This model represents VF-1S #81, known as "Black Bunny" after its paint scheme and Playboy-bunny emblem. It was painted with this scheme as part of the victory celebrations after the First Robotech War. It served as a squadron leader on the rebuilt ARMD-01 for five years, and was eventually scrapped for parts to fit out the departing REF fleet. The hulk was sold to an Earth-side historical preservation group known as the "New Confederate Air Force"; it resided in the NCAF's museum until the Invid Invasion. The Invid, not realizing that the museum held only non-combat vehicles, destroyed the entire cache. Interestingly, a hobbyist organization is currently attempting to create a working replica of the VF-1S Valkyrie, with the "Black Bunny" paint scheme; their effort is funded by both the survivors of the NCAF and the Smithsonian Institution.

Here, the Black Bunny is depicted in the "Strike" configuration that was standard for space-based VF-1S Veritechs during the post-RW1 years. It carries the same FAST-pack armament as the RW1-era Strike Valkyrie, but lighter wing-mounted ordnance; a single UMM-11 medium-range missile pod on each wing, as opposed to a pair of RMS-01 cruise missiles and a UMM-7 dogfight-missile pod.

About the model:

Hasegawa's VF-1S Strike Valkyrie, along with the VF-1 Valkyrie Weapons Set and VF-1 Photoetch Detail Set. The vernier nozzles are replaced by thrusters from Kotobukiya's Modeling Support Goods #P113. Paints are Tamiya and Citadel acrylics, with the black supplied by Testors Model Master spraypaint. The stand is Hasegawa's Macross Display Stand.

Image: Rear view

Image: Booster pod

Image: Cannon & booster

Image: Cockpit

Image: Front view

Image: Flyby