VF-22 Sturmvogel II
Encyclopedia
The VF-22 Sturmvogel is a fictional variable fighter
from the anime
Macross 7
. It is based on the YF-21 from the OVA
series Macross Plus
.
prototype for the U.N. Spacy
-sponsored Project Super Nova.
The Sturmvogel is the updated version of the YF-21 prototype. It uses a conventional control interface rather than the flawed Brain Direct Image (BDI) system that causes mental feedback to pilots, which can result in psychological problems. It retains the active stealth technology and inertia vector control system of the prototype.
A legacy of the YF-21 design is its odd, heavily framed cockpit canopy, compared to the clean bubble canopy
of the VF-19.
The VF-22 design was transmitted to the Macross 7 colonization fleet and authorization was given to build two of these fighters for the fleet's special forces. The first two VF-22s were piloted by the Macross 7 fleet commander, Captain Maximilian Jenius
, and his wife, City 7 mayor Milia Fallyna Jenius
. A third one was piloted by the Diamond Force leader, Lieutenant Gamlin Kizaki
, in the OVA
Macross Dynamite 7
.
The VF-22 shares the distinction with the Octos, Variable Glaug, Neo Glaug, VB-6 König Monster, Fz-109 Elgerzorene, Az-130 Panzerzorene, and FBz-99 Saubergeran as being among the only variable vehicles given a non-English name.
and Kazutaka Miyatake
, who designed its cockpit.
This design is loosely based on the real-life YF-23 prototype fighter built for the United States Air Force in the Advance Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition that lost to the YF-22 (that eventually became the current F-22 Raptor
), although it took the F-22's numeric designation leading some to believe that it was based on the F-22.
Unlike Kawamori's other Variable Fighter designs, the VF-22's legs are not its thrusters; instead, they are stored in the undercarriage of the fuselage in fighter mode. As General Galaxy has employees of Zentradi
origin as majority of their workforce, the Battroid mode shows a slight resemblance to the female Zentran power armor Queadluun-Rau.
Kawamori named the vehicle after the Messerschmitt Me 262
A-2a Sturmvogel. Sturmvogel is the German word for petrel
, and is a combination of the words "sturm" meaning "storm" and "vogel" meaning "bird".
Variable fighter
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...
from the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Macross 7
Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...
. It is based on the YF-21 from the OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
series Macross Plus
Macross Plus
is a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the Macross series. It was the first sequel to the original Macross television series that took place in the official timeline...
.
Backstory
The VF-22 was designed by General Galaxy after its YF-21 Omega One prototype failed in its competition against Shinsei Industries' YF-19VF-19 Excalibur
The VF-19 Excalibur is a fictional spacecraft in the anime Macross. It is an Advanced Variable Fighter, the UN Spacy's latest frontline variable fighter to replace the already aging VF-11 Thunderbolt. In the year 2040, a contest was held for the design of the Advanced Variable Fighter. Two...
prototype for the U.N. Spacy
U.N. Spacy
The U.N. Spacy is the fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government from the Japanese anime series Macross.-Fictional Organization Background:...
-sponsored Project Super Nova.
The Sturmvogel is the updated version of the YF-21 prototype. It uses a conventional control interface rather than the flawed Brain Direct Image (BDI) system that causes mental feedback to pilots, which can result in psychological problems. It retains the active stealth technology and inertia vector control system of the prototype.
A legacy of the YF-21 design is its odd, heavily framed cockpit canopy, compared to the clean bubble canopy
Bubble canopy
A bubble canopy is a canopy made like a soap bubble, which attempts to provide 360° vision to the pilot.-History:Bubble canopies have been in use since World War II. The British had already developed the "Malcolm hood", which was a bulged canopy, but the British Miles M.20 was one of the first...
of the VF-19.
The VF-22 design was transmitted to the Macross 7 colonization fleet and authorization was given to build two of these fighters for the fleet's special forces. The first two VF-22s were piloted by the Macross 7 fleet commander, Captain Maximilian Jenius
Maximilian Jenius
' is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Macross, voiced by Shō Hayami. In the new English adaptation by ADV Films, he is voiced by Chris Patton.-Macross:...
, and his wife, City 7 mayor Milia Fallyna Jenius
Milia Fallyna Jenius
is a fictional character in the Macross Japanese animated science fiction series, voiced by Eri Takeda. In the 2006 English adaptation by ADV Films she is voiced by Luci Christian.-Macross:...
. A third one was piloted by the Diamond Force leader, Lieutenant Gamlin Kizaki
Gamlin Kizaki
Gamlin Kizaki is a fictional character in the Macross universe. He first appears in Macross 7, and later appeared in the movie Macross 7: The Galaxy Is Calling Me! and the OAVs Macross 7 Encore and Macross Dynamite 7. He is voiced by Takehito Koyasu.At the beginning of Macross 7, Gamlin is 19...
, in the OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
Macross Dynamite 7
Macross Dynamite 7
is an anime OVA set one year after the events in Macross 7. Released in 1997 in celebration of Macross' 15th anniversary, Macross Dynamite 7 was a four episode OVA that continued the Macross 7 series' story.-Synopsis:...
.
The VF-22 shares the distinction with the Octos, Variable Glaug, Neo Glaug, VB-6 König Monster, Fz-109 Elgerzorene, Az-130 Panzerzorene, and FBz-99 Saubergeran as being among the only variable vehicles given a non-English name.
Design
This fictional variable fighter was created by mecha designers Shoji KawamoriShoji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, and Macross Frontier. He is currently executive director at the...
and Kazutaka Miyatake
Kazutaka Miyatake
is an anime designer known for the mechanical design of the Macross TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such as Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.-Mechanical Design:Kazutaka Miyatake...
, who designed its cockpit.
This design is loosely based on the real-life YF-23 prototype fighter built for the United States Air Force in the Advance Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition that lost to the YF-22 (that eventually became the current F-22 Raptor
F-22 Raptor
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals...
), although it took the F-22's numeric designation leading some to believe that it was based on the F-22.
Unlike Kawamori's other Variable Fighter designs, the VF-22's legs are not its thrusters; instead, they are stored in the undercarriage of the fuselage in fighter mode. As General Galaxy has employees of Zentradi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
origin as majority of their workforce, the Battroid mode shows a slight resemblance to the female Zentran power armor Queadluun-Rau.
Kawamori named the vehicle after the Messerschmitt Me 262
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
A-2a Sturmvogel. Sturmvogel is the German word for petrel
Petrel
Petrels are tube-nosed seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. The common name does not indicate relationship beyond that point, as "petrels" occur in three of the four families within that group...
, and is a combination of the words "sturm" meaning "storm" and "vogel" meaning "bird".
Bandai
- Macross Plus VF Hi-Metal 1/100 YF-21 (2010, not yet released)
- A fully transformable replica of the YF-21.
Yamato Toys
- Macross Plus 1/72 YF-21 (2000)
- Like the YF-19, this diecast metalDie-cast toyThe term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
replica of the YF-21 was based on a resin kit originally released by Studio HalfEye. - A second version was released in 2002 with FAST Pack parts, two telescoping Gun Pods and a Guld Goa Bowman figure, as well as numerous design changes. The legs were slightly retooled to allow a slimmer profile in Fighter mode. The ratchet joints on the hips and ankles were replaced with ball joints. Also included in this release were additional hands to hold the Gun Pod and landing gear that attached to the FAST Pack undercarriage armor. This second edition was painted in a purplish tint in contrast to the original Navy blue color.
- Macross Plus 1/60 YF-21 (2008)
- Like the YF-19 of the same scale, the 1/60 YF-21 was designed around fighter mode, resulting in a more proportionally accurate replica. Comes with Gun Pods, FAST Pack and clamps for the Fold Booster (sold separately).
- This figure was reissued in mid-2010, sans the extra accessories.
- Macross Plus GN-U Dou YF-21 (2008)
- A non-transforming action figure of the YF-21 in Battroid mode. Features extensive poseability not found in any of its transformable counterparts.
- Yamato Toys released upgrade parts for the YF-21 figure in mid-2009. The set includes the FAST Pack (plus new skirt armor and tail fin forearm panels), a Gun Pod and a redesigned torso frame for improved waist and hip articulation.
- Macross Dynamite 7 1/60 VF-22S Sturmvogel II Gamlin Custom (2009)
- A dark gray repaint of the YF-21 with a VF-22S head, canopy, and ventral fuselage.
- Macross 7 1/60 VF-22S Sturmvogel II Millia Custom (2009)
- A repaint of the VF-22S in the familiar red and white colors of Milia Fallyna JeniusMilia Fallyna Jeniusis a fictional character in the Macross Japanese animated science fiction series, voiced by Eri Takeda. In the 2006 English adaptation by ADV Films she is voiced by Luci Christian.-Macross:...
.
- Macross 7 1/60 VF-22S Sturmvogel II Max Custom (2009)
- A repaint of the VF-22S in the familiar blue and white colors of Maximilian JeniusMaximilian Jenius' is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Macross, voiced by Shō Hayami. In the new English adaptation by ADV Films, he is voiced by Chris Patton.-Macross:...
.
- Macross Plus 1/60 Fold Booster and FAST Pack Accessory Kit for YF-19 and YF-21 (2010)
- A reissue of the 2007 add-on kit for the standard 1/60 YF-19, but with the addition of parts for the YF-21, which were omitted in that unit's reissue package. Comes with Fold Booster with clamps for both units, YF-19 parts (shoulder armor, leg armor and rear seat with Yang Neumann figure) and YF-21 parts (Gun Pods and armor plates). The Fold Booster, which requires three LR44 watch batteriesLR44 batteryLR44 is the IEC designation for an alkaline 1.5 volt button cell, commonly used in small LED flashlights, digital thermometers, calculators, calipers, watches, clocks, toys and laser pointers....
to operate, emits various light effects. It also includes a separate display stand.
Kaiyodo
- Revoltech Yamaguchi No. 054 YF-21 (2008)
- A non-transforming action figure of the YF-21 in Battroid mode from the Revoltech line. Designed and sculpted by Katsuhisa Yamaguchi. Unlike the Yamato GN-U Dou version, this figure displays a more anime-style look. Using Revoltech's proprietary revolving joint system, this figure is more poseable and comes with an array of accessories such as extra hands, FAST Pack Parts, two Gun Pods, Pinpoint Barrier effect parts and a display stand. The Revoltech figure is made of flexible PVC plasticPolyvinyl chloridePolyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
, as opposed to the hard ABS plasticAcrylonitrile butadiene styreneAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a common thermoplastic. Its melting point is approximately 105 °C ....
used on the GNU-Dou.
Doyusha
- Macross Plus 1/144 YF-21 (2001)
- A non-transforming diecast replica of the YF-21 in Fighter mode. Measures at 13 cm (5 inches) long. Features variable geometry wings which can be folded up or down.
Hasegawa
- Macross Plus 1/72 YF-21 (2003)
- A non-transforming model kit of the YF-21 in Fighter mode. Requires glue and paint to assemble.
- Macross 7 1/72 VF-22S Sturmvogel II (2007)
- A repaint of the YF-21 kit with VF-22S parts. Requires glue and paint to assemble.
- Macross 1/72 VF-22S Sturmvogel II "SVF-124 Moon Shooters" (2008)
- A repaint of the VF-22S kit meant to be colored in low-visibility gray camouflage. Requires glue and paint to assemble.