Graham

Like many companies, Yamato has also been affected to some degree by the global economic recession. This has taken the form of declining sales this year, especilaly for the higher-end collectables, as customers have had to tighten their belts and cut down on spending on non-essentials. This obviously has a knock-on effect. Fewer units being sold means smaller profits for Yamato, which means less money that can be in ploughed back into new product development. And development of a new 1/60 scale VF is far, far from cheap. I think this is why this year, we have seen fewer all-new models and most of Yamato's releases so far this year have been repaints of existing products, or have just featured small retooling modifications (i.e. VF-11B -> VF-11C & YF-21 - >VF-22). Hopefully with the financial situation worldwide seeming to improve, we will start seeing some new products from Yamato. Graham

I love these little fellas, but really Bandai, 3 series in and no sign of a VF-171 in this line or indeed any of your toy and model lines!!!!! Grrrr........ There's loads of mold-milking potential with the VF-171/VF-171EX and it's not like it only had a few seconds screen time. They appeared in quite a number of episodes in the Frontier TV series. C'mon Bandai, let's start having some VF-171 love! Graham

OK, had a reply back from Yamato. Basically they said that they have been really busy and the VFC series 3 got put aside and they sort of forgot all about it. Anyway, they are going to have a meeting to discuss whether on not to still release it (I gather series 1 & 2 where not huge sellers). There is some discussion about using a different material instead of ABC+PVC (I believe PU was mentioned) and having them fully painted. Apparently this would not affect the cost, or would even result in a cheaper selling price. But basically, it's all up in the air at the moment. So don't give up hope. These may still be released in some form. I will post again when I hear more. Graham

I suspect the big underwing-pods (fuel tanks/missile launchers?) are only for space use. They are shown both in a pic in the movie guide book in space with boxes that cover the 4 intakes on the wing-tip mounted engine nacelles. Also, the upcoming series 3, Bandai 1/250 toy Typhoon toy has the big underwing pods together with the boxes covering the intakes. Graham

I will ask Yamato what the status is and report back. Graham

Can somebody please remind me when do you win or get to buy the Mac II and VF-X2 mecha? Completed Zero, DYRL, SDFM, Plus, M7 & D7 campaigns and about a third of the way through The Frontier campaign. Have S or SS rank on all played missions so far and my shop level has been at 30 for ages, but still no sign of those mecha. Graham

The CD booklet that comes with the new Fire Bomber CD "Re.Fire" has a page titled 'City 7 in 2060' (scan attached). Can somebody please translate this? I think many of us would love to know how City 7 is faring 15 years on. Graham

There is a front view screen capture pic of it, IIRC in the movie guide book, which came out a few weeks ago. Yeah, I was wondering about the difference, but space use version makes sense. Graham

The MAC II SAP doesn't have boosters on the end of the wing, they are missile pods. Graham

Heh, that's an easy buy for me. I love these little critters and I love the VF-25 Super/Armored packs, so don't mind having them in multiple scales. Graham

Hope they have a better attachment for the arm armor, when they release the Tornado Pack. Graham

Nice, but still no VF-171, VF-17 or VF-11.

Apart from the color change, which I'm not too keen on, but can live with, me likee overall. Looks pretty damn big to me. Certainly big enough. With my limited storage and display space, I wouldn't want any bigger. Will definitely be kept in robot mode though. The Quarter's cruiser mode has always looked a bit of a mess to me. Graham

Personally, I don't give a crap about extras (or lack of) on discs. I buy DVDs to watch the movie, not a bunch of other crap. Given the choice, I'll usually buy the disc with the fewest extras. I bought the Terminator Salvation DVD last week. Bought the cheapest single disc version. And yes, it was just as crap as I remeber it being at the movies. It's a sad day when I have to admit that I actually enjoyed Transformers Revenge of The Fallen more than Terminator Salvation and actually thought Transformers was the better of the two movies (although that's not saying much). Graham

The chances of an official English release are almost zero, thanks to a little fly in the ointment that goes by the initials of HG. Graham

Bah, today is already 1st December.............you're late! Graham

I'd love to see the music folders labled with the existing song name and era, so that you have some idea what music you are replacing when you import your own MP3s. Graham

Thanks, just backed up to PC now. Graham

Damn, that sucks. Been meaning to ask, is it possible to save the saved game data to PC via USB cable, so that in the event of a corrupt or dead memory stick, I have a back up of my game data on PC? Would hate to lose my 102 hours worth of play. Graham

I can accept the 6000 to 7000 Yen price and lack of landing gear for the VF-19Kai, as it's the only game in town really, if you want a nice looking, propotionate Fire Valkyrie toy. However, at the price-point a Bandai Hi-Metal VF-1 better have proper folding landing gear and a perfect transformation heatshield, or I ain't biting, not when the market is already flooded with so many other great VF-1 toys. I do feel making the VF-1 so soon in the Hi-Metal line is a mistake by Bandai perhaps releasing other previously unreleased VFs first such as the VF-4, VF-2SS, VF-171 etc may have been a wiser move. Graham

The size comparison with the VF-1J is interesting though. I expected the Mac II Destroids to be bigger, well except the Monster.

Agreed, picked it up yesterday and listened to it t 5 times all the way through so far. Graham

The issue # 36, technology sheet on VF defensive systems looks very interesting. Seems to be lots of information on armor, SWAG energy converting armor and pin point barriers. Hope somebody can translate soon. Graham

Yep, you will be happy, it is Macross II destroids. No hard stats though. Graham

Heh, will the SkyDiver crew, still wear sting vests in the remake I wonder? Graham