vf-1
A notable and popular mecha from the MACROSS series.
The VF-1 Valkyrie is Earth's three-form transformable aerospace multi-role combat mecha developed from alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 "Macross" spacecraft. Its armaments include a modular gunpod, laser cannons and several different types of missiles. It can be equipped with modular attachments such as reactive armor and external fuel/thruster packs.
Thanks to its FF-2001 thermonuclear engines it can fly in both an atmosphere and outer space. The VF-1 variable fighter can also transform into fighter, gerwalk and battroid (giant robot) modes.
There are several different variants of the fighter, called VF-1A, VF-1J, VF-1D, VF-1S, VF-1J Armored, SDP-1 Stampede Valkyrie, VE-1, VT-1, VT-1 Super, VF-1 Super and VF-1 Strike.
It first appeared in Choujikuu Yousai Macross (1982) where it was created by the U.N. Spacy to fight a race of humanoid alien giants called Zentradi. It was eventually succeeded by the far more advanced VF-4 Lighting III.
In real life the VF-1 was designed by Kawamori Shouji in the early 80s. The design of the mecha's fighter mode is loosely based on the F-14 combat jet and its name is a tribute to the XB-70, Kawamori's favorite aircraft.
This mecha was called the VF-1 Veritech in the ROBOTECH American adaptation of Macross. In that continuity the mecha was developed from alien Robotechnology and the term VERITECH is an acronym which stands for Variable Engineering and Robotics Integration TECHnology.