- This article is about the Stork as portrayed in Star Blazers 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark and its sequels. For the comparable craft in the original series, see Special Recon Boat.
The Ki-8 Prototype Air Boat, better known by its nickname Stork, was a special craft developed by the United Nations Cosmo Force for planetary exploration.
Armaments and Technical Specifications[]
The KI-8 Stork is a transatmospheric vehicle designed for carrying out long-term exploration activities. It can be equipped with a variety of equipment including observation sensors and obstacle-removing firearms.[1][3]
It is a broad flying boat design with a large, reinforced canopy protected by a roll bar and small wings. It can dive like a sub and is able to break through an ice cover. It is amphibious and has a 6x6 wheel drive, with its retractable variable wheels and their elaborated suspensions allowing the tread pattern to be changed to suit various terrains. As a sea-skimming boat it has a three keel nose ideal for breaking through thin ice, and a flat bottom for high speed. On land its retracted wheels are revealed but only the lower half is exposed. The wing ends have a multi-purpose unit attached, which can serve as floating support pods. The wings are foldable and it has flight capability. The wings are double folded when stored or when driving on land.[3][1]
The Stork has crew of five people and is operated by carrying an autonomous ship analysis unit however, it can transport up to seven people. Three are seat in the front row, four in the back row. The two outboard seats in the back have working stations to the side.[1][3]
History[]
The Stork flying over Shambleau
The KI-8 Stork was equipped secretly aboard the Yamato by the supporters of Project Izumo, who planned to use it to explore plausible candidates for a planetary exodus of the Earthling race. The vehicle was hidden in an high-pressure hangar in the bottom dome in front of the third bridge. The presence of the Stork aboard Yamato remained a secret until the Project Izumo faction's conspiracy was uncovered. In August 2199,[4] the Stork was used to send a relief party on the surface of the mysterious planet Shambleau, where a Garmillan distress signal was being broadcasted.[1]
In December 2202, the Stork was used by acting captain Susumu Kodai and Toko Katsuragi to search for Professor Robert Redrowz in the Archelian ruins located on planet Stravase.[2] In May 2203, it was used by Lt. Klaus Keyman, Second Lieutenant Hajime Saito, Sergeant Major Shiori Nagakura and Analyzer while exploring Zemuria, the planet where Yamato crashed after disappearing into the White Comet.[5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Trap at Planet Stravase!"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark Mecha data
- ↑ Mikage Kiryu states that the events of Odyssey of the Celestial Ark (outside of the prologue and epilogue) are set one months after Yamato's take off from Iscandar, as that event is stated to take place on July 27, 2199, it can be deduced that the movie takes place in August of the same year. See Yamato 2199 timeline inconsistencies for more details
- ↑ "Heir to the Yamato, Her Name is Ginga"
Japanese language information[]
キ8型試作宙艇 Ki 8-gata shisaku chū-tei