VF-11B Super Thunderbolt

VF-11B Super Thunderbolt
VF-11B Super Thunderbolt
Unit Type
Space-Use Mass Production Variable Fighter
Real World
Anime	Macross 7: First Seen in Episode #10
OVA	Macross Plus: First Seen in Episode #1 Macross 7: Encore: First Seen in Episode #1 (On Stage)
Game	Macross Ace Frontier Macross Ultimate Frontier Macross Triangle Frontier Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy
Mechanical Designer	Shōji Kawamori
Profile
Developed From	VF-11B Thunderbolt
First Seen	2030
era	AD 2030-2040
Manufacturer	Shinsei Industries
Operator	UN Spacy Pink Pecker
Known Pilots	Isamu Alva Dyson Kinryu (Pink Pecker) Stephan (Pink Pecker) Ray Lovelock (Pink Pecker)
General Characteristics
Overall Height	3.49 meters
Head Height	12.92 meters
Overall Length	15.51 meters
Wing Span	11.2 meters
Power-plant	FF-2025G Thermonuclear Turbine Engines
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot Only (In pressurized cockpit/All Environment Cockpit in Battroid Mode)
Armaments
1 x Anti-aircraft pulse laser gun 1 x 30mm Gunpod w/optional anti-armor bayonet 1 x 30mm Gunpod 1x Anti-Projectile Shield Many x Hughes HMMM-Mk 6 Micro Missile
Special Equipment and Features
FAST Pack system Radar Radome Chaff & Flare Dispenser

The VF-11B Super Thunderbolt is a variant of the VF-11B Thunderbolt developed by Shinsei Industries. It was featured in in the OVA Macross Plus OVA and television series Macross 7. Some notable pilots are Isamu Alva Dyson, designated Unit 107, and Ray Lovelock of the Pick Pecker Squadron.

Development

The VF-11 Thunderbolt series are a Variable Fighter (VF) designed as an all terrain unit, with high maneuverability on atmospheric environments. But its base design lacks the capabilities to mount missile ordnances. In order to mitigate the VF-11's lack of missile weaponry, while also improving its performance in space operations, the specialized Super Pack type equipment called "FAST Pack" was developed for the VF-11 series.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

One of many specialized equipments developed for the VF-11 Thunderbolt series, with the aim to improve its operational time, firepower and mobility for space environment, this particular FAST Pack equipment consists of a pair of NP-SP-09 booster units and NP-SF-09 propellant tank units. These booster units are mounted on top of the VF-11B on Fighter or GERWALK mode, and becomes the backpack unit when it transforms into Battroid mode. The propellant unit mounted on each of the legs serve as additional verniers and storage for chaff and flare dispenser systems. With this equipment, it greatly improved the VF-11’s overall performance, especially its mobility and weaponry, allowing it to perform on equal terms against Zentradi Battle Suits and Queadluun-Raus. Due to the success of this equipment, nearly all VF-11s were equipped with it whenever deployed for operations in space and the Super configuration became ubiquitous with the VF-11 Thunderbolt.

Armaments

Guns

• 1 x Anti-aircraft pulse laser gun
  • A single barrel anti-aircraft weapon that shoots laser projectiles, mounted center dorsal section in Fighter/GERWALK mode. It becomes a head turret in Battroid mode.

• 30mm 6-barrel Gunpod (Early Type)
  • A gatling type firearm that shoots 30mm caliber round, that comes with an Anti-Armour bayonet.

• 30mm 6-barrel Gunpod (Late Type)
  • A simplified version of the 30mm Gunpod. This gunpod model was used by Pink Pecker's VF-11B.

Bombs & Missiles

• Hughes HMMM-Mk 6 Micro Missile
  • A micro missile type of weapon that had high explosive power. The missiles are stored inside 4-barrel launcher on NP-SP-09 Booster Unit, mounted on each side of the VF.

• Chaff & Flare Dispenser
  • An defensive equipment used as missile countermeasure, stored in the NP-SF-09 propellant tanks mounted on each leg unit.

Protective Environment

• 1 x Anti Projectile Shield
  • A shield used to block enemy projectiles. It was mounted center rear dorsal fuselage in Fighter mode, mounted on the left forearm in GERWALK or Battroid mode. The shield also stores two spare magazine for the VF-11B's 30mm Gunpod.

Special Equipment & Features

• FAST Pack system
  • A Super Pack type equipment that consists of a pair of large boosters & propellant units. The NP-SP-09 boosters serve as additional propulsion for the VF and storage for the micro missiles. These booster units are mounted ontop of the VF-11B in Fighter or GERWALK mode, and become the backpack unit in Battroid mode. The Propellant units mounted on each leg serve as additional verniers and storage for chaff and flare dispenser systems for the VF-11B.

Variant

• VF-11B Super Thunderbolt (Pick Pecker Squadron)
  • A customized VF-11B Super Thunderbolt used by Pink Pecker Squadron, this VF-11B variant used the 30mm Gunpod late type, and was painted in garish pink livery.

History

In A.D 2030, three VF-11B Super Thunderbolts belonging to Pink Pecker squadron were deployed on a training mission in an asteroid belt, but was ambushed by Zentradi Remnants. During the battle they managed to take down several Queadluun-Rau, but unfortunately Stephan's unit was destroyed due to the overwhelming number of enemy forces.

Later in A.D 2040, several VF-11B Super Thunderbolt were deployed to fight Zentradi Remnants on an asteroid belt in outer space, including Unit 107 piloted by Isamu Alva Dyson. During the battle Isamu's unit managed to shoot down several Zentradi Battle Suits, while also rescuing Unit 103 and completed the mission singlehandedly.

Gallery

Linearts

Battroid mode (rear view)

Fighter mode (rear view)

Battroid mode, front view (Pink Pecker Squadron)

Battroid mode, rear view (Pink Pecker Squadron)

Fighter mode, front view (Pink Pecker Squadron)

Fighter mode, rear view (Pink Pecker Squadron)

Front view

Rear view

Top view

Animation

Macross Plus

Unit 107 engaging the Zentradi Battle Suit in Gerwalk mode (1)

Engaging the Zentradi Battle Suit in Gerwalk mode (2)

Fighter mode, close up

Fighter mode, bottom view

Cockpit front console (fighter mode)

Transforming to Battroid mode

Using the Super Pack's verniers (1)

Using the Super Pack's verniers (2)

Aiming 30mm Gunpod

Shooting the 30mm Gunpod (1)

Cockpit front console (battroid mode)

Unit 103 engaging Zentradi Battle Suit with the Anti-Armor Bayonet

Tackled by Zentradi Battle Suit

Aiming 30mm Gunpod

Shooting the 30mm Gunpod (2)

Shooting the 30mm Gunpod (3)

Cockpit view (battroid mode) (1)

Taking cover from enemy projetctiles

Deploying the Anti-Armor Bayonet

Anti-Armor Bayonet deployed

Stabbing the Zentradi Battle Suit with the Bayonet

Fighter mode, top view

Surrounded by two Zentradi Battle Suit

Reloading the 30mm Gunpod

Detaching the 30mm Gunpod magazine (Note: the spare magazine attached on the inner shield interior) (1)

Detaching the 30mm Gunpod magazine (2)

Head close up (front view) (1)

Head close up (front view) (2)

Head close up (rear view)

Shooting the 30mm Gunpod (4)

Cockpit view (battroid mode) (2)

Using Chaffs against incoming missiles

Evading missiles

Macross 7

Pick Pecker's VF-11B Super Thunderbolt (fighter mode) (Episode 10: Deep Ballad)

Pick Pecker's VF-11B Super Thunderbolt (battroid mode)

Stephan's unit destroyed

Macross 7: Encore

Pink Pecker's VF-11B (fighter mode) (Episode 1: On the Stage)

Evading enemy fire

transforming into battroid mode

Shooting the 30mm gunpod

Head close up

Close up, shooting the 30mm gunpod

Surrounded by Queadluun-Raus

Firing the micro missiles from the back booster units

Rear view, using the verniers

Close up

Stephan's unit shooting the 30mm gunpod

Stephan's unit damaged (1)

Stephan's unit damaged (2)

Stephan's cockpit unit shot by energy beam

Stephan's unit destroyed

References

VF-11C Super Thunderbolt Information (The Animation Special Macross Plus) (1)

VF-11C Super Thunderbolt Information (The Animation Special Macross Plus) (2)

VF-11B Super Thunderbolt Information (Macross Chronicles 3B)