It doesn't quite extend the existing hangar. Unlike the Lili Marleen, the regular Zanzibar doesn't have a rear hatch. They only have one hatch at the bottom which is large enough to fit a MA. Having the catapult right below that hatch makes sense since it would allow MS from both sections to have direct access to it for deployment.bluemax151 wrote:So from the looks of the pictures the add on unit utilizes the existing cargo space of the Chimera but extends it and adds a catapult. I wonder if it's integral to the Chimera or if it can be jettisoned in the field? I'm also curious if there's a rear hatch there above those 3 thrusters/rockets?
The square hatch of the support unit that connects to the Zanzibar corresponds to the area where the Zanzbar's 4 thrusters are located. The hatch at the rear does look big enough for an MS to launch from it.
I suppose that could be the case. At least the Late Production Musai from 0083 also uses a similiar type of thruster that also looks like a vent.bluemax151 wrote:@Gelgoog Jager
Looks like there actually might be some form of thrust at the top of the add on unit. The piece up there looks suspiciously like a Macross VF-1 backpack.
I just realized this, but if the Chimera supposedly had that unit attached to it all along, can we now discard the possibility of it being the ship that got shot down during Kycillia’s attempt to escape A Baoa Qu?