VAL-0B (VF-0B ABL Type) From Character Magazine

[Aurel Tristen]

Hot off the press:

Recognition first. More info to come....

http://nanashi.macrossmecha.info/resrc/cat/vari/val0b.html

[Anubis]

That's kind of fugly actually. Like it a VF-0 cosplaying as a VA-3, with poor results.

Dumb question probably, but what's "ABL" for.

[Aurel Tristen]

That's kind of fugly actually. Like it a VF-0 cosplaying as a VA-3, with poor results.

Dumb question probably, but what's "ABL" for.

ABL stands for "Air-Borne Laser".

[chukwong_jr]

just like a R2D2 on the x-wing...

[RangerKarl]

I can't help but imagine Cyclops (of X-men fame) flying this thing!

[Knight26]

WTF! I'm assuming this is some sort of strictly beam cannon equipped VF-0. Since the valkyrie is intended as a test bed I can see this happening, but man is it ever fugly. Kawamori can sure come up with some wierd varients of his craft sometimes.

[Aurel Tristen]

You people are too harsh. It is an interesting design. It uses a COIL (Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser) type laser among others things.

[Ido]

Interesting Mecha..uhm no hands? Have it internal gun in the arms?

[Aurel Tristen]

Interesting Mecha..uhm no hands? Have it internal gun in the arms?

I don't think so. I believe the arms have something to do with the laser system weapon power.

[Aurel Tristen]

Error: Topic Description should read "From Character Model Magazine"

[Knight26]

My biggest issue with the design is that the VF already has a fairly powerful laser, strong enough to take out a REgult in a couple hits. SO then what is the purpose of this design, longer range, more power, what? The placement of the laser emitter is such that it can only attack higher up targets, so its no good against ground targets, maybe its for taking out ballistic missiles or long range interceptors I don't know. I like designs to have a purpose beyond hey that looks cool or interesting.

[Dat Pinche Haro!]

strangely enough...i kinda like the design

that thing on the backpack looks like it might be another engine or power source...

[Aurel Tristen]

My biggest issue with the design is that the VF already has a fairly powerful laser, strong enough to take out a REgult in a couple hits. SO then what is the purpose of this design, longer range, more power, what? The placement of the laser emitter is such that it can only attack higher up targets, so its no good against ground targets, maybe its for taking out ballistic missiles or long range interceptors I don't know. I like designs to have a purpose beyond hey that looks cool or interesting.

Thanks to Overtechnology, ABLs can be made on a very small scale now. LOL

I imagine that this ABL has similar uses as the real life ABLs do.

[LordSixx]

I think it's cool, such a nice variant. Yeah, I think the laser is for taking out ballistic missles at high altitudes. Ever seen the real deal? Yes, we do have a aircraft capable of this. Kawamori always does his homework!

[Aurel Tristen]

Links of possible interest:

http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/program/abl.htm

http://www.f5.dion.ne.jp/~mirage/hypams01/al-1.html

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/flash.html

http://lmms.external.lmco.com/lmms_images/abl4.pdf

[Knight26]

I know all about the ABL, I have a friend who works on the program. I just don't see why you would put one on the VF-0, or any VF for that matter. The VF-0 especially would be a poor candidate since it does not have the endurance of the other VFs in atmosphere or of a larger craft. It would make a lot more sense to show it on the back of a larger craft, maybe even B-2 *shudders* or an all new craft that is in the macross universe.

[one_klump]

hmm, that sure is an.... interesting design. the back part looks kinda funky, and what it the purpose of a battoid mode? wouldn't gerwalk make more sense? no hands is kind of a letdown. Why even have battoid mode with no hands?

[Druna Skass]

Ugh, that looks almost as bad as thoes concept VF-11 designs basara was originaly going to have...

[ManxoChu]

just like a R2D2 on the x-wing...

Artoo, see if you can increase the power.

Heh heh, couldn't resist. Anyway, it's an interesting design, although the lack of hands and gunpod seems to make battroid useless. Also, wouldn't this variant require air support in case of unfriendlies in the area?

[UN Spacy]

Is thing going to make an apperance in the last episode of Macross Zero?

[That NOS Guy]

Is thing going to make an apperance in the last episode of Macross Zero?

I hope not. The thing looks like the production line had a major FUBAR.

Worker #1: Man, I had a great time.

Worker #2: Oh poo, we farted up this VF-0.

Worker #1: I know! We'll call it a special issue Valk andno one will know the difference!

Seriously though, with no (apparent) weapons other then the ABL it seems about as useful as a VT-1 (unarmed) in an actual engagement with other aircraft, and the Valkyrie doesn't strike me as a great aircraft to put chem.lasers on since it really couldn't carry that much relatively speaking to say, a 747.

[Aurel Tristen]

Is thing going to make an apperance in the last episode of Macross Zero?

I don't believe so.

It was just for the VFERR column in Character Model Magazine.... for now.

[Boxer]

Thus freeing up the 747s to carry other armaments...like beam cannons.

I think it's an interesting variant, and would be cool if the head wasn't that huge laser and it had arms. I wouldn't mind taking it for a spin say, over the VA-3.

Now THAT VA gets the fugly award.

[twich]

Well, it is definately interesting, to say the least.....but I guess this also makes the VF-0B an official valk? I guess they had to do some MAJOR retrofitting to the design of the Valk to get it to work....it looks like the backpack and the vertical Stabs and the head have been replaced/removed by this laser device. As I said, kinda interesting, but I sure hope that is not the plane that we see Shin and Edgar in, in the next episode.

Larry

[Aurel Tristen]

Is thing going to make an apperance in the last episode of Macross Zero?

I hope not. The thing looks like the production line had a major FUBAR.

Worker #1: Man, I had a great time.

Worker #2: Oh poo, we farted up this VF-0.

Worker #1: I know! We'll call it a special issue Valk andno one will know the difference!

Seriously though, with no (apparent) weapons other then the ABL it seems about as useful as a VT-1 (unarmed) in an actual engagement with other aircraft, and the Valkyrie doesn't strike me as a great aircraft to put chem.lasers on since it really couldn't carry that much relatively speaking to say, a 747.

Its not a standard/main fighter nor is a it a multirole craft. It is a craft that has a specific mission. I'm sure if it was placed in the timeline, it would have an escort or two. Egan Loo has already pointed out that the VF-1 already has chemical-based beam weapon. As he said recently, the RÖ-XA2 makes use of a chemical reaction for beam generation.

[Aurel Tristen]

Well, it is definately interesting, to say the least.....but I guess this also makes the VF-0B an official valk? I guess they had to do some MAJOR retrofitting to the design of the Valk to get it to work....it looks like the backpack and the vertical Stabs and the head have been replaced/removed by this laser device. As I said, kinda interesting, but I sure hope that is not the plane that we see Shin and Edgar in, in the next episode.

Larry

VF-0B, official? ....no response. lol

"vertical Stabs"

Next to the main intakes? Kawamori called those mini-canards on the VAL-0B.

[azrael]

Is thing going to make an apperance in the last episode of Macross Zero?

I don't believe so.

It was just for the VFERR column in Character Model Magazine.... for now.

Think of it as VF-EX (from the same magazine). Kawamori is just having fun with his designs.

[twich]

What I meant by Vertical Stabs was Tail Fins...I was saying that the whole backpack section appears to be removed in favor of this laser "doohicky" I see that it has tail fins(sort of) on the laser module.

Twich

[Aurel Tristen]

What I meant by Vertical Stabs was Tail Fins...I was saying that the whole backpack section appears to be removed in favor of this laser "doohicky" I see that it has tail fins(sort of) on the laser module.

Twich

Oh sorry. I thought you said ventral, not vertical. My mistake. Yes, you are correct.

[Aegis!]

Any variant to an already cool valk is welcome , be it ugly or not , I like all the add-ons on this valk.

the arm reamind me of the Variable Glaug somehow

[wolfx]

My biggest issue with the design is that the VF already has a fairly powerful laser, strong enough to take out a REgult in a couple hits. SO then what is the purpose of this design, longer range, more power, what? The placement of the laser emitter is such that it can only attack higher up targets, so its no good against ground targets, maybe its for taking out ballistic missiles or long range interceptors I don't know. I like designs to have a purpose beyond hey that looks cool or interesting.

That particular laser in Mac Zero wasn't enuff to take out Nora's SV-51. Shin fired off 5 shots that hit near her cockpit canopy leaving the area seared but nowhere near causing any damage.

And as for Roy taking out 2 octos with it, I'll just say "Critical hit, internal ammo explosion detected"

[Final Vegeta]

Overall a very funny design. After the VF-0 with drones it's a nice variant. It will be good to have more, maybe actually coloured.

And yes, it's very fugly, but I like that specialized look. Not a main character mecha (which can't be so specialized), but cool.

FV