VC-27 Tunny

## VC-27A Tunny

The **VC-27 Tunny** is a VSTOL-capable heavy transport aircraft used by the UEDF.

## Background

The Tunny was an extension of several programs aimed at creating VTOL and STOL transport aircraft that dated back to the 1970s. Entering service during the Global Civil War, it boasted unpreceded capabilities in its combination of cargo capacity and VTOL abilities. The aicraft was employed by the Eastern United States, the Internationalist Coalition and a number of other factions to support their operations, with its VTOL capabilities proving invaluable.

Due to these abilities, it was chosen by the UEDF as their standard heavy-lift transport aircraft. Its VTOL capabilities made it vital to the development of Macross Island and the SDF-1 project, with Tunnys flying in heavy equipment before the island had a fully operational runway, and continuing to operate from facilities that would have been too small to support a similarly-sized conventional aircraft.

Those Tunnys that survived the Rain of Death were pressed into service to aid in reconstruction efforts, with their VTOL capabilities being vital in regions that no longer had fully functional airports. While the Army of the Southern Cross preferred their own SC-37 Phoenix supersonic transport, they continued to use the Tunny for those situations where the Phoenix (which needed considerable runway space) could not operate. Those examples were destroyed during the Invid Invasion.

## Capabilities

The Tunny was the largest conventional VTOL-capable aircraft ever designed. Due to its engine design, it could take off and land vertically if needs be, however doing so consumed considerable amounts of fuel, severely limiting its range. Normally the Tunny operated conventionally in order to make the most of its considerable range. However, as a compromise, it could engage in STOL operations on runways as short of 300 meters. Under normal operations, the Tunny had a range of 8890 km, but that could be extended through in-flight refueling.

Due to its size and design, the Tunny had a considerable cargo capacity. The aircraft could carry a maximum payload of up to 118 metric tons; however, for VTOL operations this was limited to 79.3 metric tons. The aircraft could carry Destroids (Save for the HWR-00 Monster) palleted and lying down in the bay, however, airdropping them was not possible due to their size and weight.

The Tunny was completely unarmed and possessed only minimal protection from its hull. It was entirely dependent on escorts in case of an attack.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** VC-27A

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 2
	+ **Structure – Light:** 25
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 800 kph / 1.25 km / 125 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **No Melee:** The Tunny cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **Crew:** The Tunny has a crew of 4: 1 pilot and 1 co-pilot, plus 1 navigator and 1 load master. If one crew is missing or injured, then it may still operate but will take penalties to maneuvering and sensor skill rolls.

* **Atmosphere Only:** The Tunny can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

* **Passengers:** Instead of cargo, the Tunny can carry up to 120 infantry with weapons and equipment.

* **Ungainly:** The Tunny is a heavy craft and not at all agile. It suffers a Hinderance on all skill checks when engaged with smaller and lighter craft.

* **Generic:** The stats for the Tunny can be used to represent other utility aircraft.

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery