Remko

Something I always found funny about Macross, was that they showed the VF's launching from an exterior flightdeck while in space. This can be seen very nicely in Macross Frontier, where there are VF-25's on the flight deck of Macross Quarter. This doesn't make any sense, since in Space you won't need a flight deck, landing gear or catapults like on a normal aircraft carrier. It looks cool, but I found it to be a bit disturbing. The VF-171 carriers looked much better in that perspective. Anyway, my favourite VF of all times is the SV-51 from Macross Zero. It's just one big mean looking bird. Especially in GERwalk mode it's very birdlike complete with talons. Does the SV-51 actually have a name? Or is it only Alpha and Gamma? I hearby would like to supply the name Cormorant. I know how they launch vertically from the sub (at least in case of Macross Zero). But how do they return? The real world submarine launched Cormorant UCAV (now under development by the US Navy) also launches from the launch tube of an Ohio class SSGN while submerged, and when it has completed it's mission it returns to the location of the sub, and plucnhes in the water, while activating a locator beacon. Small UAV's deploy from the sub, and tow the UCAV back to the launc tube. I don't think this is possible with the SV-51 though. So my guess is this. After completing the mission, the SV-51's fly back in close formation, and give of a signal to the sub. This then surfaces, after which the SV-51's quickly land vertically (using the two fans behind the cockpit, as well as the thrust vectoring exhausts from the normal engines) on the deck, and are quickly stowed in the hangar. The sub dives again, and the SV-51's are then hoisted into the launch chutes. This looks plausible, because the Auerstädt has been shown with plenty of open space inside, and the fact that protective coverings rise over the SV-51's prior to launch. Any others who would like to give their own ideas about this?

All those little tributes to the older series (especially SDF:M). Macross Quarter for example resembles the original SDF-1 more than any of the other Macross ships, the bridge crew of M-Quarter is also an homage to the original show, including captain Jeffrey Wilder, the veteran with the big hat, Bobby Margot, which looks like the grandchild of the curly headed girl from the original SDF bridge crew (doen't remember her name though, it's been years since I have seen the show). Other nice stuff, the movie they are making about the discovery of the birdhuman (i.e. Macross Zero). I also loved the part where Alto and Sheryl were in the Zentradi Island shopping mall, just like something from Alice in Wonderland. And Klan Klan came by in here full size(s) Hmmm.. Zentradi/Meltran lingerie..... The incredible detail on Island one was also fantastic. You discover something new every time you look at it. The overhead lines along the dome for example. In every shot in which you could see the background they were just passing by. Not static. This gives a more 'real' feeling, and adds life to the city. I still love the fact that they modeled the city in island one mostly on San Francisco, complete with trolly trams. I just love to have a good walk around there. Must be great to life there. Scray too though.. But hey, at least you could lear to pilot a VF! B))

I remember from a few months back that there were some more entries on the site, including the Anti-UN Submarine carrier Auerstädt with basic design sketches, and the HWR-Monster Mk. I from Macross Zero. They now seem to have been removed from the site. Will they come back? I'd also like to see more images of the sub-carrier. There must be more designs or even full CGI images of that beauty!

Does anyone here know if Bandai also considers equipping Luca's RVF-25G with three AIF-7S Ghost as it is in the show? Might be sold seperately though. But that would be very cool!! Oh yeah, VF-25S Armored Messiah in Ozma colours would be the best!! Hopefully a VF-27 "Lucifer" will also be released in the future. Love that big gun, reminds me of a real world German Henschel Hs 129B-3 from WWII. I'm still wondering how the nosewheel works with that gun in place though...

I ordered my SV-51 Gamma "Ivanov" last week from HLJ as an early birthday gift to myself (have been considering it for months now), and it's on it's way. Hopefully it arrives here before the weekend. What I wanted to know is, can it be posed in launch configuartion WITH boosters and fuel tanks? I have seen photo's on the Yamato website showing it in launch position, but that was a clean model with no ordnance. I'd also like to build a Fuel-air strike bomb like the one from ep. 4, any ideas what parts would be best? It looks like the standard SV-51 fuel tank with braking flaps (like the real world snake-eye, image below) at the rear.

The Tomahawk and Defender both look nice, but I never was a big fan of the original Macross Destroid designs (although the HWR Monster is the best looking Destroid ever!). I'd prefer the Macross Zero Cheyenne's. Much cooler, and more interesting design: Macross Zero Cheyenne C'mon Yamato, give us more Macross Zero 1/60th toys!!