Who's Who - 75th T.A.F. Squadron - Flying Angels

The 75th Squadron is an elite, all-women fighter squadron of the Tactical Air Force. The brainchild of Brig. General Margaret Carver, the 75th (aka the Flying Angels) was intended to be the home of the best female fighter pilots in the world. A special selection committee was assembled to assess and recommend the best women pilots, military or civilian, in the UEG's sphere of influence. Those selected were promoted (or given officer's commissions if they were civilians) and assigned to the squadron, based out of Southern Cross Dundee Base in Australia.

The Angels would often assist the 21st A.T.A.C. on some of that squadron's more difficult missions when they were in need of superior air support. The most memorable assist the Angel's performed was to rapidly deploy the 21st to a hot zone in Indochina that was achieved by piloting the tankers and their mecha to the target in a CTC Combat Troop Carrier space shuttle (the only vehicle that could accomodate all the mecha), flying the shuttle in ways never imagined (or likely approved of) by its designers. The Angels also helped the 21st shoot down the Robotech Masters Heavy Cruiser that had destroyed the town of Gibson.

The Flying Angels were deployed to Queensland Base near the end of the Second Robotech War and it is not known if any of them survived the final battle of the war.

The 75th pilot customized Phantom Interceptor jets, though they are cross-trained in most other Southern Cross aircraft and some spacecraft (fighters, shuttles and transports, not capital-scale vessels).

Squadron Members

Juliette Pontoin

Personality

On duty, Destiny is utterly ruthless and totally efficient at her job, but once she's off duty her personality changes, she's charming, sophisticated and very feminine. Destiny is extremely fashion conscious, and any spare time she has is spent on dressmaking and clothes design.

History

Being the daughter of a wealthy textile manufacturer, Juliette Pontoin was initially raised at a Parisian convent. In the aftermath of the First Robotech War her family relocated to Scandinavia where Juliette began attending university. Although she enjoyed her stay at university, Juliette did prefer an exciting social life rather than her studies (distancing herself from the memories of convent life), and only passed degree-level courses in telecommunications and meteorology, not all her courses taken. Now, not knowing just what career to go for, Juliette decided on joining the Army of the Southern Cross as a "fill-in" job. Because of her unusual qualifications and few job interests, Juliette was moved to the intelligence corps. There she became so enthusiastic in her work that she decided to make intelligence her career after all. As another part of the job Juliette began training as an aircraft pilot and soon made a name for herself amongst CDFC officials for her flying skills, as well as her handling of intelligence gathering and efficiency in handling tricky situations. As a reward for her skills and contributions to the CDFC her superiors promoted her to commanding officer of the newly initiated, equal opportunities program, women's fighter squadron. Excelling in air-combat tactics and fine leadership, Juliette soon gained the respect and admiration of other squadrons, becoming in the process ace pilot of the CDFC. However, after three years in the CDFC, Juliette tired of the lack of personal freedom and the strict regimentation the armed forces brought, and so she decided to leave, to start her own firm of flying contractors. For her tremendous prowess in the field of intelligence gathering, her faultless record with the CDFC and her great piloting skills, Juliette was approached in 2027 by the selection committee for the Tactical Air Force, and she happily accepted the job of combat pilot with the new call sign Destiny Angel.

Magnolia Jones

Personality

On duty, Melody is a pillar of strength. She's tough and determined, giving encouragement to her fellow pilots in difficult situations. Off duty, Melody's strong personality makes her the leader amongst the Angels. Her favourite hobby in her spare time is learning languages, and at the last recorded incident Melody was trying to master the Japanese tongue, presumably with Harmony's help.

History

Born on a cotton farm in the south of the USA, Magnolia Jones was the odd one out of the family. Having four older brothers, she grew up as a "tomboy", playing and thinking like a male. Often playing truant from school with her brothers. Magnolia wasn't very bright at school, presumably due to her missing so much time. She therefore left school at age 15 to take up her passion for motor racing (even taking it up professionally at one point), a sport she excelled in. Magnolia's parents then agreed that she'd spent far too long living the wild life, and so they sent her off to the RDF Academy to learn some discipline. Magnolia hated this idea, until she discovered she was now allowed to fly. Flying became a passion for her and after being expelled from the academy for unruly behaviour (the Academy obviously only reinforced her masculine nature), Jones joined the Army of the Southern Cross at age 18. Magnolia loved the air force life, and began training as a test pilot where her courage and nerves of steel made her the most renowned test pilot of the TAF at that time. During her test flight of a new fighter aircraft, base control lost radio contact with her somewhere over the south seas, and she was feared dead. The search for her lasted three weeks and all hope was lost, then suddenly a few months later she reappeared having scratch built herself an air-worthy craft form the salvageable wreckage of the plane. Then in 2027 her great determination and flying skills brought her to the attention of the selection committee for the new elite fighter squadron, the 75th, who approached her and she eagerly accepted the challenge of becoming one of their pilots, Melody Angel. Whilst usually only a fighter pilot, when not on duty as such, Melody Angel has been on call as a helicopter pilot.

Karen Wainwright

Personality

On duty Symphony is dedicated to her role as TAF pilot, being thoroughly proficient in all her skills though sometimes her impetuous intuition gets too strong. Off duty, she's sympathetic to her fellows and quick witted. Her great hobby is hairdressing, and she's often asked by the other angels to create a fabulous new hairstyle for a special date. Also off duty Symphony seems to have a romantic relationship with Thomas Mitchel (commander of Gryphon Squad), and these feelings are obviously reciprocated.

History

Born in Boston, Karen relocated with her family to New Macross City (and later Monument City) after the First Robotech War. Karen was gifted at her high school, often coming top of the class, and graduated and began universioty at only 16. There also she bettered all the other students, gaining seven degrees in the study and employment of mathematics and technology. For her great academic abilities, Karen was nominated as student of the year by the combined university committee. After graduating, Karen Wainwright was contacted by the Global Militay Police. The excitement of the GMP greatly appealed to her and she leapt at the chance to undergo their comprehensive training course, which she passed in only two years, though most others taking the same course need at least five to complete it - so directed was her adaptability and thinking. Whilst on active duty as a field agent dealing solely with industrial espionage, Karen became a great credit to the GMP. Her tactful handling of tricky assignments made her the GMP's number one secret agent, and within five years Karen had developed techniques to help revamp the ideals of espionage under the GMP - her methods of operation being copied by many other such agencies. And whilst training as an aircraft pilot for a special mission for the service, Karen fell in love with flying, and soon realised that the one ambition in her life was to become a pilot. Leaving the service she joined up with an unnamed charter company dealing purely with worldwide passenger transport. So good were Karen's flying skills that she gained world-wide recognition, and frequently became headline news. In late 2027 the selection committee for the new elite 75th Tactical Air Force squadron recognised her potential and offered her the chance to become one of their pilots. Karen passed the entrance exam with ease, and was immediately enlisted as Symphony Angel.

Dianne Simms

Personality

Both on and off duty Dianne Simms is charming, sophisticated, with a dedicated responsibility towards the Southern Cross, her fellow officers and pilots. Off duty Rhapsody has a bright and bubbly personality, with a love of chess.

History

Dianne Simms is the daughter of World Government official, Lord Robert Simms. Educated first at an unnamed girls' public school, Dianne was relocated to Oslo after the Zentraedi planetary assault destroyed London. She entered university at age 19, taking degree level courses in law and sociology. There she entered the swinging party life of a debutante from a wealthy family. But soon the endless parties and hangers-on began to bore her, and she longed for some adventure and excitement in her life. It was, however, at one particularly dreary party that Dianne was introduced to Mirya Sterling, RDF fighter ace. Mirya recognised her longing for a life of action and adventure, and suggested Dianne should join the RDF. And so she was delighted when she was accepted and sent for special training. After her initial development course Dianne was given many difficult and dangerous assignments, in Scandinavia and off-planet, and at one point prior to the departure of the REF she was offered membership in the elite Skull Squadron. Unwilling to leave Earth with the REF Dianne stayed with the RDF, transferring to Mexico City base. The selection committee for the newly created 75th elite tactical air squadron had closely followed Dianne's career and realising her tremendous potential, chose her to become one of their five Angel pilots in late 2027.

Chan Kwan

Personality

On duty Harmony is truly devoted to the Southern Cross and is regarded as their best pilot. Off duty she is full of mysterious eastern charm and femininity. She also has a love of physical sports, spending her spare time in the gymnasium practising and teaching the other Angels karate and judo (of which she is a 4th Dan Black belt).

History

Chan Kwan is the daughter of a successful Chinese business family, with small offices in Peking and Tokyo. Chan was born in Honshu, Japan, whilst her mother accompanied her father on official business. The family was in Tokyo when the Zentraedi planetary assault destroyed much of China. Being the only daughter of a wealthy transport business owner, Chan grew up in a world of various high speed aircraft, mostly jet-planes. After her education at Tokyo high school and then at a finishing school in Australia (until age 17), Chan Kwan soon realised that the only real career she ever wanted was the one which truly flowed through the blood of her family, flying. But at her father's request, Chan gave in and enrolled at Tokyo University (until age 20), taking degree level courses in physics and aerodynamics, also presumably electrical and mechanical engineering. However every minute of her spare time was taken up flying with friends she'd made at the Tokyo Flying Club, and although she gained grade-1 honours degrees in her chosen subjects, her only ambition now that she'd graduated, was to prove that she could pilot a small jet-engined aircraft single-handedly round the world. And so she spent the next two years perfecting her flying skills, and with the money from a fund set up for her by her father, she purchased a used, single-seater, flight-trainer jetplane, spending the next three months in the workshops of her father's flying taxi company "souping up" and converting it to her personal requirements. On 2 March 2025 Chan Kwan set off on her lonely voyage around the globe. Her first attempts failed, when after only 36 hours of solo flight, Chan received a weak distress signal from three men stranded helpless aboard a blazing fuel tanker in the Pacific ocean. With her perfect flying and some split-second timing Chan managed to land her small plane on the deck of the ship. Rescuing the exhausted men, she flew the four of them back to land (after stripping the plane's fuselage down to its bare essentials). The rescue was a success, and Chan Kwan was acclaimed a heroine the world over, and six months later her ambitions were finally fulfilled when she single-handedly flew her way around the world, breaking all previous records. But in September of 2026 Chan's father died leaving her in full command of the family business, Peking Taxi Corps. Though of course she was well catered for by her father's trust fund, and within a year, under her personal management, the firm expended into one of the biggest and swiftest freight and flying taxi services in the eastern world. In mid 2027 it was her dedication to a cause and her great flying abilities which made her the unanimous choice of the selection committee for one of their Angel pilots, and so Chan Kwan was given the code name Harmony Angel.

The Angels are based on characters appearing in Captain Scarlet, with bios based on text from Spectrum Headquarters.

Warp Zone | Robotech RPG | Southern Cross | Who's Who | Flying Angels