Posted on December 6, 2023

Dual Magazine No. 7

Kunio Okawara Design Room 4

“Basically, the first step is painting, and the second step is remodeling.”

This corner presents 3D models of the original Combat Armor and Armored Trooper, based on new drawings by Kunio Okawara, mecha designer of Votoms and Dougram. They were drawn as reference examples for the modification of plamodels.

The basics of making an original model is painting first and modification second. By painting and marking it with different specifications other than “anime” specs, it is possible to create a completely different image. In order to demonstrate the interest of recent original designs, Mr. Okawara has drawn illustrations that focus on changing the paint rather than remodeling it.

The difficulty level of modification varies depending on the method and design. As shown in this example, it is relatively easy to change the image by using parts of other Combat Armors or completely different kits. It is relatively easy to change the image. The original was first created by the creator himself in order to get a sense of the image. In other words illustration comes first.

Kummen Kingdom and the Special Forces’ incursion route

The Kingdom of Kummen is centered on the Munamera River basin. In the past, its capital was located inland, but in modern times, it has moved to a design facing the sea. The headquarters of the Holy Kingdom of Kummen was established in the ruins of its forgotten city. The military bases of the Kingdom are EX-1 to EX-9 for the regular army. EX-10, a mercenary force, was newly established during the civil war. EX-6 and EX-7 were destroyed by Vela Guerillas.

Armored Trooper Votoms: Latest design archives

Director Ryosuke Takahashi Interview

We talked to Director Takahashi, who is now planning the follow-up program to Votoms, about the next arc from Sunsa to Quent.

The death of Ypsilon

The “Sunsa chapter” can be called the “Ypsilon chapter” or the “P.S. chapter,” since it depicts the emotions of Chirico, Fyana, and Ypsilon.

Ypsilon realizes that the relationship of Chirico and Fyana has been strengthened by their contact in battle. This evolves into a hatred that motivates him to defeat Chirico. Aron and Guran stir up this hatred in Ypsilon in an attempt to help him overcome his emotional instability. In the end, however, Ypsilon cannot give up his love for Fyana, and the experiment fails.

Ypsilon has conflicting feelings about being a P.S. and an elite, having more abilities than a normal human being. Fyana is the only other person of the same quality, but she rejects him. He feels lonely because she has gone to Chirico. Chirico understands his feelings and tries to settle everything with a fair fight. He feels a bond with Ypsilon, as if they are destined to be soldiers together.

Fyana does not hate Ypsilon. But when forced to choose between the two, she chooses Chirico. However, in their duel, she defends Ypsilon, who is a kindred spirit. Finally, Ypsilon dies defending Fyana from a Balarant A.T.’s attack.

[Translator’s note: this is not, in fact, how he dies in the series. This interview was conducted almost two months before the Sunsa arc concluded on TV, so Takahashi either misremembered or the final script hadn’t been written yet.]

Is Chirico a P.S.?

Chirico shows a lot of P.S. characteristics. Everyone who has seen it is convinced that Chirico is P.S. Fyana is also aware of this, but is reluctant to admit it, fearing that a confrontation with Ypsilon will prove her wrong. However, to Chirico’s own surprise, his fighting ability finally surpasses that of a P.S. But the “Sunsa chapter” does not definitively conclude that Chirico is himself a P.S.

The planet Sunsa and Battleship X are stages set up by someone to remind Chirico of the Red Shoulder days. The purpose of that mysterious ritual will be revealed in the next “Quent chapter.” But there is no doubt that Rochina is involved.

All mysteries come from Quent and return to Quent

The final arc, “Quent,” takes place on Lu Shako’s home planet. Chirico appears alone on this planet to find out if he is a P.S. or not. There he meets Lu Shako again and learns about Quentian civilization. There is a connection between it and the entity that led Chirico to the planet Sunsa. This mystery concerns the entire Astragius Galaxy and a number of organizations, including Balarant, Gilgameth, and the Secret Society.

This arc is a riddle to be solved, so to speak. “Who is Chirico and where is he going?” This question will lead to solving the mysteries of this world. I will be able to tell you the theme in the next issue of Dual Magazine.

(Recorded at APU Studio on 11/8/83)

Armored Trooper Technical Description

Part 2: Electronic Devices

Written by Koichi Inoue (Nippon Sunrise, Votoms concept production)
Illustrations by Mitsuo Shiiba

Electronic devices are essential for tactical mobile weapons. The A.T. technology described in this issue is an extension of the pilot’s eyes and ears. We will mainly explain various sensors and communication devices.

Electronic equipment installed on the A.T. is mostly newly-developed parts for the computer and communication equipment. Most of them are simple improvements of parts that were developed for other weapons. However, the combination of each component is unique. To understand the A.T.’s electronics system, it is important to understand the purpose of A.T. development and its operational characteristics.

The common name for an A.T. is Votoms, an anagram for Vertical One-man Tank for Offense & Maneuvers, which is a good representation of an A.T.s character. In other words, the A.T. is a tactical mobile weapon designed primarily for the occupation and control of a certain area. It is designed to be highly effective when operating over wastelands or the rubble of destroyed cities. Depending on the terrain and the nature of the operation, it can be more efficient than the usual combination of tanks and infantry. In terms of weapon systems, it is classified as a conventional weapon between a normal tank and an infantry.

The nature of the A.T. gives it human-like mobility, tank-like armor and strength, and nearly unlimited flexibility. This is enabled by various electronic devices and Muscle Cylinders. The Muscle Cylinder is simply an extension of the limbs, but the electronic devices play an important role in the pilot’s judgment of a battle situation and decisions for what action to take.

Sensors are an extension of the pilot’s sensory organs. They can be broadly classified into passive and active systems. Passive sensors include metal, thermal infrared, and capacitance detectors: electro-optical image processors and acoustic processors. Capacitance detectors are used not only to detect proximity mass, but also to monitor the behavior of an A.T.

Next, active sensors include radar and sonar (for aquatic A.T.s) which use jijirium as the oscillation element. The frequencies used are X band for Gilgameth and J band for Balarant. The Secret Society’s P.S. A.T. uses a highly advanced millimeter-wave multi-pulse doppler system.

In general, active sensors are rarely used in battlefields with many obstructions because of the risk of being detected (with a P.S. A.T. as the exception). In addition, only a Quentian A.T. like Berserga appears to be equipped with an active metal detector. The data from these sensors are not directly displayed, but are processed by the computer before being displayed to the operator.

The computer used in an A.T. is not a centralized type that performs arithmetic operations on a single mainframe, but a complex of multiple smaller computers. The advantage of this is that the entire system is not rendered unusable by light damage. The failure of one or two computers does not cause a decisive loss of power. The system can process information for multiple purposes simultaneously and in a short period of time.

After sensors and computers, communications equipment is the most important electronic device. A typical A.T. is equipped with three types of communication devices.

VHF (Very High Frequency) communicators in the 220MHz band are used for normal communication. The effective communication radius is about 50 km in visual distance, but communication can be disabled by obstructions. For this reason, a second communicator uses a magnetic system that enables communication even in the presence of obstructions. However, the effective radius is only about 500m, which is a shortcoming.

Other types of communication devices include a PCM (pulse modulation) transmitter with a light-emitting diode for proximity communication, built into the sensor eye on the head. Other means of communication are not available, but the Diving Beetle and other waterproof A.T.s are equipped with an ultra-long wave receiver that can be used underwater.

The sensors, computers, and communicators described above are the A.T.’s main electronic components. In case of malfunction, the A.T. is equipped with a total of three systems: one automatic and two manual. Even if the A.T.’s basic structure is severely damaged, the main electronic equipment systems will not all become unusable.

In the next issue, we will discuss the computer system and environmental control system.

ATH-Q64 Berserga

Armored Trooper Heavy Class – Quent 64 Type

SPECIFICATIONS

Height : 4274mm (excluding headdress)
Crew:1 person
Basic standby weight: 8333kg
Armor thickness: 8-14mm
Cruising speed: 35km/h
MC pack type (muscle cylinder pack type): Sleck system IP-NJ-S4
Reaction liquid: DT-M 9, 6HP/L2 / DT-MO 10, 2HP/L2
Total reaction volume: 180 liters
Standard solution replacement time: Every 170 hours
Equipment: Pile bunker / Swamp clog / Gliding wheel x 4

DESCRIPTION

A custom-made A.T. manufactured exclusively for Lu Shako, a Quent mercenary. It was designed and manufactured by Gomol’s engineers. The armor and muscle cylinder are made of Gilgameth parts. Because it uses an LSI chip with Quentian elements manufactured only on Quent, performance of the electronic equipment for sensors and controls is much better than normal.

PART NAMES

LEFT SIDE

GAT-40-C

Overall length: 2450mm
Weight: 877kg
Explosives: Liquid explosive Roatep (CEP22/11)
Explosive capacity: 8.5l
Ammunition type: Armor-piercing, explosive
Number of bullets: 32 rounds
Equipment: Explosive pressure booster mechanism

Explanation: This is Berserga’s exclusive gun, a conventional GAT-40 type with an explosive pressure boosting mechanism that increases its rate of fire. As a result, it increases the penetration power of armor-piercing rounds. Additionally, the GAT-22 type is not equipped with a laser automatic ranging device, since it is less effective in land combat.

RIGHT SIDE

Note: Berserga’s legs make use of Diving Beetle type parts. The landing [downform] mechanism is also the same.

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