Built by Japan's government in secret to protect it from a foreign military invasion, the Super X's first foe ended up being an inhuman leviathan. The airship was deployed to defeat Godzilla after the beast had made landfall and began wreaking havoc in Tokyo, tearing the city apart. The ship's hull proved durable enough to withstand his atomic ray, allowing it to fire the cadmium missiles on board into the beast's open maw. The substance overwhelmed the radiation-powered giant, shutting down his internal nuclear processes. Godzilla crashed into a building, left helpless and slowly dying.
Unfortunately for the crew of the Super X, and Japan as a whole, Godzilla was not to die this day. His appearance had already drawn the attention of the entire world. Both the Soviet Union and the United States, deep in the Cold War, had prepared to launch a nuclear strike at the first sign it was needed. By bitter chance, the leviathan's earlier landfall had damaged the Soviet vessel Balashevo anchored in Tokyo Bay. This in turn accidentally activated a satellite programmed to deploy its nuclear payload. Swift communication with the US allowed the missile to be intercepted by an American warhead in the upper atmosphere. However, the two nuclear missiles detonating in the atmosphere caused a radiation-laced storm in the skies above Tokyo.
Beneath crimson skies, lightning tore through the clouds and crashed down around the city. When the bolts finally struck Godzilla, the energy surged through his body and restored him, even as the same storm crippled the Super X's systems.
Revived and strengthened, Godzilla rose to his feet and took the fight to the Super X. Unfortunately, the defensive airship had exhausted its supply of cadmium missiles, leaving it to rely on speed and its remaining weapons. It weaved between skyscrapers, hammering Godzilla with conventional missiles and laser fire, but it was clear the monster would not be brought down that easily.
Eventually, the aerial battle tank was shot down by an atomic ray striking it, leaving it stranded on the ground. Godzilla stared down upon it, snarling as he pushed a skyscraper over, crushing the Super X and its pilots under tens of thousands of tons.
Though the Super X failed to stop Godzilla, another contingency plan was already underway to deal with the nuclear leviathan. By broadcasting simulated bird calls, the monster was instinctively lured to Oshima Island. Once there, explosives were triggered, sending Godzilla tumbling into the dormant volcano of Mount Mihara.
With the creature finally contained, recovery teams moved into Tokyo to survey the destruction. Among their tasks was collecting the wreckage of the Super X. Though the airship had been completely destroyed, its legacy would continue in a future model developed by Japan.
Powers / Weapons
Flight
Built as a defensive weapon against military threats, the Super X was capable of rapid flight from five turbofan jets it was equipped with. Two of these were used for propulsion, while three were used for vertical take offs and landings.
The craft was also highly mobile. Although its cruising speed was 140 kilometers per hour, it was able to reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. In fact, its speed and high maneuverability allowed it to evade Godzilla for much of the battle.
Cadmium Missiles
Although much of the craft's armament was originally intended to face conventional threats, it was equipped with a specialized system to take on Godzilla. The cadmium missiles, while capable of neutralizing other nuclear hazards such as compromised reactors, were designated as an "anti-beast" weapon. Living up to the name, they were used to great effect against Godzilla when fired down his throat. This resulted in halting the monster's nuclear processes and eventually stopping his heart.
Unfortunately, the supply of cadmium missiles on board the Super X was limited, with only three available.
Hyper Laser C02
The Super X was armed with laser cannons on the bottom front of the craft. These were capable of firing off Hyper Laser C02 beams.
Though they would have likely been highly effective against military forces, against Godzilla the lasers did little damage.
Rocket Launchers
The Super X was armed with a wide array of conventional missiles, launchable from nearly every part of the craft. Retractable ports on the top and sides allowed larger missiles to be fired, while smaller missile cannons were mounted on the front.
Its arsenal included six 68 Modified 84 Type 30 Rocket Howitzers, four M29 300mm Howitzers, four GAU-8/A-T1 30mm and seven-barrel Vulcan cannons. In addition, the Super X featured two Laser-Controlled AIM-4D Modified Large Falcon Launchers, which would have been for anti-aircraft purposes.
Heat-Resistant
The Super X was constructed from titanium alloy, built to withstand combat that would involve nuclear weapons. Additional measures were taken from inside the craft, with the circuits extensively using platnium to help protect them. Combined with heat-resistant ceramic tiles, this allowed it to endure Godzilla's atomic ray with minimal damage.
However, after its systems were compromised by the nuclear storm, repeated blasts from Godzilla eventually took their toll, culminating in a final strike that caused critical system failures and forced the craft to be grounded.
Flares
Used to distract Godzilla in battle and let the Super X get in further strikes, the airship could fire flares into the air.
These flares were released from the very top of the craft, and could be launched if the top retractable port was open or closed.
Background and Trivia
Concept art for the craft refers to it, in English, as the "Super X Main Sky Battle Tank". This is also the same name that appears, in English, in the 2005 publication Godzilla: Toho Giant Monster Picture Encyclopedia (ISBN: 4092800525). The Kaiju Super Power Ultra Illustrated Encyclopedia (T1001844121004) adds in an abbreviated name for the craft, which is "MSBT-T-1", with the first part being an abbreviation for "Main Sky Battle Tank".
While most sources cite the flying ship as the "Super X" in English, The Official Godzilla Compendium (ISBN: 0679888225) is an example where it's referred to as the "Super-X".
The concept art for the craft notes not just the flight speeds, but also that it required a team of at least six pilots but could be flown with a crew of twelve managing it. The artwork also states that the craft was 20 meters in width.
Akiyama, played by Isao Hashimoto, was the vehicle's Air Staff Officer and in charge of the craft.
Koichi Kawakita's Toho SFX Mechanic Chronicle 1954-2003 (ISBN: 477530142X) lists the armament of the craft as: anti-beast cadmimum missiles, 68 Modified 84 Type 30 Rocket Howitzer, M29 300mm Howitzer, M29C 300mm Howitzer, GAU-8/A-T1 30mm 7-Barrel Vulcan Cannon, active laser, laser-controlled AIM-4D Modified Large Falcon Launcher, flare launcher and Hyper Laser C02. It also mentions that the craft only carried three cadmium missiles on board.
Toho SFX Mechanic Chronicle 1954-2003 (ISBN: 477530142X) notes that the craft was built with the intention of dealing with conflicts that involved nuclear weapons. This goes into the armor of the battle tank and citing that platinum is used for the integrated circuits. It also cites its power source as being a plasma nuclear fusion reactor.
