WTF-1 Discsussion Thread

[Zinjo]

In an effort to move this debate to a thread outside the episode thread, let's move the discussion here.

[Mr March]

WTF is the WTF-1?

Sorry, but someone had to post it

[Zinjo]

Going by that, the original design of the SDF-2 took everything from the SDF-1, and just made it bigger, come on.

On the contrary, if the TV version of the SDF-1 is canon, then the designers of the SDF-2 made several changes to the original restoration designs, which became incorporated into the refit. The pictures don't lie...

Considering the fact that as of the intro of Macross Frontier (fleet movements), such Macross styled ships don't exist, it's not hard to believe at all. Whats harder to believe is that you treat using the Macross's fold drive as "fantastic."

Exactly how do you know they "don't exist"? Was there a close up of those icons I missed?

How can we be definitively sure that the SDF battleships were not incorporated into the Megaroad colony ships similarly to how the NMC is integrated into the City ship?

How do we know definitively the ultimate size the Megaroad colony ships became? The Frontier is 3x the size of City 7, yet the overall shape and design is essentially the same and the Megaroad 01 was built on top of an existing chassis that was 1600m long and thus largely limited to that size at the time.

Dude, the reason the New Macross Class exists, is because the Megaroads "did not" have such ships attached to them.

You can prove that as effectively as I can prove my hypothesis. In two words, "you can't"...

Prior to Mac 7, the Protodevlin did not exist, yet they do now, because that gap in the chronology has been filled, by the events of Macross 7.

They started out with Zentradi escorts, then progressed with the newer designed frigates & battleships, but there was no mystery fleet of SDF-1-alikes attached to them. There's no basis to believe such a thing happened.

There is no basis to believe such things didn't happen either. There is a blank page were that information could exist, just like there was with the PD. This Macross book is still being written by SK and to imply that such a thing isn't allowed because it hasn't been written yet is pretty pompous for any fan.

If you supply me with a picture from any previous Macross series, or Frontier that shows a Macross-aliek ship attached to a Megaroad, then you'll have substance for such a random idea. Until such time, pic's, or it didn't happen!1

Sure I'll supply my pic when you supply a picture of the Megaroad 13 without one. Until such time, it could have happened!

What's so hard to believe about that again? Bigass Zentradi escort ships! The Megaroads weren't going out unprotected. The priority was put on spreading out colony fleets, setting up resource gathering expeditions, and restoring a relative normal. Building a whole bunch of transforming escort battleships with reaction cannons took a back seat for 20 years, get over it.

I don't recall saying they were going out uprotected, I said (it's all in the post black and white, try reading it), that they'd be additional protection.

Yes, well the Terran solar system is has such sparse resources. Wish we had moons, asteroids and other planets to mine, oh wait! WE DO and crikey they are so much closer than systems several light years away...

I think someone needs to get over themselves more than I need to get over the somewhat rediculous idea that a government sending out the last remnants of humanity would put off something like an NMC for twenty years to mine a few distant worlds when there are plenty of resources in their own back yard to do the same job...

He's never put something into a place where it was clearly shown not to have been.

Macross Zero - SDFM has no mention of transforming aircraft engaged in combat prior to the VF-1, before the series came out. Such historical references did not exist prior to that show's production. Your point is invalid...

Go take a trip to the Macross compendium.

"Debut: Macross TV episode 1

Other appearances: Movie, 2012, II, Plus"

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...ross/index.html

http://macross.anime.net//story/encycloped...love/index.html

A bit of speculation? Maybe, but done so with enough reasonable proof to back it up. Bodolza's ship done with Holography? Mentioned. The Macross? Not so much

A BIT?! This is a weak argument to support a weak premise. If Bodolza's ship was done with holography, it is more reasonable to conclude the Macross was too, not the other way around...

In the most critical of terms, how the Macross ended up on film is simply not stated, therefore to assume it was used in the movie is all speculation, nothing less.

The burdon of proof is in your direction. If it looks like the Macross, & is called the Macross, then its probably the freakin' Macross. Proof for anything else? You've shown nothing to support any form of reasonable doubt.

The reasonable doubt is simply this:

1. The SDF-2 Megalord design took heavily from the SDF-1 Macross and from a distance would look the same.

2. It is not stated in any official documentation that only 2 Macross class vessels were built and no more. What is stated is that the SDF-1 Macross restoration was completed and the SDF-2 Megalord was half complete before it was refitted as a colony vessel. No where is it stated that these two were the last of that battleship class.

3. The witnesses identified a ship that "looked" like the Macross, yet we have no proof they saw any identifying markings on the hull such as the registry number SDF-1 or the name "Macross". With that ship being so iconic in the culture of the universe, what else would they have called it?

4. All counter arguments are based up the assumption that only one Macross class battleship was ever produced and that is simply not supported by official records, as they are definitive on the matter of how many more if any were built.

It wasn't just designed to be a larger version, it was re-tooled into an entirely new design. The ship originally known as the SDF-2 Megaroad that looked like the Macross ceased to exist when it was re-tooled into the Long Distance Colony Ship Megaroad--01 Take a good look at that ship design, and tell me where the ship you're talking about is? I see the Bridge + an entirely new ship around it. No cannon booms, no nuthin'.

Whether the Megalord battleship ceased to exist when it was converted is irrelevant. The construction was underway using the plans to build a battleship for 6 years. What ultimately happened to the chassis doesn't discount that plans existed to construct a Macross class battleship of completely human origin and were used in it's construction. Much like the NMCs are.

[Zinjo]

Hell, let's go a little further. The Protodevelin took out the Megaroad-13 fleet, and used it as the basis to construct their new fleet. You can see some influence from the Megaroad in their main battleship, but no Macross like ship anywhere.

Let's... Why didn't the PD use the Macross 5 Carrier, oh wait, wasn't it destoryed? I guess it's far too much of a stretch to expect a battle fortress to defend the civilians against would would most likely appear to be a revolt from within the ranks. Another possible scenario, is that it was destroyed to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Again the details as to how the population of the Megaroad 13 were captured by the PD has been left essentially blank. We only know they found Varauta, colonized it and then released the PD, that's pretty much it.

**Had to add this here since I had too many quotes...Doh!

[Zinjo]

WTF is the WTF-1?

Sorry, but someone had to post it

Yeah, well I dropped the ball on that one...

[ComicKaze]

It's the SDF-1. It's always had an air of mystery about it, such as when the original fold engines kept folding and left the Macross behind. Perhaps they reappeared or some external force folded the Macross between M+ and Frontier that we don't know about (also leading to the changes resulting in NUNs). I'm guessing that the fold transit left the Macross in the dilapated state, perhaps it defolded in orbit and burned through the atmosphere in decent only to crash on Gallia IV. In any case, it is Global's Ship as the preview states. Alto even calls it the Macross instead of an SDF class ship.

We have never seen any indication of any SDF class ships outside of the Macross in any show or canon material, it is a one of a kind design. It would make absolutely no sense to build any more of them. It is both a powerful symbol to the people of earth and also a restoration of an alien ship that is unsuited to human usage without extensive modification.

Finally, in terms of fan service - it simply has to be the Macross for maximum effect and to give this series the heavy nostalgic connection to Macross that it deserves. It is the 25th anniversary show afterall.

Edited June 29, 2008 by ComicKaze

[Sumdumgai]

I believe that it is possible that the WTF-1 is a Macross Class ship that was constructed sometime after the SDF-2 Megaroad-01 was launched. They could have been sent with some colony fleets as escorts, phasing out the use of zentraedi cruisers. And/or Macross Class ships could have been used for high risk fleets, whether it be colony fleets or Zentraedi-interception (for use against hostile fleets, like Fleet of the Strongest Women). It would predate the New Macross Class, and be a reason to make New Macross Class vessels to improve on the first generation Macross Class.

I just think it somewhat unlikely that the original SDF-1 Macross, the heart of Earth's planetary defense, would be sent off for a space mission. Possible under exigent circumstances, yes. Just, unlikely.

We thought that the VF-1 was the first variable fighter for the longest time, and all the literature and canon stuff affirmed it. Then we get Macross Zero and discover the existence of the VF-0 and SV-51. We also see the Cheyenne destroid, Monster w/claw, and early ghost fighters. All things that didn't exist until Macross Zero came about and was incorporated into the Macross chronology.

Episode 13 might show us that there were other Macross Class vessels that looked like the Macross. We wouldn't exactly notice a size difference if they look the same and we don't have the original to compare it with side by side. Just because at this moment in time we don't have information to support the existence of other Macross Class vessels, doesn't mean the possibility should be dismissed.

As for the Enterprise example I gave in the episode 12 thread, if there are other Macross Class vessels, the original Macross would be the most famous. Just like other variable fighters are called "valkyries", it wouldn't be too far fetched to call a Macross Class vessel "Macross", especially if they have the same naming scheme (ex. Macross 5, Macross 7).

Hopefully episode 13 will bring resolution to our questions. It could be the original Macross. It could be a Macross from another reality (hello Super Dimension Century Orguss!). It could be a big movie prop (I think unlikely). It could be some kind of hologram created by aliens to communicate to Alto and Ranka. It could be swamp gas...

If it is SDF-1 Macross the original, not from another reality or universe, then if Macross VFX2 is canon in the chronology of the universe, the Macross would have had to have left Earth sometime during the end of or after 2051 (assuming that it didn't leave earlier with a replacement standing in for it).

Heh, wouldn't it be funny if it's the original SDF Macross?... From the Macross II alternate universe... (I forgot how it ended, but I remember it being bad for the Macross)

edit in response to comikaze who posted before I was finished writing this post:

We have never seen any indication of any SDF class ships outside of the Macross in any show or canon material, it is a one of a kind design. It would make absolutely no sense to build any more of them. It is both a powerful symbol to the people of earth and also a restoration of an alien ship that is unsuited to human usage without extensive modification.

It would make as much sense to build Macross Class vessels as it would to build New Macross Class vessels. Frigates and carriers are good and all, but it's nice to have something with some major punch. Plus there can be only so many zentraedi battlecruisers left after Space War I, especially if they were being use to escort colony fleets.

Edited June 29, 2008 by Sumdumgai

[Duke Togo]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

[Gubaba]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

Bless you, sir.

[Chewie]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

I was just going to ask a bunch of questions and then argue about stuff until I got what I wanted, but this is perfect and saves me from having to type more. Thanks, Duke.

Also, IMO, "Megalord" just sounds like the engrish version of Megaroad. 'Megalaodaru' or something like that.

Lol

Edited June 29, 2008 by Chewie

[Strumvogel]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

I agree with you there, it sure looks like the SDF-1. Even if they did develop another, I don't see the reason to build an exact duplicate.

It must have been pretty desperate if they needed to call an 50 year old ship back into service though.

[sdf2501]

Quick question: I know that it's pretty obvious that the ship on Galia isn't the SDF-2, but for the sake of argument, why couldn't it be an ASS-2? The arms are buried about half way, so there's a possibility that the things on its arms might not be ARMDs, and I would assume that it's quite possible that the Supervision Army had more ASS'es in their fleets. I think it'd be naive to think that the ASS-1 was the only one.

Or has the possibility of the above been disproven somehow?

Edit: Personally, I'm leaning to it being the actual SDF-1, but how do we as fans know for certain that it isn't another ship built by the Supervision Army that crash landed there a very long time ago?

Edited June 30, 2008 by sdf2501

[VF5SS]

Or has the possibility of the above been disproven somehow?

I dunno. The fact that the arms are ARMDS, the fact that the Supervision Army ships can't transform, and the fact that the Macross is quite angular compared to the smooth surfaces of the Supervision army ships.

Goddamnit guys, it's the Macross.

[RichterX]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

I agree

[Mr March]

If the ship on Gallia 4 were an ASS-2 (so much fine booty in this thread! Damn girl, shake that thang!) some humans had to rebuild it for that episode 12 ship to look the way it does. The ARMD carrier arms are human designs, not Supervision Army nor Zentradi. Also, the ASS-1 wasn't a transforming design and the ASS-1 DYRL version looks nothing like the ship seen in episode 12. Then there's also the fact that as far as we know there's only ever been one SDF-1 Macross class ship, though I will concede the UN Spacy certainly had the capability and need to build more.

[Zinjo]

Sorry, Zin, gotta call you out on this one. You guys are coming off like a bunch of Techies arguing about the existence of a second SDF ship in the original Macross animation. All evidence points to this being the one and ONLY SDF-1. Next episode preview leads one to believe that the ship either went back into service, or was moved.

Its not a Megaroad, and there is no Megalord.

That's fine, I naturally respect your opinion.

I for one used the modern CVNs as my example deliberately, to distance myself from any Trek dismissives.

All evidence does not conclusively point to only 1 Macross Class vessel ever built (to be precise the Macross was more restored with human design elements as opposed to built from scratch). A second was on the way and was refitted as a colony ship. No mentions are made of the construction or lack of construction of further SDF battleships. Which is my entire point.

The lack of definitive record leaves the possibility open and thus cannot be ignored or dismissed. Since SK won't be painted into a corner by his own chronology, I believe he keeps many areas of the history and universe open to future stories and interpretation (any good writer would, Ron Moore has mentioned this several times for his series).

Is it the actual Macross? Possibly.

Could it be another Macross class battleship? Equally possible.

The preview leads one to believe that something has yet to be revealed and is left purposefully ambiguous to get a fanbase buzzing about the next episode and hopefully boost ratings at the start of summer break (granted in Japan that is pretty short before summer school begins).

As for the Megaroad / Megalord comment, please clarify.

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...ross/index.html

Megalord is clearly mentioned as the name of the second SDF (not finished as a battleship, but started as one nonetheless).

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...s/Megaroad.html

Please note the "programmes" section where the name change is described after the order to refit.

I will concede the Megalord battleship never launched as such, however that is not enough proof to conclude other similar ships were never produced either.

Ultimately, if the ship found is indeed the Macross herself, I won't be crying in my beer. I will be keenly curious as to how she ultimately got so far from home...

Edited June 30, 2008 by Zinjo

[jenius]

Edit: Personally, I'm leaning to it being the actual SDF-1, but how do we as fans know for certain that it isn't another ship built by the Supervision Army that crash landed there a very long time ago?

We don't get a very good glimpse of it but the original Supervision Army shipped looked substantially different from the SDF-1 Macross and the sillouette we're treated to looks like a dead-ringer for the human-modified form. Basically, it seems highly unlikely it isn't a human ship, check out the bridge:

Add to that the fact Alto looks at it and says "That's the Macross" and it certainly seems to be leading us to one conclusion. Of course, it wouldn't be MacF with some confusion heaped upon it. My sub version of the next episode preview calls it "A first generation Macross ship" which is wording that could imply it might not be *THE* Macross that survived the Rain of Death although there's some talk of past heroism also. The episode preview ends like this which begs the question... will that ruin end up looking shiny and new at some point in the next episode:

I was also certain that that eyeball was too similar to the eyeball from MacZero and would have to be a Protoculture entity like the Bird Man but this picture

Makes me wonder if it isn't just Varja related... but then again, Varja and the Bird Man may still be strongly related.

Edited June 30, 2008 by jenius

[Gubaba]

I'm STILL weirded out by this Megaroad/Megalord naming thing...in Japanese, it's the same word: メガロード. So how can it be referring to two different things?

[Gubaba]

My sub version of the next episode preview calls it "A first generation Macross ship" which is wording that could imply it might not be *THE* Macross that survived the Rain of Death although there's some talk of past heroism also.

Again, Japanese has no definite or indefinite articles, so the choice of "a" or "the" is up to the translator.

[Mr March]

to distance myself from any Trek dismissives.

All evidence does not conclusively point to only 1 Macross Class vessel ever built (to be precise the Macross was more restored with human design elements as opposed to built from scratch). A second was on the way and was refitted as a colony ship. No mentions are made of the construction or lack of construction of further SDF battleships. Which is my entire point.

VERY much appreciated

I see now what you're saying and technically, you're correct. There was indeed more than one SDF Macross built and certainly plans for more. It was never finished, but as you say there were clearly more on the way according to the official word. Plus common sense dictates you don't build one-of-a-kind ships in a military force

I suspect many fans consider the SDF-1 Macross iconic and singular, so I'd guess most objections to a second or more such vessels somehow diminishes the greatness of the original. Plus the lack of any more ships in the anime gives us the impression there was only one. I think ultimately it's a dramatic conceit. Logic tells us there shouldn't be just one SDF Macross class ship, but because it's all a fictional world we go with it because it's so dramatic

[jenius]

Again, Japanese has no definite or indefinite articles, so the choice of "a" or "the" is up to the translator.

That's all fair enough but in this instance it's the "first generation" portion of the sentence that leads to the confusion. Is there a generation of Macross ships that all look similar? Did all of those ships come to be known simply as a Macross?

[VF5SS]

First generation seems like a way to distinguish it from the Frontier, Quarter, and Galaxy. New fans would probably associate "Macross" with those kinds of ships and not the old one.

[Gubaba]

That's all fair enough but in this instance it's the "first generation" portion of the sentence that leads to the confusion. Is there a generation of Macross ships that all look similar? Did all of those ships come to be known simply as a Macross?

My assumption is that First Generation = ASS-1 (and any other Macross-type ships built between 1999 and 2010. i.e., none). Second Generation would be the Megalord/Megaroad/Megaload/Megarohdo/Megarord/メガロード. Macross 7 would be third or fourth generation, most likely.

I don't really see any other way that makes sense, but whatever. We'll find out next week.

(I know, I know...I said I was done with this topic...and then someone has to go and make a whole thread about it...Temptation is strong, and I am a weak man...)

[Zinjo]

VERY much appreciated

I see now what you're saying and technically, you're correct. There was indeed more than one SDF Macross built and certainly plans for more. It was never finished, but as you say there were clearly more on the way according to the official word. Plus common sense dictates you don't build one-of-a-kind ships in a military force

I suspect many fans consider the SDF-1 Macross iconic and singular, so I'd guess most objections to a second or more such vessels somehow diminishes the greatness of the original. Plus the lack of any more ships in the anime gives us the impression there was only one. I think ultimately it's a dramatic conceit. Logic tells us there shouldn't be just one SDF Macross class ship, but because it's all a fictional world we go with it because it's so dramatic

In reality there really IS only one SDF1 Macross because no other ASS ships were known to be salvaged and then rebuilt, likely at Britai's urging. In that sense the Macross is still one of a kind. All the rest could only be mere copies of the original, not the one and only.

Even the line art for the Megalord is distinctly different from the Macross. The Bridge tower is taller, there are two radomes instead of just one and the ship itself is 400m longer. Thus the Macross would continue to be a one of a kind original.

My assumption is that First Generation = ASS-1 (and any other Macross-type ships built between 1999 and 2010. i.e., none). Second Generation would be the Megalord/Megaroad/Megaload/Megarohdo/Megarord/メガロード. Macross 7 would be third or fourth generation, most likely.

That is an arguable point, except the Megalord was considered a Macross Class at the same time as the SDF-1 was being restored. So it could just as fairly be argued that it was considered the "bigger" sister ship to the Macross despite its completely human construction.

(I know, I know...I said I was done with this topic...and then someone has to go and make a whole thread about it...Temptation is strong, and I am a weak man...)

LOL, that's why this thread was created, to keep from hijacking the episode thread, with a single aspect of the episode.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Zinjo

[cyde01]

interesting, i wonder if this screencap is from a cutback scene showing how the ship got to galia 4 or is showing the ship on galia 4 returning to space with the macross frontier fleet? we clearly see more contemporary ships like stealth frigates and maizuru class carriers in the background. however, because of the fold faults it would be difficult for the ship to get back to the frontier fleet. and it would be difficult for what looks like a thrashed ship to turn brand new and shiny looking again.

[dreamweaver13]

First generation seems like a way to distinguish it from the Frontier, Quarter, and Galaxy. New fans would probably associate "Macross" with those kinds of ships and not the old one.

i agree. it could actually be that simple.

we have to keep in mind that for some people, this is the first time they got to see the SDF-1 Macross (yes, we have to face the fact that some people haven't seen SDFM or DYRL, or hell even MacPlus). So for these people, alto's words must have thrown them off the loop ("huh? why did he say macross? that doesn't look anything like the frontier!or the quarter!"). in that case, the ep 13 preview mentioning it as a/the first generation "macross" ship as opposed to the frontier, would make perfect sense as an explanation.

"kawamori, you mean you made a macross series not just for us?? whyyy?????"

[Gubaba]

"kawamori, you mean you made a macross series not just for us?? whyyy?????"

Pfft. If he made a Macross series just for us, it would be about the Megaroad-01.

[Master Dex]

Something to add to this generation talk, in one of the history lessons in the earlier episodes of Frontier.. episode 5 actually because it was talking about the fleet and it's islands, it says Macross Frontier is the 5th generation large scale colonial fleet (Shinsen subs says the and not a but like Gubaba said that can go both ways). Now of course this line may just be referring to colony fleets in general and not even count the original Macross class, and we know Macross 25 itself is a New Macross class vessel (it's kind of obvious) so this may not mean anything at all, but I figured I should point it out.

[JB0]

I'm confused... why are we having a lengthy discussion about what is CLEARLY the Alus?

[dreamweaver13]

Pfft. If he made a Macross series just for us, it would be about the Megaroad-01.

hehe. true, true.

[azrael]

I'm confused... why are we having a lengthy discussion about what is CLEARLY the Alus?

I really don't know. A good chunk of the question of will probably be answered this coming Thursday, anyways.

[Zinjo]

I'm confused... why are we having a lengthy discussion about what is CLEARLY the Alus?

ROFL!

Why didn't I think of that....

Edited June 30, 2008 by Zinjo

[lord_breetai]

I like the theory that was postulated in the episode thread that this is an alien mirage meant to communicate to Alto and Lanka as a symbol they would know and recognize. It's like Unicron's appearance in Transformers Beast Wars, I however believe there is no chance of that being the case, since if it were such it would probably appear in pristine condition.

[Gubaba]

I like the theory that was postulated in the episode thread that this is an alien mirage meant to communicate to Alto and Lanka as a symbol they would know and recognize.

Kind of like the Wizard of Oz...?

[Anon]

Hi folks, my first post here and I already want to jump in on the WTF-1 conjectures:

I'm also of a mind that perhaps there are multiple Macross class ships, but that it is the one found in ep12 that's the original, with the one left on earth being a copy.

Reason:

1. Macross Frontier seems intent on paying tributes to a lot of the previous Macross series.

2. One of the greatest "gap" in the Macross franchise is the fate of Megaroad-1 after its disappearance.

3. It was established that there was a massive cover-up on earth in regards to the disappearance of the said Megaroad-1.

4. Megaroad-1 is the first colonization fleet, stocked full of people who are veterans of SW-1, presumably with a LOT of friends in high places. Not to mention one of the passenger is probably considered to be no less than a living treasure to the U.N. Spacy (Minmei). Also, in regards to the cover-up, perhaps U.N. Spacy had more information about the disappearance of Megaroad-1 than we originally were led to believe.

5. It would not be out of question for a search and rescue attempt be tried. Given that if something had happened to Megaroad-1, they probably need something that packs more heat than it to deal with it.

6. At the time, the SDF-1 Macross is probably already repaired, and I don't think there were other vessels available that matches that particular job description except a repaired Macross.

7. Captain Bruno is probably still the only man truly qualified to captain such a vessel at the time. Captain Bruno does have very close relationship with the people on the Megaroad mission.

8. Maybe its not out of the question for UN Spacy to send out the old Captain with his old ship on a search and rescue attempt, while constructing a duplicate in Macross' place to use as an overpriced office building.

9. Perhaps, this fleet also ran into Megaroad-1's (or its own) problem (Varja? Maybe another M7 might be pulled here again, "OMG! Varja is acutally linked to another human colonization effort, Megaroad-1!), had another fold-goof, and crashed in the ditch where it was recently found, with the rescue attempt also covered up on Earth.

Also, the theory that Macross had to hightail out of Earth in the span of time between Macross+/7 and Frontier also seem somewhat plausible to me, but that wont explain the next episode name as well.

Just some crazy talk from a Macross fanboy, who's first recollection of anything was seeing Macross on TV as a toddler.