by the fans for the fans

It took many ... many years for Robotech fans that spanned atleast almost 15 years to finally have a closure to the elusive VFX-4 / YF-4 within RT-verse.

For a while, back in late 1990s, Dave Dietrich started included the VF-4G Lightning III entry into his Macross / Robotech RPG campaigns at Steelfalcon.com, and followed suit by Pete Walker & his posse added the VF-4G Lightning III entry to their infamous Unofficial Robotech Reference Guide. The very mecha burns into the collective brains of RT fans.

But one still wonders, does VF-4 Lightning is ever part of Robotech-verse, eventhough fans especially the RT RPG community lapped it up for their long running RT RPG gaming for years?

From both the SDF: Macross animation and RT: Macross Saga series, fans do not really taken any notice of the little toy plane that Rick play in his room.

It seems, there never seems any continuation for that little toy plane in Robotech-verse in 1980s to 1990s, but that little toy plane is slowly branching out its own line of mecha evolution in Macross franchise.

The VF-X-4 as it is identified in the Macross OSM, became the base model for which the awesome VF-4 Lightning III come into being.

As Macross Flashback 2012 OAV made its debut in 1987, the Japanese fans had the opportunity of lapping up the gorgeously detailed of VF-4 Lightning, the successor of VF-X-4 escorting the SDF-2 Megaroad journey to the stars.

But no one really know how the Battloid and Gerwalk (aka Guardian) modes looks like for the VF-4 Lightning, because at the time in late 1980s, Shoji Kawamori (lead mecha designer in Macross) never did quite designed the aforementioned modes for the mecha, despite stating it is transformable.

At the time, Macross fans only had their imaginations .... based on several linearts of VF-4 from Macross OSM.

Then in 1992, a turn-based strategy game based on the Macross anime was released only in Japan for the PC Engine Super CD, known as Macross: Eternal Love Song, a sequel to Macross 2036 PC game. The interesting thing is, VF-4 is making an appearance but simply known as VF-4SP/ST Siren.

Yep .... finally we've the elusive VF-4 Siren (yeah, I know) battloid mode design ... unfortunately, it was not part of Macross official continuity ... because the hory-froating-head Kawamori never did designed the battloid modes, and the Super / Strike Pack for the VF-4 Siren.

Actually, no linearts for the VF-4 Siren can be traced whatsoever. What we have are crappy screenshots ... really ..

VF-4 Siren



VF-4 Siren with Strike / Super Pack



VF-4 Siren Battloid Mode


Reference:
anime.geocities.jp/emiri_0624/macrooss_eternal_love.html

Well, this is where Macross fans filled in. In recent years, using scant resources they've on Macross ELS in-game footages and raw creative talent (with sharp eyes too), and sketches of VF-4 linearts from the OSM, the rendering of VF-4 Siren finally come to light. Mind you, they're working with resources such as vague linearts. Then Macross fans filled in the blanks for the elusive VF-4 Siren. Look at how awesome VF-4 Siren as it taken shape.

And a little help referenced from Mr Shoji Kwamori, who managed to dribble a quick chibi mecha what VF-4 might look like in one of Macross OSM.

Lo and behold!

Of course, the Chibi VF-4 designed by Kawamori would later become the basis of VF-4G Lightning III. VF-4 Siren would fade from Macross canon as Macross ELS and Macross 2036 were relegated to alternative continuity with Macross II Lovers Again.

By the time Macross Digital Mission VF-X game for PS was released in 1997, Shoji Kawamori would later unveiled the VF-4G Lightning III to the masses. Mannn, Macross fans lapped it up. It was a unique one of a kind design that stuck on many Macross fans heart.

Of course, not forgetting, the custom VF-4G Lightning III Leader Type.