Artist's commentary
VF-1J Valkyrie "Armored GERWALK"
Debut: never animated, appears within Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works pg. 69 (published 2001, artwork dated January 1983); colors are fan-made and unofficial.
Description: The VF-1J Valkyrie Armored GERWALK is a concept variable fighter created midway through the broadcast of the Super Dimension Fortress Macross animated series. The Armored GERWALK is NOT an official design found anywhere in the Macross continuity. Hence, there are no official statistics and no written trivia exists for this valkyrie. However, this concept design is a Macross fan favorite, is notable as the first GERWALK to appear in armor (until the VF-25S APS-25A/MF25 Armored Messiah) and displays a unique emphasis for mounted cannons rather than missiles.
Although there is no official information for the Armored GERWALK, various aspects of the vehicle may be interpreted from the line art. Arguably the most noticable detail in the artwork is the two large cannons mounted in an ostensible rotating turret upon the top of the valkyrie. There are also twin cannons mounted within the armored section of the left arm unit (including possibly a small sub-cannon underneath the larger pair). In addition to these four cannons, missile launcher pods - apparently identical to those of the GBP-1S Armored Valkyrie - are mounted on the shoulder of each arm with the possibility of a third launcher mounted between the pair of large cannons on the top turret. Another notable feature is the fully armored cockpit canopy (shown open in the artwork) which suggests piloting is achieved via camera display screens similar to a Battroid mode cockpit. Other interesting details include an antenna system mounted upon the back of the turret, possible additional missile launchers in octogonal protrusions on the outer side of each armored leg, a cluster of venier thrusters within either side of the armored cockpit and lastly what appears to be a forward camera/sensor system mounted just under the armored hood to the front of the nosecone. The main wings are not visible in the drawn line art, but are presumably folded to the rear of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, no official colored art exists for the Armored GERWALK. Hence, the line art is presented in this profile featuring extrapolated colors based upon the GBP-1S Armored Valkyrie palette. The Armored GERWALK was designed and drawn by Shoji Kawamori.