Vestras wrote:
In the OSM, was this fighter ever mentioned to be transformable in any way?
As far as I or anyone else has been able to determine, the only real information available simply is the name. However, even that is in contention. Another thing is there is an argument over its weapons loadout, as the Wiki entry (by Egan Loo) only deigns to list the wing-root beam cannons and x4 nacelle hardpoints. The animation shows the 'head' has 2 beam cannons on either side, similar to that of both the VF-1J and the goof 'VF-1R'. No one I know has been able to give a reasonable 'it doesn't transform' explanation for the big-bore tube mounted centerline, as there are 4 clearly seen sensor pits in the tip of the nosecone (for FLIR etc).
I'm willing to believe given the evidence that at the very least it has a variable wing geometry as others have sited examples. And within the context of the story, I think it is safe to assume that the Logan was never meant to be a replacement for the VF-1 Valkyrie, but something like the Slyphid makes far more sense to have come about. The Logan feels more like a stop-gap mecha rather than a full fledged mainline combat fighter, while (assuming it could transform) the Sylphid/Specter follows on more smoothly from the VF-1 to the VF-4 and then to here.
Yes, there is that aspect of the argument as well. The Logan is more suited to be a low-end dogfighter for the Air/Space Force as well as for boarding actions by the Cosmic Units (think Space Marines). For The Army of the Southern Cross, its useful for close air support like that of an attack helicopter.
If it IS just a jet fighter/interceptor, the variable wings still seem plausible given their smaller size to fusillade ratio. Inverting the wings might help to build better lift and then reversing them for speed once at a cruising altitude.
I warmed to the idea that the wings do alter shape, even if its a Veritech. It helps to give the fighter better lift, so, it should add to the overall abilities. Just as the engines should be able to elevate/depress thrust-vector when you look at the back end. It was Rtsurfer that first pointed out that the engine 'cowlings' are separated, which is yet another odd seam to place on a non-variable fighter.
Odd seams for a totally non-variable mecha....
I truthfully think it was designed from the get-go to be a variable fighter. We know now that Bandai (one of the show's sponsors) tossed Southern Cross overboard to focus on merchandising Do You Remember Love instead of making toys for the show, one of which might have been this very fighter. A show with no toy merchandising at that time was less 'visible', so I imagine it was a factor in the show's demise. We know next to nothing about the show's planned 'second season' which could very well have featured the Sylphide in a more prominent role as the main transforming fighter. Instead, the series was cancelled about half-way through its run, causing them to have to wrap up around episode 23 instead of at episode 36. Given the pacing of the show, is it really all that surprising that maybe the Sylphide wasn't shown to transform because it was not necessary to the early story?






