more visually distinct. The changes to the adoption (or lack thereof) of the VF-19 and VF-22 were created later. Thus Macross F rewrote Macross Plus/7).

Late 2040's:

The VF-19 (and its derivatives) and the VF-22 were disseminated to fleets, but the main factor that stopped their mass adoption was cost (this is something new to me. Not saying that it hasn't been mentioned before, but its the first time I've come across that reason).

Early 2050's:

The unmanned Ghosts were jointly deployed with the VF-171.

The Vajra are encountered and development begins on the YF-24.

Mid-2050's:

The YF-24 Evolution succeeds in implementing ISC and functionality reduced versions of the technology are sent to the Emigration Fleets.

The Frontier Fleet develops EX-Gear, and the Galaxy Fleet develops Cyber-grunts to compensate for the lower performance ISC/YF-24 technology received from Earth.

2059:

The VF-25 and VF-27 are completed. Both have manoeuvrability performance similar to Earth's YF-24 (pending on your source, the Super Pack equipped VF-25 and VF-27 have similar performance, only the VF-27 has similar performance, or they both have lower performance than the YF-24).

Edited April 22, 2013 by sketchley

[azrael]

Late 2040's:

The VF-19 (and its derivatives) and the VF-22 were disseminated to fleets, but the main factor that stopped their mass adoption was cost (this is something new to me. Not saying that it hasn't been mentioned before, but its the first time I've come across that reason).

Going back to the 1st print of the Chronicle, the article on the YF-24 may shed light on why it became costly (they may reprint this section later). The VF-19/VF-22 would occasionally operate in high-G instances. Very few pilots would be able to attempt those cases so they had to work on a solution to "dumb it down" for every pilot. They couldn't find a solution to fit these 2 fighters and they probably ended up spending a lot more money to "fix" a brand new toy after they just got it. Because money was an issue, they cut back deployment.

The article did mention that the UN heads were also not very happy that the YF-19 broke through Earth's defenses during the "Sharon Apple Incident". So that was a reason. The article also mentioned that UAVs also out-performed manned-aircraft by a landslide but that the heads didn't really like the idea of an AI like Sharon running around, unleashed. And we all know how much cheaper it was to roll out UAVs.

[Graham]

Late 2040's:

The VF-19 (and its derivatives) and the VF-22 were disseminated to fleets, but the main factor that stopped their mass adoption was cost (this is something new to me. Not saying that it hasn't been mentioned before, but its the first time I've come across that reason).

Can't be cost, just give the blueprints and a few junk parts to Aisha and she'll hammer you out a VF-19 or VF-22 in seconds :P

Graham

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Episode: 708A: Macross 7 Eps. 8 "Virgin Bomber": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/708ABeps8.php

- Mylene's fashion parade, gets a Topics? Nevertheless, the sheet provides a bit more insight on some of the cultural significant things that may be lost on non-Japanese viewers.

Episode: F05A: Macross F Eps. 5 "Star Date": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/F05ABeps5.php

- Interesting that the dialogue also mirrors that of the earlier series...

[TehPW]

i have to ask about each emigration fleet's VF assets... does each & every fleet upgrade and replace their currently used model of VF, when they recieve the data for newer models of Fighters or Technology? are there some fleets (the surviving ones) that are still active & mobile that use older model of VFs, compared to recently launched fleets that probably use the most currently advanced models?

[sketchley]

i have to ask about each emigration fleet's VF assets... does each & every fleet upgrade and replace their currently used model of VF, when they recieve the data for newer models of Fighters or Technology? are there some fleets (the surviving ones) that are still active & mobile that use older model of VFs, compared to recently launched fleets that probably use the most currently advanced models?

As such information hasn't been made available in Japanese, there's no way to answer that.

From anecdotal information we can glean some answers:

- old VFs are still used AND produced in limited runs (VA-3M in the Galaxy Fleet, VF-1X++ in the Frontier Fleet)

- old VFs are only replaced when a) the performance of a newer model is needed and b) when there are the finances to back that replacement up (although the 7 Fleet had the VF-17, they produced not more than 5, despite it being newer and better than the VF-11. And lets not get started on the VF-19 (not more than 5) and the VF-22 (not more than 4), DESPITE the clear need for them in the face of the Protodevilun threat!

- the older VFs are continuously updated with the latest technological developments (akin to what happens in the real world). They may not be cutting edge, but their specs are definitely more advanced than when they rolled off the production line.

Also, to keep things in perspective:

The F-15 was introduced in 1972. Its slated to be operated until 2025 by the USAF (and that's despite the introduction of the F-22).

The B-52 was introduced in 1955. Its slated to be operated into the 2040s (despite the introduction of more advanced craft such as the B-1 and B-2).

If a real world 4th generation fighter can have a service length of 50 years and a bomber with one of 85 years, it's no stretch of the imagination that a fictional 3rd generation VF could still be used 30 years after its introduction (referring to the VF-11 here).

Edited April 23, 2013 by sketchley

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Timeline 11A: Kamjin's Raids: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtimeline/Timeline11A.php

- slapped up in PHP with some tweaks and notes on the changes with the revised edition.

Drat... also finished proofreading the EX-Gear sheet. No time to php-ize it before work. >.<

[nexxstrait]

Issue 17 cover, and it's a gorgeous new one again!

[jvmacross]

Wow...that is an impressive one...and looks like they cover the VF-4G from Yamato.......another must have issue!

[sketchley]

Complete:

Mechanic: F SMS 08A: EX-Gear (Extender Gear): http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/Fsms08aEXGear.php

- cleaned up the translation (revised some terms, proofread, etc), and surprise, surprise, I actually missed a caption the first time through (yew-gawds). On the flip side, it means there's new content

The best way to summarize the sheet is in 2 words: Sports EX-Gear.

Edited April 24, 2013 by sketchley

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Character: M UN 07A Bruno J. Global: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRcharacter/MUN07aBrunoJGlobal.php

- most appreciated is a summary of hid activities after the end of the Interstellar War. Wish there was more...

Character: TF Citizen 02B Sheryl Nome: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRcharacter/TFcit02bSherylNome.php

- the description of the concert ticket is eyebrow raising. There really is that much detail in the movie.

History: F 02A: Vajra Raid: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRhistory/F02aVajraRaid.php

- so that's what *really* happened during the first 3 episode arc. Anyhow, the description of Frontier's political system is a gem.

[Tochiro]

Some images from issue 15:

[sketchley]

Complete!

Technology 01I: Variable Fighter (Escape Systems): http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtechnology/01iVariableFighter.php

- I was only planning on doing the Extra Reports/Related matters, but the descriptions of the systems just turned out to be really interesting (not to mention relatively easy to translate ). There's lots of nuggets of information on the various escape systems which, as far as memory serves, haven't been mentioned before.

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Episode: Zero 02A: Macross Zero Chapter 2 "The Star on the Ground": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/Zero02ABeps02.php

- hmmm, is it just me or do the writers not have very much to say about Macross Zero?

Episode: D701A: Macross Dynamite 7 Volume. 1 "Drifting -wonder-": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/D701ABeps01.php

- compared to the Zero sheets, the MC writers are M7 fans. Anyhow, some of the info is noteworthy, but overall, I didn't find the sheet as informative as the ones on SDFM, M7 or MF...

[sketchley]

Complete!

Technology 09A: Reaction Weapons: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtechnology/09aReactionWeapons.php

- quite loaded with goodies. Although I'd like a bit more on their technical aspects, that's more than balanced out with such things as their usage requirements and exception clauses.

I'm also relieved to finally be finished with the sheet. I've been working on it off and on for 3 weeks!

Edited April 30, 2013 by sketchley

[Graham]

I find that very interesting, especially the explanation of why the Zentradi don't have reaction weapons and also that reaction weapons don't produce residual radiation.

Graham

[sketchley]

Complete (well, updated, cleaned up and slapped into php):

Mechanic: Plus UN 05A: Flying Wing: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/PLUSun05aFlyingWing.php

- alas, the revised edition didn't bother completing the investigation of the original writers...

ER/RM++ Project:

Mechanic: M UN 09A: ADR-04-MkX Defender: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/SDFMun09aADR04Defender.php

- massive revision of this sheet in the revised edition. Wish I had the time to complete it; but as there's a big pile of sheets in the to-do box and I feel like I've done the Defender before (Great Mechanics.DX, others)...

Character: F 00A "Macross F (Frontier)" Character Interrelation Chart/Triangle Timeline: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRcharacter/F00ACharacterInterrelation.php

- alas the extra report only regurgitates what one can already glean from the series if one is paying attention...

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Timeline 12A: The Miss Macross Contest: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtimeline/Timeline12A.php

- some tweaks in the revised edition (mostly clarifications), otherwise unchanged.

Recomplete:

Mechanic: D7 UN 01A VF-5000 Star Mirage: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/D7un01aVF-5000.php

- revised and heavily tweaked. Parts of it should make a bunch more sense now. Otherwise, unchanged.

[Tochiro]

Some images from Issue 16

[jvmacross]

Issue 18: http://deagostini.jp/mcr/backnumber.php?id=38469&issue=18

Wow!

Hey Arcadia....need a Macross Plus version!

Edited May 2, 2013 by jvmacross

[sketchley]

Hey... wait a second. We already got a painting of the VF-14 the first time around!

Sure, it wasn't that big and combined with the VF-9... does this mean that the VF-14 will get a proper sheet this time around?

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project Complete!:

Technology 17A: EX-Gear (Extender Gear): http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtechnology/17aEX-Gear.php

- As I was only planning on doing the extra reports, the fact that I completed it should testify how interesting I found the sheet!

The sheet goes a long way in rounding out the EX-Gear mechanic sheet. There are, of course, areas that need to be embellished further, but that's what the second sheet is for, eh?

Edited May 3, 2013 by sketchley

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Worldguide 06A: Military Manufacturers: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRworldguide/06aMilitaryManufacturers.php

- the parts that I did completely lived up to expectations. Dare I say that this is a custodial sheet and present only for the "completeness" it adds to the MC?

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Episode: 709A: Macross 7 Eps. 9 "Angel Night": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/709ABeps9.php

- interesting stuff. Not exactly stuff that can't be inferred, mind you.

Episode: II 01A: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II -Lovers Again- Episode 1 "Contact": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/II01ABeps1.php

- the editor's commentary is quite positive, isn't it? That said, there are a few gems (Seito, you still with us?) and the sheet finally provides an explanation for the wonky electrical discharges coming from the Macross.

Edited May 6, 2013 by sketchley

[sketchley]

Complete!

Heroine Gallery: Ranka Lee x YF-29 / Sheryl Nome: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRheroine/HeroineGalleryMF.php#RankaLeeYF-29

- Ranka looks alright (nothing to write home about), and Sheryl's "new" art looks like something straight from the 1st movie's publicity wagon... text is recycled, too.

Mechanic: TF SMS 02A: VF-25F/TW1 Tornado Valkyrie: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/TFsms02aVF25TornadoValkyrie.php

- finally able to get around to this sheet. I never liked the Tornado Valkyrie, but this sheet goes a long way in describing the limitations of the Tornado Pack. Still don't like it, but at least its quite a bit less munchkin than I first thought.

[sketchley]

Partial:

Timeline 13A: First Contact: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRtimeline/Timeline13A.php

- no major changes between the 2 versions...

Complete:

Character Zero AUA 03A: Anti Unification Alliance Soldiers: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRcharacter/ZeroAua03AauaSoldiers.php

- cleaned up and edited the translation, so it should be a bit more comprehensible. The "big" change in the 2 versions is the addition of the last names of the protagonists...

[Tochiro]

Some images from issue 17:

[jvmacross]

I was wondering if any of you guys who signed up for a subscription straight from DeAgostini could possibly shoot them an email and ask if any Arcadia 1/60 or 1/48 exclusives are in the pipeline?

[EXO]

that looks awesome!

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

Mechanic: SDFM UN 02A: VF-1J Valkyrie: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRmechanic/SDFMun02AVF-1J.php

- did some parts that caught my eye. Nothing really new in it, but I am finding it interesting that the revised edition is making a number of small amendments that essentially make the information a bit more specific (adding last names, dates when an indicated event occurs, etc.).

Worldguide 15A: Macross 7 Fleet: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRworldguide/15AMacross7Fleet.php

- related matter is fairly obvious to anyone who watched the series, however getting specific numbers for the fleet as well as a broader idea of the Stealth Frigate variations is nice.

[sketchley]

ER/RM++ Project:

History Zero 02A: The Struggle For The Birdman: http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRhistory/Zero02AStruggleForTheBirdman.php

- there's some stuff that does provide an interesting - and logical - in-universe explanation for what some deem "ret-cons".

Episode: M06A: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross Eps. 6 "Daedalus Attack": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/M06ABeps6.php

- pinpoint barrier girls and the Daedalus Attack. 'nuff said.

On top of that we also get the origin of the "Asteroid Cracker" that appeared in Macross The First. Nice!

Episode: 710A: Macross 7 Eps. 10 "Deep Ballad": http://sketchleystats.webatu.com/Trans/MCRepisode/710ABeps10.php

- not sure if the MP dude was worthy of a paragraph, but the stuff on the Pink Pecker Force is gold.