Graham

I still have that card somewhere. Used to carry it in my wallet, heh heh. If I can find it, I'll do a scan. Graham

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF VF-0A I have a first issue VF-0A Cannon Fodder that has been on display in my display cabinet in Gerwalk mode since it was first released. It's probably only been transformed 2-3 times before it went on permanent display and has not been touched in several years. The other day, I noticed that it was no longer standing properly and the nose was touching the shelf of the cabinet. I picked up the toy, to attempt to get it standing properly and the left leg suddenly sheared off at the knee joint. Upon closer examination, I noticed the right knee joint was also cracked almost all the way through. I also found that both the plastic "U" clips that hold the metal hip bar had also sheared off while just standing on display in Gerwalk mode. Anyway, see attached pics. Graham

Today's photos are brought to you by the letter "G". "G" for Graham and "G" for Gerwalk. Graham

I don't know why some people think the VF-17D has white stripes. It does not. It has blue stripes. The only time I have ever seen white stripes on the VF-17D was on the cover art of an old 1995 issue of B-Club magazine. Graham

Err.......this part of the forums is for discussion of Macross games. Graham

I on purpose posed mine on a marble countertop, the slickest surface I could find in my appartment and no problems at all with maintaining the pose. Err..........okaaaaay then, so it's not a true Gerwalk unless the sides of the feet are parallel with the side of the leg.....err.........right Mwhahahhah.........really? I mean really?????? Personally, I'm fine with either ball joints or ratchet joints on the ankles. I need to test the rest of My VF-19 toys to see if the ankles are fine in Gerwalk mode, but on the 2 I've tested so far no problems. Graham

I certainly hope so!IIRC, the plan was to release it by 25th Dec, but that info is very old and I don't know it it has changed or not. Graham

Err...........so just what exactly is supposed to be wrong with the GERWALK mode?????? Seems perfectly fine to me! I had no problem getting and holding the stances in the attached photos. Mine has nice tight ankles that hold poses fine (and this is my store bought one, not my Yamato sample). (Please excuse the late night, poor quality pics taken in the bathroom at nearly 1.30am after a heavy work-related drinking session.....hic!) Graham

Gotta say, I'm absolutely in love with the VF-19S. I think it's an absolutely beautiful and fantastically engineered toy. Yes, the wing trailing edges are thin and sharp, but I don't really consider that an issue. If you are aware if it and know to take care during transformation. I love this toy in fighter and battroid mode and have had no problems. I've never transformed it to Gerwalk mode though, as I seldom, if ever Put my VF toys in that mode, so not experienced any issues. I will test though. I really love zooming this thing around the house in fighter mode and it looks so cool and aggressive in Battroid mode. Love it. Graham

Ozma uses the Armored Pack's beam cannons in episode 1 (or is it ep 2, I forget) of Frontier, when he's grappling with the red Vajra. He transforms to Gerwalk, to avoid the Vajra's attack and fires the Armored Packs beam cannons at the Vajra at point blank range. Graham

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that as all modern, complex transforming VF toys, whether from Bandai or Yamato seem to break, decay, rot or whatever even when stored untouched in the box, it's probably a good idea just to play with them and enjoy them while you can, as no matter how carefully you handle them, they are going to disintigrate sooner or later (probably sooner) anyway! Graham

In terestin Interesting hypothesis Renato. I'd never considered it to be an and/or situation with regards to internal storage of the VF-22S's gunpod(s) and reaction missile(s), but that does make sense and explains why Max only had one gunpod during the Operation Stargazer mission. So basically, he had one gunpod in one bay and one reaction missile in the other bay. Makes sense. Although it stll doesn't explain why when his gunpod ran out of ammo, he didn't then switch to the foream beam guns? Perhaps he didn't actually have much time on the VF-22S and forgot about them. Graham

The VF-19F when it comes will be a thing of even more awesome beauty. Salivating now, thinking of white stripes on that gorgeous blue and the single laser head............yum! Graham

Ya' got me thinking about how many new TVs I could buy for the cost of those Valks sitting on my old bedroom CRT TV.........Hahaha! The problem with new LCD or Plasma TVs is they make lousy stands for Valks. Graham

Nah, really, they are back-up, pop-out propellers, in case the six (count em' 6!) existing engines on this thing all fail simultaneously........LOL! There's nothing like taking multiple systems redundency to a whole new level Graham

Got my YF-29 FAST Packs yesterday. They attach very securely in fighter mode. I haven't tried them in other modes and probably won't, as my YF-29 stays in fighter mode permanantly these days, given how much of a pain in the ass it is to transform. There's a high level of detail on the packs and nice fine panel lines. I'm happy that Bandai painted the space between the red micro-missiles black this time, unlike on the Tornado Pack space parts. The only minor issue is with the shield armour. While it clips onto the shield securely, it tends to want to push the shield away from the body of the fighter, so that you often get an about 2mm gap between the shield and the rear of the fighter and from time to time need to push the shield back into position. I haven't extended the anti-Vajra harpoons or auxiliary propellars or whatever they are in my attached pictures, as I think they look stupid. Graham

Fantastic toy, picked up a second one a couple of days ago. Only two minor complaints about this toy: 1) I'd love to see this with more Tampo printing. We don't even get the red warning "<"on the intakes. I'd love it if Yamato could use as much Tampo printing as Bandai did on the VF-25F Renewal Version. 2) The trailing edges of the wings are quite sharp. The trailing edge inner corner of the wing, being so thin and pointed can be damaged quite easily if you are not careful during transformation. Graham

Haha, that video from Renato is priceless. Classic comedy gold! "It's not like the Bandai one". RTFM, Renato.........LOL! Graham

And the confusion over the engine model and thrust of the VF-19S continues! Seldom do sources agree! Yamato 1/60 VF-19S box = 2 x P&W FF-2500F with 82,500kg thrust each. Macross Chonicle VF-19S entry = 2 x P&W FF-2550X with 68,950kg thrust each. VF-19 Master File, VF-19S entry (page 80) = 2 x P&W FF-2550X with 68,950kg thrust each. Macross Compendium VF-19S entry = 2 x FF-2550J with 78,950 kg (68,500kg in space) thrust each. Bandai 1/100 VF-19S plamodel instructions = 2 x FF-2550J with 68,500kg thrust each. Bandai 1/65 DX VF-19S toy box = 2 x unknown engine (unless written in Japanese) with 78,950kg thrust each. Graham

After seeing the mag scans, I hope you all understand a bit better, why 100% anime accurate storage of the gunpod was not possible, given the size of the gunpod relative to the lower leg. I think Yamato's gunpod storage is a good compromise solution. Graham

Because ABS test shots have only recently been made, that's why. Graham

Scans attached from the January 2012 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine. I like that they used red plastic for the ABS and diecast test shot, kind of gives an idea what the Milia version would look like Transformation is definitely a bit more complicated thatn the old Bandai 1/65 DX version! Graham

The new Dengeki Hobby magazine, out today has a 2 page spread of an unpainted AND & forecast diecast test shot. Will scan & post later tonight. Graham

Good, then I don't need to go out today to buy a second one, can wait til' next week. Too busy today anyway. Graham

Is this supposed to be out today, or Nov 30th? Graham