VF-19 Excalibur Custom

Model number: VF-19
Code name(s): Excalibur Custom; Fire Valkyrie
Unit type: custom advanced variable fighter
Manufacturer: Shinsei Industry
Operator: U.N. Spacy
Rollout: AD 2045
First deployment: AD 2045
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard canopy-style cockpit
Dimensions: head height 15.48 meters (Battroid mode), overall height 3.94 meters (Fighter mode); overall length 18.47 meters (Fighter mode); wingspan 14.92 meters (Fighter mode)
Weight: empty 8.55 metric tons; max gross unknown
Armor materials: SWAG energy conversion armor; stealth composition
Powerplant: 2 x Shinsei Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2550F thermonuclear reaction turbine engine, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: 2 x 82,500 kg (2 x 809.33 kN); 2 x vertical two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; 2 x vertical two-dimensional vectored exhaust nozzle; many x P&W HMM-6R high maneuverability vernier thruster
Performance: Fighter mode: standard level atmospheric speed at 10,000 meters: Mach 5.5+, maximum level atmospheric speed at 30,000+ meters: Mach 25+
Thrust-to-weight ratio: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; capable of unassisted orbital velocity in an Earth-class planet; active stealth system; anti-laser coating; wraparound imaging monitor system; pinpoint barrier system; guitar sound stick control system; sound energy conversion seat; audio/speaker system, mounted in dorsal nacelles; projector system, mounted in dorsal nacelles; 2 x sound energy converter; 2 x sound aura amplification system; optional Sound Booster unit, features hybrid sensors; optional fold booster
Fixed armaments: speaker-firing launcher pod, stored under main body in Fighter mode, hand-carried in Battroid and GERWALK modes; standard bulletproof shield, mounted on left forearm; 2 x fixed internal laser cannon, mounted on wings; 2 x internal weapon bay, features 12 x medium-range high maneuverability missile
Optional hand armaments: Gun Pod Gamma; Spiritia absorption pod

The VF-19 Excalibur Custom was a heavily customized version of U.N. Spacy’s VF-19 Excalibur. Created in 2045 aboard the Macross 7 fleet, the custom VF-19 was entrusted to Ray Lovelock as part of a secret operation to test the power of music on enemies. Ray, a member of the rock band Fire Bomber, gave the custom VF-19 to the band’s lead singer, Basara Nekki. Basara’s unit was extensively modified from the standard VF-19 design, featuring a new head and a bright red and yellow color scheme that earned it the nickname “Fire Valkyrie.” It also utilized a unique guitar control scheme, which in the hands of a talented pilot like Basara allowed him to outmaneuver U.N. Spacy pilots. It was also equipped with an internal sound system and a sound energy conversion system. Although Basara abhorred violence, his plane was armed with laser cannons, anti-aircraft laser machine guns, missiles and a pinpoint barrier. However, Basara’s preferred “weapon” was a launcher pod capable of firing armor-piercing speaker pods that forced enemies to hear his music.

Basara’s unorthodox piloting style and constant interference in battles against the mysterious Varauta frequently frustrated U.N. Spacy pilots and officers. However, Basara’s music was eventually determined to be essential to counteracting the brainwashing that Varauta pilots were subjected to. Basara’s music was also key to restoring Spiritia levels in U.N. Spacy pilots attacked by the Varauta. To improve Basara’s effectiveness, U.N. Spacy eventually created Sound Force, a civilian unit with two additional variable fighters for the rest of Fire Bomber’s members. Sound Force proved itself repeatedly in battles against the Varauta and Protodeviln, and additional equipment was developed for Basara’s fighter, including a Sound Booster and the powerful Gun Pod Gamma. Basara’s custom VF-19 was destroyed in combat during the final battle of the Protodeviln War in February 2046. One year later, Basara piloted a VF-19P at planet Zola that was stained red by galactic whale pollen, which caused it to resemble his old Fire Valkyrie.

Pilot(s): Basara Nekki, Mylene Flare Jenius
First appearance: Macross 7
Original mechanical designer: Shoji Kawamori

Gun pod

Gun Pod Gamma

Hand

Head

Rear view (Battroid mode, equipped with Sound Booster)

Sound Booster

Underside view (Sound Booster)