GERWALK

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Transformers character Jetfire in his alternate gerwalk mode found in his instructions.

GERWALK is an acronym used in the fictional Macross anime setting. It stands for Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint, and refers to a hybrid configuration with legs that various aerospace vehicles can transform into for hovering.

The term is later applied to similar non-transforming and transforming vehicles in The Super Dimension Century Orguss, Genesis Climber Mospeada, The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and other works inspired by Macross.

In the Robotech (the edited adaptation of Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada), this configuration is known as Guardian mode instead. Since the lever which activates the Gerwalk mode was labeled with a "G" they probably had to use a "G" word.

"GERWALK" has also become an unofficial term for any "middle" mode that has limbs extended but without a transformed main body, especially with Transformers toys. Since the newest generations of Transformers have a great amount of poseability, they can often be put in "GERWALK" configuration.

According to an article in Animerica magazine, the form came about partially by accident. Early in the development cycle for Macross, the creators planned a main mecha called "GA-WALK", with an ostrich-like leg configuration (similar to the enemy battle pods from the finished series). However, the idea met with resistance from the initial sponsor, which wanted a more conventional, Gundam-style robot for the hero to pilot. When creator Shoji Kawamori designed the transforming "Breast Fighters" (later redesigned and renamed the "VF-1 Valkyrie" fighters) instead, he had no real thoughts of a third mode. But when the manufacturer Takatoku Toys sent along the prototype of a Valkyrie toy for his input, the prototype's legs were not yet locked into place in Fighter mode, causing the legs to swing down. This was reminiscent to him of the discarded "GA-WALK" mecha idea that had been shot down early in pre-production. He liked the idea, and worked to incorporate the third mode, now renamed "GERWALK," into Macross.

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