Ultra Hawk No.1

Ultra Hawk No.1
Data
Alternative Name(s)	TDF UH001
Type	Fighter Jet
Length	42 m
Width	20 m
Weight	74 t
Max Speed	Mach 4 or more
Crew	6 people (α) 2 people (β) 3 people (γ)
Affiliation	UG
First Appearance	Ultraseven episode 1 "The Invisible Challenger"
Latest Appearance	Ultraseven IF Story “The Future 55 Years Ago”

The Ultra Hawk No.1 , or codenamed TDF UH001, is a combiner-type fighter jet used by the UG.

Subtitles:

• TDF UH001

Overview

The six-foot-long model of the Ultra Hawk No. 1 used during filming was later preserved and restored by Tomoo Haraguchi.

The official model name of the Ultra Hawk No. 1 is "TDF UH001". It is a large combat attack aircraft developed and operated by TDF's Far East Base specifically for the Ultra Guard. This versatile aircraft is capable of performing various missions including combat, bombing, patrol, and reconnaissance.

As a combined aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, the Ultra Hawk No. 1 consists of three planes: the central fuselage UH001-1, aka α (alpha), the yellow UH001-2, aka β (beta), and the blue-striped UH001-3, aka γ (gamma). These three planes can separate and combine in mid-air to execute formation attacks:

• The UH001-1 component becomes the main part where it pilots the whole jet when combined. It was made for attacking ground-based enemies.
• The UH001-2 along with UH001-1 was used as an anti-aircraft attacker where it can fire lasers and missile.
• The UH001-3 was used for ground-based combat. Its high-pitched engine sound is distinctive.

In the UG's operations, the Ultra Hawk No. 1 is utilized not only for combat missions but also for bombing, reconnaissance, and patrol. The aircraft incorporates a computer system, enabling it to link data with the base, functioning as a frontline command center, and supporting aircraft control operations.

The main weapons include laser cannons and missiles that are capable of both air-to-ground and air-to-air attacks, mounted on all three sub-aircraft. Additionally, the lower hatch can be equipped with various bombs and optional equipment such as a special spraying device or the drop-type magnetic adhesive bomb "Magnetic 7". Sometimes, it can also be outfitted with heavy armaments like twin rocket launchers or triple rocket launchers. When combined, the cockpit of the α unit becomes the main cockpit, accommodating up to six people. The β unit has side-by-side twin seats, and the γ unit has three seats. Each aircraft can be operated by a single pilot, and after combining, the entire unit can also be controlled by one person.

In its combined state, the Ultra Hawk No. 1 can enter space. The separation and combination operations are performed manually, requiring exceptional piloting skills, especially during mid-flight combination. Due to the insufficient CPU performance and information processing speed to handle the various information and control the separation in parallel, an automatic combination program was not implemented. The combination must be achieved manually using micro-lasers and precise measurements.

Equipped with both rocket and jet engines, this aircraft can fly both inside and outside the atmosphere. Even if the fuel runs out in space, it can still perform a certain degree of flight using emergency rocket thrust.

In terms of flight performance, the thermal nuclear rocket engine can generate speeds of up to Mach 4. Coupled with the aircraft's distinctive double-delta wings and T-tail design, it possesses maneuverability that surpasses that of ordinary fighter jets. It can even perform rolls, spin flights, and missile launches during high-speed flight.

History

Ultraseven

Ultra Hawk No. 1 parked in the hangar.

The Ultra Hawk No. 1 is stationed in an underground hangar at the TDF Far East Base at the foot of Mount Fuji. To protect Earth from the clutches of invaders, TDF developed this advanced fighter jet, equipping it with unprecedented features.

Once a mission starts, the Ultra Hawk No. 1 moves horizontally from the hangar via an elevator. It reaches the fourth launch gate, which slides open from the mountainside, and then takes off directly from the catapult without a runway, propelled by its main engine's jet. The entire takeoff process is completed within one minute.

The Ultra Hawk No. 1 has multiple records of shooting down alien spacecraft, including the following:

• An Alien Villa spaceship
• Alien Metron's UFO
• Alien Spell's UFO
• Some Alien Braco spaceships
• An Alien Shadow UFO
• An Alien Perolynga Spaceship
• Along with the Ultra Hawk No.3 they took down the Alien Iyros UFO

The only time the Ultra Hawk No. 1 was completely destroyed was during the battle against Rigger, where it was kicked and utterly demolished by Rigger. Despite being shot down multiple times in battles with aliens and monsters, it performed excellently in aerial combat against enemy spacecraft, sometimes even saving Ultraseven when he was in a tight spot.

In the final episode, to support the dying Ultraseven, the entire UG team boarded the separated three aircraft and launched a full-scale support attack.

Heisei Ultraseven

The Ultra Hawk No.1 as seen in Heisei Ultraseven.

In the series, an upgraded version of the Ultra Hawk No. 1 was featured. This version included modifications to the existing aircraft, upgrades to the engine and avionics, and enhanced weaponry, such as the Holbuster missile with a freezing warhead, large missiles, and other specialized warhead weapons. Additionally, it could be equipped with the Pointer. ^{Heisei Ultraseven}

Ultraman Mebius

The Ultra Hawk No. 1 made a brief appearance during the GUYS air show, flying alongside the Jet VTOL and the Ultra Hawk No.3, showcasing its capabilities to the visitors. ^{The Resurrection of Yapool}

Superior 8 Ultra Brothers

The Ultra Hawk No. 1, piloted by Dan and Anne, joined the Jet VTOL, MAT Arrow 1, TAC Space and Nippon Maru as they headed into space. ^{Superior 8 Ultra Brothers}

Gallery

Ultraseven

Confronting the Alien Cool spaceship

Heisei Ultraseven

Ultraman Mebius

Models of the Ultra Hawk No. 1, Jet VTOL and Pointer

The Ultra Hawk No.1 participating in an air show held by GUYS

Superior 8 Ultra Brothers

Ultraseven IF Story “The Future 55 Years Ago”

Miscellaneous

Heisei Ultra Hawk No. 1

α, β and γ.

The Ultra Hawk vs. Dark Zagi in Mega Monster Battle: RR

Trivia

• Regarding the scenes featuring Ultra Hawk No.1, according to Koichi Takano, who was in charge of special effects, the production of the scenes for Ultra Hawk No.1, No.2, and No.3 began well before the production of the first episode. It ultimately took about a month to complete these special effects scenes.
• The jet was designed by Tohl Narita whom also designed the kaiju and aliens.
• The model of the Ultra Hawk No. 1 was produced by the Gunji Model Manufacturing Company. According to the needs of the scenes, models of 180 cm, 90 cm, and 45 cm were used, along with a detachable 6-foot wooden model and a non-detachable 3-foot tin model used in takeoff scenes.
  • The 6-foot model is owned by Tomoo Haraguchi, who restored it to its original condition during filming. The 3-foot model, on the other hand, was salvaged by Haraguchi from Tsuburaya Productions' discarded model, and he replicated it using FRP after creating a mold.

3-foot model (FRP replica)

• In the takeoff scenes, the announcement "Fourth gate open" echoing in the hangar was provided by director Kazuho Mitsuta.
• The Ultra Hawk No.1 would later inspire another three-formation fighter jet, GUTS Eagle, in Ultraman Dyna.
  • The Ultra Jet, featured in the 2024 film Ultraman: Rising, is also based on the design of the Ultra Hawk No.1.