VF-171 weapons loadout vs. VF-17

[twich]

Okay, so I was looking at Macross Mecha manual then Macross compendium and both sites list the VF-171/VF-171EX as have either 2 sets of laser weapons(VF-171) or laser/ 30mm heavy machine gun, but if I recall, doesn't the VF-17 have the dual barrel arm lasers, the chest cannon lasers, then the head turret lasers. Both versions of the VF-171 seem to have all the same weapons as well, but only two sets of weapons listed. I searched on the forum and couldn't find the answer. Did the VF-171's lose a set of weapons? Or are they just not listed? I am kinds confused. I think it would suck if the VF-171 lost those arm lasers but kept everything else weapons wise to make it a heavy battroid just like the VF-17. Can anyone shed some light?

Thanks

Twich

[azrael]

They may not be listed, but it probably have lost a set a weapons.

The VF-171 is a slightly, less complicated, less expensive, VF-17. Even without arm lasers, a VF-171 still has plenty of guns and missiles. On top of that, it got hardpoints for more accessories compared to the VF-17. So we traded guns that were rarely used and got real mounts for any accessory (missiles, gun pods, heavier armaments, etc.) On top of that, the VF-171 got rid of the stealth skin for a real active stealth system and easier-to-use engines. So you didn't need to be part of the Special Forces to fly a VF-17. This is a case where there's more to the fighter than just weapons.

[twich]

I didn't think of it that way. Also I personally like the look of the VF-171. I don't really like the fighter mode look of the VF-17 as much.

thanks azreal

[TehPW]

i thought at the time that Macross 7 was being created, Mr K just thought the F-117 was sexy so they made a Valkyrie version of it?

[Mommar]

Although the 17 doesn't have hard points it does have internal missile bays which I don't believe the 171 has.

[plutoniumhunter]

Downgrade here and upgrade there... Voila, new CF!

[Zinjo]

i thought at the time that Macross 7 was being created, Mr K just thought the F-117 was sexy so they made a Valkyrie version of it?

You and me both brother...

[VF5SS]

There's an interesting bit about the VF-17 in the Macross Design Works interview section with the big K.

VF-17
Nightmare (Stealth Valkyrie)

Interviewer: In the rough drafts of the VF-17, did you
stray far from the F-117?

Kawamori: It had a more traditional fighter shape at
first.... No, I didn't like the F-117 at first. (laugh) It had a shape that I refused to use. But when I went to the U.S. and saw the real
plane, I thought, "Well, it flies.
Nothing I can do about it." (laugh)

Interviewer:
You didn't think it would fly, at first? (laugh)

Kawamori: It's ugly, isn't it? I couldn't stand seeing one flying alongside
an F-15. But the F-117 also seemed
futuristic, or the times were changing, and I came to like the shape of the
F-117. I didn't like it, but I was like
"I was wrong, I'm sorry". And
so I decided that it would make a good 'character'. I'm glad I took a defiant attitude about the
VF-17.

Interviewer: Also, its Battroid mode has a heavily armored
look that was never seen before.

Kawamori: Since most Valkyries become thin anyway, I
think that is a merit in this clearly different type. I think it might have been better to put the
VF-17 in Macross Plus as a series of work.

Interviewer: It seems strange, though. It has the form of an airplane that already
exists.

Kawamori: It's embarrassing, but I couldn't expect that
to happen with only the F-117. I could be
convinced until the F-23. But when the
F-117 was done, I was like, "What happened?" (laugh)

Interviewer: How did you feel about that sudden onset of
reality? I think when someone is
designing sci-fi works, he can have the self-confidence of going ahead and
borrowing from reality.

Kawamori: The one I thought I really couldn't surpass
was B-2 Stealth Bomber. The B-2 is
really great looking. I even thought I
might stop designing after seeing it fly.
"It's so simple, it has so few lines, and yet so much
character. I could never come close to
it." (laugh) It's the one real
design I cannot surpass.

Interviewer: And to think it came from a company that
makes real planes. (laugh)

Kawamori: I'd be reluctant to answer if I was asked
whether I like the F-117 now. But I'm
more close to the point that I was convinced. Maneuverability is not so good,
when I asked a pilot "How about the maneuverability of this looking
body?", then the pilot said to me " It's alright, because it carries
4 computers" (laugh)

Interviewer: And if one computer fails, it'll drop like a
brick.

Kawamori:
That's right (laugh)

Interviewer:
And an impression is considerably different although it is a remodeled VF-17T
with the double seats and is a minor change.

Kawamori: The body is just about as good as the real
thing, but it becomes quite different by making even a small change. But it wouldn't look like we changed it much
if we did it in a very manga-like or anime-like way. The design near a real plane could affect
very much with the slight difference. It is an interesting part.

This translation was done by the New Macross Mechanical Archive guys a while back. Kawamori didn't like the F-117 at first lol

Edited March 6, 2013 by VF5SS