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YF-29 Durandal

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The YF-29 Durandal (YF-29 デュランダル YF-29 De~yurandaru) is a Variable Fighter (VF) developed in A.D 2050s, used extensively during the Vajra War. It first was featured in the movie Macross Frontier Movie: The Wings of Goodbye and Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!!. Known pilots for this VF are Alto Saotome and Maximilian Jenius.

Development

In A.D 2048, with the sudden appearance of Vajra and the lost of New United Nations Spacy's 117th Research Fleet, a special plan to developed a specialized Variable Fighter was initiated.[1] Based on the operational gathered from VF-25F/TW1 Tornado Messiah, and using the VF-25 Messiah fuselage as basis to speed up its development process, this particular plan eventually developed into the YF-29 Durandal. While the design itself was almost completed in A.D 2057, but due to the scarcity of Fold Quartz material, its development were halted, until the breakout of the Vajra War in A.D 2059.[2]

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The YF-29 is the further development of VF-25F/TW1 Tornado Messiah, that refined and also rectified the predecessor's flaw. Since the TW1 Tornado Pack is an additional equipment designed to enhanced the VF-25 series' performance, it suffers some flaws due to its design, such as the large Beam Cannon that affect the VF's aerodynamics balance, which this requires additional engines in the form of additional equipment to mitigate such issue.[3] But If one or both of those equipments were either damage or destroyed, it can drastically affect the VF's combat performance. Due to this reason the YF-29 were created to eliminate such issue, by miniaturizing the Beam Cannon size, while also make it as an concealable, and integrate additional engines on the VF's wing unit. Since it was based on VF-25 series, it also shared majority of its basic structures is similar, except for the head unit, and wing design. The major overhaul of its internal mechanism also affects the VF's armor strength, by doubling its armor strength equal to a VF-25 equipped with a APS-25A/M25 Armored Pack.[2]

The decision to swap the wing units from Variable-Wing to Forward Swept Wing (FSW) that its predecessor is known for, is due to the high power output the wing engine had, which it had 2/3 thrust power of the main engines. Aside from the FSW wings, many of its internal mechanism were also overhauled and strengthened to better accommodate the additional engines and maximize its performance. While its had integrated engines like the VF-27 Lucifer series, the YF-29's wing can be retracted for better center of gravity and better airflow during high speed flight. These engine also can be switched to Ramjet mode for faster flight in atmospheric environment. Because of the high thrust power from the wing engines, its Inertia Store Converter (ISC) was replaced to TO22 type from the TO21 type that the VF-25 series were using.[2]

Since the YF-29 was created for Anti-Vajra role it was equipped with a system called the Fold Wave System (FWS). The FWS itself is a specialized system that utilized a unique material called Fold Quartz, that is gathered from the remains of dead Vajra. The function of this particular system itself to harness its power, which played a huge part to power many of the VF's Anti-Vajra equipments. In addition the FWS also played a huge role of providing near inexhaustible power to both its weapons and its defensive system, particularly the Energy Conversion Armor and Pin Point Barrier that increased its defensive capabilities.[2]

When it comes to armaments it is quite similar to the TW1 Tornado pack such as the Beam Cannon, Micro Missiles, but many of them have been miniaturized and perfected compared to its predecessor. First is the concealable MDE Beam Cannon, a more compact and powerful version of TW1's Beam Cannon that had the capabilities of shooting a Vajra Heavy Soldier-class in a single shot.[4] Second is the micro missiles that have been integrated as part of the VF's fuselage, primarily on its shoulders and legs, instead of additional equipments like the predecessor did.[3] Third is the HPB-01A Quantum Beam Gunpod, a multi-mode weapon that shoots rapid fire beam projectile in its standard configuration or a high-powered shot when its barrel were unfolded.[4]

While in its standard configuration the YF-29 already equipped heavy firepower, it is also capable of using a "Super Parts" type equipment to increase its performance. This particular equipment is consist of additional "Wing" units, additional armor for the Shield, and a pair SLE-7A Engines mounted on the rear side of the VF's wing. In addition it also equipped with a special device called Fold Projector, that function to interfere or jam the Vajra networks.[5] The addition of this equipment is not simply increased the VF's overall performance, rather it become an extension to increase its Anti-Vajra capabilities, but it also makes the VF's overall silhouette much more voluminous, particularly in Battroid mode.[2]

With the amount of feature included on the YF-29, makes it as one of, if not the highest performance VF ever created. This was due to its designed that combined the best elements of both the VF-25 and VF-27 series, that makes it performance equal if not surpass the YF-24 Evolution to a degree.[1] In addition the inclusion of FWS system and the VF's quad-engine configuration gave it the necessary power for its Anti-Vajra capabilities, beam weaponries, and defensive capabilities. Despite its Anti-Vajra oriented design, it also capable of outperforming newer generation VF lie the VF-31AX Kairos Plus and SV-303 Vivasvat.[6]

Despite its high performance the YF-29 also had several downside that came with it. First since its was made to utilize the harness Fold Quartz energy, its a difficult unit to produce, since the said material itself was very hard to extract while also scarce to find.[2] Second is the amount of feature it offers, its production cost to make each unit is also significantly more expensive. Third is the overall high thrust power that makes it an overall difficult VF to control for regular pilot, and only the most experienced/ace pilot can draws out its full potential. Nevertheless, several unit was produced with an improved variant also created and used by the NUNS special forces.

Armaments

Guns

  • 2 x Ramington ES-25A 25mm Machine Gun
    • A pair of twin-barrel machine gun that shoots 25mm caliber projectile, mounted center dorsal section in Fighter/GERWALK mode, and becomes head turret in Battroid mode.
  • 1 x Howard/L.A.I HPB-1A Quantum Beam Gunpod
    • A multi-mode beam Gunpod that shoot rapid fire beam projectiles in its standard mode, or a high-powered shot when its barrel were unfolded. While its not as effective as standard MDE type weaponry, it is still a very capable weapon that can destroy Vajra Heavy Soldier class in a single shot.[2] This weapon can also be stored on the VF's leg hardpoints.[4]
  • 1 x TW2-MDE/M25 MDE Beam Cannon
    • A "miniaturized" version of TW1-HPC/M25 Prototype Heavy Quantum Beam Cannon used by the VF-25F/TW1 Tornado Messiah, that can be deployed or concealed if its not needed. This particular weapon boast a high firepower, that can shoot a Vajra Heavy Soldier class in just a single shot.[5]

Optional Guns

  • 1 x Training Gunpod
    • A similiar Gunpod model to the HPB-1A Gunpod, that shoots paintball rounds for combat training purposes.

Bombs & Missiles

  • 12 x Bifors BLM-02S Micro-Missile Launcher
    • This type of missile launcher are mounted throughout the VF's fuselage and Super Parts.
  • 4 x MMP3/M25 Micro-Missile Launcher
    • A pair of medium sized micro-missile pod mounted on each side of the VF's nacelle/leg unit. Each missile launcher can carry up to 28-29 Micro Missiles, and in total it can carry up to 112-116 Missiles.[Footnote 1]

Melee Weapon

  • 1 x AK/VF-M9 Assault Knife
    • A physical melee weapon that powered by the VF's Pin-Point Barrier system, which gave it greater penetration than other similar weapon type. This weapon was stored inside the lower section of the VF's shield.

Protective Equipment

  • 1 x Heavily Armored Shield
    • An improved shield type equipment used by the VF-25 Messiah series, used to block enemy projectile. It was mounted center rear dorsal fuselage in Fighter mode, mounted on the left forearm in GERWALK or Battroid mode.
  • Chaff & Flare Dispenser
    • An defensive equipment used as missile countermeasure, stored on each of the nacelle/leg unit.

Special Equipment & Features

  • EG-01M/MP EX-Gear
  • TO22 Inertia Store Converter (ISC)
    • An improved version of TO21 ISC used by the VF-25 Messiah series, that is specifically used to counter and reduce the effect of high thrust power of YF-29 engines, while also keep its pilot in relatively safe condition while piloting it. [2]
  • Pin-Point Barrier system
  • Linear Actuators
    • A special system that gave the VF faster electromagnetic transformation without contact between moving parts.
  • Fold Wave System (FWS)
    • A special system that harness the power of Fold Quartz, that function as additional power source for to power its Anti-Vajra equipments and weaponries.[2] The FWS itself also capable of resonate with Fold Wave and emits a bright yellow particles around the VF's body. This particular equipment is mounted on each side of the VF's front section of the VF's fuselage/chest unit on Battroid mode, and on the front side of the wing engines.[6]

Optional Equipments

  • Super Packs
    • A specialized Super Pack type equipment that function as the extension to boost YF-29 Anti-Vajra capabilities, firepower and maneuverability. This particular equipment is consist of additional "Wing" units that can carry up to 56-58 micro missiles, additional armor for the Shield, and a pair of SLE-7A Engines mounted on the rear side of the VF's wing. In addition the Super Parts itself also equipped with a pair of equipment called the Fold Projector that function as interference or jamming device for the Vajra network and usually retracted when the VF transformed to Battroid mode. It also can be equipped with additional conformal tanks that carry additional propellants for space operations, mounted on the outer wing engine section [Footnote 2]

Variants

  • YF-29 Durandal (Alto Saotome's Custom).
    • A higher performance unit than the standard YF-29.
  • YF-29 Durandal (Ozma Lee's Custom)
    • A modified YF-29 with pirate like head unit, and painted with Ozma's VF-25S Messiah livery.
  • YF-29 Durandal (Isamu Dyson's Custom).
    • A modified YF-29 closely resembles the YF-19 in terms of color scheme and external appearance. It was equipped with a modified Gunpod that had deployable bayonet.
  • YF-29 Durandal (Maximillian Jenius' Custom)
    • A customized version of YF-29 to fit Max's specifications, painted is his signature Blue and White livery with giant family crest on top of its fuselage.[7]
  • YF-29 Durandal (30th Anniversary Ver)
    • A customized version of YF-29 painted in famous Skull Squadron livery.
  • YF-29B Perceval

History

In A.D 2059, Alto's unit were equipped with super parts served as spearhead unit for the SMS and deployed on an operation to attack Vajra Queen-fused Battle Frontier controlled by Macross Galaxy's masterminds on Vajra Planet. During the battle his unit manage to free the controlled Vajras by disabling the control pod and eventually reunite with Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee. Then his unit were trying to break free the Queen-fused Battle Frontier using the Durandal's fold wave capabilities, but was confronted by Brera Sterne's VF-27 Super Lucifer. While confronting Brera's VF-27, Alto's unit manage to perform evenly with the VF-27, however the AIF-9V Ghost V-9 accompanied it manage to put pressure Alto's unit, forcing him to eject the super parts and using it as distraction to shot down the V-9s. Then Alto's unit would deliver Sheryl and Rank's song using the VF's FWS capabilities, and succeeded to remove the Queen from the Macross Galaxy's mastermind influence. But unfortunately Alto would ditch his unit and fold together with the queen, leaving his unit crashed on the planet.[4]

Later in A.D. 2068, a customized YF-29 piloted by Maximilian Jenius was deployed during a mock battle, between Delta Flight against Super Ghost near abandoned Zentradi Factory Satellite. During the mock battle, Max's unit manage to wipe out all Delta Flight's VF-31AX Super Kairos Plus instantly including Hayate Immelman's VF-31AX, due to his superior skill and tactics. Later Max's unit participated in Operation Jormungandr, and manage to shot down many of Heimdall's more advanced Sv-303 Vivasvat, then escorted Hayate's VF-31AX during the final offensive against Battle Astrea.[6]

Gallery

Linearts

Anime

Macross Frontier Movie: The Wings of Goodbye

Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!!

Illustrations & Artwork

Games

Macross 30: Voice that Connect the Galaxy

Model Kits

High Grade

Toys

DX Chogokin

Notes & Trivia

  • The name of YF-29 is based on the sword Durandal used by legendary Knight Roland, a Paladin of Charlemagne from French epic literature.
  • A parallel to the rivalry shared between the YF-19 and YF-21 can be drawn between the YF-29 Durandal and VF-27 Lucifer as the VF-27 is a descendant from the YF-21 and VF-22 Sturmvogel II.
  • There are some interesting notes during the YF-29 design process:
    • In the book Macross Shoji Kawamori Designer's Note the early design of YF-29 is more like an upgraded version of VF-25's Tornado Pack, but a much more refined version, and it even planned with delta-wing configuration before eventually was finalized with FSW wing design.
    • Also in the book Macross Variable Fighter Designers Note the YF-29 was initially planned with Alto's VF-25F livery instead of the red-dominant livery that the final version is famously known for.
  • In Macross Chronicles the YF-29 is depicted with two type of missile launcher, Bifors BLM-02S Micro-Missile Launcher and MMP3/M25 Micro-Missile Launcher.
    • The first page of YF-29 mechanical sheet said that the YF-29 had in total of 12 x BLM-02S Missile Launcher, but on the second page states that the missile launcher on its nacelle/legs are MMP3/M25 Micro-Missile Launcher.
      • This was confusing an contradicted with the available specifications, as the numbers of BLM-02S missile launcher is represent the known launcher present on the VF and there have been no further confirmation regarding this matter.
The location of YF-29's Fold Quartz based on the book Macross Variable Fighter Designers Note

The location of YF-29's Fold Quartz based on the book Macross Variable Fighter Designers Note

  • While Macross Book such as Macross Chronicle never mention which part specifically the Fold Quartz were mounted on the YF-29 fuselage, based on the linearts from the book Macross Variable Fighter Designers Note Page 239, it is located on each side of the front section of the VF/Chest unit, and each side of the VF's wing engine.
    • These devices were also named after the four relics contained in the golden hilt of the saintly sword Durandal; "Saint Peter's tooth", "Saint Basil's blood", "Saint Denis' hair", and "piece of the Blessed Virgin Mary's raiment"
  • While the Macross Chronicles said that the crashed Alto's YF-29 recovered sometimes after the movie, in the movie Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!!, it was seen that the VF was left there years after its combat deployment as sort of memorial remain of the previous war that happened on the Vajra Planet.
  • The YF-29 Isamu and Ozma custom are game only unit, but was made as DX Chogokin.
YF-29 Battroid mode cockpit comparison (Note: Max's unit was errorly depicted compared to Alto's unit)

YF-29 Battroid mode cockpit comparison (Note: Max's unit was errorly depicted compared to Alto's unit)

  • During the final act of Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!! movie, Max's YF-29 cockpit was errorly depicted as fighter mode cockpit mode, while his VF was in battroid mode.
    • This was possibly an oversight from the animator or was reused asset during the movie's production process.
  • According to Macross Ace vol. 7, published by Kadokawa Shoten, December 2010, 2 other engines were described as ramjet engines. In most of real aircrafts equipped with ramjet engines, the ramjet itself needs to be worked well at around Mach 3 (3700 km/h) or needs to be take-off-assisted with such as rocket, as it is not equipped with turbine to suck the air. Strangely, 2 of them are operated even lower speed, so they might be described as turboramjets.

References

  1. ↑ The amount of Micro Missile on the YF-29's is based on existing linearts, model kits, and toys. But due to the inconsistent depiction of the amount of missiles, these are the estimated numbers missiles it can carry.
  2. ↑ The estimated numbers of micro missiles on the YF-29's Super Pack is based on the available linearts, toy and model kits.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Frontier Movie 2, SMS Mechanic Sheet: 04A: YF-29 Durandal, Pg 01.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Frontier Movie 2, SMS Mechanic Sheet: 04A: YF-29 Durandal, Pg 02.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Frontier Movie 1, SMS Mechanic Sheet: 03A: VF-25F/TW1 Tornado Messiah, Pg 02.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Macross Frontier Movie: The Wings of Farewell
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Macross Chronicle New Edition, Macross Frontier Movie 2, SMS Mechanic Sheet: 04A: YF-29 Durandal, Pg 03.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Macross Δ Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!!
  7. ↑ Reference Picture.

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