Graham

The official Macross Triangle Frontier site has an update today. Both the Mechanic and System pages are updated Confirmed are FAST Packs for the VF-17....yeah! This makes me really happy . I'm hoping the VF-17 will also finally get a proper shell firing gunpod instead of a beam gun. Also, confirmed is the Metal Siren (previously only the prototype Metal Siren was shown in the recent Famitsu article). Less important, but still nice is that the Macross Plus VF-11B also gets FAST Packs, which it lacked in MUF. Oh, and the big fortress of the Marduck leader from Macross II (sorry, I forgot his name), may also be a playable mecha. Some of the mecha like the VF-9, Proto-Metal Siren, VF-19S with FAST Packs and the 'Q-whatever' from Macross 7 the Movie that were shown in the recent Famitsu magazine/online update also get pages in the Mechanic section. Really hoping for the inclusion of a VF-2JA Icarus and VF-3000 Crusader in MTF. The System update seems to be about the Mihoshi Academy part of the game....yawn (no interest). Even if this game had 100% identical, unchanged missions from MUF, I would still think it worth it to buy, just for the chance to use the VF-17S w/FPs, VF-19S w/FPs and VF-25F w/Tornado Pack. Graham

Absolutely no interested in a Zentran space cucumber or space watermelon. Graham

Honk Honk!

From the various toy and model kit pics, I'm going with FAST packs. The YF-29 appears to use standard Vf-25, legs and the micro missile launchers appear to be just stuck on the outside of the legs. Graham

I quite like the Sheryl scheme, but the Ranka one is just nasty IMO. Graham

Heh, keeping on the mystical sword theme, I hope the next two VFs are called Stormbringer and Mournblade (big Elric fan). Actually quite liking the color scheme in these latest CAD pics. I far prefer the legs mostly grey or white rather than red. Although I'm sure the final production version will have them red. Graham

Where? Please cite source. Graham

Probably some sort of tactical battlefield comms / map device, that allows the commander to know where all his troops are and communicate with them. Graham

In the UC Gundam universe, Minovski particles seemed to be able to do everything. Off the top of my head: 1) Power source for MS. 2) Power source for beam rifles/beam sabers. 3) Give MS flying ability (V-Gundam onwards). 4) Active jamming of all types of missiles (don't ask me how one particle can jam IR homing + radar homing + optically guided missiles). 5) jamming of RF communication. Never liked Gundam tech. Graham

I wanted to get one of the greenie DX cannon-fooder VF-27 toys, but the retail price in HK was too high (HK$1,800 IIRC). So I don't have one. Graham

No for most VFs the ECA can only be used in Battroid mode. There is an official explanation that if IIRC, in Battroid mode, the VFs engines generate surplus power, which can be used to power the Energy Conversion Armor. I presume (I'm guessing) that activation of the ECA in battroid mainly applies if the VF is on the ground and not actually using it's engins to fly, boost jump or hover in battroid mode, which would otherwise draw a lot of power. Presumably with the latest generation of VFs, the engines have so much power that not only can they run at full thrust, but still have enough surplus energy to power the ECA in all modes. Graham

Same as the Armored pack for the VF-25 IIRC, althought that uses the armor's in-built capacitors to power the energy conversion armour (again IIRC). Graham

Good. Just say "NO" to 3D. Friends don't let friends watch movies in 3D! Graham

As I've mentioned before, it's got to the stage where 3D is actually a turn off for me and if a movie is only shown in 3D, I will not pay to see it. If there is a choice between seeing it in 2D or 3D, I will always choose the 2D cinema. Graham

I tend to go the other way and just buy VF-1 toys that were in DYRL (although I also cheat a lot). Luckily, I'm not a fan of these Hi-Metal VF-1 toys, so won't be getting anymore. Graham

I had the chance to handle the prototype of this in Yamato's Tokyo HQ back in March last year. Pretty cool toy, but Zoids are just not my thing. Graham

I'm pretty sure there is an official source that stated that fuel is extracted from the atmosphere, but I forget what the source is. I thought that this was well known and commonly excepted, as we've certainly discussed it enough times over the years. Graham

IIRC, in an atmosphere VF engines extract hydrogen from the air and use that for fuel, so basically its a 'free lunch drive' allowing the VF effectively unlimited range/endurance. In space, it's a diifernt story and the VF has to rely on internal fuel, so when that is gone, the VF is dead in space. Graham

The face doesn't look anything like Sheryl IMO. Graham Hope we get more Ozma in the second movie, but somehow I doubt it. Hope he doesn't die also. Graham

Aren't both Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp gettng a little long in the tooth to play Spike? I mean Keanu is 47 and Johnny Depp is 48! Graham

Never liked the mecha or character designs. Watched the movie once, long ago. OK, but not my sort of thing. No interest in manga. Graham

They are not 'weapons tubes'. They are engines that just happen to have some micro-missiles launchers built into the outside of the engine nacelles. The YF-29 is a 4 engined variable fighter, just like the VF-27. Not sure what the endurance is like though, as in space, using 4 engines, it's going to burn through fuel at a fearsome rate. Graham

Just watched this over the weekend. Some of it was OK, but I ended up fast forwarding through at least half of it. Only really for hard-core Sheryl & Ranka fans IMO. Nothing here for mecha fans to see. Graham

Too bad that preview site doesn't let you view it if you are outside of the US! Graham

While I also love the VF-19S Hi-Metal, the fighter mode sculpt is far from perfect. IMO, Bandai didn't really nail the shape of the forward fuselage. Makes me wonder if they could/would get the shape right on a YF-19. Graham Graham