Yuku free message boards

Does anyone know if there is more to that particular shot? Does it occur in space or an atmosphere? Is the object in the background a spacecraft/station?

There is one thing I would like to point out. Why would a conventional fighter, even if it shared component similarity with the Alpha series of aircraft, have clearly defined protrusions at the end of the main nacelles, which indicate feet?

As far as I know, the Conbat (NG), Dragon (Macross), and many of the Southern Cross era nontransformable aircraft don't have them.

Does anyone have a better screenshot of the wing? With this, it might be possible to glean what kind of mission this aircraft is geared towards.

Edit: I found my own answer. The wing is reminscient of a Dornier Rautenflugel joined wing, which is more advanced than the Alpha's modified Delta planform. This design should be able to deliver the goods in pure air to air, even with external stores.

Hear me out.

I think Shadowlogan is making a parallel of RL tactical fighter development to what might have happened in Robotech after Reconstruction and the UEF was gearing up for its Pioneer mission. The parallel was the Mig-29 as well as Su-27 family derviative aircraft started in the Soviet Union. In America, there is currently a similar track with the F-22A, F-35 derviatives, and possibly the FB-22. All the militaries involved in programs to revolutionize their air capability.

Sometime during Reconstruction (say 2012), the UEF aerospace establishment took a hard look at the VF-1 Valkyrie and went to work to improve upon its effectiveness, taking into account air engagements with the inventory of the Zentraedi forces and, perhaps, intelligence of other space faring militaries they might have encountered. They knew full well it was doubtful given the state the UEF armed forces were in that they could never mount sufficient enough numbers in spacy vessels and mecha to match, so they had to develop a weapon system designed to dominate against vast numbers of adversaries. That's where you get the YVF-4. At the time, it's the best solution to the problem, but it's far from perfect.

The problem is this: You can design a weapon system to do almost everything, but it is exceedingly expensive. Ultimately, you cannot afford to outfit all branches' airwings with such an aircraft, so you comprimise. Using R&D already used in the VF-4-X program, its offshoots are optimized for the greatest overall effectiveness given the mission and affordability with the prescribed template. From this, depending on your opinion, you get the Alpha (multi-role) and possibly Willis' Condor (attack). The design lineage of the four body (four engines or 2 arm/2 leg) with outboard wing as well as twin tail (for the most part) configuration that started with the VF-4-X continued in the Alpha, Condor, Conbat (attack), Vulture (attack), Slyphid (air dom), Logan (multi-role), and the mystery aircraft (multi-role).

It's a staple that's as familar in Robotech as the four poster (two tails, two horizontal stabilizers) and twin engine that originated with Mig-25 (which is derived from the Canadian Avro Arrow, the father of all modern fighters) I believe, and it's still used.