VF-17T Nightmare Custom

Model number: VF-17T
Code name: Nightmare Custom
Unit type: custom variable fighter
Manufacturer(s): General Galaxy; Macross 7 Project M Special Technologies Group
Operator: U.N. Spacy
Rollout: AD 2045
First deployment: AD 2045
Accommodation: pilot and passenger, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: overall height 15.65 meters (Heavy Battroid mode), overall height 3.68 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 16.13 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 14.18 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 12.2 metric tons; max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2100X custom thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 59,500 kg (2 x 583.7 kN); 2 x horizontal two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; 2 x dorsal auxiliary thruster pod; 30+ x P&W HMM-6D high maneuverability vernier thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: maximum level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 4.0+, maximum level atmospheric speed at 30,000+ meters: Mach 21+
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 9.75
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; keyboard sound stick control system; sound plate system; optional Sound Booster unit
Fixed armaments: 2 x fixed internal laser cannon; 4 x internal micro-missile launcher; speaker-firing launcher pod
Optional fixed armaments: Speaker Pod Gamma, mounted under main body in Fighter mode
Optional hand armaments: Spiritia absorption pod

After Fire Bomber lead singer Basara Nekki’s music proved to have an effect on the brainwashed Varauta pilots, the U.N. Spacy forces in the Macross 7 fleet created the independent civilian unit Sound Force and provided customized variable fighters to Basara’s bandmates. One such unit was the VF-17T Nightmare Custom, a heavily modified two-seater piloted by keyboardist Ray Lovelock and drummer Veffidas Feaze. Like the other custom units in Sound Force, the VF-17T featured a unique control scheme. Ray served as the primary pilot using keyboard-based controls, but the cockpit also included a built-in drum kit for Veffidas. In keeping with the mission of Sound Force, the VF-17T was a non-combat unit equipped with a launcher pod that could fire speaker pods capable of penetrating the armor of Varauta mecha. However, it was armed with laser cannons and micro-missiles for emergency use. The VF-17T could also equip an optional sound booster to extend its range, along with the powerful Speaker Pod Gamma. Ray and Veffidas piloted the VF-17T through the end of the Protodeviln War in 2046 and continued to use it one year later.

Pilot(s): Ray Lovelock, Veffidas Feaze
First appearance: Macross 7
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Cockpit

Rear view (Battroid mode)

Rear view (GERWALK mode)

Sound Booster

Underside view (Fighter mode)